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  • The Shadow of the Minotaur (Shadows of the Past Book 2)

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Wendy Leighton-Porter
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The Shadow of the Minotaur (Shadows of the Past Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Wendy Leighton-Porter (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars (27)
10-year-old twins Jemima and Joe Lancelot, their best friend Charlie and their Tonkinese cat Max, are on the trail of the twins’ missing parents who are trapped somewhere in the mists of time.
Their second journey into the past takes them to ancient Crete, where they must brave the labyrinth beneath the palace of Knossos, home to the dreaded Minotaur – a monstrous creature that feasts on human flesh. A perilous adventure awaits the time-travelling foursome.
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  1. Reading age
    7 - 13 years
  2. Book 2 of 20
    Shadows of the Past
  3. Print length
    169 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    July 8, 2012
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1912513017
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There are 20 books in this series.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Author Wendy Leighton-Porter's Shadows of the Past children's series is an outstanding collection of books that would make an excellent addition to any home or school library. Written in an engaging style with characters that will have great appeal to young readers, this page-turning collection will be as enticing to avid book enthusiasts as it will be for reluctant readers." CHILDREN'S LITERARY CLASSICS BOOK AWARDS

"Another wonderful book by master story-weaver, Wendy Leighton-Porter! The Shadow of The Minotaur is the second book in the Shadows of the Past series. This book is action packed and filled with adventure around every corner. The reader, young or old, won't be able to put the book down to the last page." READERS' FAVORITE BOOK REVIEWS


"This is a fantastic way of getting young readers interested in ancient myths and legends, and in realising that history is not dry as dust, but is vibrant and exciting. All the characters are believable and wonderfully drawn. Max, of course, quite steals the limelight!" FIONA INGRAM, author of The Chronicles of the Stone series

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008J3Y0HY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Silver Quill Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 8, 2012
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 169 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1912513017
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 20 ‏ : ‎ Shadows of the Past
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 13 years
  • Best Sellers Rank: #1,034 in Children's Historical Fiction on Ancient Civilizations
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars (27)

About the author

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Wendy Leighton-Porter

Wendy Leighton-Porter

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My books have won various awards over the past couple of years, including gold and silver medals in the Children's Literary Classics Book Awards 2018 and 2019, and a bronze in the Readers' Favorite Book Awards 2019. I have also been shortlisted twice in the Rubery Book Awards.

The Shadow of Atlantis is the first in a series of time-travel adventures, featuring 3 children and a magnificent Tonkinese cat called Max. The most recent title in the series is The Shadow of the Great Fire, set in mid-17th century London, and I'm now working on book number 18 - The Shadow of the Slave Ship.

As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I'm hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I'm enjoying the journey so much, I don't ever want it to end! Why not come along with me for the ride?

website: www.wendy-leighton-porter.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

  • Barbara Mojica
    5.0 out of 5 stars LABYRINTH WITH A TWIST
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is the second book in a planned fifteen book series which takes three children and a Tonkinese cat on a series of time travel adventures. Twins Joe and Jemima live with their Uncle Richard since their parents mysteriously disappeared. In the first book of the series, the twins journey with their talking cat, Max and their friend Charlie back in time to Atlantis in search of their parents. Using the same magic bird golden charms, they continue on their search in book two to ancient Greece. The reader meets Prince Theseus, the son of King Aegeus about to be sent with seven women and six other men as tribute to King Minos. They must kill the half human and half bull Minotaur and escape the labyrinth deep in the bowls of the palace of Knossos or sacrifice themselves.

    The children and Max find themselves on the Greek ship traveling to Knossos where they meet Theseus. They instruct him to use a ball of wool to guide him through the maze and assure him that he will succeed in his quest. He learns that the king's daughter Princess Ariadne will assist him. King Aegeus asks that Theseus change the black sails to white sails when he returns as a sign that he has been successful, but the outlook is bleak as no one has ever returned alive from this mission. When the ship arrives in Crete, the children are shocked to meet Medon and his family, the very same family that helped them escape from Atlantis! They present Jemima with a disc of terracotta in Linear B script bearing the name of their baby, Jemima who has been named after her. Medon helps them find the palace of Knossos. Princess Ariadne bribes a guard and helps the Athenians. She hopes to escape her cruel father and travel back to Athens with Theseus. When the plans go awry, she places Max the talking cat in a basket and sends him back to Medon for help. Meanwhile our heroes and the Athenians are trapped in the labyrinth trying to kill the Minotaur and escape. They face numerous perils and a gruesome task for Theseus has pledged to bring back the head of the beast as a trophy.

    The author adds some modern technology to the myth and develops the characters well in interesting fashion. The plot moves along at a quick pace alternating between scenes at the palace, the ship, and our three modern time travelers. I would have loved to have seen a few illustrations of the more dramatic scenes interwoven with the story. Tweens and young adults will love the mixture of ancient myth, spunky characters and modern technology woven together in the book. Readers who wish to continue the adventure series will find themselves back in time within the Trojan horse in the third book of this series.
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  • Kimberley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and atmospheric history for adventurous kids to explore.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020
    So having already enjoyed the first book in this excellent series by author Wendy Leighton-Porter, I was absolutely elated to find myself transported back to the past of ancient Crete and the palace of Knossos, where I have enjoyed many holidays and gotten totally absorbed by tales of the minotaur and the mythology and life that once took place there. As their journey begins, Joe, Jemima, Charlie and Max meet with prince Theseus and embark on their journey to Crete, with the prince believing them to be messengers from Zeus himself. So begins another mystery where the kids must learn and develop their historical knowledge in order to befriend the people of Knossos and solve another mystery that will bring them closer to finding out what happened to their parents. I could easily imagine this ancient world and I found it incredibly well described for the size and scale of the place: it matched in my mind the imaginings I’d had when I first visited Knossos myself.

    Plot wise, we take some new twists and turns with a variety of events that are refreshingly different from the first adventure. I liked how Leighton-Porter finds a balance between portraying the authentic and often violent history of the Greek Empire, but also keeping it clean and teaching kids about the effects of alcohol and the nature of the gory way of life there. Again, the historical details were exceedingly well researched and brought to life in an atmospheric way through engaging prose, but the kids and Max’s dialogue and narration also bring modern sensibilities to the plot and always stop it feeling like a lecture.

    Overall, there are even bigger character developments in this second novel which endear us to the central heroes, and I can feel the larger plot arc getting more and more exciting as it progresses. Can’t wait to continue!
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  • Richard and Liz
    4.0 out of 5 stars RUMINATOR, an anagram for MINOTAUR
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Still on the quest for their missing parents, ten year old twins Joe and Jemima, their large, talking Tonkinese cat, Max and neighbor Charlie are eager to take another adventure back in time. This time, as they walk through the mist in the upstairs of the house where they live with their Uncle Richard, they find themselves on a boat with Theseus, the young prince of Athens, son of King Aegus.

    Joe is terribly seasick and Max is disgusted as the kids have set up a bucket for a loo with a curtain for themselves but what about him?! Theseus befriends them on the boat and they tell him what he needs to do when he gets to Crete. He thinks they have been sent by Zeus. This time Charlie has brought his digital camera but will all work out as planned? The camera comes in VERY handy at one point but I guarantee you won't guess what for!

    Imagine the children's surprise when they land at Amnisos and see a familiar face! No, it is not their parents! What happens when King Minos discovers Ariadne down by the entrance to the labyrinth on the night that the Athenians are going to be fed to the minotaur and banishes her to her room and orders that she not be allowed out? Who is going to unlock the door not only for the Athenians but also Joe, Jemima and Charlie who are going to help Theseus?

    A gripping adventure and yes, it does have some blood and gore due to the nature of the story! Please note that if you are adverse to your children reading about people consuming alcohol then this book does have a scene where Theseus and his comrades are drinking and Theseus does get drunk and even more big headed. He does apologize for his arrogance and behavior the following day.

    Although I recommend starting with the first book in the series, The Shadow of Atlantis, this story is a stand-alone and you, the reader, will be told a little of what happened in the first book so that you are not in the dark. Well-written combining some Greek mythology along with a fun adventure, helping kids to learn in a fun way.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Iona McGregor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and informative
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Once again the intrepid three children and their marvellous talking cat, Max are time travelling. This time their destination is Ancient Crete. On the trail to find Mr and Mrs Lancelot, they find themselves on a ship with Prince Theseus and other young Athenians. All are destined to become sacrificial food for the legendary Minotaur. This ghastly creature, half man, half bull lives in a labyrinth of tunnels and it is the goal of Theseus to slay the beast before it can devour him and his young companions.
    We meet friends the children made in Atlantis (the first Shadow from the Past book). This cleverly gives continuity to the series. As usual, the story moves along at a good pace and there are plenty of grizzly bits and cliff hangers to keep the young, and not so young, readers guessing. And once again, heroic Max comes to the rescue.
    There is a map of Ancient Crete and a pronunciation guide of Greek names. Both helpful additions to the story and there’s plenty of hints for more stories to come. I’m sure that the many fans of the Shadows from the Past series will be delighted. Wendy Leighton-Porter is a writer who can bring Ancient History alive and make it entertaining as well.
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  • eppingstrider
    4.0 out of 5 stars an exciting encounter with a truly horrible monster
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The Shadow of the Minotaur is the second in Wendy Leighton-Porter's Shadows from the Past series. These books really appeal to me since they deal with a bit of history I did at school. I loved Greek Myths, and at present that's the era that Wendy Leighton-Porter is treating us to, with the adventures of Jemima and Joe, and their friend Charlie, and Max the cat.

    The second in the series picks up from The Shadow of Atlantis and sends Jemima, Joe and Charlie (and Max) off to a ship travelling from Athens to Crete. It's just over a year since they visited Atlantis, and there is a delightful meeting, or should I say reunion, with the family they persuaded to flee from Atlantis before it was too late. The first half of the book is an interesting mix of holidaying and news gathering, with an underlying issue of the sacrifice to the Minotaur of the Athenian young people, who were on the ship they arrived on.

    Suddenly it gets serious, and our heroes are at the entrance to the labyrinth where the Minotaur awaits his dinner, i.e. a human sacrifice or several. Theseus seems not quite the hero we read of in the myths. The story twists and turns much like the labyrinth and continues to do so right to the end.

    I found this to be very much a book of two halves - one light and enjoyable, the other adventurous, exciting and sometimes unexpected. Maybe setting up the story works well with the more touristic approach, but I couldn't wait to get to the action. However, as one who holds the memory of those buildings and painted walls of the palace at Knossos from a very early history lesson, I found it deeply satisfying to be transported there by Ms Leighton-Porter's excellent and detailed descriptions.

    It is a book rich with a magical departed culture, and an exciting encounter with a truly horrible monster. Fortunately our heroes (male, female and feline) live to adventure another day. Where next? I'm looking forward to the Trojan Horse!
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  • V26
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 29, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I love this series but this particular book had me gripped from start to end. Probably my favourite of the entire series. I love the way this author writes about different legends. She brings them to life. Buy this book, you won't regret it.
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  • miss anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing adventure
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    You really want to read the amazing adventure with the threesome and max see what they get up to next!
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  • ljj
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fab book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Brilliant story. I cant wait to get the sequel to Joe , Jemima and Charlie's adventure in this great series of books.
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