Review: Shadow by Jenny Moss

SHADOWby Jenny Moss

Pub. Date: April 2010
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 384pp
Age Range: 12 and up

In a time of kings, queens, and conspiracy, it's impossible to know whom one can trust. . . .

In a kingdom far away and long ago, it was prophesied at her birth that the queen would die before her sixteenth birthday. So Shadow, an orphan girl the same age as the young queen, was given the duty to watch her every move. And as prophesies do tend to come true, the queen is poisoned days before her birthday. When the castle is thrown into chaos, Shadow escapes with a young knight, whom she believes was betrothed to the queen.

Unsure of why she is following Sir Kenway, but determined to escape as far as possible from the castle, her long-time prison, Shadow sets off on an adventure with the handsome knight who has been charged with protecting her. As mystery builds, and romantic tension does, too, Shadow begins to wonder what her role in the kingdom truly is. Soon, she learns, it is up to her to save her land.

Jenny Moss's novel is a lyrical, fast-paced adventure filled with mystery, magic, honor, and romance that will lead readers on an incredible journey.

Always in the background, Shadow longs for freedom outside the walls of the cruel Queen Audrey. Defiance against her Queen and her Queen’s maidens has lead Shadow to many harsh punishments. Her inner strength comforts her in the face of misery at the hands of nobility. If it wasn’t for her strong will, I don’t know how Shadow would have fared if she had to endure more of the Queen’s cruelty. She was pretty much treated like a dog with only scraps to eat and straw to sleep on, while everyone else lived in comfort.

The mysteries surrounding her birth mother and the reasons for her to stay with the Queen at all times had me questioning everyone’s intentions. Who should Shadow trust? Going by the way she was treated, I didn’t know what the motives behind Advisor Eldred, Sir Kenway, or the Regent Fyren were. It seemed everyone was keeping some secret of some sort from Shadow.

Moss crafted a thrilling and suspenseful story full of mystery and secrets at every turn. I found myself rooting for Shadow and her fight for freedom throughout her journey to find herself. Moss’s writing flowed effortless and I had a hard time putting this book down. I look forward to reading more of Moss’s books.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars