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Shadow Thieves
SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!Dare you step into the shadows once again?Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island – as well as a terrifying weapon.
Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything?
Trust no one. This is not a game.
⚡️⛵️⚡️⚜️⚡️🧨⚡️
“Top marks” Observer
"Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG
“Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT
“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD
“Propulsive pacing and action packed plotting” Publishers’ Weekly starred review
Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything?
Trust no one. This is not a game.
⚡️⛵️⚡️⚜️⚡️🧨⚡️
“Top marks” Observer
"Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG
“Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT
“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD
“Propulsive pacing and action packed plotting” Publishers’ Weekly starred review
- GenresMiddle Grade
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 20, 2026
A very appropriate read for middle grade or any teens that enjoy MG, I had a good time reading it. But while it was good, it wasn't good enough for a 5 star book rating from me. (Maybe I'm a little harsh but reviews need some nuance sometimes.) Let's see... I lowkey didn't know this series had a sequel till I saw the cover on the library and squealed yes please! However, I think the first book was better than this. The stakes aren't really there and the premise the story is set on, like a treasure hunt but without many clues, was disappointing. However, the characters served. I like the development in relationship between Cassidy and Tom (not romance mind you, but enemy to acquaintance). The plot twist and who the traitor was is unexpected. I was genuinely surprised, tho there weren't any clues to lead to a satisfying discovery of them being the traitor. And the thing is, I didn't even KNOW there was supposed to be a traitor. Also I wish the author had added a little more contextual hint why the Corsair had so much loyalty to the girly in Penumbra. And why go to the island now, after 15 years? Lastly, I think there should be a bigger hook at the end so people will want to read the sequel because even though a short expert of the third book is included, it doesn't make me feel like I had to read the next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After a period of confinement following the Crimson Flu crisis, groups of students from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are given the opportunity to visit a variety of locations for a break from the monotony. But there is a hidden agenda behind at least one of these trips, and the group that includes Tom and his friends Maxine, Enzo, Jericho and others are taken by their professor, the Corsair, to an island once owned by the Duke of Nimes, where hidden treasure and a fabled weapon are said to have been secreted away.
The Duke had dreams of world domination which he did not live to see through, but Tom is horrified to discover that the Corsair has secret plans for one element of the Duke's hidden hoard. Unfortunately, others also have their designs on the Duke's legacy, and are not about to allow the Corsair to proceed with his plans uninterrupted...
This adventure gets 10 out of 10 for the swashbuckle factor, and allows the reader to get to know Tom and his friends (and detractors) much better, with more than a few twists thrown in for good measure. Great entertainment! Looking forward to the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The Duke had dreams of world domination which he did not live to see through, but Tom is horrified to discover that the Corsair has secret plans for one element of the Duke's hidden hoard. Unfortunately, others also have their designs on the Duke's legacy, and are not about to allow the Corsair to proceed with his plans uninterrupted...
This adventure gets 10 out of 10 for the swashbuckle factor, and allows the reader to get to know Tom and his friends (and detractors) much better, with more than a few twists thrown in for good measure. Great entertainment! Looking forward to the next installment.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A book filled with action and adventure! It’s one of those books where you feel the stakes are high and you’re launched on a journey with our characters as they navigate life and death situations. It’s such a fun read and you’ll be tearing through those pages with excited anticipation!
I read this through train journeys (those hours on the train really flew by), outside in the sun with a cup of tea and on snatched moments in the mornings to sneak a few chapters in. I really loved my few chapters with the day and always looked forward to spending some time with Tom to see how he was going to get out of scrapes.
The writing is fab and the book was really well paced. It’s a great story to sink into and this one has set itself up really well into book 3 which I will be eagerly keeping an eye out for! The race is on for Tom and his Shadow League friends to get to the bottom of another mystery!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I read this through train journeys (those hours on the train really flew by), outside in the sun with a cup of tea and on snatched moments in the mornings to sneak a few chapters in. I really loved my few chapters with the day and always looked forward to spending some time with Tom to see how he was going to get out of scrapes.
The writing is fab and the book was really well paced. It’s a great story to sink into and this one has set itself up really well into book 3 which I will be eagerly keeping an eye out for! The race is on for Tom and his Shadow League friends to get to the bottom of another mystery!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
August 29, 2026
I loved this sequel!! It was absolutely brilliant!!
Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School of Deceptive Arts have been take on a trip for the summer to a deserted, private island that used to belong to the villain the Duke of Nimes. They have to find the hidden treasure that the duke has kept there, along with the rumoured plans for a secret weapon. Sounds great; right?
Except, the island is filled with caves and traps, and the hunt is deadly. Will Tom be able to keep him and his friends safe? Not just from the island, but also from the mysterious double agents who keep on turning up?
I loved this book! It was so exciting and full of thrills and action!! I loved seeing all of the characters again, and what an interesting storyline!! I just did not want to put this book down!! However, I felt quite betrayed when I read the last page, turned it and saw that there were no more words to read. I was devastated!! I loved Peter’s writing style, it’s so unique and intriguing! This has been such an amazing series so far, so I really cannot wait to read the third one!!
Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School of Deceptive Arts have been take on a trip for the summer to a deserted, private island that used to belong to the villain the Duke of Nimes. They have to find the hidden treasure that the duke has kept there, along with the rumoured plans for a secret weapon. Sounds great; right?
Except, the island is filled with caves and traps, and the hunt is deadly. Will Tom be able to keep him and his friends safe? Not just from the island, but also from the mysterious double agents who keep on turning up?
I loved this book! It was so exciting and full of thrills and action!! I loved seeing all of the characters again, and what an interesting storyline!! I just did not want to put this book down!! However, I felt quite betrayed when I read the last page, turned it and saw that there were no more words to read. I was devastated!! I loved Peter’s writing style, it’s so unique and intriguing! This has been such an amazing series so far, so I really cannot wait to read the third one!!
August 8, 2026
What an adventure!
This is the second in this series and is as good as the first, if not better. It can be read alone but the first is definitely worth a read!
In this book we follow Tom who is a student at Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, who is taken to an island on a treasure hunt, along with other students but like all good adventure stories, there are plenty of obstacles along the way. This is a fun, imaginative story with twists and turns that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.
This was such an addictive read, which i couldn't put down. I can't wait for the next in the series. I am sure this is going to be hit in our library especially with Percy Jackson fans.
Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. I absolutely loved it! I can't believe its not been made into a film.
This is the second in this series and is as good as the first, if not better. It can be read alone but the first is definitely worth a read!
In this book we follow Tom who is a student at Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, who is taken to an island on a treasure hunt, along with other students but like all good adventure stories, there are plenty of obstacles along the way. This is a fun, imaginative story with twists and turns that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.
This was such an addictive read, which i couldn't put down. I can't wait for the next in the series. I am sure this is going to be hit in our library especially with Percy Jackson fans.
Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC. I absolutely loved it! I can't believe its not been made into a film.
June 4, 2026
Literary treasure for middle grade readers! My full review is here: https://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home...
August 17, 2026
I could not WAIT to get my hands on the next instalment of Shadow Thieves after seeing it all over my Bookstagram feed! And, unsurprisingly, it is just as fabulous as the first!
Following on from book one, Tom Morgan and his fellow Shadow Thieves find themselves in the middle of nowhere on the Island of Skulls. Under the guise of spending the summer avoiding the Crimson Flu outbreak, Tom has a suspicion that there is a little more to their trip. Something hidden. Something dangerous. And something that is very highly sought after…
I just adore Peter Burns’ writing style and found myself unable to put this book down. The plot is fast-paced, full of twists and turns and absolutely overflowing with danger and threat.
I love how every page is packed with action, old characters are revisited, and yet the twists still manage to surprise me!
Unlike the first book, Island of Skulls contains just a hint more risk and violence, which is right up my street! The characters are also brilliant and so well developed. I can’t help but feel attached to Tom and Maxine, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting for something to happen to them!
🌟This is a perfect second book and has left me with SO many questions that MUST be answered!! Bring on book three… and long live the Corsair!!!🌟
Following on from book one, Tom Morgan and his fellow Shadow Thieves find themselves in the middle of nowhere on the Island of Skulls. Under the guise of spending the summer avoiding the Crimson Flu outbreak, Tom has a suspicion that there is a little more to their trip. Something hidden. Something dangerous. And something that is very highly sought after…
I just adore Peter Burns’ writing style and found myself unable to put this book down. The plot is fast-paced, full of twists and turns and absolutely overflowing with danger and threat.
I love how every page is packed with action, old characters are revisited, and yet the twists still manage to surprise me!
Unlike the first book, Island of Skulls contains just a hint more risk and violence, which is right up my street! The characters are also brilliant and so well developed. I can’t help but feel attached to Tom and Maxine, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, waiting for something to happen to them!
🌟This is a perfect second book and has left me with SO many questions that MUST be answered!! Bring on book three… and long live the Corsair!!!🌟
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews