The Shadow Spies

Les enfants d'ailleurs #2

by Nykko, Bannister (Illustrator), Corentin Jaffré (Colorist)

With the Shadow Door shattered and the passageway closed, Rebecca and Max set out across the dangerous lands of ElseWhere to find a way home. Wherever there is darkness, the Shadow Spies - servants of the Master of Shadows - lie in wait to stop them. Back on the other side of the door, Noah and Theo are working on a rescue. With the clues left behind by Grandpa Gabe and the help of new allies, can they find another passageway and keep the Shadows from destroying our world?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Comics, Adventure, Horror

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Publicó varios títulos con la editorial Soleil en 2004, «Vermine!» y «Félicité bonaventuré» así como «Zombie Love Story», con la ediciones La Boîte Aluminium en el mismo año Dibbuks publica en España su serie «Los niños del otro lado».

Reviews

[quinnster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy, funny, sad and hopeful are the words I would use to describe this series of books. I picked them up at the library when I was waiting for Emma the other day thinking she would like them, but the cover for The Parting was slightly creepy so I decided to read them first. Good thing I did!

I've seen the books recommended for ages 7+ and also 9+ and I think the 9+ is more accurate. The books deal with some heavy issues, like death, child abuse and terminal illness. Nothing too graphic, but heavy nonetheless. While I'm sure Emma could 'handle' it, I think we can wait a couple of years first.

But I did enjoy them! The art is reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes, especially Max. The full color books lend to the richness of the Elsewhere world that the kids find themselves in. Despite their issues the kids are bonded and only want to look out for each other and help keep everyone safe. While they are certainly brave and courageous, there are always moments of showing their age so that it's clear that these are still, despite their adventures, children.

There are still many questions left unanswered and things begin to get a little confusing near the end of The Parting, ending with a 'To be continued' cliffhanger. And yet, I can't find anything about another volume coming out anytime soon. Hopefully, that's change soon!

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may be writing very similar reviews for a little while. I'm looking for comics which would appeal to the type of students I work with -- mostly boys, mostly on the ASD spectrum, mostly immigrant or African American, mostly picture oriented, kinesthetic learners, mostly emergent, some in third grade reading at kindergarten level. This another interesting series that I might like to follow for myself. The characters are diverse. The plot is interesting. Visually, it may be hard to follow the story. There are occasionally too many frames per page. This is also a series you may need to start from the beginning. (This is book two.)

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca and Max try to find the passageway that leads home while Theo and Noah try to help from the other side of the door. Darkness is the enemy since that's where the shadows live. A camera flash does the trick for a while to add light when needed to ward off the monsters while Max and Rebecca continue their way across elsewhere to the passage home. Meanwhile Theo and Noah welcome the aid of Doleann and Minervale as they try to catch up to their friends. The shadows must not be able to enter the passageways to our world at all costs. But are the young group able to keep them out?

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one felt like a better translation, at least it read more smoothly. It’s an interesting other world style story, but it also feels far too convenient a narrative in many ways. Things seem to work out far too easily for these stumbling kids. But then it is just a children’s story.

[Lionheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3 stars
Ages 12+

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Elsewhere Chronicles series of graphic novels by Nykko and Bannister. I discovered the first couple of books at our local library and our oldest liked them so much, I put the next few on hold right away.

This book continues the saga with the kids still trying to get back home to our world. The narrative is beginning to make a little more sense and I love the interaction between the characters from the different worlds. The illustrations are terrific and the story is very dramatic and engaging.

We are looking forward to reading The Master of Shadows next.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo and Noah turn on the projector, and Noah goes through to the other world to rescue Max and Rebecca. Back on Earth Theo trips and stumbles after Noah. Now all four friends are stranded in the other world. Fortunately they meet an inhabitant that can speak their language, and with a guide they set out to find Max and Rebecca and, hopefully, a way home. But they are pursued and attacked by the flying, snakelike Shadow Spies.

Sequel to The Shadow Door

[Amore Duzenski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why am I not more interested in graphic novels? This definitely engaged me. I was a bit skeptical about it but my brother introduced me and now, I think I might read some more graphic novels.

I thought that graphic novels were more like kid stories with pictures. But this is really imaginative. I have to say, I was wrong for being so closed minded.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is a nice hybrid of cartoonish and realism that I always found vivid, clear, and appealing. Four main protagonists with distinct personalities and voices. Lots of action, mystery, and alien-ness. A slight, quick read with surpising substance.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between reading 1 & 2, I found out that these are translated from French, which makes a lot more sense, actually. They are a bit edgier than we usually allow for ages 9+, which is probably why they are not too young for me to read.

[Cameron Schriber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was confusing but that is because I haven't read the first book. I liked the book because it was about these kids that got sent to another world and had to use clues to get back home cause they had to use a transporter.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The excitement and danger continues in this squeal to Book One: The Shadow Door. More scary creatures, more adventure, more mystery.

[Rad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to sound like a broken record. Great art. Great story. Great characters. Repeat.

[Emm Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I liked this more; I wish there was more to like about this series. Briefly: fun idea, nice illustration, lousy editing. I will not pursue this story further....

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been helpful to start with book 1. Definitely will go back and read the first in the series.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, now I'm starting to get what's going on here. I'll read the next one & see if it becomes clearer yet.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public library copy.

[Lily Nagel]

This is the second book of a five book graphic novel series. It is about two kids, Rebecca and Max, who travel across ElseWhere. They are trying to find a way back home, because the door that transported them there is closed. The Shadow Spies are lurking around, finding ways to stop them. Can they make it past the Shadow Spies and back home? This book would be great for second grade to fourth grade. i personally didn't really enjoy it, but I know kids would love it. These books are great for entertaining and keeping students intrigued.