I was given this book by a friend who thought I might like it, and I absolutely loved it! It captivated me from the beginning and made me cry at the ending - what more could I ask from a book?

From the back cover;

'A young actor, Nat Field, wakes up one morning to find himself in the past, in 1599, acting at the Globe Theatre. His co-star is the King of Shadows himself: William Shakespeare. Nat's new life is blazing with excitement and edged with danger, but why is he here?'

I often say that some of the best writing can be seen in children's and young adult fiction and this book is an outstanding example of that! Read it, read it, read it!!!

Bookray - members;

katayoun (Iran)
shaunesay (USA)
Arwen-Galadriel (Canada)
elliemae (Canada)
karendawn (USA)
caligula03 (USA)
Xanocas (Portugal)
MSO (Portugal) *****
Axelp (Netherlands)
kamalamalama (USA)

it's here, i'll read it asap and journal again

thanks deerskin for a lovely ring, a very good choice, the book is on it's way to shaunesay and i hope you enjoy it. so it comes to how i felt, i really liked it, it was fast and quick and all and yup definitely teens, and it was powerful, the love for theatre and the great bard came across, the jump in time was nice and exciting but it was the love that had me and it came through from the first page and had you all through the story.

Just received, will journal again as soon as I'm done! Thanks Deerskin, it looks like a good book!

Just finished! I really liked this one, thank you for sharing Deerskin!

I think anyone who is a fan of acting, Shakespeare in general, and The Midsummer Nights Dream in particular will really enjoy this fun story. I could really feel Nat's grief at not only losing his real father, but also Shakespeare, who in just a few days, had stepped into that fatherly role.

Great book! I'll be sending on to Arwen-Galadriel 3/13/04, my next mailing date!

Received book in the mail today and will start shortly.

I finished the book last night before going to bed and I really enjoyed it. I loved the theatre aspect of the novel and all the Shakespeare quotes in the book, what can I say I like Shakespeare. Definately a book geared towards kids, but is also an easy read for older people as well. Would definately recommend. Thanks for sharing. Just waiting for elliemae address to keep the bookring moving.

Received in the mail today with thanks, Arwen-Galadriel! I am very much looking forward to reading Susan Cooper, as it's been years and years since I last read one of her books.

I finished King of Shadows last night and am very glad to have read it. I was conscious all the time that the audience was for younger readers, and would recommend this to all my nieces and nephews, especially the niece who just returned from visiting London and the New Globe Theatre! This has re-awakened my interest in Shakespeare, although it has left me wondering whether Susan Cooper's Shakespeare was remotely like the author himself.
I loved the way Arby provides a whole new twist on things in the book's final chapter. This is a touching and inspiring book.
Will be sending to karendawn asap!

Just pulled this book out of my mailbox today and I've already started reading it.

Good book. I loved all the details of Shakespearean London and loved Nat's character. Even better was having my own experience of visiting the recreated Globe Theatre to match the descriptions in the book.

Outside of the Globe

Stage of the Globe

Ceiling of the Globe stage

Released on Monday, May 10, 2004 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

off to California!

The book has arrived safe and sound. Will read it and pass it on the next person as soon as I can.

King of Shadows is a quick read—something to be enjoyed in an afternoon. Cooper seems to work too hard to create enough tragedy to warrant present-day's Nat Field's attachment and devotion to Shakespeare. The story is told from present day Nat's point of view which at times works better than others. The narrative style goes from focused, erudite and detail oriented to abruptly chit-chatty, switching from first to second person. These transitions jar the narrative flow. The story is strongest in the middle act where Nat is back in time acting with Shakespeare. The story here reads like a j.v. version of Shakespeare in Love with of course the triumphant performance for Queen Elizabeth who has come in secret to the Globe. Acts one takes too long to set up the world and act three takes to long to wrap up the story. Anyone familiar with the play, the playwright and the Globe's history will appreciate Cooper's attention to detail. Others not as familiar may feel overwhelmed at first but won't mind once the story gets underway.

Release planned for Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Xanocas in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

Mailing on Saturday.

Received it the end of last week.

Will read asap.

Another fantasy book I loved. It's a very sweet story about a little boy who loves to act and is lucky enough to meet the master.

arrived a time ago and i have forgot to make this J.E the book will folow as soon as possible

RELEASE NOTES:

long time ago