cant express how wonderful it is to read through this series and escape the horrible winter weather in England right now even when the plot takes me back to England at an even more grisly time! I truly love it when author Wendy LeightonPorter brings me home with the history of my own country that I know and love, and Im also a complete Shakespeare nut, so The Shadow of the Two Princes was a perfect read for me on so many levels as it explores the legacy of the villainous Richard III.
This is a darker and more atmospheric tale than most of the novels so far, perhaps with the exception of the Pompeii visit, my ultimate favourite, but it is so vital to the continuation of the plot and the authenticity of the historical elements at play.
The fact that so very many of these novels are centred on famous children of history is really eye opening, because so many history books gloss over figures like the princes in the tower and focus too much instead on Richard and how wicked he was as a king.
Whilst King Richard makes an excellent villain in this piece, the real gem of LeightonPorters writing is in the humanity she brings to the boys who are trapped, and the relation and empathy between our heroic trio and those others whom they are determined to help.
Through these plot events, we see the true suffering and quite horrible historical facts, but its also presented in a more uplifting and magical way as our heroes and the gorgeous Max the cat find innovative ways to help those whom they see to be in need.
This novel also took another big step up in the big plot arc of the twins missing parents, building on Maxs Christmas Adventure, so I cant wait to see where that will go in the future.
This latest Shadow of the Past story for young adults is packed full with historical facts, drama and great characters, This time the intrepid trio, Jemina, Joe and Charlie together with the large and adorable Tonkinese cat named Max head for the Tower of London to rescue the two princes from the Tower.
Theres action and tension on every page, Interestingly, the book throws up many questions as to the fate of the two princes and whether their wicked Uncle Richard was all that wicked after all.
The author speculates and fictionalises, Actual historical characters appear including Doctor Argentine who is responsible for rescuing the two young princes as well as saving our time travelling modern trio and Max, too, from a sticky end.
A very helpful historical Authors Note at the end of the book gives historical facts, The possible fate of the two princes and also the character of the infamous King Richardis speculation and offers intriguing possibilities, I am a fan of the Shadow of the Past series and I look forward to reading more exciting stories from this very talented writer, It takes skill to make history come alive for the young and not so young reader, I have no hesitation in awarding a richly deserved five,
Uncle Richard is kind and caring, isnt he That's what twins Jemima and Joe Lancelot think, but the two princes imprisoned in the Tower of London aren't so lucky, because their Uncle Richard is very different.
Travelling back in time to the year, the twins undertake a daring mission, Together with friend Charlie and their talking cat Max, they must rescue the princes from certain death at the hands of their wicked uncle none other than the infamous villain, King Richard III.
Is this a task too far for the young timetravellers Will their plan succeed, or must they risk their own lives to save the two boys Another excellent book in the Shadows from the Past series.
to follow.
This eighth excursion into the past finds Jemima, Joe, Charlie, and Max in London,, where they help to rescue the two princes of the House of York from their presumed deaths at the hands of their uncle, Richard III.
Or do they No one actually knows,
Errors found in text: loc, bring down him / bring him down loc, it may have been / it might have been loc, Charlie forced a grin on to his face / Charlie forced a grin onto his face loc, Dreading what may happen / Dreading what might happen loc, their paths may well cross / their paths might well cross loc, executed for treason against in/ executed for treason against Edward or the king, the crown, the throne in.
Bookin the Shadows From the Past series: The Shadow of the Two Princes tackles one of the most intriguing historical mysteries what happened to the two princes in the Tower of London Jemima, Joe, and their friend Charlie could probably tell you, as could Max, their talking Tonkinese cat.
The story begins on a sombre note that pervades the entire plot, as atmospheric and as creepy as the dank fog that lingers along the banks of the River Thames.
Jemima wakes from a terrible dream, a cry for help from a boy, but was it a dream, or was it truly a cry for help that stretched across the chasm of time to reach her ears And theres mention of an Uncle Richard who might kill someone.
But their Uncle Richard was the kindest, sweetest man imaginable, the perfect uncle, with whom the twins and Max had been living since their parents disappeared a few months earlier.
When their Uncle Richard shows them a newspaper article with details of Richard Plantagenet, King Richard III, who was supposed to have murdered his two nephews in the Tower of London, Jemima is convinced theres a link.
The princes need their help, but will their magic book take them back to that date in time, to, and will they be able to save the princes.
After all, as they have learned before, you cant change history
Atmosphere, mystery, and intrigue abound in this tale as the twins, Max, and Charlie tumble headfirst into an adventure.
Actually Max and Joe tumble headfirst into the Thames and have to be rescued from drowning by Doctor Argentine, who turns out to be the princes physician.
An intriguing plot unfolds regarding the rescue of the two princes, with the help of everyone, including Max, Although not required to wear an elaborate disguise, as had happened to poor old Max in previous adventures, Max is pivotal by just being his handsome, special self.
In fact hes so handsome and special he even attracts the attention of Richard, then still the Duke of Gloucester, Well, they do say that even a cat may look at a king Max finds out more about a greater role the kids and their parents might play from Corbet, a raven disguised as one, I should say, who introduces the detail of The Guardians of Time first mentioned in Maxs Christmas Adventure.
Some funny word play ensues which results in Max discovering he is not an “Animal of Time,” but sheds light on why the twins parents have disappeared! The secondary characters are as memorable as the main players and are as important in their own way.
Plenty of clues abound, with many nailbiting moments of tension and terror, and young time travellers, history buffs, and adventurers will love every word, Young readers will also appreciate the way the author conveys the fear, the fright experienced by the young princes, Although this is a dark moment in history, I found the young heroes Joe, Jemima and Charlie able to cope with and empathise with the events, They are also maturing as the series progresses,
I have always been intrigued by the story of the two princes, but found English history, the names and titles, and royal family relationships a bit confusing.
Under the skilled pen of the author, all confusion is cleared up, Wendy LeightonPorter manages to untangle complex historical threads and effortlessly weaves them into a very readable tale, The discovery of the historical Richards remains inalso adds a touch of reality to the story, making the character seem more substantial, In addition, with new details arising about the illfated king, one wonders if he was all that bad, Even Jemima, who meets him, wonders about that, Was the maligned Richard as much of a villain as history has painted him However, as always, author Wendy LeightonPorter does not whitewash the facts of history, although in this case the fate of the princes remains something of a mystery.
Even if history cant be changed, might it be tweaked In the end the kids learn that sometimes people dont do as they are advised The series is a wonderful gift for avid young readers and even more so for any reluctant young reader who has to be coaxed into the pages of a book.
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