Escape from Shadow Island

Max Cassidy #1

by Paul Adam

"'My mum killed my dad, then dragged his body all the way along the beach . . . I don't believe a word of it'"

""

Max Cassidy is a teenage escapologist, so good he's nicknamed the Half-pint Houdini. His father disappeared two years ago and his body has never been found. His mother is now serving a life sentence for her husband's murder.

Max's mission to learn the truth about his family takes him on an thrilling journey, from London to the horrors of the terrifying Shadow Island in central America.

Escapology is dangerous but not nearly as dangerous as real life . . .

The first book in Paul Adam's fast and furious Max Cassidy thriller series.

Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Young Adult, Thriller, Action, Teen, Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 2, 2009

About the author

Librarian's Note: There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads database.

- Paul Adam is an English writer of novels for both adults and younger readers. He studied law at Nottingham University, then began a career in journalism, working both in England, in his childhood town of Sheffield, and Rome. Since then he has written 11 critically acclaimed thrillers for adults and the Max Cassidy series of thrillers for younger readers about a teenage escapologist, the first of which, Escape from Shadow Island, won the Salford Children's Book Award. His books have sold widely around the world and have been translated into several foreign languages. He has also written film and television scripts. Adam lived in Nottingham for many years but now lives in Sheffield with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Max must infiltrate and escape shadow island to find his father, free his mom, and free his friends.

I liked the book because I thought it was exiting to hear about his strategies of escape.

I think you would like it if you are interested in adventure and Intensity.

[Michelle Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a lower level middle grade/YA book, this really grabbed my attention. It wasnt totally my style but I found myself not wanting to put it down.

