Journal Entry 1 by Deerskin from Aberystwyth, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, November 28, 2003

I was given this book by a friend who thought I might like it, and I absolutely loved it! It captivated me from the beginning and made me cry at the ending - what more could I ask from a book?

From the back cover;

'A young actor, Nat Field, wakes up one morning to find himself in the past, in 1599, acting at the Globe Theatre. His co-star is the King of Shadows himself: William Shakespeare. Nat's new life is blazing with excitement and edged with danger, but why is he here?'

I often say that some of the best writing can be seen in children's and young adult fiction and this book is an outstanding example of that! Read it, read it, read it!!!

Bookray - members;

katayoun (Iran)
shaunesay (USA)
Arwen-Galadriel (Canada)
elliemae (Canada)
karendawn (USA)
caligula03 (USA)
Xanocas (Portugal)
MSO (Portugal) *****
Axelp (Netherlands)
kamalamalama (USA) 

Journal Entry 2 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Saturday, January 10, 2004

it's here, i'll read it asap and journal again 

Journal Entry 3 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Saturday, January 17, 2004

thanks deerskin for a lovely ring, a very good choice, the book is on it's way to shaunesay and i hope you enjoy it. so it comes to how i felt, i really liked it, it was fast and quick and all and yup definitely teens, and it was powerful, the love for theatre and the great bard came across, the jump in time was nice and exciting but it was the love that had me and it came through from the first page and had you all through the story. 

Journal Entry 4 by shaunesay from Olathe, Kansas USA on Sunday, February 01, 2004

Just received, will journal again as soon as I'm done! Thanks Deerskin, it looks like a good book! 

Journal Entry 5 by shaunesay from Olathe, Kansas USA on Sunday, February 29, 2004

Just finished! I really liked this one, thank you for sharing Deerskin!

I think anyone who is a fan of acting, Shakespeare in general, and The Midsummer Nights Dream in particular will really enjoy this fun story. I could really feel Nat's grief at not only losing his real father, but also Shakespeare, who in just a few days, had stepped into that fatherly role.

Great book! I'll be sending on to Arwen-Galadriel 3/13/04, my next mailing date! 

Journal Entry 6 by Arwen-Galadriel from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Received book in the mail today and will start shortly. 

Journal Entry 7 by Arwen-Galadriel from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, March 30, 2004

I finished the book last night before going to bed and I really enjoyed it. I loved the theatre aspect of the novel and all the Shakespeare quotes in the book, what can I say I like Shakespeare. Definately a book geared towards kids, but is also an easy read for older people as well. Would definately recommend. Thanks for sharing. Just waiting for elliemae address to keep the bookring moving. 

Journal Entry 8 by elliemae from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Received in the mail today with thanks, Arwen-Galadriel! I am very much looking forward to reading Susan Cooper, as it's been years and years since I last read one of her books. 

Journal Entry 9 by elliemae from Hamilton, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, April 28, 2004

I finished King of Shadows last night and am very glad to have read it. I was conscious all the time that the audience was for younger readers, and would recommend this to all my nieces and nephews, especially the niece who just returned from visiting London and the New Globe Theatre! This has re-awakened my interest in Shakespeare, although it has left me wondering whether Susan Cooper's Shakespeare was remotely like the author himself.
I loved the way Arby provides a whole new twist on things in the book's final chapter. This is a touching and inspiring book.
Will be sending to karendawn asap!
 

Journal Entry 10 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Sunday, May 09, 2004

Just pulled this book out of my mailbox today and I've already started reading it. 

Journal Entry 11 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Sunday, May 09, 2004

Good book. I loved all the details of Shakespearean London and loved Nat's character. Even better was having my own experience of visiting the recreated Globe Theatre to match the descriptions in the book.

Outside of the Globe

Stage of the Globe

Ceiling of the Globe stage 

Journal Entry 12 by karendawn at on Monday, May 10, 2004

Released on Monday, May 10, 2004 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

off to California! 

Journal Entry 13 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Monday, May 17, 2004

The book has arrived safe and sound. Will read it and pass it on the next person as soon as I can. 

Journal Entry 14 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Sunday, July 11, 2004

King of Shadows is a quick read—something to be enjoyed in an afternoon. Cooper seems to work too hard to create enough tragedy to warrant present-day's Nat Field's attachment and devotion to Shakespeare. The story is told from present day Nat's point of view which at times works better than others. The narrative style goes from focused, erudite and detail oriented to abruptly chit-chatty, switching from first to second person. These transitions jar the narrative flow. The story is strongest in the middle act where Nat is back in time acting with Shakespeare. The story here reads like a j.v. version of Shakespeare in Love with of course the triumphant performance for Queen Elizabeth who has come in secret to the Globe. Acts one takes too long to set up the world and act three takes to long to wrap up the story. Anyone familiar with the play, the playwright and the Globe's history will appreciate Cooper's attention to detail. Others not as familiar may feel overwhelmed at first but won't mind once the story gets underway. 

Journal Entry 15 by caligula03 at on Thursday, July 15, 2004

Release planned for Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Xanocas in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

Mailing on Saturday. 

Journal Entry 16 by Xanocas from Estoril, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

Received it the end of last week.

Will read asap. 

Journal Entry 17 by Xanocas from Estoril, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Monday, August 23, 2004

Another fantasy book I loved. It's a very sweet story about a little boy who loves to act and is lucky enough to meet the master. 

Journal Entry 18 by MSO on Tuesday, September 28, 2004

arrived a time ago and i have forgot to make this J.E the book will folow as soon as possible 

Journal Entry 19 by MSO at CCT in Loures, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal on Thursday, February 17, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (2/17/2005 UTC) at CCT in Loures, Lisboa (distrito) Portugal

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

long time ago