Rating: 
Summary: I couldn't wait for it to end!
Review: Basically, not much more than an expanded account of the events leading up to the battle of Hastings, with a couple of invented characters thrown in. It started out promising, but no. It didn't turn out very good after all. Slow-moving, boring characters. Not recommended. Though maybe I am slightly biased because I was also in the middle of The Golden Compass, and I wanted to get this over with so I could get on with it!
Rating: 
Summary: Once you start reading The King's Shadow, you can't stop!
Review: Chris- The King's shadow is a variety of themes. It is mainly historical fiction. It also has romance and adventure encorperated into it. I enjoyed the book, however, it has a lot of deaths. Over all, the book is excellent. Elizabeth deserves much recognition.Kristen- This book is my absolute favorite! Elizabeth Alder enchants the reader and you become Evyn, as he goes through the trials and rewards of being the King's foster son. The bond between King Harold and Evyn is incredible. The end is very emotional, but I would reccomend this book to anyone. This is ALder's first book, and she deserves a lot of credit. Write more, Elizabeth Alder!!!
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Summary: The Saxon Side of the Story
Review: Decent literature for kids is the sort that adults appreciate as much as kids. While reading this story to my seven-year-old, I felt like reading ahead after putting him to bed. The story is exciting and well-written. Months after having it read to him, my son read it himself. As we read this book, my son and I reenacted the battles with his toy playmobil figures. We also debated whether Harold Godwinson or William of Normandy had the rightful claim to the English throne in 1066. It was a whole lot of fun. In this work of historical fiction, the events of Harold Godwinson's life are faithfully presented, with a little embellishment, based on what we know from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. But the Chronicle is sketchy on the Conquest itself, and does not even mention Harold's controversial oath to William. One thing I like about this book is its obvious Anglo-Saxon perspective: Harold is a hero, and William the Conqueror is a villain. (I don't care for pretended attempts at "objectivity", which are usually misleading and often boring). Of course, there is another side to this story. The key medieval sources of the Norman Conquest are from the Norman perspective (naturally: the winners write the history books). Their take is far different from what Alder presents in this book. I highly recommend recommend the *Gesta Guillelmi* of William of Poitiers and the *Gesta Normannorum Ducum* by William of Jumieges and continuators (both are available in translation from Oxford University Press in their Oxford Medieval Texts series). In short, this book is an engaging, one-sided dramatization of the Norman Conquest. It's a fun read by itself. But it can be part of a stimulating exercise for both adults and children when read alongside the early Norman sources.
Rating: 
Summary: Bedtime reading!
Review: Elizabeth Alder, an author that gives so much detail it could bore you out of your wits. Don't get us wrong... some of the population likes extremely long, drawn out books. However, in our opinion, this book doesn't seem to hold the attention of a young, but experienced reader. We have much better taste than this book. Alder is a great author.. but by no means, she is not the best we've seen. On some good notes, this author's vivid elaboration enhances the suspense of this book. Alder also uses a great deal of comparison. Elizabeth has a great sense of metaphors, similes and personification. Try this novel if you enjoy books for bedtime reading.
Rating: 
Summary: The King's Shadow
Review: Evyn is a young boy who gets his tongue cut off. He is at a banquet with his uncle when his uncle insults the sons of Gryffin. His uncle takes him to a cave so they can rest. Then, when they leave, his uncle sells him into slavery and runs away. Since Evyn can't talk, everyone calls him Shadow. He breaks his arm and goes wiht Harold to the monastery in Aethelney.
If you want to know what happens next, read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting and Thought-Provoking
Review: Evyn, a Welsh serf wants to become a storyteller. In a night, his dreams were gone, and his uncle left him to a life of slavery. His spirit and determination along with the exciting events left me thinking about it months later. This, I would have to consider to be the best book I had ever read. I could not put this book down.
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Summary: OMG
Review: i got assigned to read this book for an english project. im 13 years old. i found the book very boring and often found myself daydreaming about other things while i was reading it. to me it seems to drag on and on. some parts were exciting, but i really did not enjoy this book
Rating: 
Summary: 13 year old
Review: i got assigned to read this book for an english project. im 13 years old. i found the book very boring and often found myself daydreaming about other things while i was reading it. to me it seems to drag on and on. some parts were exciting, but i really did not enjoy this book
Rating:
Summary: it's been a few years, but I still remember this book
Review: I guess it's been a number of years since I read this. But oddly, I still find myself remembering it. It pulled me in. There were some very sad parts, definitely tragedy in here. It was memorable and unexpected. It managed to pull me in, from half-hearted to fascinated. It wasn't a "one sitting" book, but it kept me interested. It built. This is a fascinating look at medieval life. I found the characters well-drawn and interesting -- even the ones you hated. (It did seem like the king got off the hook a little too much, morally. But he was so sympathetic it was hard to remember.) I don't generally consider myself a reader of historical or political fiction, but this was fascinating -- not overblown or down-bogging. This book got me interested in 1066. If you like books for young adults, books about young people trying to find their way in a hostile world, or books about the middle ages, you should try this. Heck, even if you don't like those things, try it anyway! It's an excellent example of a story that takes place over a period of time, letting actual things change in the characters' lives. And the raven foreshadowing was spooky!
Rating:
Summary: it's been a few years, but I still remember this book
Review: I guess it's been a number of years since I read this. But oddly, I still find myself remembering it. It pulled me in. There were some very sad parts, definitely tragedy in here. It was memorable and unexpected. It managed to pull me in, from half-hearted to fascinated. It wasn't a "one sitting" book, but it kept me interested. It built. This is a fascinating look at medieval life. I found the characters well-drawn and interesting -- even the ones you hated. (It did seem like the king got off the hook a little too much, morally. But he was so sympathetic it was hard to remember.) I don't generally consider myself a reader of historical or political fiction, but this was fascinating -- not overblown or down-bogging. This book got me interested in 1066. If you like books for young adults, books about young people trying to find their way in a hostile world, or books about the middle ages, you should try this. Heck, even if you don't like those things, try it anyway! It's an excellent example of a story that takes place over a period of time, letting actual things change in the characters' lives. And the raven foreshadowing was spooky!
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