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A review by jane_kelsey
The Last Shadow Gate by Michael W. Garza
5.0
As soon as I received The last Shadow Gate which was published on the 7th of March 2017 I almost screamed! You guys know how much I love Michael’s writing and for me this was his first book not zombie infested (Ha!) so I was really excited to read it.
Like always, Michael delivers a beautiful story about two half-siblings who suddenly find that they have to spend the summer together at their great-grandmother in upstate New York. Following the mystery of their great-grandfather disappearance through a mystical shadow gate located into the woods, they find themselves into a realm populated by strange creatures. Gavin and Naomi must learn to work together and trust each other in order to find their way back home, back to safety.
The story starts slow, introducing the main characters, Gavin and Naomi, and building on their relationship whilst the promise of adventure is at every step, luring you in, tantalising the reader with each page. Although the beginning is much slower than what I normally prefer, it is well paced, with good writing and characters that vibrate.
I really liked the plot and how it all started because it was all so simple, the pieces of the puzzle all falling into place, whilst staying true to its characters. Gavin is twelve so as soon as his father mentions the mystery of Papa Walker and his quest for the Shadow Gate, he is hooked. Naomi, being the older sister, is reluctant to take the story of Papa Walker finding these mystical Shadow Gates at face value, so Gavin has a bit of a hard time to her her to run along with him. But now since they are both having to spend the summer together at Mama Walker’s home, why now explore and give into the spirit of adventure? Who wouldn’t? That’s the genius of it.
The plot and the characters help propel the story forward in a way that is natural and easy to read. The two main characters are quite different in ages, but also personalities. Gavin is more on the nerdy side, enjoying computer games, whilst Naomi is more outgoing with an extended social circle of friends, although we do see glimpses of the little girl that misses her father. These characters develop from the minute they hit the page, and the writing really shows the different facets of their personalities. However, not only out main characters are enchanting, but also those which you’ll meet along the way travelling with the children past the point of no return.
Would I recommend this book? Hell’s yeah! Michael is not only a gifted wielder of words, but also a master in creating spectacular worlds with vivid characters to pull you in along for the ride. This beginning of series is very much promising and I am looking forward for the next one!
Like always, Michael delivers a beautiful story about two half-siblings who suddenly find that they have to spend the summer together at their great-grandmother in upstate New York. Following the mystery of their great-grandfather disappearance through a mystical shadow gate located into the woods, they find themselves into a realm populated by strange creatures. Gavin and Naomi must learn to work together and trust each other in order to find their way back home, back to safety.
The story starts slow, introducing the main characters, Gavin and Naomi, and building on their relationship whilst the promise of adventure is at every step, luring you in, tantalising the reader with each page. Although the beginning is much slower than what I normally prefer, it is well paced, with good writing and characters that vibrate.
I really liked the plot and how it all started because it was all so simple, the pieces of the puzzle all falling into place, whilst staying true to its characters. Gavin is twelve so as soon as his father mentions the mystery of Papa Walker and his quest for the Shadow Gate, he is hooked. Naomi, being the older sister, is reluctant to take the story of Papa Walker finding these mystical Shadow Gates at face value, so Gavin has a bit of a hard time to her her to run along with him. But now since they are both having to spend the summer together at Mama Walker’s home, why now explore and give into the spirit of adventure? Who wouldn’t? That’s the genius of it.
The plot and the characters help propel the story forward in a way that is natural and easy to read. The two main characters are quite different in ages, but also personalities. Gavin is more on the nerdy side, enjoying computer games, whilst Naomi is more outgoing with an extended social circle of friends, although we do see glimpses of the little girl that misses her father. These characters develop from the minute they hit the page, and the writing really shows the different facets of their personalities. However, not only out main characters are enchanting, but also those which you’ll meet along the way travelling with the children past the point of no return.
Would I recommend this book? Hell’s yeah! Michael is not only a gifted wielder of words, but also a master in creating spectacular worlds with vivid characters to pull you in along for the ride. This beginning of series is very much promising and I am looking forward for the next one!