Cover Image: Shadowghast

Shadowghast

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Member Reviews

This is book 3 in a series. The characters from the previous books pop up in here. The plot is full of adventure. It is slightly creepy and dark.

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My class love a trip to Eerie on Sea! They have been hooked since we read an extract of Malamander in Guided Reading. They love the mystery and the adventure and never want to put the book down!

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This was a really cute kids mystery novel. that had a real streak of spookiness and fantasy. I really liked following Herbie and Violet, and they gave the book a real sense of personality and helped drive it forward. The pace was fast and there seemed to be something happening at every moment. I can't wait to read the rest of the series as this was a great introduction.

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I've been loving this series so far, the first two books had already solidified this as a favourite middle grade series for me and this third instalment in the series continues to remind me why I love it so much. This book really set the scene for creepy and reading it during spooky season was the best decision I made, especially seeing as during this book they are preparing for their Autumn event Ghastly Night. The atmosphere in this book, especially during the scenes on Ghastly Night itself and when they're exploring an area they think they might find answers was incredible, and at points it gave me goosebumps. Definitely a step up on this atmospheric writing, which was already high on the scale with the first two books, and it felt like the stakes were much higher in this one than in the previous two books.

With people going missing it's down to Herbie and Violet to once again figure out what's going on and try and save the day. At the same time someone turns up in Eerie-on-Sea claiming to be Herbie's aunt, and while Herbie is instantly thrilled to have possible found some family, Violet is sceptical so they also have to figure out if she really is Herbie's aunt or not. I love how this book really tests Herbie and Violet's friendship by throwing these curveballs at them, while they're also trying to solve the mystery of the missing people; one of which is someone close to them. We also get more page time with Erwin who is one of the best characters in this series and I had been hoping for more of him, so this was great.

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A perfect read for when the weather's a bit dismal, Thomas Taylor's Eerie-on-Sea series continues apace. A seeming link to Herbie's past appears in Eerie-on-Sea, but is she all that she seems. Violet definitely doesn't think so. With an amazingly well drawn set of supporting characters, Herbie and Violet face their spookiest mystery yet. While this is the creepiest of the series so far, it's still within the comfort zone of most upper key stage 2 children.

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This was so sweet. I loved it. Thants to netgelly for this arc I enjoyed reading this one.
3.5 stars for me.

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I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. Shadowghast is another fantastic adventure from Thomas Taylor and, as usual, the setting and characters of Eerie-on-Sea simply come to life from the page.

In the third book of the series, we learn about another Eerie legend as Ghastly Night approaches and tales of the sinister Shadowghast who steals shadows abound. At the same time, a mysterious magician, Caliastra, arrives to put on a special show to celebrate and she has some surprises in store for Herbie. But can Caliastra be trusted? And why are residents of Eerie suddenly vanishing? Will Herbie and Violet solve the mystery of the Shadowghast before it is too late?

This was the eeriest adventure yet and I heartily recommend it to readers aged 9 and up.

After reading the preview of the next instalment at the end, I can't wait to read on and find out what is in store for Herbie and Violet.

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Our young protagonist and Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie Lemon is back in the third instalment of his series set in the spooky seaside town. If you are unfamiliar with the series then you need to start at the beginning with ‘Malamander‘ which will explain all about the young lad being washed up on the shore in a crate of lemons and his job at the hotel, plus this is where he meets his best friend Violet.

In the third book, Herbert gets a surprise when a woman, a magician, turns up in Eerie-on-Sea, for the Ghastly Night celebrations that take place once a year at the end of the pier. She states that she is his aunt and that she has come to take him home, but whilst Herbert is sure she is telling the truth, Violet is not. Although she does have more pressing issues as her friend and boss Jenny from the book dispensary has gone missing and with the legend that is the Shadowghast instilled into the resident’s minds, it isn’t long before people begin to believe that the man who steals shadows has returned.

Shadowghast is a fabulous book and brings together all the characters from the previous two stories and adds a few more to the mix. Eerie-on-Sea (originally called Cheerie-on-Sea but the first two letters fell off the sign), will capture the imagination of the reader with its amazing shops, including the book dispensary with its Mermonkey that chooses the right book for you. A talking cat, and a whole host of amazing and unusual residents.

The plot is full of adventure and I love the nod to the 80s in the arcade, including the movie BIG!! This is the perfect book for this time of year with its creepy and slightly dark plot. It is engaging and keeps the reader entertained the whole way through and gives them a thrilling ride as they join Herbert and Violet once again.

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This is the third book in the Eerie-On-Sea series. An exciting fantasy novel, with another strange creature to be found. A story of friendship.

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This is a great third book in the Eerie-on-Sea series, once again following Herbert Lemon and Violet as they uncover more of the legends from the town. Shadowghast is an old story about a shadow that steals other people’s shadows so when strangers arrive and shadows start going missing, it is up to Herbert and Violet to find out what is really going on.

More sinister than the previous two books, this was action packed with the two children having to work out which adults are helping them and who is getting in their way. Well written and a great spooky read.

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Absolutely magnificent! This book had me gripped from the get go. Shadowghast tells tales of mystery, intrigue, shadows and strange goings on. Herbie, as always, is brave and brilliant. I loved the threads of folk tales, the towns history and the importance of friendship in this. It’s eerie enough to be spooky, but not terrifying! Are the newcomers to Eerie-in-Sea really who they say they are?! Loved this! What a spot on Halloween read!

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Another excellent sequel from a wonderful author.

