You have been there…
if you have ever been afraid.
Come back. To a dark house deep in the Vermont woods, where two friends are spending a season of horror, apprenticed to a Master Magician.
Learning secrets best left unlearned. Entering a world of incalculable evil more ancient than death itself. More terrifying. And more real.
Only one of them will make it through.
Peter Straub is one of America’s foremost authors of supernatural and suspense fiction. He is the New York Times bestselling author of a dozen novels, including the horror classic Ghost Story and The Talisman, which he cowrote with Stephen King. His latest novel, Black House—also written with King—is a #1 New York Times bestseller. A past president of the Horror Writers of America and multiple award winner, he lives in New York City.
Anonymous
Posted May 27, 2000
The journey that main character Tom Flanagan takes into Shadowland is the same journey I have taken each time I have read Peter Straub's excellent book. It is a fairy tale of magic, dreams, loyalty, betrayal, and, above all, love. I love this book the same way Tom Flanagan loves the story's heroine, Rose. As Tom tries to save Rose and his friend Del from the evil of Shadowland, he in turn becomes it's master. I see in this book a classic narrative that reminds me of bedside stories or fables. I first read this book in college, and in the four years since I have graduated, I have never forgotten it. Each time I have re-read it, I have found something new. It contains a complex insight into the human emotions, and it has a dream-like quality when describing the magic that Tom is apprentice to. However, there is an adolescent magic running between the pages. It has horror elements, but it is the horror of the dark magic that can exist in any human being. In essence, it is the story of good vs. evil, as loyal and caring Tom battles against the corrupted magician Coleman Collins. The ending is both bittersweet and realistic. Even after finishing the book, Shadowland's magic lives on. It is the best fiction book I have read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 18, 2008
I'm currently rereading Shadowland for probably the 3rd or 4th time since it was originally published. And everytime I finish it, I always wind up looking to see if Peter Straub has written a sequal to it. I don't know if any character in any book I've ever read has needed more of his story told than Tom Flannagan does. I don't know if you can read this book without liking Tom and wanting to learn more about what happens after his summer at Shadowland (he's just completed his freshman year of high school at the time). Of course, anyone who has read this book has probably imagined 'what happens next' and we might all be disappointed with a sequal that did not live up to this fantastic read.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 30, 2002
I had came across the book when I was 16 by a dare from my mom. She had her book case and on it were mostly love stories and I would always tell that she was reading cr@p and she look through it and you will be surprised and sure enough I was. This book hooked me within a few lines it hit everything that I was into from mystery to magic. It had someone that was my age and with the same common goals as me. It spun a fantasic and twisted tale of love, betrayal, sin, magic into a seemingly real life setting. It hooked me and now I 20 years old and have read it 5 times. I love it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 13, 1999
There are some books where you have a feeling like you've come home, each time you reread them. Shadowland is one of those. I've read this book when I was a youngster and it haunted me since. Straub creates fine characters and you will fall in love with them. There is all inside this marvelous book for lonely nights at your fireplace -mystery, love, magic, fantasy and true friendship. Although it takes some time till the fire starts to crack and it is written in a very unique, artistic way - which deserves some attention from the reader- this book is a drug. Best of all you will never guess how the story ends and then it will grip your heart. A very fine book. Thank you Peter.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 31, 2011
One of the best books I've ever read!
WHY WON'T THEY PUT OUT A NOOK VERSION?????
Anonymous
Posted February 10, 2007
I read this book about 20 years ago. It drags a little but the premise and characters are unforgettable. Entertaining, mysterious and very creepy. I try not to over analyze my fiction choices but, this particular novel has stayed with me many years later.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 1, 2006
Ok I have read many books. Many confusing books in the beging that answer everything in the end.... Well this book jumps around way to much.. it's hard to follow who's who. it was WAY TO confusing. It wasn't to bad in the beging before it got to confusing but then all of the sudden i find myself having to reread every sentence. I wouldn't recomend this book.... way to confusing.
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 21, 2005
Shadowland started out great! I was so excited to see where it would lead, and was slowly disappointed as it progressed. It was a great premise for a book but mid-through I was wondering who was who as regards the collector/doctor/skeleton. i just got it over and done with hoping it would all fit together at the end. It didn't. The climax....Tom versus Collins was weak and not worth the build up. Overall i don't recommend reading this book. Sorry.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 24, 2004
If you just love to read, this book satisfies your every reading thirst. Experience long dreamlike sequences and alight your senses with avid descriptions and visual reading. You will want to read this book straight through, but dont. Savor the flavor of every page in this spectacular tale of majick, occult, adventure and adolescence. Artful, intellectual.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2004
This book is one the of the best books I have ever read. Most kids my age(im 14) appreciate this kind of literature because most of them dont understand the emotion that this book sends. It produces sadness, tension, and raw fear to the readers minds, and the ending is really cool too. Peter Straub is a genius, and this book shows it. It is a must read for all horror fans alike.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 12, 2004
I was totally amazed by this book. As fictional as the book was, Straub made it totally believable. The charater development was perfect, and the story seemed to flow at a steady, even pace. This is my first book from Peter Straub, but it certainly will not be my last. And the end blew me away. Flawless indeed.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 29, 2010
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Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2009
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Overview
You have been there…
if you have ever been afraid.
Come back. To a dark house deep in the Vermont woods, where two friends are spending a season of horror, apprenticed to a Master Magician.
Learning secrets best left unlearned. Entering a world of incalculable evil more ancient than death itself. More terrifying. And more real....