Warriors of the Black Shroud

by Peter Howe

Overview

The night is here, but the dark is coming. . . .

Deep in the underworld lies the kingdom of Nebula. Although it is always everlasting night there, Nebula is never dark because all of its people, buildings, and creatures glow with an inner light source protected by the Lightkeepers. But true darkness—the kind that is malicious and blinding—lurks just beyond the kingdom’s gates.

There, the deadly Warriors of the Black Shroud are on the move, destroying and engulfing every outpost with their relentless evil and black despair. And this time, they have a weapon deadlier than anyone has ever encountered before.

Only a Chosen One, someone with the mark of the king, can help save Nebula from destruction. Astonishingly, that Chosen One is discovered in the Outerworld far above Nebula. But he is the unlikeliest of heroes, living in a dark of his own making. Can he accept who he is and lead the forces of the Light against the Warriors of the Black Shroud?

Peter Howe delivers a riveting, high-action fantasy about battling evil and discovering and believing in the power within.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061729874
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/31/2012
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Peter Howe was born in London, lived in New York for more than thirty years, and currently resides in Connecticut with his wife and two dogs. He is a former New York Times Magazine and Life magazine picture editor and the author of two books on photography, Shooting Under Fire and Paparazzi. He is also the author of the Waggit’s Tale series, about an abandoned dog and his pack who live in Central Park.

Editorial Reviews

Eleven-year-old Walker, the protagonist in this middle grade fantasy, is lonely. One day, he follows Eddie into a hole in the ground and ends up in the kingdom of Nebula. Upon entering Nebula, everyone immediately recognizes Walker as the Chosen One by the star shaped birthmark on his cheek. He is taken to the king where he learns about the problems the kingdom is facing and the secrets of the Chosen Ones. At first, Walker chooses to go back to the Outerworld. However, he later returns to Nebula with Frankie, a girl in his neighborhood. When Nebula's king dies, Walker decides to stay and help. Timid in the Outerworld, Walker shows courage in the face of the warriors of the Black Shroud. He defeats the enemies of Nebula with cleverness rather than violence. The plot lacks suspense and Frankie is more of a caricature than a character. However, the book's themes of good triumphing over evil and children knowing better than adults may appeal to younger fantasy fans. Reviewer: Lisa Colozza Cocca

Children's Literature - Lisa Colozza Cocca

This fast-paced fantasy novel begins with a nerdy boy reading in his refrigerator-box hideout, only to be whisked off to a kingdom filled with beauty and magic. When 11-year-old Walker Watson meets red-headed, sword-bearing Prince Edward, he discovers that in the Kingdom of Nebula, "We live in light but we don't forget that the dark is always present just the other side of the walls, and it could take over at any moment." When the Warriors of the Black Shroud and their evil master strike Nebula, the reluctant Walker, his only friend Frances (a.k.a. Frankie) and Prince Edward take action. With the exception of the three young people, characters develop only enough to make sense within the plot and drive the action. This book falls into the traditional category of good-against-evil battles in which "elders have to be taught by children"; the explicit use of "Chosen One" to describe, well, the Chosen One further wedges it into its genre niche. Well-worn tropes aside, the climax and resolution have just enough surprise to satisfy readers. This attractive world (warriors ride unicorns!) and likable characters--boy heroes with a strong girl sidekick--will give fledgling readers of fantasy a treat. (Fantasy. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews

Gr 4–6—A boy with a scar on his face who has no idea of his magical potential or his identity as "the Chosen One"; a smart, talkative girl; a long-playing battle between good and evil. No, it's not that book. Not even close. Eleven-year-old Walker is typical bully bait-he reads, hangs out with his mom, and has that weird scar. He's not interested in accompanying a strange kid named Eddie to a place he's never heard of. But he does. Nebula is some kind of otherworld that is completely dark, except for the light of the Source, which provides energy for everyone there, except the evil bad guys, who have been plotting to take over for a very long time. Spies are uncovered, battles with unicorns and dragons are fought, and politics are played. When the king is killed, Walker is supposed to take over, but ultimately, it is Eddie who proves his bravery and gets his Chosen status returned. And the girl? Don't ask. There is some violence but it is remarkably bloodless (the king seems to be the only true victim). The writing is serviceable, the characters are pretty flat, and in a crowded marketplace of fantasy, this one does not stand out.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

School Library Journal