The third instalment from Eerie-on-Sea adds yet more intrigue to the mysterious lives of the inhabitants of the seaside town. In this story, we follow Herbie and Violet in the run-up to Ghastly Night (around Halloween) as they unpick the tale of the Shadowghast. When one of their friends goes missing, it begins to seem as though the tale might be slightly more real than everyone believes. Herbie and Violet must try to find their lost friend and uncover what is really going on in the town. Herbie, also, finds himself having to decide between his closest friend and his aunt - the famous magician, Caliastra. As ever, he does not make it easy.

With new parts of the town to discover, a starring role for Erwin the cat and the possible return of a familiar foe, Shadowghast is a joyful addition to Thomas Taylor's library.

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Another brilliant story from Thomas Taylor, set in Eerie-on-Sea. Once again Herbie and his friend Violet must defeat dark forces that seem to gravitate to this spooky seaside town. This is the perfect read for a Halloween night, as the town gears up for Ghastly Night, (their version of Halloween). A mysterious magician arrives to perform the Ghastly Night magic lantern show, a story of a shadow man who steals people's shadows, thereby enslaving their owners. Brilliantly creepy story-telling as per usual. This does not advance Herbie's story too much, and I don't think it would matter if you came to this book without having read Malamander and Gargantis first, although I bet if you haven't already read them, you'll want to read more once you've finished this! Can't wait for the next installment.

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Our young protagonist and Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-on-Sea, Herbie Lemon is back in the third instalment of his series set in the spooky seaside town. If you are unfamiliar with the series then you need to start at the beginning with ‘Malamander‘ which will explain all about the young lad being washed up on the shore in a crate of lemons and his job at the hotel, plus this is where he meets his best friend Violet.

In the third book, Herbert gets a surprise when a woman, a magician, turns up in Eerie-on-Sea, for the Ghastly Night celebrations that take place once a year at the end of the pier. She states that she is his aunt and that she has come to take him home, but whilst Herbert is sure she is telling the truth, Violet is not. Although she does have more pressing issues as her friend and boss Jenny from the book dispensary has gone missing and with the legend that is the Shadowghast instilled into the resident’s minds, it isn’t long before people begin to believe that the man who steals shadows has returned.

Shadowghast is a fabulous book and brings together all the characters from the previous two stories and adds a few more to the mix. Eerie-on-Sea (originally called Cheerie-on-Sea but the first two letters fell off the sign), will capture the imagination of the reader with its amazing shops, including the book dispensary with its Mermonkey that chooses the right book for you. A talking cat, and a whole host of amazing and unusual residents.

The plot is full of adventure and I love the nod to the 80s in the arcade, including the movie BIG!! This is the perfect book for this time of year with its creepy and slightly dark plot. It is engaging and keeps the reader entertained the whole way through and gives them a thrilling ride as they join Herbert and Violet once again.

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We loved reading Shadowghast and loved reading about the adventures of Herbie and Violet. It’s full of mystery and suspense and a great addition to the Eerie-on-Sea series, but can also be read as a stand alone story. We love the characters in Eerie-on-Sea and can’t wait to read the next story! This is a great story to read at this time of year but fans of Eerie-on-Sea will enjoy it all year round.

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The Eerie on Sea series is amongst the best series there is for children (and adults!!) and this third instalment is the best yet. Spooky, fast paced and packed with adventure, it will keep the reader immersed in its pages. I cannot wait to see what book four brings.

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A very creepy start sets this book up very nicely. Here Herbie and Violet face the scariest creature yet, the Shadowghast which steals people's shadows and leaves them confused and lost. People are going missing and a new arrival has her sights set on Herbie. Somehow Herbie and his past seem to be caught up in all that is happening, but what could the Shadowghast really have to do with him? Of course they wouldn't get anywhere without Erwin, the mysterious talking cat that is never actually seen to talk.
The adventure races along and you can't help getting caught up in it and gripped till the very end!

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I really enjoyed being transported back to eerie-on-sea. However, whilst reading this, I missed some of the wild and untamed magic of the first two books. This is the main reason why I enjoyed it a little less than the previous installments. Still, it was really good!

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I loved being back in Eerie-on-sea with Herbie & Violet . Read it in 3 days & now pressing it into the hands of my pupils who love this series as much as I do. Can’t wait for the next one….

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Shadowghast is a spooky, yet heartwarming, action-packed middle-grade just-in-time-for-Halloween adventure!

This is a very quick read and I mean really quick. I bet readers who read faster than I do could tackle this one in about 2 or 3 hours. The audience who this is meant for may not tackle it that fast, but it's still a pretty easy book to get through.

The author doesn't overwhelm with descriptions, plot, writing, length. That doesn't mean this is bland and boring. I was cackling at some of the expressions that would pop up on purpose to make the reader giggle, like our hero who was flummoxed, dunderfied and discombobulated in the same sentence. I found it very endearing.

While the plot itself was interesting, and there were plenty of moments where we were going through the dark with Violet and Herbie, running away from the Shadowghast, I found that I was the most interested in the relationship between Violet and Herbie. They are almost like brother and sister, and they have such love and devotion for each other even though they are so very young.

Since I unfortunately haven't read the first two books, I"m not sure if Herbie and Violet are connected more than by just being in the same town... I had a feeling the author was dropping some hints at the end of this book, but I could be mistaken.

Nevertheless, this is the perfect time to pick this one up, and honestly, the two books before this one. It's scary, spooky, perfect for Halloween, there's plenty of mystery to solve and clues to find, and you'll definitely get a good chuckle out of it!

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