I highly recommend picking up The Shadow of Atlantis as well as the rest of the books in the series. You will not be disappointed. Oct 26, Ruth Hill rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was an absolutely delightful young adult fantasy novel, and throughout most of the book, all I found myself thinking was how much my daughter would relish this book.
But amazingly, I enjoyed it, too. As far as I am concerned, that gives even more credence to my claim that this is a book well worth your time and energy or at least that of your children. The positives in this book comprise quite a list. The book is clean, adventuresome, intriguing, historical maybe pseudo , witty, and never This was an absolutely delightful young adult fantasy novel, and throughout most of the book, all I found myself thinking was how much my daughter would relish this book.
The book is clean, adventuresome, intriguing, historical maybe pseudo , witty, and never scary. It involves time travel, and the cat is the acclaimed hero! Thankfully this appears to be a new series, and the first chance I get, I plan to introduce this book to my daughter. As a side note, this 5-star review is a bit out of the norm for me when it comes to young adult and fantasy novels.
And that can only be explained by the author's writing prowess. The story flows well and it easy to read without becoming cheesy. Rarely am I able to recommend a young adult book to all. I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are percent mine. Oct 21, Kirstin Pulioff rated it really liked it Shelves: This was a fun story. From the very start, I felt connected to the characters, understanding their feelings desires, relationships.
The author writes with an ease that made the world building, characters and story flow. The story is clear and precise, balancing the development of the world, the plot and the characters. I never felt a moment if confusion even with the suspension of belief or wish for more depth. The author seamlessly blended modern children into an ancient civilization.
When th This was a fun story. When they made it to Atlantis, there was a realism I didn't expect. I expected more mysticism and beauty. But instead felt the realism of Atlantis as a place, and I appreciated that. This is a nice story that combines adventure, mythology, and friendship. It tells the tale of friendship, using each other's talents and skills, and being brave despite rough circumstances And that adventure can happen when you least expect it. A solid 4 star story! I look forward to the rest of her series. Together with their cat and a neighbor friend, the twin siblings embark on an exciting quest to discover the truth in hopes of being reunited with their parents.
But time travel is not without risks and challenges and the group encounters their own share of peril as they set off on a series of adventures. Travelling back in time the entourage learns to navigate the elements of time while encountering incredible historical events which take place around the world throughout history. Written in an engaging style with characters that will have great appeal to young readers, this page-turning collection will be as enticing to avid book enthusiasts as it will be for reluctant readers.
The Shadow of Atlantis by Wendy Leighton-Porter is an engaging chapter book for young readers ages 7 about 10 year old twins, Joe and Jemima Lancelot, their Tonkenese cat, Max, and their neighborhood friend, Charlie. Their uncle, an archeology professor, becomes their legal guardian and takes them into their home to raise them until their parents are found. Curiosity overcomes the children and they go inside the mist and find themselves transported to the ancient city of Atlantis. They meet and become friends with an ancient Atlantean family whose daughter, Varna, is about their age.
Eventually, their strange fair looks, clothing and warnings are noticed by the priests of the temple of the god, Poseidon. They remembered the strange man and woman that came months before that warned of some catastrophe to strike Atlantis that the priests and an angry mob had driven out before. To conserve the control the priests had over the people of Atlantis, they plot the capture of the strange children and their odd cat. Max the cat is able to escape and with the help of magic from the charm attached to his collar, he leads Varna to the other children and they are able to help free Joe, Jemima and Charlie.
Meanwhile, the earth tremors are increasing in number and intensity and the Atlanteans that know Joe, Jemima and Charlie heed their warnings just in time. I really enjoyed this simple story of mystery, magic, and myth and thought that the author did an excellent job in engaging her readers, especially younger readers from second to sixth grade. The ten year old characters in the story seem true to the age of a ten year old boy and girl, and also her portrayal of the policeman investigating the disappearance of the Lancelot parents, the archeology professor, a matronly housekeeper, and an ancient Greek family and people of in Atlantis.
The plot was simple enough to be followed by young readers, yet tantalizing enough to keep them reading to find out how the modern children and the good Atlantean people they came to know were saved from the impending doom of this fabled city. However, I thought the way the author used apostrophe-like marks at the beginning and ending of sentences instead of quotation marks was very odd. Overall, I think this is a delightful story that will intrigue young readers, their families and teachers for individual reading, story time and reading groups!
