About the Book
Title: The Shadow of Atlantis (Shadows From the Past, Book 1)
Author: Wendy Leighton-Porter
Year Published: 2012
Publisher: Mauve Square Publishing
Pages: 196
Recommended Age: 8+
Summary (Amazon):
Ten-year-old twins Joe and Jemima Lancelot have no idea why their parents have disappeared, but a mysterious old book which had belonged to their father holds the answer… and so begins an unusual quest to discover the truth.
Together with Max, their remarkable Tonkinese cat, and Charlie from next door, the children embark on an epic adventure, travelling back in time to the lost city of Atlantis. Once there, however, they soon run into problems.
Can they save the people of Atlantis from the disaster which is about to destroy their land forever?
And will they find their way back to the safety of their own time before it’s too late?
Joe and Jemima Lancelot's parents have disappeared without a trace and their uncle, Richard, takes them in, along with their cat, Max. Richard is single and a professor of archaeology at the University of London. He loves them but isn't used to having kids around so they're on their own a lot and they're all adjusting to their new situation. On the first day of summer vacation, their friend Charlie comes over, and they decide to go to the spare room on the top floor where their parents' things are stored to look for a book. It's one of their parents' most prized possessions and as they look at it, they can't figure out why. They become intrigued with it and see a strange word with a rhyme underneath it. They figure out what it means and find themselves in Atlantis. When they realize where they are, they decide they want to try to warn the people they meet about what's going to happen to them before Atlantis disappears. But not everyone is anxious to hear what they have to say.
I really enjoyed reading about Joe and Jemima. They're going through a difficult time and want to feel close to their parents which is when they discover the strange book. When they get to Atlantis (along with Charlie and Max, their cat), they meet Varna and Mykos and their parents. There's some confusion as they try to figure out why they are each taking turns at being able to speak and understand the Atlantean language. They figure that out and come across other challenges, like how to get grown-ups to believe what they're trying to warn them about.
The children learn more about their cat, Max, who is full of surprises. He plays a big part in their adventure and has quite the personality. I was hooked from the first page
and this book held my attention because I wanted to know what would happen to all of them and how they would escape the tough situation they found themselves
in. There was enough mystery and loose ends when I turned the final
page to keep me wanting to read more.
This is a fun journey to an ancient time and place and it's only the beginning. There are currently six books available (there will be a total of 15) and they are each $.99 on Kindle (through Monday, October 28). This will be a fun series to read with my children and I highly recommend it!
My Rating=4.5 stars
The Buzz
"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." ~ Mother Daughter Book Reviews, 5 Stars
"... Shadow of Atlantis is an imaginative tale that will draw children in right from the get go. The characters are deftly and warmly established, and Wendy shows a sure touch in enabling these characters to interact in a fun but believable fashion, each playing their own part in the plot's development...." ~ 5-Star review from John C., Amazon US
"The author makes the legend of Atlantis (and also the story of the Minotaur in the second book) so accessible to kids and in such an imaginative way. My daughter loved the children's characters and also the comical, lovable cat Max and his ability to help the characters out during times of strife! We will be looking out for future books from this author for sure. A really enjoyable adventure for kids and highly recommended..." ~ 5-Star review from A. Bradshaw, Amazon US
"This story will draw any young reader in will keep them entertained and engaged. It is sometimes hard to find books that will keep children interested, often their subject matter is trivial and insubstantial, this is not true of The Shadow of Atlantis. My daughter can't wait for the next adventure..." ~ 5-Star review from Annaliese M., Goodreads
Purchase
Great Deal!!
*** You can buy the all 6 books (electronic copies) in the series (
The Shadow of Atlantis,
The Shadow of the Minotaur,
The Shadow of the Trojan Horse, The Shadow of the Pyramid, The Shadow of the Volcano, and
The Shadow of Camelot) for only
99 cents each from Amazon between October 14 and 28, 2013. Get hooked on this great series NOW by clicking on the Amazon button below. ***
About The Author, Wendy Leighton-Porter
Dividing my time between homes in England and South-West France, I live with my husband Simon and our two beautiful Tonkinese cats. I spent 20 years as a teacher of French, Latin and Classical studies, but now write books for children instead of teaching them.
The Shadow of Atlantis is the first book in a series of 15 planned time-travel stories, featuring 3 children and, unsurprisingly, a rather special Tonkinese cat. Having recently completed number #7,
The Shadow of the Norman Arrow (coming soon!), I’m currently working on the eighth book in the series.
As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I’m also hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I’m enjoying the journey so much, I don’t ever want it to end! Why not come along with me for the ride?
The Shadow of Atlantis Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
*** The Shadow of Atlantis Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash
Contest runs: October 14 to November 5, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by author Paul Hewlett and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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