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Dear
Mr Taylor, Hi
, I
am Harriet I'm 14. I have read Shadowmancher and Wormwood so many times
and I just have to keep re-reading it ! I absolutely adore both books and
am looking forward to the next. I was wondering whether Demmurial and
Bonham are going to come back together to fight against Raphael and Raphah,
the whole good against evil thing ! I think that the film is a really bad
idea. I have pictured certain charaters in my head whilst I'm reading so a
film would wreck everything I have ever thought of in the books. When a
film was made from Harry Potter it completely ruined all the books and I
am now left with none of my oringinal ideas and the way that I saw the
characters. I feel that if this happened for Shadowmancer and Wormwood I
would be completely turned off both books ! I
hope you have taken my ideas into consideration. i personally enjoyed the book and i think it is one of the best book i have ever read. this is the first book i have read in a year that i enjoyed to the end. i hope they are more books made like this, because they are worth more than you can guess. Jason Waggoner Tyler
10
I can not believe how good Shadowmancer
was. I am amazed at how tremendously well you wrote your first
book. I am a huge fan of your books and hope that you choose to write
more. I would highly recommend it to you if you are going to. I have
showed Shadowmancer to all of my friends. They read it and
loved it. I inspire you to write more to the series if you are not all
ready. If you are thinking about reading the series then do. I can not
wait to read Wormwood. I am also a HUGE! Fan of Harry
Potter, and so are all my friends. But we all liked Shadowmancer
way more then Harry Potter. I am not trying to insult the Harry
Potter series or anything; I just liked your books more. Please
write back if able to. And I really inspire you to write more. If you are
ever in the Kirkland area for book signings then let me no. I
was lent Shadowmancer buy a friend and I thought it was real good. I then
bought Wormwood when it came out in my local bookstore. I thought
that it was brill!!! I now plan to buy Shadowmancer and am so happy that
there are more of the books coming out. Power to the vicars!! ! i must confess, it has taken me just over a month to read shadowmancer. The reason being, to tell the truth, i thought it started slow and was pretty boring! so the first dozen or so pages took a couple of weeks. But then we get to chapter 2 "the poisoned angel" and we meet Thomas Barrick and things really pick up. the rest of the book took me a week or so, in between working and looking after family. when i was at work i would think about the trio's fate. and when i slept i dreamed about Baytown and Boggle mill. this to me is always a sign of a wonderful novel. I was truley there with them seeing the sights, smelling the rotton cabbage, and fighting evil. thank you MR. Taylor. i look forward to reading wormwood very much. Jackie Dear
Mr. Taylor
I just wanted to say “wow.” That was the best book that I have ever
read. It kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to the end. I
have not read Wormwood yet but I am working on it. They where both
Christmas gifts form my aunt. I just wanted to know when the movie was due
to come out. And I hope that you keep writing books. Andrew
Becker Shadowmancer was the greatest book i have ever read it is certainly my favorite. G.P. and J.R.R are my favorite authors except for the many writers of the bible. Ross WHAT DOES IT TEACH YOU ABOUT THE INVISIBLE FORCES OF EVIL? The
evil forces are truly demonic, and these scenes describe the raging
arrogance of Satan well. But, in some scenes the battle between good and
evil look more like the age-old warfare between "white" and
black magic. Such battles have always raged in animist cultures where
devoted idolaters offer earnest prayers to "friendly" spirits
who might defend them against the cruel powers of darker demons. Their
shaman or witch doctor might act like Demurral: "Stand
back, Beadle, this is holy work," orders Demurral. He pulled out a
black magical stone, a gold wrapped acacia rod and finally the stolen
Keruvin. It "glowed with a ghostly radiance." Lifting the latter
he shouted to "waves and wind, fire and water," summoning a
demonic horde of alluring feminine spirits [Seloth] and commanded them to
"crash this boat to this shore" and "bring the [second]
Keruvim to me." The
forces of darkness obeyed his command, and the evil pastor is soon
searching the shore littered with bodies of drowned sailors for the second
winged figure. Eventually he realizes that the Keruvim #2 is not a gold
statue, but the boy, Raphah. The heart of this boy must be sacrificed
during the next full moon before his vision of universal control can be
fulfilled. "There
is only one thing worth dying for," he tells his servant Beadle,
"and that is power. Power over people, power over the elements and
ultimately the power to be God. With the Keruvin I can control the
elements. When I have them both, I will change the world and I will bring
about the death of God. This time he'll be nailed to the tree
forever."[8
page 77] Later,
Raphah tells Thomas about the nature of the Glashan, the demonic servants
of Pyratheon (Satan): "'They
are creatures... so evil that you could not even dream what they could do
in this world. Before the start of time, the Glashan rebelled against
Riathamus. ...The one who leads them was cast to the earth; he has tempted
men since that day. The power of the Glashan has been bound since the time
of the Great Capture, when Riathamus defeated them at the Battle of the
Skull. Their leader was a creature called Pyratheon; he has wanted the
Keruvim since its creation.... My family has always guarded it from him,
but one of our own helped to bring it here and sold it to Demurral....
