The Shadow of the Pyramid (Shadows from the Past Book 4)
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We like all things Egyptian and can't wait to see how Max the cat gets on. Jul 18, Jemima Pett rated it it was amazing Shelves: Jemima and Joe have lost their parents because they got stuck on the wrong side of a time travel gateway without the key to get back. Jemima has the key now, and she, Joe, their next door neighbour and best friend Charlie, and their cat Max, are all old hands at going through the portal and finding out what goes on in the past. They are now beginning to find clues to their parents as well. In this story, they land in the middle of the Trojan War — as in the Greeks fighting the Trojans outside Troy for ten years.
The gods are important in Greek myths; they are always interfering and having their own petty squabbles, and using mortals to solve their problems — usually in a mean and painful way. Thus it is here, and we switch from what Jemima, Joe, Charlie and Max are doing on the ground, to what Aphrodite is doing with the pieces that represent them on her board game.
I read a lot of myth and legend when I was young, but I used to get very irritated with the way the gods interfered, and I gave up on the Greek ones for that reason. I used to get all the heroes and kings and queens mixed up as a result. After finishing this book I feel perfectly clear who they all are!
Ms Leighton-Porter has made them all well-rounded characters, full of petty foibles, or heroism, or stupidity, depending on what is required. Jul 13, Iona Carroll rated it it was amazing. I, along with Jemina, Joe, Charlie and Max the cat have been transported back in time to Ancient Greece and to witness the ongoing war that the Greeks raged against the Trojans. Once again Wendy Leighton-Porter has used an historical event to entertain and teach the younger, and not so young reader.
The story flows well and we speculate whether the children and Max can alter the course of history and save the Trojans from total destruction. The Gods play their part too as they watch over the thr I, along with Jemina, Joe, Charlie and Max the cat have been transported back in time to Ancient Greece and to witness the ongoing war that the Greeks raged against the Trojans. The Gods play their part too as they watch over the three children and come to their rescue on many occasions.
But it is Max, that garrulous cat who is the real hero in this story and very nearly loses his life as the sword of Achilles hangs over him.
Still looking for their parents, Joe and Jemina are yet to be reunited with them but their search continues and I look forward to reading another of the Shadow series to find where they go next on their time travelling quests. One day they will find their parents and Max along with the children can happily stay in their twenty-first century world. Until then, there are a lot of adventures still to come! Mar 26, Oliver Eade rated it it was amazing.
Continuing the story of the Lancelot twins' quest to find their parents lost somewhere in the past, Wendy now takes the reader back to ancient Troy. In a masterly re-take of the tragic course of events that led to the fall of Troy, Wendy again demonstrates her detailed knowledge of the ancient world woven into a tale of action, mystery and friendship that should keep readers young and old turning the pages till they reach an alternative conclusion to a much loved legend.
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I spent 20 years as a teacher of French, Latin and Classical studies, before a change of career led me to writing books for children instead. I've recently completed the ninth book in the series, "The Shadow of the Tudor Rose", set in Elizabethan England, and am ready to make a start on the next story. As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I'm hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I'm enjoying the journey so much I never want it to end.
Other books in the series. Shadows from the Past 8 books.
Books by Wendy Leighton-Porter. The Shadows From the Past series has a similar feel. The children also travel back in time to specific and infamous locations and eras and they also have a mystery to solve, but it will I think take the 15 books to finally solve it.
The Shadow of Atlantis
I like the way the books are stand-alone as well as tied together. It definitely makes me want to read the next book too! The main characters in the book, twins Joe and Jemima, are very likable and believable. It was easy to immediately connect with them and feel compassion toward them because of the loss of their parents. That being said, I feel like their development could be fleshed out a bit more and perhaps this will occur over time in the next books. I really appreciated how the author incorporated her knowledge of the history of Atlantis and ancient Greece within the story. She did a great job of including little snippets of information which contributed to the educational value of the story.
For example, Varna, the little girl that our main characters encounter in Atlantis, acts as a tour guide and describes the lay of the land in the following way: These types of passages are scattered throughout the book. They are so beautiful and eye-catching! Check out her website. Shadows of Atlantis is a well-written story with a collection of likable main characters, a solid plot line, snippets of educational facts about a historically important location and event, and, is filled with mystery, magic, and suspense.
This book grabbed me at the prologue and had me hooked until the end. I think anyone who loves reading about time-travel, loves learning about cultures from other time periods, and loves a good mystery will easily get hooked into this series.
Wendy Leighton-Porter - The Shadow of the Pyramid
I would also suggest that if you are a cat lover, you will also fall in love with Max. All opinions expressed are my own. View all 5 comments.
