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Sunday, September 26, 2021

Head back to Eerie-on-Sea with... SHADOWGHAST by Thomas Taylor - REVIEW!

Hi there! 
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. 



Today, we’re getting our SPOOKY on in preparation for the upcoming reading season as we travel back to Eerie-on-Sea with that infamous Lost-and-Founder himself, Herbert Lemon! This time around, he’s going to need all the smarts, all the hopes, and all the friends he can get, because of the few things you can count on in his life, the strange occurrences popping up and him being somehow at its heart is number one! Ready or not, fair readers, today’s book of choice is... 


Legends of Eerie-on-the-Sea, Book 3 
by 
Thomas Taylor 
Illustrated by 
Tom Booth 
9781536208603 
Walker Books US 
RELEASE DATE: September 14th, 2021 


About the book... 

In this third adventure, shipwrecked orphan Herbert Lemon, Lost-and-Founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel, must square off with a creature of town lore as he confronts a shadow from his past. While other towns celebrate Halloween, in Eerie-on-Sea it’s Ghastly Night, and a grim spirit in a lantern awaits its moment. Legend has it that if people fail to light manglewick candles on Ghastly Night, and if no showman conjures shadow puppets on the pier as an offering, the insulted Shadowghast will seize and devour the shadows of the living. This year, a professional theater troupe has been summoned, including a raven-haired magician named Caliastra with startling news of Herbie’s origins. No sooner have the players checked into the hotel than townspeople start vanishing into thin air, including the guardian of Herbie’s best friend, Violet Parma. It’s up to Herbie and Violet to separate truth from sleight of hand and solve the mystery of the Shadowghast lantern before darkness swallows them all. 






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It always feels like coming home when I step into another Eerie-on-Sea book; grant it, in a creepy, spooky, oh my word what will happen THIS time, and is the magical, mechanical monkey going to spit out another perfectly picked title, type of welcome, but who’s family is perfect? 

Herbert Lemon is once again at the heart of this mystery, but in an even BIGGER way. It seems a long lost relative has finally found him...and just in time to put on a performance that will not be soon forgotten in their spooky little town by the sea. Yes, it’s all coming together very nicely, but to what end? I mean, I’m all for Herbert finding his family, or even the other way around, but every find has been attached to a string of mishaps that he and his best friend, Violet Parma, have been lucky enough to get out of...but this time, the stakes are higher, and the loss even bigger! Herbert is plenty capable to save himself, if put to the test, but what about saving the whole town, including his bestie, from a fate worse than death? Will he have the courage? Will he have the know how? Have faith, dear readers, because what Herbert may lack in some of those areas, he more than makes up with HEART...and THAT, my friend, can take you a lot of places in Eerie-on-Sea, let alone life! 

The characters are great, the story spot on, and the adventure was memorable beyond belief.  I love how these tales take you back to this unusual town, immerse you in their culture, and bring to life something thought to only live in the stories we pass from generation to generation.  It feels authentic.  It feels like you could just pick up and drive to this mysterious place, walk right up to the Nautilus, and find Herbert (and friends!) waiting for you with a treasure you don't remember losing, but he managed to find nonetheless.  When the Shadowghast legend began affecting those near and dear to him, it was hard watching him find his way from what he always wanted to what he truly needed...but as I said, he has HEART and a whole lot of it for that matter, making it matter not what he chose in the moment, because when all is said and done, you knew you could count on him.

I wholly invite you to join Herbert and friends for a SPOOKY adventure you won’t soon forget. With secret rooms, secret passages, and secrets upon secrets, you’re just a lost-item-found away from discovering what madness this way comes...and LOVING every moment! It’s a great read for the coming season, or any season, drenched in the things that truly matter...friendship, the true meaning of family, and loads of heart. 





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About the author… 

Thomas Taylor has illustrated many books for young readers, including the graphic novel Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick. He marked his debut as a middle-grade author with Malamander, the first book in the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series, as well as Gargantis, its sequel. Thomas Taylor lives on the south coast of England. 


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About the illustrator… 

Tom Booth is an art director and the author-illustrator of several acclaimed children’s books, including Don't Blink!,This Is Christmas, and Who Wins?, as well as the illustrator of Malamander and Gargantis. He lives in Brooklyn, New York 




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Special thanks to Raquel at Candlewick Books for the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to celebrated its book birthday earlier this month via Walker Books US, and imprint of Candlewick Press, click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to snag your copy today! 


Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT! 



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