Shadow Boys: Escape From The Mantelrealm

by Debbie Bishop

A wicked fairywitch, intent on seizing the throne of Fairydom wages a brutal battle over the name of the true heir ? a secret the fairies kept closely guarded for protection. When the fairies lose and still won?t reveal the name, the witch steals all the boys in the land and enslaves them to work in the scorching mines of the Mantlerealm. She then covers up her treachery with a spell that obliterates the boys and the war from the outside world's memory. Years later, a girl discovers their mystery and learns that the boys have not gone quietly. Following their not-so-fearless leader Jayce, the Shadow Boys, self-named for their ability to hide inside their own shadows, have adapted to their horrific environment where magic does not work, and because it is too hot to fly, they have used extreme sports as their inspiration to navigate throughout the mines. Training themselves like a Special Forces unit, they have prepared for the day they would attempt to escape all at the same time. Prior attempts had failed and the Shadow Boys, like the oft described military band of brothers, will not leave one man behind. Instead, they have waited anxiously for the girl's prophecized arrival, for it is foretold that she must fight on their side if they are to win against the witch and her dragon army. But now, just when she begins to uncover the truth, the enemy finds her.

228 pages, Paperback

First published July 10, 2008

Reviews

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked this book starting off... but slowly parts of it started to annoy me and then, by page 140, I just gave up. It got pretentious, stupid and really boring! The characters became bland and the writing fell off. It was also weird having these fairies and this evil sorceress and then it set in modern times with Vogue magazines and IPods... just weird.

[Cal Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadowboys was really fun. The world building was charming and despite being about people who are only a few inches tall the world was large and immersive. I enjoyed the interactions between Jayce and the other boys. My favorite was Tash. Chloe is well rounded and the world she lives in has enough breath and life to be interesting.

Over all I found the story intriguing but I will admit at times there were a few too many voices for me to focus. The action sequences are exciting and the mechanics set up around the boys are really cool. I would suggest this book as a fun and entertaining read.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has it all, a little romance and jealosy, fairies, a bad witch, wands and fairy dust, and all that other good stuff all in 222 pages!