Shadow Man

Prince Andy and the Misfits #1

by Karen Gammons

Andy thought he was just an average sixteen-year-old kid...

But one day his world is completely turned upside down as he learns the unbelievable truth of his identity: he is the prince of a faraway kingdom called Filligrim in the Valley of the Misfits a magical place where pixies, elves, wizards, and dragons are just as likely to be inhabitants as humans. He was brought to this world following his birth the only way to keep him from being murdered by his evil malicious grandfather.

Sounding more like a fairytale than reality, Andy at first thinks he must be dreaming. But then his aunt Gladdy reveals even more astonishing news: his mother, the Queen of the Misfits, is in trouble; she's been captured by goblins, and it's up to Andy to rescue her. Still in shock, he makes a decision that will forever alter life as he's known it. He will return to Filligrim and, with the help of six heroic Misfits, will embark on a mission to save the kingdom from the clutches of evil.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2010

About the author

Karen Gammons is the author of the children’s series, Prince Andy and the Misfits and The Texas Bluebonnet Trilogy. She joined Caryl McAdoo in 2022 with a Thanksgiving Books & Blessings novella called New Beginnings, in the Forlorn Trilogy. She also joined the Prairie Roses Collections authors with Bee in 2023 and last year with Drea.
She is in the process of writing the third book to the Texas Bluebonnet series and will be releasing another Prairie Roses Collections covered wagon story called Birdy on May 4th 2024, and is also releasing the fifth book to the Prince Andy series this year.
Karen lives with her husband, Troy, their two daughters: Randi and Haylee, and one quirky cat. Her son, Caleb, took flight, and is now building a nest of his own. She and her family inhabit a burrow with a pokey old chimney and a possible ghoul in the attic, which in reality is probably just a squirrel. When she isn’t restoring said burrow, she’s off on adventures to worlds unknown, trying to write her latest story.

Reviews

[Steve Groll]

As I was reading “Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man” by Karen Gammons, I thought to myself that I was reading a fairytale with attitude! An all American, baseball loving sixteen-year-old boy finds out that the woman he thought was his mother is actually an elf from a different world. While she lives in our world, she looks like a normal human woman. That’s not all; it is revealed to him that he is born of royalty in this other world. It is a fantastic place filled with magic, wizards, fairies, goblins, elves, giants, dragons, and a host of other strange creatures. Andy and his foster mother are recalled to Filligrim because it is on the brink of war. The queen of the Misfits, Andy’s mother, has been taken, and as heir to the throne, Andy is recalled home and given the task of finding out who is behind this traitorous act. In this first installment of the series, Andy must learn his way around his new reality, get a handle on how things work in his birth world, try to understand how he fits in, earn the respect and trust of the people, and try to fulfill his responsibility of discovering the identity of the enemy within. It’s a pretty tall order for a sixteen-year-old American kid. Will he be up to the task? The book is heavy on political intrigue, sleuthing, and builds to a rousing battle and a cliffhanger ending. The book is well written. Even though it is geared to the junior and teen audience, adults who read fantasy will find this book an enjoyable read. Steve Groll author ~ “Beyond the Dead Forest”

[Judi Chesshir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man is an imaginative tale of a 16 year old who finds out he’s not just a regular boy, but a prince from a far away land. He leaves his normal life behind and replaces it with one adventure after another while trying to save his mother, the queen. This fairytale is filled with all the wonderful creatures that children love: elves, unicorns, goblins trolls, dragons, and even newly created ones. The description of the characters will draw you in and keep you wanting to read more. Children of all ages will find themselves choosing a favorite character. Mine was Snollygob; and I loved the creative way the author had him eat. What kids hasn’t wished to be a prince or princess or wanted to meet mythical creatures. This story will appeal to both girls and boys from 4th grade on up. It is a book they won’t want to put down. They will be asking for the sequel as soon as they are done with the first book. I also think it would make a great class read along for teachers and could lead to many different writing lessons for the class.
Review by Judi Chesshir – Author of “My Finny Fin Fin” & Teacher

