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The International Yeti Collective #2
Shadowspring
Henry is the new boy at Halbrook Hall – a crumbling boarding school in the Scottish Highlands. He thinks the rumours of yeti lurking in the misty hills are nothing more than stories. Until one day he gets lost in the forest…
As a young yeti, Tadpole loves living in Shadowspring. But now the precious spring water is disappearing and no one knows why. The situation is serious – surely there’s something she can do to help…
When Tadpole accidentally reveals the top-secret location of Shadowspring to Henry, the lost boy she saves, she knows she’s in deep trouble. But what if this human actually has the power to help the yeti not harm them?
A tale of unlikely friendship and adventure, with an ecological message, perfect for fans of Abi Elphinstone, THE POLAR BEAR EXPLORERS’ CLUB and FROSTHEART.
As a young yeti, Tadpole loves living in Shadowspring. But now the precious spring water is disappearing and no one knows why. The situation is serious – surely there’s something she can do to help…
When Tadpole accidentally reveals the top-secret location of Shadowspring to Henry, the lost boy she saves, she knows she’s in deep trouble. But what if this human actually has the power to help the yeti not harm them?
A tale of unlikely friendship and adventure, with an ecological message, perfect for fans of Abi Elphinstone, THE POLAR BEAR EXPLORERS’ CLUB and FROSTHEART.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2020
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20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 23, 2020
You must do what your heart tells you is right …The Greybeards are finalising preparations for the first Gathering of the nineteen yeti setts that make up the International Yeti Collective in a very long time. Tadpole (she of unripe character) is the daughter of the sett’s leader, Shipshape (she in perfect order). Although Tadpole is next in line to become the leader of the Greybeards she doesn’t feel very much like a leader.
Much like the first book in the series, Shadowspring has a message of conservation. The yeti are all protectors but each sett has its own area of responsibility. The Mountain Yeti from the first book do fungus maintenance and the Greybeards of Shadowspring clean the water they, the forest and humans use.
My favourite yeti character was Snowdrift (he with white fur), Tadpole’s grandfather, who was wise, loving and kind. Snowdrift had been friends with a human. Because of how dangerous humans are, yeti who interact with them face banishment if they are caught.
Like her grandfather, Tadpole also meets a human, Henry, who is settling into his new boarding school. Tadpole and Henry will need to work together when they find out the Greybeards are in danger.
I was also a pretty big fan of Lepus, the hare. Given how much I love etymology, I was impressed when Google told me that Lepus is Latin for ‘hare’.
Fun fact: Lepus is also a constellation. That makes the astronomy nerd part of me very happy.
Given how many setts we haven’t spent time with yet I’m expecting at least one more book in this series. You could read the second book without having already read the first and not be lost, although I’d recommend reading them in order. There are references to the events of the first book in this one.
I liked both Tadpole and Henry. However I wasn’t as invested in their friendship as I was in Tick and Ella’s from the first book. This is the only reason I’m rating this book slightly lower than the first one.
“We share this Earth,” said Shipshape. “We should learn to live alongside each other. Not build barriers.”While kids in particular will enjoy reading all of the fun yeti names, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this series to kids and adults alike.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Stripes Publishing, an imprint of Little Tiger Group, for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
October 31, 2020
I loved the first International Yeti Collective novel, so I was very excited to get hold of the sequel. It absolutely lived up to the promise of the first book.
Cryptozoology, environmentalism, unlikely friendships, high tension chases through dark forests, it's a thrilling and beautiful read.
Shadowspring focuses on a different group of Yeti, and it's one of my favourites! The Greybeards sett are based on stories of creatures seen in the Scottish Highlands, and they may be something I've looked for myself, though without any success in finding them. Tadpole (She of unripe character) is a young Greybeard yeti at the heart of this story, and she's just a wonderful character. The sett are preparing for the arrival of yetis from around the world, and one of the real strengths of this series is the way it incorporates cryptozoological examples from across the world. They were mentioned, and seen briefly, in the first book and here they play a much larger role. It bodes very well for this as an ongoing series that it's already tapping into so much promising material.
There's also Henry, a human child sent to a boarding school in Scotland. The school sequences are pretty good, establishing Henry and his environment, his new friends and the school bullies, and hinting at some sinister goings on on the school grounds.