The fact that the children realize that their parents were the previous strangers that gave the initial warning of impending doom to the inhabitants of Atlantis, they had new hope that their parents were still alive and just lost in the ancient world. With their magical charms, they also have great hope of returning to the ancient world to find them, hence the Shadow of…Series is born. This is a fabulous fantasy for middle graders. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Shadow of Atlantis, it was a lot of fun and very intriguing. Being the first in the series, it set all the wheels in motion and I would love to read the next to find out what the children and Max get up to.
I really love the aspect of the talking cat, it makes everything even more interesting. The writing style was great also. Jemima and Joe are ten year old twins that have been orphaned and living with their Uncle. T This is a fabulous fantasy for middle graders. Their parents went missing mysteriously and the only thing left behind at the scene of the crime was a book. Uncle Richard would tell stories about the book and this one particular day, they had permission to have a look at the old tome with their neighbour, Charlie.
With Max the unusually big, but knowing cat trailing behind, the three children grabbed the antique to check it out. On closer inspection there appeared to be a little keyhole in the cover. Jemima recognised the size for the necklace that belonged to her Mother and tried the key in the lock. The book opened to a page that was beautifully illustrated and had a word written in jewels.
The jewelled word was an anagram, they had to read the riddle and answer the question. A strange cloud appears in the room, investigating further they discover it is another world, Atlantis. Do they investigate further? Will they be able to return? What will happen back home while in Atlantis? These are all questions that Jemima and Charlie thought, but Joe being the spontaneous twin, was ready to jump in. With a little coaxing, the children plus Max head back in time…. The children are going to try and help the people in Atlantis by telling them of their destruction. Hoping they can at least get some of the people to safety beforehand and allowing them to live happily ever after.
Arriving to find some children playing on the beach, they quickly make friends.
The Shadow of the Pyramid by Wendy Leighton-Porter
The hospitality of these people was very heart-warming and the children plus Max were quickly accepted into the household of Varna, the girl they met on the beach. Will the children be accepted within the community of Atlantis? Will the people believe the destruction is coming and run for safety? Can they return home safely?
Causing trouble and getting captured, this adventure filled with mystery, fun and excitement will keep you hooked to the pages and wanting more. This fantastic series will certainly be a winner with middle graders, being able to relate to the curiosity and the loyalty of friends.
Jul 01, Fiona Ingram rated it it was amazing. Ten-year-old twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot get the shock of their lives when their parents disappear without a trace and with no explanation. The only clues are a mysterious old book that had belonged to their father and a piece of jewellery belonging to their mother … something she always wore. The only witness to part of their disappearance is Max, their unusually talented Tonkinese cat. Months pass with no further information, and so the twins begin a new life with their Uncle Richard, a prof Ten-year-old twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot get the shock of their lives when their parents disappear without a trace and with no explanation.
Months pass with no further information, and so the twins begin a new life with their Uncle Richard, a professor of archaeology. Garland, makes the twins feel at home. Uncle Richard said Max short for Maximus could stay too, so, apart from deep sadness about their parents, the twins settle into a new routine. Charlie Green, the shy boy next door, soon becomes their best friend. In an amazing magical moment, they manage to open the book and, accompanied by Charlie and Max, are transported to the lost city of Atlantis.
They befriend a kind family but the disaster facing the city soon becomes their problem. The trouble is, only a few people believe their warnings. And where are their parents?
I loved this story. The kids are all clearly defined, and bring their own thoughts and personalities to this well-paced adventure: Joe always daring and often impetuous; Charlie a little hesitant but getting braver; and Jemima, sensitive and perceptive.
Max is a unique character all on his own: He adds a lovely touch of humour with his cryptic comments. Wonderful descriptions bring the past to life and create a sense of otherworldliness mixed with reality. Greek mythology interweaves nicely with the story and makes for easy and interesting learning for young readers. This book is the start of a series that takes Joe and Jemima on new and exciting adventures into the ancient world. Jul 01, Iona Carroll rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Young and old interested in Ancient History.
