I normally am a fan of these types of books and was really excited to read it. I was really disappointed. It was hard for me to actually finish the book. felt like the plot was hurried and there characters were really boring and predictable. The characters would have been great and the plot would have been great if the author had developed them more. It was really just here is the character, this is what he has to do, oh look he did it. ( )

A very spiritual book I guess, full of right and wrong, light and dark, god and Pyratheon. A bit simple and it went very fast in some parts that I would have liked to linger on, but a good book. I will guess and think that the main point is faith, faith in whatever god you believe in. Wouldn't really recommend it because I got a bit bored and it was not that interesting. ( )

Not a great book, but certainly a fun one. Taylor brings just a little wonder and mystery into the English landscape in this book, which is ultimately a battle between heaven and hell with three young people in the middle. It is rather fun to see how he weaves some rather deep theology into a story without making it overly religious.

For those looking for a decent Christian Fantasy novel, this would be a good choice. Parents should watch the theology a little, since I think Taylor makes a couple of slips in that area, but generally it would be a good way to introduce some spiritual ideas to the kids. ( )

My book review:
http://ganimede.dreamwidth.org/10886.... ( )

In Shadowmancer, by G.P. Taylor, two English youths, Thomas Barrick and Kate Coglan, assist a visitor from far off named Raphah in stealing the much coveted Keruvim from the powerful vicar Demmural. The Keruvim is a device that can give the one possessing it ultimate power over all dimensions of time and space. The three are on the run and must face the treacherous obstacles thrown in their path by the unrelenting vicar, who'll conjure up all forms of terror to regain that which will make him all powerful. This story starts off well enough and is high drama in explaining how a central character arrives on scene to reclaim a religious object stolen from his land. But the reliable theme of good vs. evil gets transformed into a heavy-handed parable of Christian elements that detract from a rollicking chase of the story's three main characters through the English countryside. Additionally, the reader will need a scorecard to keep track of all the vile, iniquitous creatures the author conveniently places in the way of the young protagonists throughout the story. This book could be used by high school English teachers as one possible selection students can read and summarize for a book report in the genre of fantasy. ( )