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The Book of Shadows - Nine Lives Trilogy 2
In this exciting follow-up to the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Citywide Read 2016, 'The Book of Learning', heroine Ebony Smart is settling into her role as guardian for the Order of Nine Lives.
All seems quiet until she receives a peculiar silver box from an anonymous sender and is tasked with returning it to a mystery owner. Ebony discovers that Zach and Judge Ambrose have allied with a powerful ancient demon, and are more determined than ever to steal her soul and control the fate of the world.
To defend the Order and defeat the demon, Ebony and her pet rat, Winston, must unravel the mystery of the silver box, free the trapped souls in the Reflectory and mount a daring rescue. Can she find the strength and courage needed to defeat the enemy, prove herself the rightful guardian and save all of their lives?
All seems quiet until she receives a peculiar silver box from an anonymous sender and is tasked with returning it to a mystery owner. Ebony discovers that Zach and Judge Ambrose have allied with a powerful ancient demon, and are more determined than ever to steal her soul and control the fate of the world.
To defend the Order and defeat the demon, Ebony and her pet rat, Winston, must unravel the mystery of the silver box, free the trapped souls in the Reflectory and mount a daring rescue. Can she find the strength and courage needed to defeat the enemy, prove herself the rightful guardian and save all of their lives?
384 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2016
2 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
E.R. Murray
10 books61 followersE. R. Murray lives in West Cork, where she fishes, grows her own vegetables and enjoys plenty of outdoor adventures. Her debut, The Book of Learning, is the first book in her Nine Lives Trilogy (Mercier Press).
Elizabeth loves travel, and has taught creative writing in schools around the world, including Cambodia. She believes everyone has good stories to tell.
While travelling, Elizabeth also parachuted out of an aeroplane, swam with sharks and stingrays, and ate lots of insects. At home, Elizabeth likes reading to her dog, Franklyn.
Elizabeth loves travel, and has taught creative writing in schools around the world, including Cambodia. She believes everyone has good stories to tell.
While travelling, Elizabeth also parachuted out of an aeroplane, swam with sharks and stingrays, and ate lots of insects. At home, Elizabeth likes reading to her dog, Franklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 18, 2016
Review by Mia Madden, aged 13.
This is the eagerly anticipated second part in the Nine Lives Trilogy. It catches up with Ebony Smart two months after the events in the previous book, The Book of Learning. Aunt Ruby introduces Ebony to another family from the Order of Nine Lives, the O'Haras. Within the family are snooty Seamus, who copies his dad's every move, and cheery Chiyoko, Ebony's number one fan. The Book of Learning has been dormant since the last installment but when Chiyoko picks it up, it spells out the message "They're coming". These words start the unveiling of new secrets for Ebony, including the discovery of an anime show based on her life. While in Stephen's Green Ebony stumbles across a silver box and is given the task of returning it to its owner. As mysterious as it already is, things get worse when Chiyoko is taken by strange creatures called Shadow Walkers. Ebony has to figure out what is coming and how to stop it, return the silver box when she has no idea who its owner and also find a way to get Chiyoko back. On the bright side, she has made a few friends (some characters old and new) to stop the oncoming threat. Can Ebony and faithful rat Winston complete their missions? Confusing, right?
Even though this all sounds a bit mind-wrecking, it is one of the best books I have read this year. A potential award winner, methinks. There is one thing I can't mention as it could spoil the first book and I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone. I HATE spoilers! Let's just say it involves a traitor, but one which side? I enjoyed it so much that I had to re-read it. There is a major cliffhanger, so hurry up with book three ER Murray! I want to see what happens next.
I recommend this book for ages 10+
This is the eagerly anticipated second part in the Nine Lives Trilogy. It catches up with Ebony Smart two months after the events in the previous book, The Book of Learning. Aunt Ruby introduces Ebony to another family from the Order of Nine Lives, the O'Haras. Within the family are snooty Seamus, who copies his dad's every move, and cheery Chiyoko, Ebony's number one fan. The Book of Learning has been dormant since the last installment but when Chiyoko picks it up, it spells out the message "They're coming". These words start the unveiling of new secrets for Ebony, including the discovery of an anime show based on her life. While in Stephen's Green Ebony stumbles across a silver box and is given the task of returning it to its owner. As mysterious as it already is, things get worse when Chiyoko is taken by strange creatures called Shadow Walkers. Ebony has to figure out what is coming and how to stop it, return the silver box when she has no idea who its owner and also find a way to get Chiyoko back. On the bright side, she has made a few friends (some characters old and new) to stop the oncoming threat. Can Ebony and faithful rat Winston complete their missions? Confusing, right?
Even though this all sounds a bit mind-wrecking, it is one of the best books I have read this year. A potential award winner, methinks. There is one thing I can't mention as it could spoil the first book and I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone. I HATE spoilers! Let's just say it involves a traitor, but one which side? I enjoyed it so much that I had to re-read it. There is a major cliffhanger, so hurry up with book three ER Murray! I want to see what happens next.
I recommend this book for ages 10+
November 14, 2016
Full of action and adventure, 'The Book of Shadows' contains more mystery, magic, mayhem and monsters than you can shake a stick at. Danger in the form of pirates, Shadow Walkers and mythical beasts lurk around every corner and build to a thrilling finale. A fitting sequel to 'The Book of Learning'.
March 23, 2018
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and although it has taken me a while to get around to reading it, it also meant that I was able to dive straight into book 3, The Book of Revenge last night when I finished this one. A fantastic action adventure that draws you right in and keeps you hoping and guessing right to the end.
August 4, 2021
I LOVED and ADORED the first book so much, that I finished it in pretty much one go. This book took me ages to finish. It was still an enjoyable read, but it missed the sparks from the first book. I can’t really explain, but I wasn’t feeling this book as much as the first one, sadly. Maybe it’s because it took me so long to finish, maybe because I have a different mindset, I don’t know. I will read the third and final book, because I want to see how it ends. Hopefully it will excite me more than this one did. It really pains me to not love this as much as the first one, because I feel the author is under appreciated here on Goodreads, because it IS a wonderful story. Aimed at a younger audience, but still a good read for adults.
August 19, 2020
Wow wow wow! Best in the series so far I think!
February 22, 2017
The Book of Shadows took me on another magical adventure and I can't wait to get my hands on the final book in the Nine Lives Trilogy.
I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Book of Shadows when it was released last year. I enjoyed The Book of Learning so much that I kept The Book of Shadows as one of my magical honeymoon reads!
I loved being back in the world of Ebony Smart, Winston, and the other wonderful quirky characters. This book in the trilogy had more magic, more mystery and a truckload of action. I loved this book and it gripped me from start to finish, especially the ending which left me shocked.
I CANNOT wait to read the final book!!!
I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Book of Shadows when it was released last year. I enjoyed The Book of Learning so much that I kept The Book of Shadows as one of my magical honeymoon reads!
I loved being back in the world of Ebony Smart, Winston, and the other wonderful quirky characters. This book in the trilogy had more magic, more mystery and a truckload of action. I loved this book and it gripped me from start to finish, especially the ending which left me shocked.
I CANNOT wait to read the final book!!!
February 11, 2017
Having read E R Murray's other two books, which were also published in 2016 I had high expectations for this book. The book exceeded expectations. The development of the character Ebony and Winston her loyal rat was superb. Ebony needed the help of a wonderful collection of allies, including her pirate self from a past life to save the day. The introduction of the 'shadow walkers' for me made this scarier that the first in the Trilogy and would therefore recommend for ages 10+ years. An intriguing plot, fast past twists and turns, and rich descriptive language, some of the best I have read in middle grade fiction.
June 12, 2019
reading this book made my head hurt.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews