Warriors of the Black Shroud

by Peter Howe

Walker Watson is a lonely eleven-year-old who keeps to himself because his classmates tease him about the star-shaped birthmark on his cheek. But he finds a companion in Eddie—short for Prince Edward the Soon-To-Be Terrible—who rises up from the underworld to persuade Walker to join him in the Nebula, a dark kingdom where his birthmark is a sign of royalty. The kingdom glows with light from a secret power supply called the Source, but the king is dying and can only pass on the secret of the Source to someone with the mark. Walker is hesitant to accept the challenge but when the Kingdom is threatened by the evil Warriors of the Black Shroud who wants to destroy the Source, he knows he is the only one who can help.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walker Watson is constantly picked on because of his star-shaped birthmark on his cheek. It is only when he meets a prince named Eddie that he travels with him to the Kingdom of Nebula that he finds out that he is royalty and the King wants him to rule in his place when he dies. But does Walker want to be king and why does Frankie get to come too? Read on and find out for yourself.


This was a pretty good YA fantasy I got for a dollar at Dollar Tree but if you like these types of stories, definitely check it out. This book is available wherever books are sold.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

('13) This book is so creative! I absolutely loved the whole thing...
The characters are clever and the way he describes things it puts the images into your mind really well. I'm dying to know how the story continues, hoping for another book!



(*SPOILERS*)

('23) I'm so glad I did a re-read of this book. The kingdom of Nebula was just so inspiringly creative. Light in a dark place. Unicorns, and birds with mirror-like wings... Overcoming fear and being courageous. I love it! The kingdom feels unique with it's almost childlike atmosphere... The houses don't have doors, there's very little problems ever...
There's some good "morals" for kids in here too, ex: Don't be afraid to do the right thing, even if you seem smarter than the adults. Do the right thing.
Sad that the king died, but the kids did well and he'd be very proud of them.
It's been 12 years since it was published... So I'm not sure we'll get to see the Black Count defeated for good. But one can imagine his terrible rein of darkness in Nebula and the other sister cities will end soon.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Walter is a average boy. He does have one unique thing about him, a birthmark. Peter, from another world, comes to visit him and persuades him to visit his world, Nebula. Walter then finds that his birthmark has set him apart as the chosen one that can save Nebula from the Warriors of the Black Shroud.
I didn't like how it was written. It didn't flow smoothly. The cover is too babyish and the plot took too long to develop. I would still recommend it to a boy who likes fantasy.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this one very slow and hard to get involved in the plot. There were a few interesting turns, but mostly it was predictable. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the 3rd or 4th grader who might read this can benefit from that, but as an older reader, I wanted richer characters, a more complex plot, and higher adventure. I also don't like it when things happen that just seem too convenient.

[Kale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walker Watson is your average every day bookworm. Here in the normal world he's nothing special just a kid with a birthmark. But in the world of Nebula he's the Chosen One. The birthmark that's been the bane of his earthly existence being a bullseye for bullies, marks him as royalty. As a darkening force threatens the light of Nebula and it's people, Walker will have to find within himself the courage and strength to save the kingdom and his friends.

Warriors of the Black Shroud enforces a lot of great themes for young people. A lot of good lessons are expressed within the story that can be used to start a dialogue with children. How looks aren't an indicator of character, or how the things that make us different no matter of how self conscience they make us are usually what makes us the most beautiful. Great themes of accepting yourself the way you are and friendship, believing in your self, having confidence in yourself, and standing up for what's right.

While the morals are great, the plot wasn't. The basis for the world build was lacking development. Simple story lines and concept loose it's luster of interest after a while. The uncomplicated nature is perfect for young readers but i don't think it will translate very far beyond a non juvenile audience.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a good chance, but it seems as though it simply is a Harry Potter wannabe. We have Walter, a nerdy boy who likes to read and has a weird scar (he is the chosen one). When he meets Eddie, who is really Prince Edward of Nebula, he goes to Nebula with him. In this alternate universe, Nebula has only one source of light which they keep from the evil Warriors of the Black Shroud. There is also a young girl who works with Walter and Eddie (making them a trio of two boys and a girl—see a connection?). The three youngsters are the only people who can save Nebula from evil. This book is very similar to other good vs. evil fantasies, only with flatter characters and lackluster action.

This book is one I would recommend to my Harry Potter fans if they cannot find anything else to read. Leaves an opening for a sequel.


Price: 16.99
Suitability: Grades 4-6
Illustrations: N/A
Genre: Fantasy
Possible Censorship Issues: N/A
Call #: FIC HOW

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Walker is a a very withdrawn teenager and anything but adventureous unless you count all the books he has read. Born with a large red star shaped birthmark, he has endured years of teasing and stares. When a strange boy turns up and tells him that this blemish marks him as a Chosen One and Prince in a hidden Realm of Light, Walker has a hard time not just turning around and walking away. But he must learn self worth and trust in his new friends to help save Nebula from the comming dark.
The book tries to send a good message about not judging others on how they look but the writing is awful. If I hadn't been reading this for a school review I would have stopped after the first chapter. It wasnt very engaging and the characters were at best annoying. Kids maybe more forgiving but there are so many better books out there. Why waste time on this one.

[Mel Raschke]

Walker has always been embarrassed about the star shaped birthmark on his face, so much so that he avoids other kids at school. To make matters worse, his mother seems overly concerned with the fact that he has no friends. Thus, when Eddie shows up, literally out of nowhere, and demonstrates great respect for Walker because of the star, Walker is suspicious. Eddie claims to be from an underground world, where a star shaped birthmark is a sign of the Chosen One. Curious about Eddie's claims, Walker follows him to Nebula, a kingdom where the forces of light (the Lightkeepers) and darkness (The Black Shroud) are struggling to gain control. There Walker learns that his star is indeed a mark of honor, but also of great responsibility.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classic good vs. evil and there is nothing wrong with that basic premise but this book somehow missed the mark. The characters seem much younger than their age, the dialogue is often forced and the story really just does not grab you. Good for very young fantasy readers (1-3 grade) who need a thicker book but with more basic content.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for kids. It seems like books for kids are getting more complex with more adult concepts. This book keeps it simple and therefore is more accessible for all readers. The story is a great introduction to allegories.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. A boy and girl from our world journey to the world of Nebula. The boy is the chosen heir of the king. There is magic and danger in this story. I liked it.

[Tamarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

JF How
- fantasy

[Clara]

I love this book! I thought for sure Walker was going to become king! I didn't know Eddie would get his mark back! Much less he ever had one! I love this book! Great job Peter Howe!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this book as a teen even though it is written for a younger audience :) if i was a character in this book i would be eddie