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William Shivering #1
Thieves of Weirdwood: A William Shivering Tale
For fans of Brandon Mull and Rick Riordan comes William Shivering and Newbery Honor-winning author of Scary Stories for Young Foxes Christian McKay Heidicker's Thieves of Weirdwood , a brand-new illustrated fantasy series about two kid thieves who are plunged into a battle between the Real and Imaginary worlds!
Action, laughs, and monsters beyond imagining abound!
"Startling, original and epic." ―Eoin Colfer, creator of Artemis Fowl
Twelve-year-old thieves Arthur and Wally are determined to steal their way up the ranks of the notorious Black Feathers gang. With loan sharks chasing after Arthur’s father and Wally’s brother’s hospital bill due, they’re in need of serious cash. Fast.
When Arthur spots some wealthy strangers exiting a seemingly deserted mansion, he smells an opportunity for a big score. Little do the boys realize, they’ve stumbled upon Weirdwood Manor, the headquarters of a magical order who protect the Balance between the Real and Imaginary worlds. When Kingsport is besieged by nightmarish creatures, it’s up to a pair of thieves to save their city.
Filled with giant tentacle monsters and heroes literally ripped from the pages of adventure stories, this imagination-bending series is perfect for fans of Keeper of the Lost Cities , Aru Shah , and Nevermoor .
"An imaginative, page-turning adventure." ―Shannon Messenger, New York Times bestselling author of Keeper of the Lost Cities
Action, laughs, and monsters beyond imagining abound!
"Startling, original and epic." ―Eoin Colfer, creator of Artemis Fowl
Twelve-year-old thieves Arthur and Wally are determined to steal their way up the ranks of the notorious Black Feathers gang. With loan sharks chasing after Arthur’s father and Wally’s brother’s hospital bill due, they’re in need of serious cash. Fast.
When Arthur spots some wealthy strangers exiting a seemingly deserted mansion, he smells an opportunity for a big score. Little do the boys realize, they’ve stumbled upon Weirdwood Manor, the headquarters of a magical order who protect the Balance between the Real and Imaginary worlds. When Kingsport is besieged by nightmarish creatures, it’s up to a pair of thieves to save their city.
Filled with giant tentacle monsters and heroes literally ripped from the pages of adventure stories, this imagination-bending series is perfect for fans of Keeper of the Lost Cities , Aru Shah , and Nevermoor .
"An imaginative, page-turning adventure." ―Shannon Messenger, New York Times bestselling author of Keeper of the Lost Cities
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2020
About the author
Christian McKay Heidicker
13 books249 followersChristian McKay Heidicker is an American author of children's books. His book Scary Stories for Young Foxes received a Newbery Honor in 2020.
Prior to his career as a novelist, Heidicker held several jobs in the education field. These included creating instructional comic books, writing articles on science and history for students, and teaching creative writing at Broadview University.
Heidicker's first novel, the young adult title Cure for the Common Universe, was published in 2016. Scary Stories for Young Foxes, his first middle grade book, appeared in 2019. It was hailed by Kirkus Reviews as "dark and skillfully distressing." Scary Stories went on to win a Newbery Honor in 2020.
Heidicker lives and works in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Prior to his career as a novelist, Heidicker held several jobs in the education field. These included creating instructional comic books, writing articles on science and history for students, and teaching creative writing at Broadview University.
Heidicker's first novel, the young adult title Cure for the Common Universe, was published in 2016. Scary Stories for Young Foxes, his first middle grade book, appeared in 2019. It was hailed by Kirkus Reviews as "dark and skillfully distressing." Scary Stories went on to win a Newbery Honor in 2020.
Heidicker lives and works in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 19, 2021
I didn't really know what to expect from this, I bought it because I know Christian and I've loved his other books, and . . .wow. *Stefon voice* "This book has everything: ghosts, krakens, mysterious mansions, creepy old ladies in wedding dresses with pet snakes, plagues, and scary living dolls. . ." It also makes you wary, as an author, about putting too much of yourself into your creations, and using a pen name. (I will say no more.) I don't really care for handsome, dashing rogue characters, and I wanted more from Wally and his brother, but this is clearly the set up for a series (second book is already out, in fact) so I'm excited to get more of them in book two!
December 28, 2025
Variety is one thing you definitely get from Christian McKay Heidicker. Fantasy, science fiction, stories with a hint of historical context, YA, middle-grade...he writes all kinds of books, and Thieves of Weirdwood began his first designed trilogy. Arthur Benton and Wally Cooper, both twelve years old, saw their lives change after the Pox ravaged the city of Kingsport, killing many. The year is 1909, and neither boy has much family left: Wally's older brother Graham is locked up in Greyridge Mental Hospital, and Arthur's father, Harry, is a drunkard whose rising debt constrains Arthur from making something out of his own life. Arthur and Wally live at the Stormcrow Pub among the Black Feathers, a gang of thieves with a nasty leader known as the Rook. A steady stream of income is required to be granted living space at the Stormcrow Pub, but Arthur's thievery and Wally's masterful lock-picking have kept the two boys afloat. Wally's brother racks up enormous bills at the mental hospital—bills that must be paid to prevent him from being used as a guinea pig for medical experiments—and Wally isn't sure how much longer he can hold things together. Kingsport is a dark place in the Pox's aftermath.
A sunbeam tints the gloom when Arthur takes Wally to a place he intends to burglarize, a mansion called Hazelrigg House. The burned-out shell of a house is entirely different inside, a maze of magical, shifting hallways and rooms full of treasure. It could pay Arthur and Wally's debts with plenty to spare, but supernatural beings are in charge of the house, and don't take kindly to trespassers. Arthur and Wally could be trapped in these bendy, nightmarish hallways forever at the command of old Lady Weirdwood and her associates, but they know how to wriggle out of bad situations, or they never would have lasted so long working for the Rook. With help from a few sympathetic souls inside Hazelrigg House—also known as Weirdwood Manor—Arthur and Wally stave off imprisonment long enough to learn the truth about the place. The Manor is a portal to a Mirror world, where nightmares morph into reality, and a group called the Order of Eldar is bent on using it to destroy Kingsport. The only people from the normal world who seem to know of the threat are Arthur and Wally, so saving the city is up to them.
"I find...that remaining lighthearted in intense situations keeps you clearheaded. Panic and anger cloud the mind, leaving you as helpful as a wolverine in a sewing class. Clear thoughts bring clear solutions."
—Arthur, Thieves of Weirdwood, P. 87
Arthur has long admired Garnett Lacroix, the "Gentleman Thief" from a series of adventure novels written by the reclusive Alfred Moore. Arthur longs to be courageous and witty like Garnett, a thief beloved in spite of his illegal shenanigans; rescuing Kingsport from the Order of Eldar would accomplish that goal. As they rapidly skip between the real world and the Mirror world and back again, facing monsters both creepy and lethal, Arthur and Wally have their hands full just staying alive, and they've yet to identify who is helping the Order of Eldar from the inside. It must be someone with great powers and strong motivation to wreck Kingsport, but who fits the profile? As Wally gradually proves himself indispensable to Lady Weirdwood's team, and Arthur tries to do the same but more often falls into messes of his own making, our young heroes learn the unsettling connection between their own families and the current crisis. Can they save the city, at least until the Order of Eldar regroups for another attempt at destruction? The end of this book will answer that.
I loved Christian McKay Heidicker's stylish, wise sense of narrative in his 2020 Newbery Honor book, Scary Stories for Young Foxes, but I'm disappointed by Thieves of Weirdwood. The pace is slow, the writing isn't immersive, and it could use a stronger central theme. This isn't a bad book, but it feels long, and I was relieved when it was over. Arthur and Wally are reasonably well-defined characters, but I felt no emotional connection to them or the family members they were trying to save. Also, I noticed a couple of minor errors in the map of normal Kingsport, specifically the spellings of "Grayridge" and "Hazzelrig". Or is their a sly reason for this that I don't perceive? I plan to finish the trilogy, but will books two and three elevate the story? We'll find out soon enough.
A sunbeam tints the gloom when Arthur takes Wally to a place he intends to burglarize, a mansion called Hazelrigg House. The burned-out shell of a house is entirely different inside, a maze of magical, shifting hallways and rooms full of treasure. It could pay Arthur and Wally's debts with plenty to spare, but supernatural beings are in charge of the house, and don't take kindly to trespassers. Arthur and Wally could be trapped in these bendy, nightmarish hallways forever at the command of old Lady Weirdwood and her associates, but they know how to wriggle out of bad situations, or they never would have lasted so long working for the Rook. With help from a few sympathetic souls inside Hazelrigg House—also known as Weirdwood Manor—Arthur and Wally stave off imprisonment long enough to learn the truth about the place. The Manor is a portal to a Mirror world, where nightmares morph into reality, and a group called the Order of Eldar is bent on using it to destroy Kingsport. The only people from the normal world who seem to know of the threat are Arthur and Wally, so saving the city is up to them.
