In the Shadows

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 9, 2015

Review

A stellar YA novel along the lines of Brian Selznik's "Hugo Cabret" where text and prose intermingle to bring the reader along for a ride. And what a ride it is. In this fascinating bookl, Kiersten White provides the written story while Jim Di Bartolo provides the gorgeous images, done in full-color. The reader is not sure how the two will reconcile, he only knows that he is experiencing something amazing. The book starts with a scene straight out of "Rosemary's Baby" with a room full of half-crazed, demonic, secret-society-type people who look as if they are plotting evil. This first illustrated episode ends with a 'bang' and then the written story starts in Maine at the turn of the century. Two wealthy young brothers have been sent to take some country air but later learn that they were probably sent out of harm's way. The brothers Charles and Thom meet the mysterious Arthur and the lovely Johnson sisters, Cora and Minnie, and they find out that the little town in Maine is not as sleepy as they first thought. As the reader is drawn into the mystery of the witch and the people who seem to be gathering for some nefarious deed, he/she is also catapulted through time due to the graphic portion of the book. At the end, the reader will HAVE to turn back to the beginning and go through all of the illustrated pages again, and then he or she will put down the book in satisfaction. An intense read into which upper middle grader readers through adults can sink their teeth; graphic novel lovers and readers of horror and fantasy will enjoy this book. I hope that there are further collaborations planned by White and Di Bartolo. Highly recommend.

Overall Book Score: excellent