Shadowmancer

Infobox Book |
name = Shadowmancer
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Graham Taylor
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Fantasy novel, Children's novel
publisher =
release_date = 2003
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Comic Book
pages =
isbn = ISBN 0-571-22046-0
preceded_by =
followed_by = Wormwood

"Shadowmancer" is a fantasy novel by Graham Taylor, first published in 2003. It is a Christian allegory in the form of a fantasy adventure, akin to C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia". Taylor wrote the book to counteract what he saw as a rise in occultism among children through books such as Harry Potter. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/faith/2003/shadowmancer/index.shtml BBC - North Yorkshire Faith - Meet the vicar who's "Hotter than Potter" ] ] It is the first of four books generally referred to as The Shadowmancer Quartet and sometimes inaccurately referred to as The Shadowmancer Trilogy.

Two thematic sequels named "Wormwood" and "Tersias" were also released soon after. A sequel named "" that follows on where "Shadowmancer" left off has also recently been released in the United Kingdom versions.

The book has garnered some controversy for it's negative portrayal of Witches and pagans, whom it claims have been tricked by and worship the Devil. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/faith/2003/shadowmancer/index.shtml Taylor claims pagans hate his work] ] Despite this, Taylor claims to be "an authority on Wicca and paganism". [ [http://jollyblogger.typepad.com/jollyblogger/2004/06/shadowmancer_ho.html| Blog on the book] ]

Plot summary

The story takes place in Whitby and concerns the evil sorcerer and his dying mother. Demurral has unleashed a demonic race called the "Glashan" who were imprisoned at the dawn of time for rebelling against God. Led by the evil Pyratheon, also known as the Devil, they join forces with Demurral so that they can find the other Keruvim and harness its power to overthrow God and rule the universe.

It is eventually revealed that Raphah is the other Keruvim, so Demurral and Pyratheon try to capture him, so that they can kill him and turn him into an "Azimuth" (a slave spirit) in order to activate the Keruvim's full power.

At the climax of the story Thomas, Kate and Raphah meet an angel referred to as "Seruvim", a play on the word Seraphim, named Raphael who goes by the alias, Abram Rickards and a showdown takes place in Demurral's church during which Raphah is killed and Pyratheon obtains the Keruvim. He recites the incantation to activate its power and the world is temporarily plunged into night. Pyratheon thinks he has succeeded in stealing the power of God and gloats. However Abram then reveals that while Raphah is dead it has no power and all Pyratheon has done is meddle with time. After Abram restores life to Raphah, the sun rises, Abram is revealed in his true form and Pyratheon and Demurral flee.

Abram tells Thomas, Kate and Jacob Crane to take the Keruvim away to another land so they leave aboard Crane's ship, The Magenta. However in the closing page of the book it is revealed that they are being stealthily pursued by sea-demons, called "Seloth".

In other Media

pecial edition

A special edition of "Shadowmancer" was released in 2003 containing an extra chapter that carried on where the book had left off. In the extra chapter Raphah and the Keruvim are snatched by the Seloth. Special editions of "Wormwood" and "Tersias" were also released.

Comic

Tony Lee has adapted "Shadowmancer" into comic book form for Markosia.

Film

Trivia

Reverend Obadiah Demurral’s vicarage is based on the main building of Fyling Hall School.

At the end of "Shadowmancer", the effects of Pyratheon's use of the Keruvim to distort time and reality is also the beginning of G.P Taylor's follow-up novel, "Wormwood". The book's main protagonist, Dr. Sabian Blake, is studying the comet "Wormwood" when the sky-quake from the north hits the city of London.

Other uses

Shadowmancer is also the name of a heavy metal band based in Maryland.

References

External links

* [http://www.shadowmancer.com/ Shadowmancer]
* [http://www.shadowmancermovie.com/ Shadowmancer movie]
* [http://www.shadowmancermovie.com/photos/index.php?view=images/ Shadowmancer movie concept art]