Skip to main content

Seer of Shadows by Avi


As a child I loved to read those deliciously spine-tingling ghost stories that kept me up all night if I read them after dark. Stories like Wait Till Helen Comes, Dollhouse Murders and The House on Hackman's Hill. As a librarian, I still read lots of ghost stories, but much to my disappointment I find most of these books predictable and not that scary anymore. Seer of Shadows not only put a few chills in my spine, but it was the most original ghost story I’ve read in a long time.

The year is 1872 and Horace, a photographer’s apprentice, finds himself in something of a moral dilemma when his master decides to make some money for himself by creating photographs with fake ghosts in them. To say any more about the plot would spoil it.

Dark and deadly secrets hidden in the shadows of a sprawling mansion, a graveyard visit on a stormy night, this book has all the elements to draw a reader in and scare them silly. Put this book on hold right away—if you DARE.

Comments

Lee Family said…
What an interesting book! I can take or leave Avi...but I'm glad I read this book...a very different way to look at pictures and photography.
curlyq said…
I thought this was an excellent book, too. I loved the new take on a ghost story and enjoyed the combination of the art of traditional photography as well as the very spooky feel of the book. Great read!

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 

From Story Time: The Letter "B"

From Monday Book Babies Bird, Balloon, Bear By Il Sung Na Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.  Picture Book. Bird is new to the forest, and he’s looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too. But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it’s too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon. Has Bird missed his chance?  From the acclaimed Il Sung Na comes a charming and beautifully illustrated story about courage, kindness, and friendship.  --Publisher From Monday Cuentos El primer dĆ­a de un colegio Texto de Adam Rex Ilustraciones de Christian Robinson Traducción de Teresa Mlawer Editorial Corimbo, 2017.  Spanish Picture Book. Aquel verano, cuando terminaron de construir la escuela Frederick Douglass, el edificio comenzó a hacerse muchas preguntas: ¿CuĆ”l serĆ” mi destino? ¿QuiĆ©n vivirĆ” entre mis paredes? ¿Para quĆ© me utilizarĆ”n? AtravĆ©s de sus conversaciones con el conserje y t...

Display: Out of this World Books Found Here

Hello By Aiko Ikegami Berkeley, CA: Creston Books, 2019. Picture book. In this wordless picture book, an alien visits Earth, makes friends with a little girl, and returns to his home planet to share his experiences. - Publisher We Are Definitely Human By X. Fang Toronto: Tundra Books, 2024. Picture book. When three mysterious visitors from "Europe" crash-land in Mr. Li's field, he does what any good host would: he invites them back to his farmhouse and offers to help fix up their "car". No, there's nothing strange about these guests at all. Just like other humans, they "make business", "play sportsball" and "wear hat". As the townsfolk also come to the aid of the visitors and the gathering turns into a little party, interplanetary relations reach an all-time high. - Publisher Greetings Floof! Written by C.J. Hong Illustrated by A.J. Smith Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2024. Picture book. Floof from planet Ploof has landed! And it...