Everything really kicks off when Henry and Tadpole inevitably meet, and most of the drama of the novel comes from the tension between their two worlds colliding, and the implications this could have for both of their separate societies. There's a lot in there about acceptance and fear of outsiders, and like the first novel there are some very timely environmental warnings here.
Shadowspring is excellent. A cryptozoological environmental warning, told with humour and warmth. It's also beautifully illustrated by Katy Riddell, who really captures the humour and humanity of the different yetis.
Cryptozoology, environmentalism, unlikely friendships, high tension chases through dark forests, it's a thrilling and beautiful read.
Shadowspring focuses on a different group of Yeti, and it's one of my favourites! The Greybeards sett are based on stories of creatures seen in the Scottish Highlands, and they may be something I've looked for myself, though without any success in finding them. Tadpole (She of unripe character) is a young Greybeard yeti at the heart of this story, and she's just a wonderful character. The sett are preparing for the arrival of yetis from around the world, and one of the real strengths of this series is the way it incorporates cryptozoological examples from across the world. They were mentioned, and seen briefly, in the first book and here they play a much larger role. It bodes very well for this as an ongoing series that it's already tapping into so much promising material.
There's also Henry, a human child sent to a boarding school in Scotland. The school sequences are pretty good, establishing Henry and his environment, his new friends and the school bullies, and hinting at some sinister goings on on the school grounds.
Everything really kicks off when Henry and Tadpole inevitably meet, and most of the drama of the novel comes from the tension between their two worlds colliding, and the implications this could have for both of their separate societies. There's a lot in there about acceptance and fear of outsiders, and like the first novel there are some very timely environmental warnings here.
Shadowspring is excellent. A cryptozoological environmental warning, told with humour and warmth. It's also beautifully illustrated by Katy Riddell, who really captures the humour and humanity of the different yetis.
October 28, 2020
It was so lovely being back with this world. With gorgeous characters, some brilliant messages about the dangers of hunting, looking after water supplies and being kind to the environment, this series continues to be wonderful. I loved reading more about the ins and outs of Yeti Collective life and the names of the yeti still made me smile! I think Tadpole is a gorgeous character and I’m glad she met Hen-ree!
October 10, 2020
Shadowspring is the second book in the International Yeti Collective Series and I absolutely loved it. The yeti and human worlds collide in a wonderful fantasy adventure that is full of warmth, heart and important environmental messages.
In the Greybeard sett Shadowspring there is a problem, for some inexplicable reason the water is disappearing. The water level is running so low that the Greybeards are concerned that the other yeti tribe representatives will not be able to use the underground waterways to attend the Gathering.
Meanwhile, with his parents heading overseas on work business, Henry Wetwood finds himself at Halbrook Hall Boarding School. Legends and rumours talk of a Greybeard lurking in the misty mountains and forests that are next to the school but no-one has ever seen one.
On a hike up the mountain, Henry gets separated from the group and in the thick mist stumbles into danger where he meets a legendary Greybeard named Tadpole. From this moment on Paul Mason tells a fantastic adventure story that sees Henry and Tadpole coming together to save the yeti sett and stop the humans from stealing the water.
You know that Henry and Tadpole will meet at some point and when they do the friendship, connection and bond they share is wonderful. Greybeard Tadpole is lovely and so much fun and is nothing like the rumours, she is neither terrifying or ferocious.
There are many messages about the environment that are subtly woven into the tale. The Earth and creatures are in grave danger because the humans are irresponsible - polluting the skies, filling oceans with rubbish and destroying forests; humans living alongside nature and not destroying the environment; man and nature working together - as Shipshape alludes to, we need to learn to live alongside each other, not create barriers. There is also a message about trophy hunters and the risks they pose to animals.
The two stories are told alongside each other until the two narratives become intertwined as Henry must try and save Tadpole and the rest of the Greybeards from the hunters. The yeti naming system is brilliant and full of fun and humour and I love the illustrations by Katy Riddell which bring alive the characters.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Recommended for 7+.
In the Greybeard sett Shadowspring there is a problem, for some inexplicable reason the water is disappearing. The water level is running so low that the Greybeards are concerned that the other yeti tribe representatives will not be able to use the underground waterways to attend the Gathering.
