Hello, welcome back to Eerie-on-Sea to Thomas Taylor‘s newest middle-grade fantasy novel Shadowghast, the third part of the „Legends of Eerie-on-Sea“ series.

WHAT’S UP?

Herbie and his friend Violet suspect dark forces are at work at Ghastly Night in Eerie-on-Sea. Some residents have disappeared from Eerie-on-Sea, but no one knows why (and where). Has the Shadowghast returned, an old Eerie legend, a creature made of darkness that devours the shadows of the living? And why is a creepy magician and her crew are setting up a shadowy act in the theatre at the end of the pier?

MY IMPRESSION

At the risk of repeating myself … Shadowghast is more than a worthy sequel to Gargantis and it keeps all the charm, suspense and adventure I‘ve loved about Malamander and Gargantis. Also the creative and a bit eccentric residents of Eerie-on-Sea are back.

We join Herbie and Violet on a Halloween, pardon, on a Ghastly Night, as it‘s called in Eerie-on-Sea, mystery when the mists rolls in from the sea and the old and ancient legends are stalking the streets once again.

It all started when the mysterious magician Caliastra and her crew checked into the Grand Nautilus Hotel, where Herbie is the hotel’s lost-and-founder. Much to Herbie’s surprise, Caliastra claims to be his aunt and offers him a forever-change-of-his-life if he accepts. In the meantime, while Herbie is considering the offer, Caliastra and her assistants are preparing for their magic show on Ghastly Night – retelling the legend of the Shadowghast.

But is it only a coincidence that some residents of Eerie-on-Sea have disappeared on mysterious circumstances since Caliastra arrived in town? And could the big dragon-shaped lantern in Caliastra‘s possession have anything to do with it?

Jenny Hanniver, Violet‘s guardian, is one of the missing folks and Violet is worried about what has happened to her. She suspects Caliastra behind it, but Herbie disagrees with Violet. He suspects another villain behind it all. But after Mrs Fossil also disappears they put aside their differences and start their dangerous investigations in and under Eerie-on-Sea.

This time, they can‘t figure it out on their own and they need the help of Clermit, the mechanical clockwork crab, and Erwin, Jenny‘s mysterious talking cat. Can they find the missing townsfolk? Can they uncover the truth about Caliastra? And can they save Eerie’s townsfolk before they are lost to darkness? Questions over questions!

MY RÉSUMÉ TO SHADOWGHAST

Thomas Taylor surpassed himself yet again. Malamander and Gargantis were great, and with Shadowghast stepped up the game again. Eerie-on-Sea‘s history is unwrapping another ancient legend that comes to life.

If you have enjoyed Malamander and Gargantis before, you’ll meet lots of familiar faces in this book. Only that this time the legend is darker and more dangerous than before. Grab a copy of this book and join Herbie and Violet in this thrilling adventure. You won’t be disappointed!

I can‘t wait to find out what happens next in Eerie-on-Sea!

Thanks to Thomas Taylor for this signed copy of Shadowghast.

Dirk

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Extras to Shadowghast:

Walker Books has created a wonderful website for the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series: https://eerie-on-sea.com with an interactive map of the village, extracts of the stories and a few other goodies.

On the very last pages of Shadowghast you’ll find the first chapter of „Festergrimm“, part four of the „Eerie-on-Sea Mysteries“, which will be published later this year.

Shadowghast can be read as a standalone novel, but you‘ll have more fun if you read Malamander and Gargantis first.

Note:

I‘ve taken the welcome logo from https://us.eerie-on-sea.com/ with the friendly permission of Walker Books Ltd. © & ® Walker Books Ltd.

The other pictures are taken by myself, © & ® Deborahs Bücherhimmel.

Shadowghast is published by Walker Books UK. More information around this amazing maritime myth story you can find here: Eerie-on-Sea or Walker Books UK