The Shadow of Malabron: Welcome to the Perilous Realm

This book is hard to review. The writing is very good. Characters not so good. The plot is interesting but not really developed. Maybe that is why it is the first of three. ( )

Library Media Connection 1/1/2010
School Library Journal 11/1/2009
Publisher's Weekly 10/19/2009

The Shadow of Malabron is Wharton's first novel for children. In some ways it seems somewhat tentative, but still enjoyable. The characters need to be fleshed out a little more. They are very interesting and I would like to get to know more about them. I like them and would like to see what they are really like.

I like the plot and the setting. A story world where the evil Malabron is trying to take control of all the stories is and make it all about him. I like the allusions to actually works of literature. Once again the plot, too, needs more substance. There is just enough to want to explore this world and its story. There is a lot of action and it certainly keeps the reader moving right along, wanting to find out what is going to happen next.

At first it was a bit slow, but I did find that I wanted to know more about this world and its inhabitants. I also wanted to find out if Will would find a way home. I loved the the talking wolf, Shade.

If you are a fantasy reader, I think this is one you might enjoy. I am looking forward to the next adventure. ( )

A pretty good book, perhaps at forty years olds, it is not meant for people like me. I thought the characters could use more depth, but the writing is good and the action and scenery is aptly portrayed, maybe the next books in the series will expand the characters more. ( )

This YA fantasy follows the traditional quest format of high fantasy. The story is very intricate and difficult to summarize. A teenager, Will Lightfoot, finds himself suddenly in an alternate dimension. The land of Stories, where all stories are begun and end and continue. He is befriended but soon finds out he is being sought by Malabron, the Night King, who has sent his right hand man, The Angel, and hordes of his minions, demons and strange creatures of the night. Will and a motley group of friends, including a talking wolf who has waited hundreds of years for his arrival, set off to find a portal to send Will back where he belongs.

There are many references to "stories" such as Red Riding Hood, Santa Clause (a toymaker named Father Nicholas), Freya (the Norse goddess of war, battle and many other things). I'm also sure there are probably references that went over my head.

I'll admit the book was a bit hard for me to get into. We are thrown right into this strange new world and must figure things out as we go along. I also found the character of Will not really fully developed. I didn't have any real feelings or concerns for him as a person. But, again I'll admit that at a certain point I became hooked on the plot. It is a very interesting and unique world Wharton has created. I was also pleased that the sub-plot within this series was completely resolved but enjoyed how the book ended with the feeling that there should be another chapter, well lots more chapters and I will certainly read the next book in the series. ( )