Meanwhile, with his parents heading overseas on work business, Henry Wetwood finds himself at Halbrook Hall Boarding School. Legends and rumours talk of a Greybeard lurking in the misty mountains and forests that are next to the school but no-one has ever seen one.
On a hike up the mountain, Henry gets separated from the group and in the thick mist stumbles into danger where he meets a legendary Greybeard named Tadpole. From this moment on Paul Mason tells a fantastic adventure story that sees Henry and Tadpole coming together to save the yeti sett and stop the humans from stealing the water.
You know that Henry and Tadpole will meet at some point and when they do the friendship, connection and bond they share is wonderful. Greybeard Tadpole is lovely and so much fun and is nothing like the rumours, she is neither terrifying or ferocious.
There are many messages about the environment that are subtly woven into the tale. The Earth and creatures are in grave danger because the humans are irresponsible - polluting the skies, filling oceans with rubbish and destroying forests; humans living alongside nature and not destroying the environment; man and nature working together - as Shipshape alludes to, we need to learn to live alongside each other, not create barriers. There is also a message about trophy hunters and the risks they pose to animals.
The two stories are told alongside each other until the two narratives become intertwined as Henry must try and save Tadpole and the rest of the Greybeards from the hunters. The yeti naming system is brilliant and full of fun and humour and I love the illustrations by Katy Riddell which bring alive the characters.
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Recommended for 7+.
August 24, 2020
The collective is spread out all over the world with each strand of the species responsible for protecting something important while of course, trying to avoid detection from humans. For the British Greybeards they are the protectors of the shadowspring, the underground water that all life depends on in the wild. Someone or something is interfering with the water levels and things are looking glum for the inhabitants of Tadpole’s community. Tadpole and Henry should never have met, Greybeards and humans must not mix but saving him, brings more danger than either of them could ever expect.
The amusing & joyous names for the various greybeards and their definitions are a particular highlight of this series for me. It’s such an entertaining story but with an important message woven around the adventure. I can’t wait to read more about the other branches of the collective. There is so much potential with this series, the target audience will love it. I was glad to see that Mason had worked on a sequel so quickly. Bring on book 3!
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The amusing & joyous names for the various greybeards and their definitions are a particular highlight of this series for me. It’s such an entertaining story but with an important message woven around the adventure. I can’t wait to read more about the other branches of the collective. There is so much potential with this series, the target audience will love it. I was glad to see that Mason had worked on a sequel so quickly. Bring on book 3!
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
August 2, 2020
Re-upload because I accidentally reviewed another book of the series!
While the Greybeards prepare for the first meeting of the International Yeti Collective to be held in living memory, Henry Wetwood arrives at a boarding school in the middle of nowhere as his parents have to travel for work.
Listen, it just works out. Everything ties neatly together - you know Henry and Tadpole, the protagonist from the Greybeard settlement, will meet. It's this kind of book.
You pretty soon get a grasp about the shady things the headmaster of the school is doing, and suspect that that will need to be stopped.
Everything that's mentioned comes back again, a hobby, random stuff mentioned in classes. Nothing goes to waste, and then on top a neat little bow telling you please care about this planet, because we only have this one.
Yes, it only gets one star from me. If you'd given me this book when I was ten, I'd have loved it to pieces.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
While the Greybeards prepare for the first meeting of the International Yeti Collective to be held in living memory, Henry Wetwood arrives at a boarding school in the middle of nowhere as his parents have to travel for work.
Listen, it just works out. Everything ties neatly together - you know Henry and Tadpole, the protagonist from the Greybeard settlement, will meet. It's this kind of book.
You pretty soon get a grasp about the shady things the headmaster of the school is doing, and suspect that that will need to be stopped.
Everything that's mentioned comes back again, a hobby, random stuff mentioned in classes. Nothing goes to waste, and then on top a neat little bow telling you please care about this planet, because we only have this one.