"I find...that remaining lighthearted in intense situations keeps you clearheaded. Panic and anger cloud the mind, leaving you as helpful as a wolverine in a sewing class. Clear thoughts bring clear solutions."
—Arthur, Thieves of Weirdwood, P. 87
Arthur has long admired Garnett Lacroix, the "Gentleman Thief" from a series of adventure novels written by the reclusive Alfred Moore. Arthur longs to be courageous and witty like Garnett, a thief beloved in spite of his illegal shenanigans; rescuing Kingsport from the Order of Eldar would accomplish that goal. As they rapidly skip between the real world and the Mirror world and back again, facing monsters both creepy and lethal, Arthur and Wally have their hands full just staying alive, and they've yet to identify who is helping the Order of Eldar from the inside. It must be someone with great powers and strong motivation to wreck Kingsport, but who fits the profile? As Wally gradually proves himself indispensable to Lady Weirdwood's team, and Arthur tries to do the same but more often falls into messes of his own making, our young heroes learn the unsettling connection between their own families and the current crisis. Can they save the city, at least until the Order of Eldar regroups for another attempt at destruction? The end of this book will answer that.
I loved Christian McKay Heidicker's stylish, wise sense of narrative in his 2020 Newbery Honor book, Scary Stories for Young Foxes, but I'm disappointed by Thieves of Weirdwood. The pace is slow, the writing isn't immersive, and it could use a stronger central theme. This isn't a bad book, but it feels long, and I was relieved when it was over. Arthur and Wally are reasonably well-defined characters, but I felt no emotional connection to them or the family members they were trying to save. Also, I noticed a couple of minor errors in the map of normal Kingsport, specifically the spellings of "Grayridge" and "Hazzelrig". Or is their a sly reason for this that I don't perceive? I plan to finish the trilogy, but will books two and three elevate the story? We'll find out soon enough.
March 20, 2020
Wowza, definitely NOT what I thought would come of this story. I mean, its supposed to be a juvenile marked read right? I can see where it is, but it's also a bit dark for the age range if I say myself.
But color me impressed. When I had the option to pic up this arch and read it with my son I was all over it. Magic, ghosts, world traveling and what it's like living life in the gang world? Mental hospitals and tragic events...
Pfffft, dude, it was a hard kicker for sure.
What I really liked about it though was that it gave real consequences to reprimand your actions. Yes you want something, but if you act out of turn before realizing what you want is now not in reach, things change.
There were moment that made my son hold his breath, others which I heard him giggle and again others that made him so focused it was hard to take it away from him.
We give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐, we loved it, but it did not blow our minds.
Definitely will be looking out for the sequel, that is, if there is one.
But color me impressed. When I had the option to pic up this arch and read it with my son I was all over it. Magic, ghosts, world traveling and what it's like living life in the gang world? Mental hospitals and tragic events...
Pfffft, dude, it was a hard kicker for sure.
What I really liked about it though was that it gave real consequences to reprimand your actions. Yes you want something, but if you act out of turn before realizing what you want is now not in reach, things change.
There were moment that made my son hold his breath, others which I heard him giggle and again others that made him so focused it was hard to take it away from him.
We give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐, we loved it, but it did not blow our minds.
Definitely will be looking out for the sequel, that is, if there is one.
September 4, 2019
Captivating from beginning to end! It felt as if I was a part of the adventure crew, trying to solve the mysteries with these amazing characters. Absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the next book!!!
April 7, 2020
Definitely not your average middle-grade fantasy novel! The world is wildly imaginative, weird, and creepy. Unlike many MG fantasies out there, the story is quite unpredictable, and there was a refreshing presence of characters having to deal with ACTUAL consequences along the way.
The characters are great! You can't help but love them even when their actions make you scream in annoyance (looking at YOU, Arthur!) The story can be creepy and even dark at times, but the themes throughout are really positive. The magic-system is really interesting! It revolves around the idea that creativity IS magic - a theme that is woven throughout the book beautifully!
Overall, this new series is another fantastic entry into the World of Weirdwood! Can't wait for Book 2!
The characters are great! You can't help but love them even when their actions make you scream in annoyance (looking at YOU, Arthur!) The story can be creepy and even dark at times, but the themes throughout are really positive. The magic-system is really interesting! It revolves around the idea that creativity IS magic - a theme that is woven throughout the book beautifully!
Overall, this new series is another fantastic entry into the World of Weirdwood! Can't wait for Book 2!
March 20, 2020
My kids loved this book. They fought over who got to read it first, and in the end we all read it together out loud on the couch!
January 19, 2025
Like 2.75 stars
In a Dickensian setting, two young thieves break into a magical mansion, and things get weird and dangerous. It should have been right up my alley, but I found it a bit too long, and the pacing is slow throughout. I didn’t really connect with the characters or like them particularly and didn’t care much what happened to them. Despite the creativity and many interesting ideas, I had a hard time getting into it and continued to have a hard time staying with it. I have already forgotten a lot of what happened.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
In a Dickensian setting, two young thieves break into a magical mansion, and things get weird and dangerous. It should have been right up my alley, but I found it a bit too long, and the pacing is slow throughout. I didn’t really connect with the characters or like them particularly and didn’t care much what happened to them. Despite the creativity and many interesting ideas, I had a hard time getting into it and continued to have a hard time staying with it. I have already forgotten a lot of what happened.
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
July 23, 2021
This was a really cute book. Honestly, I thought it was geared a little older than a Middle Grade read. If this is something that your kid wants to read, I would read it with them. Be prepared to explain some things like "the Pox", death, homelessness, murder and insane asylums. But, it was very well written with lots of action and a diverse cast of characters. Now I need to find book 2!
Read
October 19, 2020[rating TBD] wow okay lots of thoughts on this spooky middle grade! 😊 First of all, the physical copy of this is absolutely stunning. The illustrations inside, the page decorations, and the TWO maps were very nice touches. I was so excited every time I reached for this one, because it was such a visually appealing little book.
For this to be a middle grade it covers some pretty dark ground. It follows two kids in 1910, one is an orphan who is trying to pay for his older brothers medical bills at the local mental institution, and the other kid has one parents but may as well be an orphan too— his father is the local drunk and has accumulated all kinds of debt/enemies.
Both kids are dirty, and down on their luck, but they are good kids, and just trying to survive with the hand they’ve been dealt. They reminded me of chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins. 😆😊
Since each have large debts to pay (on behalf of their remaining family members) they get tangled up with the local “mob boss” in the village, who “helps” them earn money by completing thieving jobs for him.
And that’s where the story STARTS. From there, the two friends are sent to rob a local mansion that just recently burnt down. There’s rumor that the fire may have been an illusion, and there is still treasure inside.
They make it inside the mansion and discover a “portal” to an entirely new world — which is a replica of their town, but far far worse.
From then on, things get wild, and so many characters have intersecting stories. There’s magic, tons of adventure, and lots of spooky moments.
My few critiques include the fact that some “ah ha” moments were predictable, while ALL of the rest were so complicated and intricate that I had to slow down in order to make sure I was catching everything. Multiple times, when things were “revealed” I had to Go back and be like OH. OK. ?? Essentially, the chapter would end in a cliffhanger, and then the next chapter would kind of glaze over the answer and move on.
Additionally, some pieces of the plot — as well as pieces of the magic and other vocabulary — weren’t always seamless or fully explained. I know this is a series, so I’ll definitely stick around to find out more.
Last thing — had some issues about the handling of the brother in the mental institution. I get that it’s 1910 but some elements of mental health care were super vilified (straight jackets coming to life and chasing after them, or the electric shock treatment coming to life and electrocuting them...). I feel as though it did a good job of creating empathy for that brother, but also the way it wraps up with him, it left me wanting, especially since he is such a main plot point.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one. Perfect for fall. I loved its messages of using your imagination, helping friends, caring for your family, and doing what’s right “even if it breaks the rules.” Like I said, I will absolutely pick up the next one!!
For this to be a middle grade it covers some pretty dark ground. It follows two kids in 1910, one is an orphan who is trying to pay for his older brothers medical bills at the local mental institution, and the other kid has one parents but may as well be an orphan too— his father is the local drunk and has accumulated all kinds of debt/enemies.
Both kids are dirty, and down on their luck, but they are good kids, and just trying to survive with the hand they’ve been dealt. They reminded me of chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins. 😆😊
Since each have large debts to pay (on behalf of their remaining family members) they get tangled up with the local “mob boss” in the village, who “helps” them earn money by completing thieving jobs for him.