Oct 27, Julie Grasso rated it it was amazing. We follow the adventures of two ten-year-old twins, forced to go and stay with their Uncle Richard due to their parents mysterious disappearance. With a gold necklace the only link to their parent's whereabouts, Jemima and Joe are suitably devastated by their by their predicament. Soon after their arrival, they befriend their neighbour Charlie, who is a little on the small side and prone to the taunts of the school bullies. When a strange book and some odd trinkets reveal a portal to a time that We follow the adventures of two ten-year-old twins, forced to go and stay with their Uncle Richard due to their parents mysterious disappearance.
When a strange book and some odd trinkets reveal a portal to a time that no longer exists, the children are excited for an adventure.
- The Shadow of the Trojan Horse.
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- Be a Good Soldier: Childrens Grief in English Modernist Novels.
- The Shadow of Atlantis by Wendy Leighton-Porter.
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They soon discover they have stumbled into the ancient mythical city of Atlantis. Their cat Max somehow follows them through, the portal, and the four friends find themselves taken in by a little girl called Varna's family. The friends enjoy learning about this new and exotic place, but unfortunately they have attracted some unwanted attention from the Temple priests, especially since they are not the first visitors to Atlantis. The children realise that Atlantis's is due for some kind of disaster and they do everything they can to convince their new adoptive family that they must leave, or risk perishing.
The unwanted attention, lands them in the prison cells at the hands of the sinister priests, but more surprises are in store for the friends. I won't give the ending away, so you will just have to read it yourself. In an exciting turn of events, the children find their way to safety, but not without a new resolve, to do everything in their power to find their missing parents. This was a great book, with characters that you could really grow to love immediately. The children are caring and supportive or each other, with just a hint of mischief, which Ms Porter writes so wonderfully. Their desire to help their new adoptive family, reveals things about themselves that they never realised and in turn, gives them new courage and resolve to find their parents.
It was even paced with enough high's and low's to keep my attention, and I would highly recommend this lovely series to middle graders and I am excited for the next in the series. Oct 01, M. Hudson rated it it was amazing. The book opens with Joe and Jemima's beloved cat, Max, watching curiously as some strange event is unfolding in the attic. This event culminates in the twin's parents disappearing. The children go to live with their Uncle Richard and his housekeeper Mrs. They befriend the next door neighbor boy, Charlie.
The trio soon finds the mysterious and old dusty book that belongs to the Lancelot twin's parents. With a little 10 year old ingenuity, they manage to open the book and discover one of it The book opens with Joe and Jemima's beloved cat, Max, watching curiously as some strange event is unfolding in the attic. With a little 10 year old ingenuity, they manage to open the book and discover one of its secrets There they meet Varda and are able to speak her language in yet another secret of the book.
It turns out, so can Max! Varda takes the trio to meet her parents and family whom they end up staying with. The adventure continues as Joe, Jemima, Charlie and Max along with Varda's help, explore this ancient and mythical city. Of course with every good story they run into some major trouble, especially when they try to warn the city people about impending danger.
Will they be able to warn the inhabitants in time? Will the manage to find their way out of trouble and return home? Will they find their parents? That is up to you to find out when you read the book. This is her first in a series and really does not disappoint. Even though I am much older than the 8 year old up that would be recommended age group to read this, I found myself engrossed in this book. It had everything the young adventurer wants, fun characters who are relatable, mystery and a little mayhem too.
This book is a must read and gets 5 stars! I received a free copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. Oct 17, Stacie rated it it was amazing Shelves: The Shadow of Atlantis is a thrilling adventure with hidden clues and a magical book that takes Joe, Jemima, Charlie and their cat, Max on a wild ride to the Lost City of Atlantis. Readers will be captivated by the vivid detail of the lost city and moved by the children's quest to save the people of Atlantis before disaster strikes. Joe and Jemima live with their uncle after their parents vanished under mysterious circumstances.
One day while exploring their parents possessions they find an old b The Shadow of Atlantis is a thrilling adventure with hidden clues and a magical book that takes Joe, Jemima, Charlie and their cat, Max on a wild ride to the Lost City of Atlantis. One day while exploring their parents possessions they find an old book. They remember how much their father treasured the book and decide to look inside. The children are unaware that their actions will catapult them into a different time, where they'll uncover information about their parents, try to save lives, and end up fearing for their own.
The simple act of opening the book will change their lives forever. The story is well written and brimming with activity. I was hooked from page one and felt myself being instantly drawn in. I was anxious to discover all that awaited the children on their quest and feared for their safety with evil lurking in the shadows.
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.
Editorial Reviews. Review. "The book was filled with history, interesting characters, and humorous incidents that kept me laughing. I also am ashamed to admit. The Shadow of the Pyramid (Shadows from the Past Book 4) and millions of .. In this, the fourth book of the 'Shadows' series, Wendy Leighton-Porter takes her.
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.