Charlie Bone and the Shadow (Children of the Red King Series #7) Book

The enchanter Count Harken is back to take his revenge on the Red King's heirs, starting with Charlie Bone's family! Charlie's ancestor has been kidnapped and imprisoned in the dark, forbidding land of Badlock, and it's up to Charlie to save him. Traveling through a painting to the terrifying countryside, Charlie and his best friend's dog, Runner Bean, take up the quest. But when Runaner Bean gets trapped, Charlie needs the help of his friends. Can they get past an army of trolls, rescue Runner Bean and Charlie's ancestor, and get out before it's too late?

Can Charlie outwit Court Harken and his sinister troops, or will the prisoners be doomed to being held captive in Badlock forever?

NARRATED by Simon Jones

VOYA

Charlie Bone was finally reunited with his long-bewitched father at the end of Charlie Bone and the Beast (Orchard, 2007). Fans hoping for father-son bonding in a battle against the wicked Bloors are in for a letdown as Dad and Mum depart immediately on a second honeymoon, remaining off-page during the entire tale and leaving Charlie to fend for himself as Uncle Paton also vamooses to work on a secret project. Grandma Bone brings home a painting that portrays the homeland of Charlie's ancestors. Unable to resist, Charlie travels into it, immediately encountering danger. He barely escapes, but Billy Raven, always yearning for family, chooses to remain as he falls under the spell of new "friends." Charlie brings Otus, a Yewbeam ancestor, out of the painting, hoping to reunite the giant with his wife Amoret at the Castle of Mirrors. Times get darker as more of the wickedly endowed are unleashed upon the world. Even more harrowing predicaments than usual and a probable murder combine to make this the darkest of the tales so far. A significant disappointment is the almost complete noninvolvement of the female characters-Emma has one big scene but Olivia none at all while Miss Ingledew continues to pine for Paton. Most of the endowed also remain on the periphery. Regard this book as a gap-filler until the reveal (hopefully) of yet another big secret hinted at on the last two pages. Reviewer: Pam Carlson