The Shadow Order

by Rebecca F. John

One year on from the day the shadows shifted – showing people their truest selves instead of just their shapes – best friends Teddy, Betsy and Effie plan to risk all and watch the winter sun rise over Copperwell, in defiance of the Shadow Order. But from their hidden vantage point the three shocked friends witness a mysterious woman shouting a dire warning, before being arrested, beaten, and dragged away in handcuffs.The event leads them on an extraordinary series of dangerous adventures to save their city as they begin to learn the truth about the Shadow Order, the world surrounding Copperwell, and themselves.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is aimed at younger readers, probably about 10-13 years, but nevertheless as an adult I truly enjoyed it. A really original idea and enough mild peril to keep readers engaged. The conclusion was perhaps a bit too neat for my liking, but I enjoyed the idea behind it of being your true self and not be afraid to speak up when you see wrongdoings.

I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Thank you to Netgalley, Firefly Press and the author.

[Richard E. Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Order is the story of three young friends and their struggle against an oppressive regime. Teddy is a poor dock worker, Effie is a clandestine jazz musician (!) and their strong-willed ringleader Betsy is a laundry maid. They live in Copperwell, a steampunk-esque city named after the copper pipework that adorns the architecture, making music from the weather.
It all sounds rather magical, but this is a city ravaged by poverty and fear. Not long ago people’s shadows started acting strangely, so the government decreed that the citizens should live their lives by night, not by day. Being out and about in daylight became an offence; the Shadow Order of the title.
But that’s not all, for other strange things have started happening; snow is falling at a rate never seen before and exotic animals are randomly appearing. Our three heroes think this has something to do with a fantastic instrument called the orrery. So, as kids are wont to do in tales such as this, they decide to steal it and uncover its secrets.
And so the stage is set for an exciting tale that will take Betsy, Effie and Teddy beyond the city limits for the first time in their lives, where they will discover that there’s far more to the world than they ever imagined.
On the surface The Shadow Order may appear to be ‘just another YA adventure novel’, but what elevates it is that the author, Rebecca F. John, has a great deal to say about how modern society alienates us from nature, about how regimes use fear to further their own ends, about tyranny, and about how we lose touch with ourselves. It really is deep stuff, very philosophical, all wrapped up in a thrilling escapade. As a 52-year-old man I’m pretty far removed from the target demographic of this book, but it doesn’t matter because a good story, especially one that carries a universal message such as this, has the power to transcend boundaries.
The Shadow Order flirts with sci-fi, fantasy and steampunk, but at its heart is a tale of three young people who just want to be free to be themselves. It’s a beautiful message and a terrific book and I’m glad I picked it up.
Oh, and it has clockwork wolves!

[EM WATSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by M.E. Watson.
Gosh, this was quite a ride.
As rich in description as the best Christmas puddings are fruit, this is a sweet morsel that cannot be rushed yet demands to be read.
The story is told in the third person omniscient. As a result, it has the definite air of a much bolder style of story – Arthurian or Tolkein. It is a style that threw me till I got the gist, and then like a thick fur coat, it wrapped me up and kept me literarily warm. There are arguably hints of steampunk and dystopia. Mrs H and I argued about referring to dystopia and compromised on saying that it was a society on the verge of a calamity that could have led to a dystopian future.
I have not read any of Rebecca's adult literature. Still, I can understand why she was, amongst other things, a Costa Award nominee. This is her first venture into middle-grade writing. It is, in equal measure, impressive, rich, characterful, forboding and heartening. Copperwell is a place crafted so that it could easily be two hundred years ago but also potentially fifty or a hundred in the future. There are definite parallels to the actions of governments in our own world on the environment and the creatures and peoples they are supposed to serve and protect.
The middle of a heatwave probably isn't the best time to start such a consuming book, and I wasn't sure about what I had. By the end, however, I was sad to say goodbye to Copperwell and the assembled characters. I really do want another adventure to be born out of the ashes of this. As I said earlier, it has the feel of an epic in the making. It certainly will provide great talking points for teachers and readers of all ages.
Definitely do not shy away from this fabulous piece of storytelling.
Five stars for Firefly Press and Rebecca F. John

[Rach_reads.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

With government orders to stay indoors during daylight due to the shifting of the shadows - showing people their truest selves rather than just their shapes - Teddy, Betsy and Effie risk all to watch the winter sun rise over Copperwell, in defiance of the Shadow Order. Here they witness the arrest of a woman with a dire warning for all and they are whipped into a dangerous adventure as they learn the truth about the Shadow Order, the world surrounding Copperwell, and themselves.

This was such a mature middle grade book, I felt I was reading a children's adaptation of George Orwell's classic 1984. What a start within this genre for the author. I'm intrigued to try out some of her adult fiction too. I feel working within a primary school that this maybe best suited to year 7 children, perhaps a mature year 6 class, otherwise I feel some of the underlying themes and tones might go over their heads.

With so many connections to current world events this stories narrative really fits in today's modern times, even though it felt at times that Copperwell could be set in an alternate Industrial Revolution/ pre-appocoliptic world, I couldn't quite get a feel for when I thought this was exactly taking place- dystopian maybe? You rollercoaster through themes of government authoritarianism that creates almost a draconian society with its power imbalanced authorities. Elements of world destruction and deviation caused by human interference and the need for a deeper connection to nature. What more could a reader want!

The cover and title were appealing and at a glance I was getting horror,Gothic, steam punk vibes. This was a solid 4 stars for me!

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Order is a really interesting and thought provoking fantasy novel filled with atmosphere.

I found it quite scary how much of it seemed to reflect the country we're currently living in. The rich people are living comfortable lives in their fancy buildings, making more and more money while destroying the world without care, while the poor become ever poorer, hungrier, colder. A cowardly and corrupt Prime Minister hides away at the centre of it all, refusing to face his people, while the government passes ever more draconian laws, restricting freedoms in the name of protection, enforced by an increasingly brutal police force.

But despite that bleakness, The Shadow Order is a story about hope and the possibility of change. it's about listening to what is within us, and listening to the wide, wild world around us, and making ourselves heard. It is about the power of friendship and self-sacrifice, about taking risks, breaking the rules and doing what you can to make things right.

I really enjoyed it, and I'm hoping we'll get a chance to find out more about this curious world and the strange devices within it.

[Victoria Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very thought provoking, especially after our experiences of Covid. In the book, something causes people's shadows to change and the leaders in Copperwell put in laws to make those living there feel ashamed of the changes. They decree an order that everyone must stay inside during the day so that people's shadows stay hidden. And then the three main characters make a startling discovery about the cause of the change and what this means to their way of life.

All of the above gave me a lot of food for thought. The theme of following directions from leaders without understanding or questioning their wisdom would create great discussion points for older children as would the way the characters respond. I think there would also be a lot to unpick about bravery and it can look like. It also has a strong focus on the need for humans to connect with nature which I loved. All in all, I think it would be a great book to read with Year 5 or Year 6 pupils and I hope the children in my school will enjoy it when it comes out.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for me. Even though I’m not the age group it’s written for there is a lot in this book that everyone can enjoy and i am of the mindset that it doesn’t matter what genre the book is, if it grabs your attention why not read it! This was an action packed read, with lots of tension, and emotion packed in to make you care for the main characters teddy, Betsy and Effie who have to save copperwell from the unified government and the shadow order. Once they find the orrery and realise what it does its a race to prove to the inhabitant’s that its ok to come out into the light and see your shadow and city. What i liked was that it played on the truth of yourself and not to be afraid of who you are and to share that with others and to accept them to. This is a book with a lot to say and everyone will get a satisfying read from this story.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It found it intriguing and thought provoking. There's the discover of our true self and there's the adventures.
The original world building is well developed and i liked the characters and the plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Sabrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a clever and original idea with a curse that affects people's shadows and let's them move independently. I really liked all three main characters. It was a pleasant enough read, unfortunately so much just didn't make sense. It seems like it wasn't all thought through properly and a lot wasn't explained.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and struggled to put it down, untill the very end. It was comforting, a fantasy, dystopian story, where I felt comfortable being. I could see the story like a film as I read. It was lovely. Very well written.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely absorbing. I loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is amazing ther characters and lovable it is so underrated