And that’s where the story STARTS. From there, the two friends are sent to rob a local mansion that just recently burnt down. There’s rumor that the fire may have been an illusion, and there is still treasure inside.
They make it inside the mansion and discover a “portal” to an entirely new world — which is a replica of their town, but far far worse.
From then on, things get wild, and so many characters have intersecting stories. There’s magic, tons of adventure, and lots of spooky moments.
My few critiques include the fact that some “ah ha” moments were predictable, while ALL of the rest were so complicated and intricate that I had to slow down in order to make sure I was catching everything. Multiple times, when things were “revealed” I had to Go back and be like OH. OK. ?? Essentially, the chapter would end in a cliffhanger, and then the next chapter would kind of glaze over the answer and move on.
Additionally, some pieces of the plot — as well as pieces of the magic and other vocabulary — weren’t always seamless or fully explained. I know this is a series, so I’ll definitely stick around to find out more.
Last thing — had some issues about the handling of the brother in the mental institution. I get that it’s 1910 but some elements of mental health care were super vilified (straight jackets coming to life and chasing after them, or the electric shock treatment coming to life and electrocuting them...). I feel as though it did a good job of creating empathy for that brother, but also the way it wraps up with him, it left me wanting, especially since he is such a main plot point.
Overall, I really did enjoy this one. Perfect for fall. I loved its messages of using your imagination, helping friends, caring for your family, and doing what’s right “even if it breaks the rules.” Like I said, I will absolutely pick up the next one!!
July 23, 2020
A deliciously dark middle grade adventure story with fantastic characters and brilliant storytelling.
March 19, 2020
I read a lot of stories in this genre and it doesn't happen too often that I'm surprised and delighted as much I was reading Thieves of Weirdwood. The plot is very engaging and the characters have so much chemistry together I found myself glued to my seat until I finished. So many clever twists and turns in this one. I highly recommend it!
February 27, 2020
The beginning of this book is so creepy that I almost didn't even really start it. But I did and what a wild ride. This is an adventure story about two boys who are thieves and are straddling words of reality and illusion. There are some amazing characters including a dead girl who wants her killer caught and some truly incredible plot twists. This one is probably too big for my elementary school library but I liked it a lot.
February 20, 2020
I had gotten an early copy of this book and sincerely enjoyed it. The genre is one that I have eternally liked. The characters in it were perfectly three dimensional, and the plot was really good in execution. The amount of devotion put into this book was amazing and I frankly can’t wait for the next book to be available!
April 19, 2020
What a fun book!
You can read my full review here: https://thebookishaustin.tumblr.com/p...
You can read my full review here: https://thebookishaustin.tumblr.com/p...
January 23, 2020
ARC received from Edelweiss in return for an honest review.
This book was sadly a DNF for me. I was left really confused on how this book was for children. I have read creepy doll books for children before, but this one took it to a whole new level. I was also amazed at how they were just dropping talks about doing brain surgery on the main character's brother in the first chapter. There were just so many little things that drew me out that I just couldn't get into the book and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
This book was sadly a DNF for me. I was left really confused on how this book was for children. I have read creepy doll books for children before, but this one took it to a whole new level. I was also amazed at how they were just dropping talks about doing brain surgery on the main character's brother in the first chapter. There were just so many little things that drew me out that I just couldn't get into the book and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
December 8, 2021
This was another interesting middle grade fantasy featuring magic and new ways of thinking about fantastic elements in a story.
It features 12-year-old thieves Arthur and Wally in the town of Kingsport. While Arthur's the scheming type, eager to work his way up the Black Feathers gang (which he'll have to pay his drunken father's debts first, if he hopes to climb in the organization), Wally just wants to pay his brother's asylum hospital bill and have enough left over to eat.
Wally needs money and he squirms his way into a scheme by Arthur to rob a supposedly "deserted" mansion. Except, even when no one's in Weirdwood Manor, it's still alive -- watching. The boys step inside and the corridor stretches and twists upside down and turns, totally disorienting them, but they manage to make it to the end and through a door to the Imaginary world.
There the members of an order that are tasked with maintaining balance between the Real and the Imaginary capture Wally, but Arthur escapes. Wally learns Kingsport is having some Imaginary world break-through rift issues, and is on the brink of disaster. Arthur manages to break in to the Manor a second time and rescue Wally, but back in the Real, the boys discover a truly dangerous foe who is to blame for the rift.
I won't spoil the plot; it's super complex and there were twists and turns that kept me reading and guessing, which almost never happens in middle grade stories any longer. The plot is not predictable, which was a delightful surprise.
I highly recommend this one for your holiday gift-giving!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
It features 12-year-old thieves Arthur and Wally in the town of Kingsport. While Arthur's the scheming type, eager to work his way up the Black Feathers gang (which he'll have to pay his drunken father's debts first, if he hopes to climb in the organization), Wally just wants to pay his brother's asylum hospital bill and have enough left over to eat.
Wally needs money and he squirms his way into a scheme by Arthur to rob a supposedly "deserted" mansion. Except, even when no one's in Weirdwood Manor, it's still alive -- watching. The boys step inside and the corridor stretches and twists upside down and turns, totally disorienting them, but they manage to make it to the end and through a door to the Imaginary world.
There the members of an order that are tasked with maintaining balance between the Real and the Imaginary capture Wally, but Arthur escapes. Wally learns Kingsport is having some Imaginary world break-through rift issues, and is on the brink of disaster. Arthur manages to break in to the Manor a second time and rescue Wally, but back in the Real, the boys discover a truly dangerous foe who is to blame for the rift.
I won't spoil the plot; it's super complex and there were twists and turns that kept me reading and guessing, which almost never happens in middle grade stories any longer. The plot is not predictable, which was a delightful surprise.
I highly recommend this one for your holiday gift-giving!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
November 8, 2020
Rating 4.5/5
This book needs WAY more love than it's been getting. The first chapter of this book was so creepy and memorable and it resulted in such a fun book that blends horror, portal fantasy, and whimsy.
I was hooked from the start and enjoyed figuring out what secrets were being kept from whom. The characters each tackled obstacles in ways that felt authentic to their characters, which added a level of realism into this world and the stakes in this book felt super high.
I somehow didn't see the final reveal coming either and am so excited for the sequel.
If you're a lover of middle grade, I highly recommend picking this one up!
This book needs WAY more love than it's been getting. The first chapter of this book was so creepy and memorable and it resulted in such a fun book that blends horror, portal fantasy, and whimsy.
I was hooked from the start and enjoyed figuring out what secrets were being kept from whom. The characters each tackled obstacles in ways that felt authentic to their characters, which added a level of realism into this world and the stakes in this book felt super high.
I somehow didn't see the final reveal coming either and am so excited for the sequel.
If you're a lover of middle grade, I highly recommend picking this one up!
January 23, 2022
I deeply enjoyed this utterly original middle grade read. There is magic, mythological creatures, portals to a mirror universe, a fun in-world literature element, and ghosts. There are 3 main characters and one of them is irritating, but the others make up for it. I am truly excited to find out where this story goes in the sequel.
May 6, 2020
Writing a book review now! See it soon on www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com
December 24, 2020
Fantasy is a favorite genre of most middle grades students and Thieves of Weirdwood looked to be fantasy with some historical fiction from Elizabethan England with gangs of orphans roaming the streets much like Jonathan Auxier’s Peter Nimble and Sophie Quick books. Shivering’s book falls very short of those, however, with a plot that did not flow seamlessly and, in fact, was confusing at times. The odd prophecies of Wally’s brother were intriguing at first, but after multiple rants, became less so. Arthur and Wally's exploration of a magical manor that appears to others like a derelict old mansion piqued my interest, but as Arthur deserted his friend and Wally teams up with an unsettled ghost, my interest waned I and finally stopped reading well before the book’s conclusion. Thanks for the preview, Edelweiss; I will not be purchasing this one for my libraries.
August 11, 2022
2.5 stars
This is not a middle grade adventure fantasy. Ought to be YA, though there it might be for the younger YA. There is some creepy scary stuff, but also one solid vulgar comment that really put me off. I enjoyed this book for the most part but had to push to finish.
This is not a middle grade adventure fantasy. Ought to be YA, though there it might be for the younger YA. There is some creepy scary stuff, but also one solid vulgar comment that really put me off. I enjoyed this book for the most part but had to push to finish.
May 26, 2020
Too many weird details for me to keep track of. May not have been the books fault.
June 19, 2020
Book had a great beginning but then seemed to drag.
April 4, 2021
My name is Graham, and I think I've prepared my brother Wally for his difficult days ahead in the Mirror world. He may not believe what I told him, since I'm currently living in a mental hospital, but he's managed to find his way to Weirdwood Manor. The Manor's staff is committed to keeping Fae creatures from invading the real world and closing any Rifts between the two worlds. I met Wally's friend named Arthur, and I gave him a Golden Scarab to deliver to the Manor. It might have been nice to tell him what it would do, but I didn't want to. Wally has a very important role to play in the battle between Kingsport and Mirror Kingsport, and there's not much he can do about it. His fate has been determined.
