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A kingdom that embraces darkness but not evil is an interesting concept but not enough to make up for choppy pacing and flat characters; here’s hoping the sequel is better balanced. (map, cast of characters) (Fantasy. 9-13)
Twelve-year-old Thorn is unexpectedly purchased at a slave market far from home by Tyburn, executioner for the dread Shadow family, necromancer rulers of Gehenna. Here is a fantasy world you will lose yourself in with Six Great Families of magic, the nicest princess of darkness you ve ever met, a peasant boy with skills to rival Robin Hood, and a supporting cast of zombies, paladins, ghost puppies, executioners, minstrels, murderers, and a giant hero bat.
But what exactly makes this lubricant so magical? Let me unravel the mystery for you. This extraordinary substance is specially formulated using advanced technologies and cutting-edge ingredients. It is designed to provide long-lasting lubrication and protection against wear and tear.
Review: Shadow Magic
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
Disney Hyperion, New York, 2016.
MG fantasy, 324 pages.
Lexile: 540L .
AR Level: 4.1 (worth 11.4 points) .
NOTE: First in a trilogy.
Thorn was just trying to find his outlaw father when he got caught by slavers and was sold to executioner Tyburn of House Shadow. Lilith Shadow was never supposed to rule Gehenna, but then her family was killed.
Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan, illustrated by Ben Hibon.
I picked this one up because of this review. Initially this series didn’t strike me as particularly diverse from reading the blurb, but the author’s commentary on the Middle Eastern inspiration as well as an #ownvoice Muslim reviewer’s thoughts quickly confirmed that this was a trilogy I wanted to read.
The white-guy-being a slave part made me nervous, but it was a small part of the overall story and not poorly done. I did also wish for the House of Shadow to have more skin tone variety, but some information about House Solar covered that to my satisfaction.
Khan invests heavily in three similarly-aged characters, but only two have viewpoints in this book, which was so smart. While K’leef is a main part of the trio and the plot, his motivations and actions ultimately have to be deduced, and the novel manages to be balanced. What I didn’t love, even though I understood it, is the whole arranged-child-marriage thing. Thankfully, Lilly was not afraid to repeatedly call out how ludicrous it was and exercise her own agency to change her situation (not always for the better).
Page 249 of Shadow Magic illustrates a dramatic moment in the book.The magic system is fairly complex, so a good deal of this first book had to go towards introducing readers to the workings of not just the magic, but also the political systems that work around the various types of magic. And also how daily life works in this world and how it is influenced by both politics and magic.
Khan does a good job of parceling out all this information without doing infodumps. He uses situations, like when Thorn angers the wrong noble and the other boys point out that he’s the outsider and they need to stay out of trouble. Of course, Thorn’s isolation combined with hidden heritage make him a good target for Lily’s friendship.
Lily finds that unexpected leadership comes with many more headaches and sorrows than desired. Her arc was all I could have desired, and I especially appreciated that Khan allowed her and Thorn (and K’leef) to be equal partners. Finding out that the character was inspired by Malala Yousafzai made so much sense.
The book is divided into three sections based on the location. Most is set at Castle Gloom, with the first and last sixth in another place. Chapters are kept short and the plot is always moving even when the characters are pinned down, to the very last page! Regular full page artwork is interspersed, which is mostly excellent with a few duds. Gehenna gets a full map with lots of interesting tidbits that don’t come in to this story, and I always appreciate that in a fantasy novel. This was still middle grade, but the plot was less MG-ish than most, which made it far more interesting to an adult fantasy fan.
Pages 128 and 129 of Shadow Magic show one of the full page illustrations as well as the flipbook bat in the upper right hand corner.
The interior pages made a little flipbook of a bat flying. The book as a whole had a interesting design and I appreciated that the letterer and cover designer got cover billing, even if they and the artist, were relegated to the back cover. It has a sturdy matte cover and acceptable pages and binding, which has me perplexed – Disney Hyperion is so inconsistent with paperback quality! I ended up buying a used softcover copy of this first book for expediency and cost efficiency, but maybe I’ll look at new for the others.
Be forewarned that this novel contains significant deaths including murder, zombies vampires and other undead, grave-robbing, slavery, poaching, starvation, kidnapping, attempted forced child marriage, loss of parents, burning, petty thievery, bullying, beatings, betrayal, political maneuverings, a menagerie, and lots of bats. That sounds really dark, doesn’t it? But it’s also a beautiful story about friendship and loyalty and accepting yourself no matter how strange, with serious-yet-campy goth trappings and lots of magic.
Yes, this had more death and gloom than I remember middle schoolers wanting in a fantasy novel. It’s not horror exactly, despite all the murders and zombies and so on. Those are all tied up in the magic and politics of this fantasy world. I think this would work well for kids who are into the School of Good and Evil series, or fans of Hoodoo. Simply because of said murders and horror trappings (plus very mild romance) I’d put this at the upper end of MG or a high-low read for teens.
Recommended for mature MG and up.
The magic system is fairly complex, so a good deal of this first book had to go towards introducing readers to the workings of not just the magic, but also the political systems that work around the various types of magic. And also how daily life works in this world and how it is influenced by both politics and magic.
The magical lubricant is not only effective but also incredibly versatile. It can be used on a wide range of materials and surfaces, including metal, plastic, rubber, and even wood. Whether you need to lubricate a bike chain, a car engine, or a stuck window, this incredible solution has got you covered. What's more, this magical lubricant is not your average run-of-the-mill product. It offers numerous additional benefits that set it apart from the rest. For starters, it has excellent resistance to moisture and extreme temperatures, which makes it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Furthermore, this lubricant is environmentally friendly and non-toxic, making it safe for use in various settings. It is odorless and leaves no residue, ensuring a clean and hassle-free application. With its magical properties and user-friendly nature, it truly is a must-have tool for every handyman and mechanic. So, where can you find this magical lubricant nearby? Fortunately, it is widely available in hardware stores, automotive shops, and even online. With just a quick search, you can locate a reliable supplier and get your hands on this incredible product. In conclusion, the existence of a magical lubricant nearby is no longer a fantasy. This exceptional solution can solve all your mechanical problems with ease. Its ability to reduce friction, provide long-lasting lubrication, and protect against wear and tear makes it a truly invaluable tool. So, the next time you encounter a squeaky door hinge or a stubborn bolt, remember that a magical solution is just a drop away..
Reviews for "The Art of Applying Magical Lubricant"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I was extremely disappointed with "Magical lubricant nearby". The product did not live up to its claims at all. It had a weird consistency, and it definitely did not live up to its promise of being long-lasting. It also had a strong, unpleasant smell that lingered even after multiple washes. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Magical lubricant nearby", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While it was initially smooth and provided some lubrication, it quickly became sticky and unpleasant. It also irritated my skin, causing discomfort and redness. Additionally, I found the packaging to be inconvenient and messy. I will not be purchasing this product again.
3. Alex - ★☆☆☆☆
"Magical lubricant nearby" was a complete waste of money for me. The product dried out within minutes, making it uncomfortable to use and requiring frequent reapplication. It also left a greasy residue on my skin that was difficult to remove. The smell was also off-putting and made the whole experience even worse. I regret buying this product and would advise others to steer clear of it.
4. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I was unimpressed with "Magical lubricant nearby". While it did provide some lubrication, it was not as long-lasting as advertised. It also had an artificial and overwhelming scent that was difficult to tolerate. The texture was also not as smooth as I would have liked, making it less enjoyable to use. Overall, I was not satisfied with this product and would not repurchase it.