[Litland.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we form good character? Keeping in mind that pretending is practice for real life, books fill our minds with examples of virtue and honor. A fun book for classroom reading grades 6-10 is Prince Andy & The Misfits, wherein a 16-year old discovers he is a Prince in a magical kingdom. It is easy for the reader to place himself in the middle of the action, and yet enough twists and turns to the storyline to hold interest too. Great for older or reluctant readers, advanced younger readers, families, book clubs, teaching, homeschool, Christian & Catholic readers.

A real plus is that the book includes a code to download an audio version from the publisher website. Think beyond iPod mania: before Apple engineers were born, teachers were using audio books to help children learn to read, pronunciate, and improve vocabulary. For our full review and commentary, see our criteria evaluation: http://ow.ly/5ytmS

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through First Reads



I'm lovin this story thus far. It's a story of inclusion. Everyone who felt excluded for some reason or another, with their own kind (say a giant who gets called 'half-pint' for example) are welcome in the Misfit Kingdom of Filligrim.

I appreciate that the author thinks outside the box and doesn't fall into the cliches about mystical creatures...who says unicorns have to be white? And she has created new mystical creatures I just love (snollygob any one?).

Add to that a mystery! One that seems to be leaning in one direction...but I suspect all is not as it seems.

Ive finished this wonderful book! What a fun ride! Can't wait for the next installment cuz there was a HUGE cliffhanger at the end. How long will I have to wait Karen????

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Gammons’ words may be confined to ink, paper, and binding, but they certainly did not stay confined as I began delving into her YA fantasy book! “Prince Andy and the Misfits, Shadow Man” leaps out continually with spine-tingling adventure, strange mystical beings, clandestine meetings, cryptic messages, a whodunit mystery, and a precarious dilemma. One day, sixteen year old Andy discovers his perception of all he knows is not what it seems and he isn’t who he thought he was, leading to a discovery beyond his wildest dreams. Karen Gammons possesses an inspired imagination and a superb gift for creative writing, because she surely captivated me with this splendid tale. I look forward to reading book two. Review by Kathy Goodhew, author of, The Hidden Ones series, 'Awakened' and 'Confluence.'

[Lisa Tortorello · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man, Karen does a wonderfully picturesque job of making her readers feel that they themselves have been transported to another land. I found myself enthralled with the characters be it the elves, goblins, or myriad of others who show up throughout the story. While set in far away lands, there are some tried and true messages like good over evil, having a good heart, and most importantly that it is okay to be different...(just like the Misfits themselves); it's definitely what's on the inside that counts. This is a greatly developed story that will leave you wanting more!

Author of My Hero, My Ding
Lisa Tortorello

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas and I truly loved this book. What a great adventure. Andy has been given the task of rescuing his mother from the goblins, finding a traitor in the Filligrim Castle, retrieving a stone of power and unmasking an evil Shadow Man. The story takes you for a ride, there are battles with large beasts, unicorns that aren't the normal color of white, and a downright nasty, slobbering creature named Snollygob. Shadow Man was a fast read. I could barely put it down. It ended with a huge cliffhanger and left me wanting more. I can't wait for the next book in the installment to come out, so I can find out what happens. Read it! You won't be disappointed.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love a great adventure and wasn't disappointed when I read Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man. This book takes the reader on a journey of discovery with mystical creatures, magic, intrigue and honor. From one world to the next, Andy finds out what he's made of when he goes from being a baseball playing teenager, to a Prince fighting with sword and shield. Not only is this an entertaining read, but there is an overall good message about those who are seen as outcasts. The Misfits are the heroes; a great message for everyone. I can't wait for the next book!