Yes, it only gets one star from me. If you'd given me this book when I was ten, I'd have loved it to pieces.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
August 8, 2020
It was wonderful to return to this amazing, fully realised world, that I first enjoyed in The International Yeti Collective. Paul Mason has excelled himself with this story. This book focusses on a different Yeti sett, and another group of humans. It has everything about it that I loved about the first story - the adventure, the Yeti society, acting as guardians of nature, the young human accidentally coming across the young Yeti. The characters are excellently realised - both Yeti and human. The Yeti society is similar and different to our own, and shines through without any descriptive interruptions to the story. There are also has the beautiful illustrations by Katy Riddell, that really bring the story to life.
I can’t recommend this series enough, to children and adults. This world just seems so real, and I can’t tell you how much I wish it was! I really hope that there will be many more books in this series.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
I can’t recommend this series enough, to children and adults. This world just seems so real, and I can’t tell you how much I wish it was! I really hope that there will be many more books in this series.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
November 8, 2020
This is the second in the International Yeti Collective series and it was just as charming as the first. In Shadowspring, we follow the Greybeard Yetis (the map at the back shows them living in a Scotland) as they prepare for the first Gathering in recent years of yeti collectives from all over the world. However, they start to notice water levels dropping and there seems to be some kind of human influence. We also follow a Henry, sent to boarding school while his parents travel abroad, as he tries to find out more about his school and the mysterious shadows seen on the hillside.
It was a lovely whimsical book with such imagination - each yeti was brilliantly created and had personalities to match their name. I loved the environmental aspect of the book, with the yetis being able to look on and comment about the impact humans are having on the environment. There was so much courage and friendship in the book - it was a very enjoyable read!
It was a lovely whimsical book with such imagination - each yeti was brilliantly created and had personalities to match their name. I loved the environmental aspect of the book, with the yetis being able to look on and comment about the impact humans are having on the environment. There was so much courage and friendship in the book - it was a very enjoyable read!
September 1, 2020
Thank you to Little Tiger for allowing me an ARC to review.
Firstly, if you haven’t read the previous book in this series you can still read this one as it’s sort of a standalone with some links to the past but which don’t affect this story. I haven’t read the first book but I still enjoyed this one. A lovely entertaining adventure in the world of the yeti; I particularly loved the names and meanings of the various yeti (yetis?) and how each group protects a different part of the natural world. Once the main bit of the story got going the school aspect seemed sort of redundant which was a bit odd, but the description of the yeti sett and way of life was very imaginative and fascinating! Overall this was an exciting read and I will probably read the first one at some point too.
Firstly, if you haven’t read the previous book in this series you can still read this one as it’s sort of a standalone with some links to the past but which don’t affect this story. I haven’t read the first book but I still enjoyed this one. A lovely entertaining adventure in the world of the yeti; I particularly loved the names and meanings of the various yeti (yetis?) and how each group protects a different part of the natural world. Once the main bit of the story got going the school aspect seemed sort of redundant which was a bit odd, but the description of the yeti sett and way of life was very imaginative and fascinating! Overall this was an exciting read and I will probably read the first one at some point too.
October 19, 2022
If you like stories about yetis than this is the series for you. Read as a bedtime story; really struggled to turn the page in the chapters about the yetis... guess I'm just not interested in yetis. That said, there's a good thread about caring for our precious resources and working together to solve problems.
January 5, 2021
A really good book.
Again the author has managed to make the point that humans are greedy, and really a horrible race.
In this story George befriends a yeti.
But he is found out and a group of human try to capture the yeti.
It is written well,
Again the author has managed to make the point that humans are greedy, and really a horrible race.
In this story George befriends a yeti.
But he is found out and a group of human try to capture the yeti.
It is written well,
November 11, 2020
In the 2nd book of the International Yeti Collective series, we meet Tadpole, who is the daughter of the sett’s leader, as she meets human Henry and they team up to save the yetis from an impending threat. Tadpole is so sweet and thoughtful and kind, and I absolutely loved her. Henry is a great character too, and I was also very fond of Shipshape and Snowdrift (Tadpole’s relationship with Snowdrift was such a highlight of the book, her love for him is so special, and I found the parts where she speaks to him very moving!). I also really enjoyed getting to see how things were a little bit different within the Greybeard sett, as the last book was about other characters altogether, although that said it was lovely to have a cameo from them too! And I don’t think the yeti naming custom will ever not make me chuckle! This is a really heartwarming read, and I do hope to see more books in this series soon!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews