Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Laurel Leaf Books (1997), Mass Market Paperback, 259 pages
Description
After he is orphaned and has his tongue cut out in a clash with the bullying sons of a Welsh noble, Evyn is sold as a slave and serves many masters, from the gracious Lady Swan Neck to the valiant Harold Godwinson, England's last Saxon king.
User reviews
LibraryThing member sara_k
The King's Shadow tells of the hard life of a Welsh lad during tumultuous times. Evyn, is a young serf who has a beautiful voice; he plans to be a singing storyteller for his Lord. Unchecked violence by a neighbouring Lord's sons costs Evyn his voice and his family. When he thinks things can't get
A monk teaches him to read and write and this become not only his ticket to communication but his window into the goodness that can be in people. Evyn, later called "The King's Shadow", lives in a time of war and shaky alliances and this story chronicles some of the subtleties of the time.
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worse, his uncle sells him as a slave. The loss of Evyn's freedom is a huge blow and for years he is almost unable to function.A monk teaches him to read and write and this become not only his ticket to communication but his window into the goodness that can be in people. Evyn, later called "The King's Shadow", lives in a time of war and shaky alliances and this story chronicles some of the subtleties of the time.
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LibraryThing member junipertree
The book started out quickly which I admire most in a story. King Harold took Evyn (Shadow) in as his foster son which developed a strong relationship between the king and Evyn. I liked the way the author made a purpose in Evyn's life after he was muted because he felt that all his hopes and dreams
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had been vanished. But because of his mutism, his future was better than he would have hoped that it would be. It's a good read, especially if you're not too familiar with the Battle of Hastings. Show Less
LibraryThing member Markesh
Evyn dreams of being a storyteller, back in a time before libraries and common knowledge of the written word the best way to hear a tale was for someone to orally present it and Evyn is very talented at this oral tradition. However, his dreams are shattered when his father is murdered and his own
Evyn gains a family and a man he can look up to as a mentor but not all things are meant to last and not all stories end happily. This book has copious amounts of history that could have been. Historical fiction has always been a draw for me and anyone who is a fan of the genre should pick up this book.
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tongue is cut from his mouth to prevent him from telling who did the murderers were. His own uncle sells him into slavery and when the lover of an influential man takes pity on him, Evyn begins a journey with Earl Harold of Wessex the future King of England. The boy chronicles their journeys together learning to read, write, and communicate without his voice. Evyn gains a family and a man he can look up to as a mentor but not all things are meant to last and not all stories end happily. This book has copious amounts of history that could have been. Historical fiction has always been a draw for me and anyone who is a fan of the genre should pick up this book.
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LibraryThing member Athenable
I read this years ago and loved it. Not sure if I'd enjoy it as much as an adult, but I remember it fondly.
Subjects
Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 1999)
Ohioana Book Award (Winner — Juvenile Literature — 1996)
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature (Honor Book — 1996)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2000)
Friends of American Writers Award (Juvenile Book — 1996)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1996)
Language
Original publication date
1995
Physical description
259 p.; 4.17 inches
ISBN
0440220114 / 9780440220114