This book presents an innovative world of speculative fiction. Weirdwood Manor hides within the walls of abandoned buildings, and the staff is tasked with rounding up escaped, imaginary creatures. The plot contains mystery, adventure, and humor. Someone has found a way to travel between worlds without Rifts, which shouldn't be possible. The actual antagonists are unclear, and the author finds a way to constantly change our focus. Who's pulling the strings? The story is full of battles with monsters and other creepy things that originate from the imaginations of the Kingsport citizens. This book literally has ideas and stories come to life and gives authors immense power. Wally is the main character, while Arthur tries to become his favorite book character, a Gentleman Thief. Arthur has all kinds of wacky plans and has a talent to persuade others. I didn't originally see Graham as a significant character, but rest assured he plays an important role in the story. The plot offers many surprises with a full range of emotions. The cast of strangers go back and forth with trust, and there is one significant death. Actually, two deaths, but one of them occurred before the book begins. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, and I recommend you give it a shot.
This book presents an innovative world of speculative fiction. Weirdwood Manor hides within the walls of abandoned buildings, and the staff is tasked with rounding up escaped, imaginary creatures. The plot contains mystery, adventure, and humor. Someone has found a way to travel between worlds without Rifts, which shouldn't be possible. The actual antagonists are unclear, and the author finds a way to constantly change our focus. Who's pulling the strings? The story is full of battles with monsters and other creepy things that originate from the imaginations of the Kingsport citizens. This book literally has ideas and stories come to life and gives authors immense power. Wally is the main character, while Arthur tries to become his favorite book character, a Gentleman Thief. Arthur has all kinds of wacky plans and has a talent to persuade others. I didn't originally see Graham as a significant character, but rest assured he plays an important role in the story. The plot offers many surprises with a full range of emotions. The cast of strangers go back and forth with trust, and there is one significant death. Actually, two deaths, but one of them occurred before the book begins. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, and I recommend you give it a shot.
March 19, 2021
Thieves of Weirdwood follows two, well, thieves that try to rob this apparently abandoned house. That turns out to be magic...and not so abandoned. Arthur and Wally are then thrown into an entirely different side of their city that was hidden for humanity's protection.
Great story with awesome worldbuilding and unique magic! I really liked the emphasis on utilizing imagination. Imagine 1800s London, but wackier, that's basically the setting.
I really enjoyed Breeth, despite her bizarre name, I can't wait to read more about her in the rest of the series. Unique origin story, charming personality, and an aura of mystery makes her very entertaining to read.
I had to dunk a star due to the lack of fleshing out Weirdwood itself, the house is fascinating but largely unexplored. I can understand it though since this is meant to be the first in a series, so perhaps in later books, it's explored more in-depth. I also had trouble following Arthur & Wally's chapters because they are kind of similar and hard to distinguish.
Great book! I'd recommend especially for anyone into the more spooky-fantasy, Morrigan Crow fans would particularly enjoy this book.
Great story with awesome worldbuilding and unique magic! I really liked the emphasis on utilizing imagination. Imagine 1800s London, but wackier, that's basically the setting.
I really enjoyed Breeth, despite her bizarre name, I can't wait to read more about her in the rest of the series. Unique origin story, charming personality, and an aura of mystery makes her very entertaining to read.
I had to dunk a star due to the lack of fleshing out Weirdwood itself, the house is fascinating but largely unexplored. I can understand it though since this is meant to be the first in a series, so perhaps in later books, it's explored more in-depth. I also had trouble following Arthur & Wally's chapters because they are kind of similar and hard to distinguish.
Great book! I'd recommend especially for anyone into the more spooky-fantasy, Morrigan Crow fans would particularly enjoy this book.
March 14, 2022
I loved this book! Thieves of Weirdwood is an engaging adventure novel that is very fun. Each of the characters has their own secrets that are very interesting. For instance Wally used to not know that Graham could see into the future or Arthur didn’t know that Wally had a brother. This book had many plot twists that got you when you never expected it. Also there were many monsters, like a kraken, weird birds, a porcelain doll, and much more. The ending was a nice one but made you want to read the second book. The perspectives were quite interesting. Usually I hate books that change perspective but this one was good. Another thing I want to mention is that the book is a thriller. For example, when one character goes off to do something, another character finds out information that might help the first character get out of trouble. Then the second character tries to get to the first character but the first character runs into the problem that the second character knows how to solve and they get into trouble.