Consequently, I was eager to read the first book of the series, The Shadow of Atlantis to find out how it all came about! It did not disappoint. I am impressed with both the style of writing and also the content. Although, alas in The Shadow of Atlantis the parents of the twins and the reason for the series, are still lost in the past but they are alive! So here we have Joe and Jemina, their friend, Charlie and the lovable talking cat, Max transported back in time to the legendary Atlantis where they begin their quest to find their missing parents. After all, the challenges and possible effects of global warming and consequent flooding on a massive scale will be the world these young people inherit.
Perhaps it is no accident that the writer commenced her stories in the lost city of Atlantis. It is my opinion that the Shadows of the Past series explore the Ancient World in a delightful and very readable way. Indeed, her Atlantean family in the Shadow of Atlantis escape to Crete and I am eager to meet up with the children…and Max, of course, in the next book of the series, The Shadow of the Minotaur.
The Shadow of Atlantis
Books for young and the not so young. Long may the series continue! Oct 08, Christine rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book is excellent. The Shadow of Atlantis, seriously, is a wonderful book and I look forward to reading the remaining books in the Shadows of the Past series. Wendy Leighton-Porter has crafted an adventurous and magical tale that will capture the reader right from the start.
This book acquaints us with the story of three friends, and a precocious cat as they journey to a new an old world where they make new friends. This book was written for young people. This book is meant for new readers to about age twelve in my opinion. I still got a kick out of the book. This book is very action filled. This would appeal to the younger reader.
And a talking cat is always fun. Although this is the fourth book in series, you do not need to read the previous three. There were references to the previous books, but they did not deter from the storyline. The book does take some liberties with history.
But in fairness, we do not know the lifestory of King Tut. The bit at the end saying what was real and what was made up helps, I hope. As a history buff, I hope that this encourages kids to develop an interest in history by reading, not video games.
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There are a few things that were out of place. One of the Egyptians says something about his brain cells. Were they aware that the body was made of cells? Also they used the word shoes.
That seemed out of place. I do recommend this book for the younger readers. Oct 12, Cheryl Carpinello rated it it was amazing. Another action-packed adventure as Joe and Jemmina along with Max the cat and Charles their friend, continue their search for mom and dad. This story takes them back to Ancient Egypt in the time of Tutankhamen. Max comes face-to-face with one of his biggest fears: Join them as they also try to save the boy king.
Lots of intrigue and mystery. Mar 24, Oliver Eade rated it it was amazing. The reader gets drawn into the past again as the children and their Tonkinese cat search for their missing time-travelling parents. Fabulous story and yet another ingenious take on the past that is so much part of our culture! Shirley Selby rated it it was amazing Oct 12, Pia rated it it was amazing Jun 25, Linda rated it it was amazing Oct 28, Renee rated it it was amazing Mar 06, Margaret Pemberton rated it liked it Dec 30, Simon rated it it was amazing Jul 13, Heather rated it it was amazing Jun 27, Jenny Wendel rated it it was amazing Dec 20, Kimberly J Ward rated it really liked it Feb 13, Barry marked it as to-read Feb 21, Cathy marked it as to-read Feb 21, Max, a cat unlike any other you might encounter, is terrified of Egyptian mummies; so he is understandably nervous to find himself transported back in time to ancient Egypt alongside his owners, Joe and Jemima Lancelot, and their friend, Charlie.
The Shadow of the Pyramid
The twins are still hoping to find their missing parents who are trapped somewhere in the pages of history, having lost the key that would bring them home. Arriving at the court of Tutankhamun, the children uncover a deadly plot to assassinate the young pharaoh. Can they save his life, and will they manage to escape before the plotters discover their true identities? Ankharet stifled a gasp.
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With a swishing of robes, the two men hurried away from the building in different directions, whilst Ankharet sneaked another glance at their departing backs. Her mind in turmoil, she emerged from her hiding place and wondered what on earth she was going to do. She had to try and warn the queen somehow, but how could she possibly make herself understood? Sending up a silent prayer to the goddess Bastet, begging her for guidance, Ankharet left the dark sanctuary of the temple and ran swiftly back towards the palace.
Max, their Tonkinese cat, is terrified when the children announce that they will be traveling back to Ancient Egypt. What with the horrifying mummy nightmares he's been having, poor Max is reluctant to join his mistress Jemima on another trip back in time. Only he doesn't have a choice.