Secret of the Shadow Beasts, Diane Magras
Secret of the Shadow Beasts, Diane Magras
List: $23.00 | Sale: $16.10
Club: $11.50

Secret of the Shadow Beasts

Author: Diane Magras

Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown

Unabridged: 7 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/14/2022


Synopsis

For fans of Dragon Pearl and the Lockwood & Co. series comes a swift-moving contemporary fantasy about a young girl tasked with destroying deadly shadow creatures.

In Brannland, terrifying beasts called Umbrae roam freely once the sun sets, so venomous that a single bite will kill a full-grown adult—and lately, with each day that passes, their population seems to double. The only people who can destroy them are immune children like Nora, who are recruited at the age of seven to leave their families behind and begin training at a retrofitted castle called Noye’s Hill. But despite her immunity, Nora’s father refused to let her go. Now, years after his death by Umbra attack, Nora is twelve, and sees her mother almost killed by the monsters too. That’s when Nora decides it’s time for her to join the battle. Once she arrives at Noye’s Hill, though, she and her new friends are left with more questions than answers: Where are the Umbrae coming from? Could the government be covering up the true reason their population has whirled out of control? And was Nora’s father, the peaceful, big-hearted man who refused to let Nora fight, in on the treacherous secret?  

About The Author

Diane Magras (she/her) is the award-winning author of The New York Times Editors' Choice The Mad Wolf's Daughter, as well as its companion novel, The Hunt for the Mad Wolf's Daughter. An unabashed fan of libraries (where she wrote her first novel as a teenager), history from all voices, and the perfect cup of tea, Diane lives in Maine with her husband and son. You can find her at www.dianemagras.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Diane on January 14, 2023

I'm the author, so it's easy enough for me to say this book is good, but I really mean it. This is a fast-paced narrative filled with heroic kids, supportive adults, monsters that are in their world for a reason, and questions about the impact of the stories we're always told about our history. I'm......more

Goodreads review by Brad on January 20, 2022

An epic journey of imagination and world-building down to the last syllable. Magras's ability to spin a story completely her own is more than evident here, as we see vibrantly original monster lore as well as unique, intriguing characters who show both bravado and humanity. And paced so quickly that......more

Goodreads review by Aaron on December 20, 2021

The terrific cover and title does not disappoint. This is a creature story that did remind me a little of Lockwood and Co. and was suggested by, I think, Goodreads because the creatures terrorize adults but have weaknesses that can only be exploited by children. Also, each of these series have their......more

Goodreads review by Sammie on July 25, 2022

You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here. I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Overall The moment I saw this cover, I knew I had to read this book. How could I not? Four diverse characters looking absolutely fierce with pointy weapons, with creep......more

Goodreads review by Tonja on June 14, 2022

With a slight gamer flair, this is a quick adventure with interesting creatures, forming friendships, and more than a little action. Nora's father died when attacked by a terrible beast, and Umbrae, and when she almost losses her mother in a similar attack, she realizes that she can and should do som......more


Quotes

"Percy Jackson meets The Witcher in this fast-paced middle-grade fantasy filled with creatures of the night. . . . Nora proves to be an endearing and courageous protagonist . . . [R]eaders will be equally enchanted by the world of Brannland and the mythology behind the Umbrae. A thrilling fantasy."—Booklist

"[A]n emotionally rich, character-driven contemporary fantasy."—PW

"Part science fiction, part medieval quest, Secret of the Shadow Beasts sparks with action and swells with emotion. Diane Magras has created a diverse cast of compelling kid characters who forge strong friendships, fight off terrifying beasts, and above all, seek the truth. I couldn’t put it down!"—Rajani LaRocca, Newbery Honor-winning author of Red, White, and Whole; Midsummer's Mayhem; and Much Ado About Baseball

"Brimming with thrills and high-stakes action, this nonstop adventure swoops like a battle-axe, even as it races along with courage and heart. This one will hold a high place on my bookshelf."—Brad McLelland, co-author of the award-winning Legends of the Lost Causes trilogy

"This middle-grade book filled with action and heart is like Dungeons & Dragons meets Stranger Things. Secret of the Shadow Beasts will keep young readers rooting for Nora, the story's brave protagonist, and her friends, reminding us of the importance of taking care of our earth as well as each other."—Samantha M Clark, author of Arrow

"With Secret of the Shadow Beasts [Magras] begins a terrific new series blending her penchant for medieval settings and weaponry with modern gaming elements. Great characters and a taut narrative await you!"—Kenny Brechner, Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers