Thursday, July 29, 2010

Book Review- The Shadow Project

By Herbie Brennan
Published by Harper Collins Childrens
Released January 1st, 2010
Source: Publisher
4 stars- It was a good read.

Something powerful reached deep inside to pull Danny out of his body. It seemed as though he was gripped by invisible hands, then extracted, like a cork from a bottle. And when he came out, he could see the doorway. It hung in space directly in front of him., an unearthly luminous green triangle like nothing he had ever seen before. When you looked into it, strange shapes pulsed and writhed.

Danny felt twisted, as if something had taken him and turned him inside out, and he was now facing in a direction no mortal human was supposed to face. It was a hideous sensation, but while he wanted to desperately to turn away, something held him firm. His fear ramped toward downright terror. There was a pounding in his ears,. The writhing shapes swam closer to the surface of reality and reached for him....

Despite himself, Danny stepped into the doorway.

Normally I try to keep posts separate on both Mundie Moms and Mundie Kids, but this is one book that I think both pre-teens and teens would like. If you like a little thriller, mixed in with paranormal activity and a CIA and MI-6 match up, then The Shadow Project is a must read for you. The Shadow Project has the CIA and MI-6 teamed up together to not only track terror suspects, but paranormal activity that has been going on with a particular terror cell. This activity has it's terror coming from the astral plane and the likely candidates to reach it are three teenagers.

I liked that it's fiction mixed with a little bit of fact. While I was a little lost when I first started the book, I quickly realized there a few character voices who tell story. I like that each chapter is titled with the character's name, so you know who's telling the story. I didn't mourn the fact that I didn't feel a connection to the characters, as the story is non stop action and quickly flew by.

I did like Danny, the main character. He's a bit of a broken boy who's grown up with his Nan, who's just suffered a major stroke. I do love her character, as you get to know more about her in the book. Danny has taken to being a thief, which is how he stumbles upon the hide out of the project. Danny isn't just some street smart kid who's had his fair share of fights, he's also very intelligent and was recently accepted to Cambridge University. He also has a gift which is needed in aiding MI-6 and the CIA. He has no idea what he's gotten himself into when MI-6 offers him a deal he can't refuse.

I don't know if I'd classify this book as sci-fi, action, paranormal, or mystery. Having this mix made for a quick, easy read that I enjoyed more than I had anticipated. With the very mild language and the fast pace action, I think this a book those 12 and older would enjoy.

You can visit Harper Collins Children's site for more information about The Shadow Projectand Herbie Brennan http://tinyurl.com/2ups82j
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~