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February 23, 2020Entertaining story about two young thieves who get more than they bargained for when they break into a "deserted" mansion and find their way into an imaginary realm where the world they knew is duplicated - but with strange and even horrifying differences.
Those horrors are now spilling over into the "real" world.
The story was engrossing, and I especially liked Arthur trying to pattern himself as a "Gentleman Thief" after the hero of his favorite adventure series.
I was concerned, however, by some murders that take place "off-stage" to the central action. Wally learns details about the killings afterward because he is able to talk to spirits.
Would young readers be upset by the detail, for example, of a woman who was torn apart by a monster? Or a girl who was killed by a man who was trying to resurrect his dead wife? These seem like morbid details in a story that is otherwise billed as having "lots of laughs."
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley
Those horrors are now spilling over into the "real" world.
The story was engrossing, and I especially liked Arthur trying to pattern himself as a "Gentleman Thief" after the hero of his favorite adventure series.
I was concerned, however, by some murders that take place "off-stage" to the central action. Wally learns details about the killings afterward because he is able to talk to spirits.
Would young readers be upset by the detail, for example, of a woman who was torn apart by a monster? Or a girl who was killed by a man who was trying to resurrect his dead wife? These seem like morbid details in a story that is otherwise billed as having "lots of laughs."
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley
September 25, 2020
4.5 out of 5
I was so impressed by this book. It was so well written, it takes you in the world, there's so much world building. A lot of the book gave me this impending doom feeling, like in Series of Unfortunate Events. Where I was scared, but had to keep reading to see how it ended. I'm definately reading the rest of this series. And I'm so excited to be reading a genre I adore with a black main character who just fits in with the story without the awkwardness. It's a breath of fresh air. I am so reading this rest of this series.
Warning tape: I mean, it is kind of scary. There's a little gore, I would say. Also, there's a passage where some of the fictional author's romance novel is read.😅 I think it would go over a young readers head and it didn't get explicit.
I was so impressed by this book. It was so well written, it takes you in the world, there's so much world building. A lot of the book gave me this impending doom feeling, like in Series of Unfortunate Events. Where I was scared, but had to keep reading to see how it ended. I'm definately reading the rest of this series. And I'm so excited to be reading a genre I adore with a black main character who just fits in with the story without the awkwardness. It's a breath of fresh air. I am so reading this rest of this series.
Warning tape: I mean, it is kind of scary. There's a little gore, I would say. Also, there's a passage where some of the fictional author's romance novel is read.😅 I think it would go over a young readers head and it didn't get explicit.
February 15, 2021
Wally is a street thief, one in danger of losing his position in the thief gang, and maybe a few of his fingers, if he doesn't bring in enough money quick. Worse than that, the hospital is threatening to do medical experiments on his brother unless Wally can pay the medical bills asap. Desperate, Wally agrees to partner with Arthur on an unusual heist, one that will become even more unusual than he could have ever imagined.
See full review at https://tbrnext.com/2021/02/16/thieve...
When Wally broke into a burned out house, he did not imagine he would find magic, ghosts, and maybe even friends. Nor did he expect to have to save his city from bleeding into a nightmare world. There's lots of cool and horrific monsters here, some as friendly as helpful ghosts, others as nasty as murderous ogres. The story is very imaginative and full of exciting adventures and dangerous villains.
The characters were a nice mix of colorful personalities. Wally was a good solid hero type. His partner was a sometimes reliable, sometimes selfish flamboyant tongue charmer. And the people they met were eclectic and powerful, enemies and potential allies.
This was a great imaginative adventure for middle grade and older readers.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
See full review at https://tbrnext.com/2021/02/16/thieve...
When Wally broke into a burned out house, he did not imagine he would find magic, ghosts, and maybe even friends. Nor did he expect to have to save his city from bleeding into a nightmare world. There's lots of cool and horrific monsters here, some as friendly as helpful ghosts, others as nasty as murderous ogres. The story is very imaginative and full of exciting adventures and dangerous villains.
The characters were a nice mix of colorful personalities. Wally was a good solid hero type. His partner was a sometimes reliable, sometimes selfish flamboyant tongue charmer. And the people they met were eclectic and powerful, enemies and potential allies.
This was a great imaginative adventure for middle grade and older readers.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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