[Zach A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape From Shadow Island:
When There’s No Hope Of Success, Why Even Try?
The next Harry Houdini. The greatest escapologist in the past 10 years. The boy wizard. Max Cassidy has been described as all of those things, but he has a blemish on his reputation. His mom is in jail for the next 18 years for the murder of his father. Only Max, his mother, and Consuela, the Cassidy family aide know that his mother never killed his father. This takes place in Paul Adam’s novel, Max Cassidy; Escape From Shadow Island. The story begins in modern day London, when Max, an escape artist just like his father, is told by a strange man that he believes his father is alive. The man presents Max a slip of paper with the digits 11138352. Before he can offer an further explanation, the man is murdered. Two weeks later Max and Consuela head to the small Caribbean country of Santo Domingo, the sight of Alex Cassidy- Max’s father’s-last show. Santo Domingo has one of the most crooked justice systems in the world. This fact leads Max to consider the possibility that his mother may be innocent. The tiny country is given a sense of foreboding by the sinister Isla de Sombra- Shadow Island- a castle once used by pirates and now the base of a wealthy American businessman. As soon as Max lays eyes on it, he is sure he will have to go there to find out about his father. Will his hunch prove correct, and will he be able to find out if his father is alive and prove his mother innocent? Read this book to find out. Max Cassidy; Escape From Shadow Island is an extremely engrossing book, because it is sprinkled with humor at exactly the right moments, almost the entire book has an air of suspense hanging over it, and it is filled with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The fact that Escape From Shadow Island is an extremely engaging book can be seen by the humor that is sprinkled throughout the book at exactly the right times. When Julius Clark, the owner of Shadow Island, is questioning Max because he caught him trespassing onto Shadow Island, the boy responds with sarcastic, and hilarious answers to let Clark know that he doesn’t frighten him. One such tidbit of conversation goes like this, Do you know who I am Max?” questions Clark. “The Pillsbury Dough Boy with glasses?” Max responds without hesitation. Clark ignores the comment and asks, “How did you get in here Max?” “I put on my red cape and flew. (232)” He retorts. The humor sprinkled throughout the novel lets the reader know that Max isn’t worried about his abilities and never lets on about his level of anxiety. However, the author knows when to hold back from being funny because the mood of the story calls for something different. This understanding of when to use humor and when not to takes the reader into exactly the right state of mind and leaves you unable to put the book down.
Secondly, the reader will also be pulled into this extremely entrancing book because of the air of suspense it has throughout the entire story. In fact, the book starts off with Max declaring to the audience watching his escape show, “I am going to do a trick no one has ever attempted in the past 50 years. There is a reason no one has ever attempted this trick in the last 5 decades. It is quite possibly the most dangerous escape anyone has ever tried. (1)” This quote starts the book off on a suspenseful tone. “Max is going to do something that hasn’t been done?” You wonder incredulously, “but he’s only 14!” Then you begin to wonder what this trick is, and why it is so dangerous. Next you think, “ How in the world is a 14 year old boy going to complete the most dangerous escape ever, one that hasn’t been tried in the past 50 years?” The book starts off in that way, and never strays from it. Another moment of riveting suspense occurs when Santo Domingan police locks Max in a hotel, only hours away from being executed. If these examples don’t leave you wanting to know what happens next, nothing will. This entire book is perfectly suspenseful.
Finally, the novel is thoroughly engrossing because it is action packed. Max is constantly being pursued by either crooked policemen, soldiers, or any other menacing group that he stands to hurt by proving his mother’s innocence and finding if his father is alive or not. For example, after Max has broken out of the hotel where the local police had held him hostage, he must escape through the twisting streets of the village. He comes face to face with a police officer. Max realizes that he can’t overpower the larger man, so he turns around and runs the other way. Soon, the pursuit turns into a deadly game of tag with danger at every turn in an unfamiliar city. This excitement leaves your heart pumping wondering how Max can outsmart his pursuers and live to see another day in this foreboding city. The excitement pulls you into the book and doesn’t let you go until the final words.
In closing, Max Cassidy; Escape From Shadow Island is an extremely engrossing book because it is sprinkled with humor at exactly the right moments, almost the entire book has an air of suspense hanging over it, and finally it is filled with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can connect to this book because Max is really a funny and sarcastic person. He’s especially sarcastic when he feels uneasy or doesn’t have much confidence in himself. I do that a lot too. It’s like trying to cover up your doubts with being funny. But I also use sarcasm and jokes in situations when I’m not worried about something. It’s just who I am. Max also does that, so it’s really easy to connect to him and the book in that way. From this book, I learned several things. One of those things that I stated earlier was that sometimes the best humor is knowing when not to be funny. I also learned how suspense makes any book better, because it leaves you wondering what will happen, as well as hoping everything turns out fine in the end.
In reflection, I worked very hard to do extremely well on this book review. Therefore, I believe that my grade should show that. This particular book review was more difficult than some of the other reviews I had done prior to it. This was because I tried to do a thesis statement that didn’t have to do with theme because I wanted to have some variety on my reviews. However, once I figured out my thesis statement, the review became considerably easier than I thought it would be. I think that while I did a very good job on this assignment, I could definitely continue to improve upon my conclusion. I also felt that I could have tightened up my introductory paragraph at least by a few sentences. This was a very well written book and I would give it a solid four out of five stars. Any one looking for excitement and suspense should read this book.

[A. Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to describe this book in a single word, I would have to say ' intruiging '. This was predictably a great read. The protagonist, Max Cassidy, is a wonderfully written character. Although, there are no negative qualities about him - if you don't count his stubbornness - his character itself developed through his parents with I thought was cool. His love for escape and lockpicking comes from his escapist father, Alexander, and his obvious determined and strong personality from his mother.

I loved the plot wholly from the depressing bits all the way to the frightening. His mother in prison gave him the motive of the story: getting her out and her record wiped clean. Finding out his father was alive? Super obvious plot twist but Paul Adam made it so thrilling!!

This story was enthralling and entertained me hours on end. 😊

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book on Friday and was sooo excited to read about an escapologist that I started it right away and the story was so brilliant that I read it in a day! I couldn't put the book down and I thought it is a fantastic idea for a series!

Okay, so I might need to add "don't do this at home" for the kids and all that!
(there's a disclaimer in the first pages of the book and I literally jumped to read what they meant - I'm one tough cookie that way)

The idea of this book is such sheer brilliantness that I have been jumping up and down thinking about it! FINALLY we get to know how those annoyingly smug people who get cuffed, chained and thrown underwater in a bag manage to get out of there when normal people like myself would just drown (well, I might be able to get free too you know, it's not like I've ever tried, but I could be a fantastic escapologist for all I know)!

Anyways, this book is made of awesome! Max Cassidy is your regular 14 year old North London kid, except that every now and then he goes on a stage and fascinates hundreds of people by getting free of cuffs and chains and other. He learned everything from his father who was a brilliant escapologist himself. Max's mother is serving a heavy sentence for (allegedly!) killing her husband. Max is living with his father's stage assistant Consuela and pays himself for his education with his work. Life is tough, but Max is a great kid and goes through this without complaining.

When he learns that there is a chance his father could in fact not be dead and that his mother could finally be set free, Max doesn't hesitate and goes directly to Santo Domingo to find out what happened two years ago! Max puts himself in the most dangerous position but he is not without resources thanks to his escapologist talents!

It is a fantastic adventure through and through and I really loved how unique the story is. Being in Max's mind when he does his tricks is priceless and you really get how the "tricks" work! There are so many books on invented magic that we sometimes forget that the existent magic is a game of illusions and is as breathtakingly impressive as the imaginary one we can invent. I really can't wait to read more of Max in future books!

The book is written in a third-person point of view and follows Max. The style is fast-paced and will make you stay at the edge of your seat during the entire book. there are some funny moments as well and you will love Max's personality full of courage, sense of justice and a good dose of attitude!

Fans of Artemis Fowl and Alex Rider will love this book, there is fantastic action and the originality of the escapologist angle is absolutely brilliant since kids can always go take classes on this or go watch shows by real magicians (which are age appropriate, that goes without saying!).

[Carmen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book feels it is necessary to explain what the definition of “implode” is, and than 20 pages later uses the word “soporific” without any explanation. I don't know if the author thinks he is addressing smart children or dumb adults. This thriller revolves around a teenage boy whose father is murdered and his mother is accused of the crime and put in jail. This seems to be a common theme; this is the second book I've read this summer with this plot (the first is Nothing to Lose by Alex Flinn – if you have to choose between the two, pick Flinn). Of course, the boy knows that his mother is innocent and sets out trying to prove this fact. The boy (age 14) is also an escape artist – I mean, like Houdini. The author also makes up a very corrupt country in Central America called Santo Domingo (no relation to the REAL Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic). This book is completely unbelievable. The dialogue and writing seems dumbed-down. I realize this is very tempting to do for authors who write for “young adults” but it should be avoided. The best YA authors do not dumb-down the material (Chronicles of Narnia, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events etc.).

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is an escapeologist (The Half Pint Houdini) – just like his father was before he died. But did he die, and why was his mum imprisoned for his murder? When a strange man visits him and tells him his father is alive and his mother framed, Max’s search for the truth begins. When the stranger is also murdered, Max knows he could be in danger but convinces his care giver (Consuela-his dad’s stage assistant) to take him back to Santo Domingo – the central American country where his father disappeared. He finds the daughter of a charter boat/fisherman who took his dad out the day he disappeared. Her father also died strangely. When Consuela is kidnapped and taken to Shadow island he is determined not to lose her too.

A non stop adventure following Max’s determined search for the truth – fuelled by the desire to free his mum from prison and find his father. Boys will gobble it up!

[Irvington Public Library Teens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max performs as a 14-year-old escape artist, which is a good thing because his parents can't earn money. His dad is a legendary escape artist who mysteriously disappeared in Santo Domingo two years ago. Max's mother is in prison for murdering his dad, but Max believes she is innocent. After a mysterious stranger comes to Max, saying he knows the truth about his parents, non-stop action/mystery begins! I want to read the sequel "The Jaws of Death" when it is published in August, 2011. -- Steve Fondiller

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is a 14-year-old boy who is trying to find his supposedly "dead" father, and get his mother out of jail for a crime she didn't commit. I liked this book because there was a lot of action and suspense, and I would recommend this book to people who enjoy action and mysteries.

[Preston Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Max Cassidy: Escape From Shadow Island by: Paul Adam is a very inspiring and exceptionally amazing book. The main theme of this book is never give up and never give up pursuing your dreams. I think that this is what the author wanted the reader to know because throughout the book, Max often says how he wants nothing more than to free his mother and hear from his mother. Max additionally never gives up in his pursuit to fight for what’s right. Finally, this theme is also supported throughout the book with Max’s everlasting drive to finish his quest.

The genre of this book is a mix of both mystery and realistic fiction. This is because all of this could possibly happen, and where his dad is and what happened to him is a huge mystery throughout the book, along with smaller ones along the way. This book mostly takes place in Santo Domingo. The characters spend a lot of time in a very creepy and scary island named shadow island. The author does a fantastic job describing it with descriptive details and words. Max Cassidy is a 14 year old boy. He is very persistent, powerful, smart, and never gives up. Consuela is Max’s guardian and his father’s former assistant in his escape art business. She is by Max’s side and wants nothing but the best for him. They are the two main characters in the book. They are very believable and are described very well in the story with vivid adjectives.


I really liked how the author wrote this book. It is very easy to follow, and extremely descriptive. The author used a great balance of a playful and light tone along with a dark and gruesome tone. It kept me interested throughout the book and I never got bored of it. Some examples of words he used were “jagged, distressed, crushed, frightened, haunting, and numb. These words gave me the impression of a dark and gloomy scene. I additionally really enjoyed the incredible amount of suspense throughout the book. The suspense Paul Adam used was phenomenal and was really felt when I read the book. Additionally, I really liked how the author included some foreshadowing in the book. One example of this is when someone is talking to Max about shadow island and says you aren’t thinking about going there right. Max replies with “I’m gonna do whatever it takes to find my father.” This gave me the impression that Max was going to take the treacherous journey to try and get onto Shadow Island. I then felt fear because I didn’t want Max to get hurt and be unable to continue his search.

Furthermore, I really enjoyed the author’s character choices and their very diverse personalities. For example, the Santo Domingan chief of police is very straightforward and demanding. Meanwhile, Max’s mother is very soft, calm, and quiet just wanting one thing in life, to get out of jail. These diversities greatly helped me to understand this book, as I was getting information from many perspectives. Thus, this book was written in third person as the narrator was not a character in the story. Continually, the author uses perfect imagery that paints a vivid picture in my mind. I was never left guessing where the action was taking place thanks to the exceptional descriptive language. One of my favorite lines of imagery was “There it lay, all dark and gloomy, the feared island where so many had lost their lives.” This gave me the chills when I read it because it seemed like such a terrible place willed with uncertainty. In conclusion, Max Cassidy: Escape From Shadow Island, is a thrilling and action packed book with many mysterious twists and turns.

I think that any teenager would enjoy this book very much throughout the journey. The author uses many advanced and high level vocabulary right on point for avid teens. The main character is additionally a teenager, of whom many can relate to. I think readers will also definitely enjoy the spooky scenes and settings in which the book takes place. Lastly, it is very easy to put yourself in Max’s shoes and think about what you would do in this situation. He is very relatable, and it is very enjoyable to think about yourself in these scenarios.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not have high hopes going into this book at all. I think I actually purchased it new when it first came out (in 2009) and it has just sat on my shelf ever since. I finally decided I just need to get it out the way and read it because 10 years on a shelf is ridiculous. 

This book is about Max, the story goes that his mother killed his father. However Max doesn't believe it, he is determined to go back to the scene of the crime and find out exactly what happened. What he finds is more than he bargained for. 

I was actually really impressed with this book, saying it is definitely for young teens (aka me aged 13 when I first purchased this book) it was quite dark. Although not 'dark' for adults it is darker than anything else I have ever read for that age group. I really enjoyed how it felt like more of an adult book, yes there were definitely parts that were aimed at children but overall it felt like a grown up book. You can certainly see why teens enjoy it, with the scenes and the plot it does feel like it is a book for older ages. 

The story was really fast paced and you can easily get through it in a few sittings. It may not be for everyone but if you enjoy a mystery story then you might enjoy this. There is a daring escape and a mysterious island, definitely something a little bit different than your usual mysteries. Be prepared if you pick this up - it is aimed at young teens, it may not be your twisty turny thriller but it is really good for the intended age. Read it with that thought in mind. On that basis I would definitely recommend it. 

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Max is an ordinary north London schoolboy by day, but at night he performs sell-out public shows as an escapologist - nicknamed The Half-Pint Houdini by the tabloid press. His father, Alexander, was also a world-renowned escapologist, who disappeared two years earlier in the Central American state of Santo Domingo. His body was never found, but Max's mother, Helen, was convicted of murdering her husband by a Santo Domingan court. One evening, after his show, Max receives a visit from a mysterious man from Santo Domingo - Lopez-Vega tells Max that his mother's trial was rigged and, if Max comes to his hotel room the following night, he has something to give him.When Max goes to the hotel, he finds Lopez-Vega dead, shot through the head. The room has clearly been searched by the killer, but what was he looking for? By chance, Max finds a piece of paper hidden under Lopez-Vega's wig. Written on the paper is a sequence of eight numbers - 83521113. What do the numbers mean? Are they a code, or maybe the combination for a lock or a safe? Could they be the key to unlocking the mystery of his father's disappearance and getting his mother out of prison? They turn out to be a grid reference and at this spot, Max finds a short letter hidden by his supposedly dead father only two weeks prior.

Max and his assistant travel to South America and it is there that they find the dark side of what is going on. Bravely, Max decides to infiltrate the notoriously protected Shadow Island and it is there that he stumbles across the biological warfare that is being carried out on prisoners - perhaps just like his father. He comes away with evidence of the names of other prisoners and the chases which go on, he stumbles across an ally, called Chris who is an ex SAS soldier and he assists Max escape. Ultimately, Shadow Island is burnt to the ground and they make plans to return to London.

Before you read this book, a word of warning - don't read it expecting an action-packed climax to end the story as you won't get one. This is the first in a series of books featuring Max Cassidy's hunt for his supposedly dead father, thereby also clearing his other of his father's murder; as such this is the first episode in that quest and you will have to wait until book two (and possibly even book three?) are published to find out whether Max is ever successful in this. When I read it I hadn't realised this, and it was only as I reached the final chapters that I worked out that there was no way the story would be finished in the remaining few pages. I love serial books, I just wish that the publishers had made it more clear that this was the first in a series.

That one small gripe aside, this was a hugely enjoyable book that the majority of boys will love. Refreshingly, unlike Alex Rider, the CHERUB series, etc., Max is a hero without the backing of a government agency; in fact, it seems he may even have a British spy agency working against him in his quest. Max's part-time profession as an escapologist is also a nice new idea; Mr Adam cleverly uses one of Max's stage performances, as well as Max's reminiscences about his childhood with his father to fill us in on Max's abilities in the field of escapology. I was initially concerned that his skills in this area would be over-used by the author to help get Max out of all kinds of completely unrealistic situations. Fortunately, these fears were totally unfounded; in fact, I was almost disappointed that Max didn't use these abilities more throughout the story. However, this made the story all the more realistic, and also leaves many more opportunities for Max to demonstrate his talents in the next books in the series.

Escape From Shadow Island is a fast paced story, full of great action scenes. However, it is not non-stop thrills as the author also manages to intersperse these full-on action scenes with moments of great tension. The characterisation is good and the dialogue is spot-on." The Book Zone

[Nathan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good. It's is about a boy named Max who is a very good escapologist like father. Then all of a sudden he disappears and Max has to find out what happened to him. There is a lot of action is this book, the action never died down. There is also a lot of mysteries that max has to solve from how his dad dispersed to who is this mystery man. I recommend this book to anyone who likes not stop action, suspense, and thrilling events.

[Micah Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good and fun to read. Mystery books like these really pull me into the story, and it's like I'm living the scene. In Escape from Shadow Island, Max's mom was convicted of Max's dad's death and was sent to prison for 20 years. Max uncovers the secret of his fathers death and proves that his mother is innocent. The book was really exciting and thrilling, it was action packed and was really dramatic.

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribly boring and terribly written. All tell and no show. Here's how the first 50 pages read: "Max did this, max did that. Then this happened. Max felt exhausted, tired." And then it repeated in that manner.

[Alejandro Donaire Salvador · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you suddenly realize that you're holding your breath because Max's in trouble is because you're reading a good book. A great adventure exceptionally narrated.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic teenage novel. Exciting, suspenseful packed full of action. First in a series.

[Hailey Gladd · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was better than i thought it was going to be

[Clau · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite good, was entertaining and kept my attention! I like it.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good mystery book I can’t wait to see what happens to Max’s dad!

[Katie Lovegood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk how it ended cuz I stopped reading it after like 6 chapters. It just wasn't my kind of book or style of writing.

[Stephanie Deguara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book. It kept the reader guessing. Young escapologist Max Cassidy goes to Santo Domingo to find out what really happened to his dad.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Cassidy, a brave, young, and at 14 years old, is the worlds foremost escape artist. Learned by his father, Alexander Cassidy, as he was growing up. He taught his son the physical skills that his job needed. These skills were strength, suppleness, agility, and breath control. In Santo Domingo 2 years ago, Max's father, mom, and his fathers assistant traveled to do a show. While Max was in France for a school field trip, something very bad happened in Santo Domingo. When Max got home his whole life collapsed, to find that his father apparently dead and his mother locked away in prison for 20 years for the murder of her husband.

Consuela, his fathers assistant, has been with Max all his life. She was like part of their family, like an aunt he never had. With his fathers murder, his mother locked away, and the body never found, Max didn't have any other family members or close relatives. All he had was Consuela, now they travel all the way from London to Santo Domingo to believe that his father might still be alive. 2 years after his fathers disappearance, after one of Max's shows a man approached him with that he couldn't believe. His father might still be alive in Santo Domingo. He and Consuela traveled in search to find what happened to his Father, until Consuela disappears as well.

Escape from Shadow Island is a mystery for ages 10 and up. I enjoyed every part of this book more and more when Max get closer to finding his father's appearance. Paul Adam's writing makes the story come alive. The way he describes the book gives me a better understanding of the story. His writing gives me a more in depth mantle picture in my mind of what I'm reading.

[Delaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Give credit to Paul Adam for making the ending a full on of action, people!


What came to mind was Artemis Fowl while reading this book. I know I shouldn't compare books but my mind just did that itself. Even though Max was a fine enough main character it was odd. A 14 year old boy who cries? Okay so nothing wrong with that, that's fine, but being kind a wimpish like Artemis Fowl? What I did I like about Max was he was strong and knew how to do some ACTION. Like he could get out of handcuffs!

The book had information that wasn't needed. Stuff that kind of added up at the end. And words that just bore me to death. Half the time I wasn't really to excited to read this and when I started I thought it was a good ending but it didn't make me want to jump in--until the end.

There's this scenario where his father is so-called pronounced "died" and his mother is convicted of being the killer sentenced to 18 years in prison. So after this guy with a long L name comes after his show, he tells Max to meet him at a place and time and dum dum dum things happen and the ending was I don't know if it's a "cliffhanger"? I'm not very bright to realize those things just that if the first book is boring then I'm not going to read the second. So in order to qualify for me to read a certain series, it has to keep me interested the first book and second and until it ends like I want MORE. This book is not qualified. Three x's-- X X X (you have been eliminated).

[Katieb (MundieMoms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Max Cassidy is a book tween and teens will enjoy reading. It's a quick murder, mystery read, as 14 yr old Max is out to prove that his Mum didn't kill his father, a world famous escape artist who was killed two years ago Santo Domingo. Now Max has followed in his father's shoes and can escape from most anything, even the unescapable Shadow Island.

In his quest to prove his Mum's innocence, Max travels from England to Santo Domingo to find answers. Max soon learns that finding his answers will be anything but easy, as those who know what happened to his father were either murdered are won't talk. Max isn't one to give up easily and as one event after another unfolds, Max realizes he's in a much more sinister game than he realized.

In a country where those with money and powerful ties control everything, even his Mum's fate, Max doesn't stand a chance. Max won't give up, even when he's in over his head. Knowing that his Mum is innocent and his father isn't dead, Max will stop at nothing to find out what happened.

I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next, as Max Cassidy ends on a good cliff hanger.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Max Cassidy is a book tween and teens will enjoy reading. It's a quick murder, mystery read, as 14 yr old Max is out to prove that his Mum didn't kill his father, a world famous escape artist who was killed two years ago Santo Domingo. Now Max has followed in his father's shoes and can escape from most anything, even the unescapable Shadow Island.

In his quest to prove his Mum's innocence, Max travels from England to Santo Domingo to find answers. Max soon learns that finding his answers will be anything but easy, as those who know what happened to his father were either murdered are won't talk. Max isn't one to give up easily and as one event after another unfolds, Max realizes he's in a much more sinister game than he realized.

In a country where those with money and powerful ties control everything, even his Mum's fate, Max doesn't stand a chance. Max won't give up, even when he's in over his head. Knowing that his Mum is innocent and his father isn't dead, Max will stop at nothing to find out what happened.

I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next, as Max Cassidy ends on a good cliff hanger.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Authorities tell Max his father's dead and his mother killed him. Not believing what he's been told, Max and his guardian, Consuela, have been trying to exonerate Max's mother.

One night, after his magic show act, Max is told by a stranger that his father is still alive, but the man is found murdered in his hotel room before Max can find out where he is. With only the knowledge of where his father was last seen, Max sets out to save his dad.

Corrupt cops, a powerful billionaire, and thugs, however, don't want Max's dad found - and will do anything to keep it that way. Will Max rescue his dad and overcome his biggest challenge yet?

An action-packed adventure filled with mystery. The characters are well-done and the plot line is engrossing. Readers who like spy fiction, action, adventure, and mystery stories will enjoy reading ESCAPE FROM SHADOW ISLAND.

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book Escape From Shadow Island by Paul Adam is about this teenager who is fourteen years old named Max. As I read about who Max really is, I think this fellow Max is not a great person, but turns out to be adventurous. What surprises me is that Max's family is mostly gone and meaningless. His mother had been accused of murdering his father. When I continued reading on this story, it was pretty depressing to understand how the life of the character, Max was. With mystery, crime, and adventure, that is clearly indepth witin this reading, Max soon discovers that his parents were not to blame for being guilty of murdering. Luis-Lopez-Vega is the man that notifies him that, and clues along with paper will help bring justice. This family has been through a lot, and he himself, Max, is a person who needs to be away from Shadow Island. I recommend this book to all mystery, crime, and adventurous people.

[Michaela Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came from the local library. I read the first chapter standing by the shelf - literally couldn't put it down! So of course,it had to come home with me.

I like the way we are let in on some of the secrets of escapology. The main character was well drawn and some of the realities of life in show business neatly pointed out.

In my local library this was in the children's section. I think it would be better housed in the teens department, as there is some violence and graphic description, which might upset a younger child.

A compelling adventure for adult readers, too, in my opinion. One word of warning: the ending doesn't tie things up neatly. The author has cleverly made it imperative to read the next book. Oh, and seriously, don't try the stunts in this book at home!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max Cassidy's father disappeared two years ago, and his mother has spent the entire time in prison accused and convicted of his murder. Max lives in London with his guardian, Consuelo. He attends school and earns money performing as an escape artist--his father's profession. When Luis Lopez-Vega contacts Max with new information about his father, Max decides to return to Santo Domingo, a small country in Central America, where the supposed murder took place. He hopes to find evidence that will clear his mother's name. Consuelo goes with Max. When she disappears from her hotel room, Max sneaks into Julius Clark’s fortress on Shadow Island. Max believes that this heavily guarded stronghold holds the key to Alexander Cassidy’s disappearance.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com