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book online at Amazon, because I thought the cover was cool. When I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I like the characters, especially Snollygob. I didn't like the fact that it had a huge cliffhanger at the end, because it just left me wanting more. I was reading on Karen Gammons website that her next book is about to be released and I'm pretty stoked about that. Can't wait to read it. I would recommend this book to all of my friends and anyone who asked me about it. It was a great and fun read.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.

Shadow Man (Prince Andy and the Misfits, #1) is a very interesting read. The adventure of Prince Andy and his band of Misfits is one that should energize any child's imagination. While I am a bit picky about what I read, I did enjoy the book for what it is. I will also be reading the second book to see how the story moves forward.

This book will certainly be read to any future kids that I have (provided I'm lucky enough to have some).

-Jason

[Pamela White]

This was a wonderful tale! I truly enjoyed this book. Karen is a talented new author. Her characters are well developed. And the story kept me tied to the book until I finished it. I'm so intrigued and can't wait to make sure Prince Andy is going to be okay in her next book! A couple of my neices tried to take the book away from me right after I started it. They were also intrigued with what they read as well. It is a must read for a young reader or the young at heart!

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an AWESOME BOOK!!!! I enjoyed reading this book just about as much as Harry Potter. This book is an action packed adventure full of lovable characters like a girl who can turn into a blue mist or a Killmoulis named Snollygob. It also has a bit of mystery and a huge cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. Will Andy be alive in the next book? I would say that this book is a fun read for all Fantasy lovers and I can't wait until book 2 comes out.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Andy and the Misfits: Shadow Man is a great book full of fantasy, adventure, and honor. Andy a normal 16 year old boy (or so he thought) finds himself facing the truth about himself in a world that he didn't even know was real. The more you read the more you get drawn into the adventure that is becoming Andy's life. Can't wait to get started on the second book!

[Linda Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen is a great author with a great imagination. I love the book. I have story time with my 10 year old son using this book. He often laughs at some of the attitude in this book and the thumping of heads. lol This is a must read. Great job Karen can't wait for the rest of the series. ~Blessings~

[Brandi Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!! My mother-in-law gave Prince Andy and the Misfits to my daughter as a birthday gift,and I decided to read a few pages and was totally sucked in to the wonderful world of misfits!!!We both can not wait for the sequel. Karen Gammons is a terrific writer and has a phenomenal imagination! Awesome Book!!

[Betty Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Andy and the Misfits was a very good book! Mystery, puzzles,traitors are just a few things that drew me in. I love fantasy so any book with dragons, goblins, dwarves, elves and fairies are right up my alley and this book had it all, with a huge cliffhanger at the end. I recommend this book for all ages. Read both books in one week. Can't wait to read book 3.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an awesome book. Karen Gammons imagination is wonderful. I recommend this book for all ages.

[Jeannie Faulkner Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Gammon, a Texas author and friend, is a fantastic writer. She weaves her magic on the pages and keeps you wanting more. Great work!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Troll, goblins, dryads, fairies, this book has an interesting variety of character and enough action, adventure, and mystery to keep a young reader's interest.

[Summer Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Lots of action and adventure.

[Jimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. A real adventure!

[Juls Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Gammons has out done herself with Shadow Man, Valley of the Misfits, Book One. This is a great read for people of all ages. Andy seems to be nothing more than an average teen, but in no time at all, you find out he's the prince of a faraway kingdom called Filligrim. Prince Andy and the Misfits is a delightful adventure story that leaps off the page. I found the book to be well written, full of page turning flow where Andy takes you along for a roller coaster ride of adventure that you won't put it down until the very last page. I highly recommend it.

[Deb]

If 12 year old me was reading this book, then she would definitely love it. However, I'm 23 and have sadly, become somewhat of a book snob. Kids might end up really enjoying it, but I don't think I'll be reading the next book....

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun fantasy story filled with trolls, goblins, fairies, dryads and all sorts of fantastical creatures. I found the writing itself a bit mediocre, but I think kids will be attracted to the characters and the fast-paced story.

[Gabby Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Loved it.