There are two Keruvim in the world, one is made of gold, the other of
flesh. Today we stand in your midst.'
"'So that's why Demurral wants to kill you,' Kate said."[8
page 191] Skipping
the gross images of serpentine creatures, demonic possession,
"goodhearted whores,"[3]
a seance, and divination using the zombie-like body of a murdered girl, we
come to the last chapter in the book. As earthly realities often suggest,
it looks as if evil has won: "Pyratheon
lifted the Keruvim above his head and closed his eyes. ... The church
began to shudder as the Keruvim pulsed out a blinding light. The night sky
faded to day; the sun rose, then set and rose again. ... It was as if the
whole earth was spinning faster and faster through space.... All
light had gone from the world. The sun, moon and stars had vanished from
the sky.... It is finished,' Pyrotheon said triumphantly. 'Riathamus is
dead. ... Eternal Law is now mine to dictate. The Battle of the Skull has
been overthrown."[8
page 272] This
suggestion is ridiculous, if not blasphemous. Yes, it's fiction, but an
unthinkable notion is planted in the minds of readers. Christ's victory on
the cross can never be cancelled! And to use the Keruvim -- a
fictional figure modeled after the historical Cherubim in the holiest
chamber of God's Old Testament temple -- as a magical power-source or
amulet corrupts what God had called holy. God
has won an eternal victory, which the final chapter affirms. But even
here, the story distorts the truth. Whether Raphah lives or dies, no
man-made winged figure has "real power." No amulet, icon, symbol
or idol can be used to channel or transmit the mighty power of God. Yet,
in today's pluralistic culture, many attribute sacred power to such
physical objects. Idolatry is being revived in America! “There
shall not be found among you anyone who... who practices witchcraft, or a
soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who
conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the
dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord."
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Ed
Jordan I have read shadowmancer and wormwood,i think they are some piece of work,making the movie of shadowmancer is a good step i can see it becoming a hit at the box office just as good as lord of the rings or even better .good luck with the movie and i hope you'll write more amazing novels best of luck .bella Hi
My name is Kayla Conine and im 13 years old i loved the book dear
sir/madam, i
have to say both of the books are SKANKIN'. both of them are Hi
people on this site :) Well,
I read it just for 2 hours. No longer :) :) :) (Which means this book is
realy interesting :) :) :¨) Dear
Mr Taylor A
few months ago, I finished reading both your books, Shadowmancer and
Wormwood. At first they were amazing and I couldn't put them down. I kept
going into the libary to see if you had brought any more books out. But
you had not. I became a little older and eventually found interest in the
Malorie Blackman stories. I absolutely love her book noughts and crosses
and knife edge. She is now my heroin. Your books bore me as I am too old.
Just want you to know, your book Wormwood is nowhere near as good as
noughts and crosses. You are no longer my hero. Yours
truely, Emilene Lucas (21/02/05) I
was really intrigued by this book when i picked it up for a school book
report. I am really into those kind of books so i thought i would give it
a try. being a devout Christian it didnt take me long to find the
Scripture so obviously quoted in the book. However it led me wondering if
this is in fact a Christian novel. You have Christ and its obvious
that it is Him ("Only this time he will stay on the tree") and
(I AM THAT I AM). so is this a book trying to lead others to Christianity
by using different names then the Bible? or is it just a twist on
thoughts. I know you are an Episcipalian preacher so I believe you to be a
man of faith, but I just can not seem to figure this out. Josh
(aged 11 Glasgow) Hi
I just wanted to say I thought Shadowmancer and Wormwood were fantastic
books, really dark and gothic(?) but had a great christian theme that
hopefully will show christianity isn't just sitting in churches and being
nice but fighting evil Andy
Smith Shadomancer
was unbelievable! I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book that
is impossible to put down. WOW!!!! Shadowmancer is an absolutely amazing book! I just finished reading it not five minutes ago and I loved it. It is really faithfully inspiring...if that makes any sense. I can't wait to buy the next book! Your writing was really touching. I especially love the part when Demurral realized how small he was in comparrison to everthing else, it was a reminder that even though we don't realize it we really are just another little thing in the world. Elisa
Mendes Florida
(29/1/05) I
would not have normally read or heard of books like these but my mum
persuaded me to have a go, and i am so pleased i did!!!!! i have enjoyed
shadowmancer and wormwood and can not wait for another installment. I have
passed on my books to other famiky members who agree what a fantastic read
they are. You all must go and buy a copy now as you are missing out!!!!!! Hi I've just finished reading Shadowmancer, I got the book as a present for Christmas. I'm 14 years old and I'm not very religous and i didn't plan on reading a book like this. I'm a Harry Potter fan and I didn't think you could get a book as good as the Harry Potter books. I was wrong, Shadowmancer is a great book, I'm going to start to read Wormwood now. I can't wait for the film to be made and released. And more books to be written. Well done Mr Taylor, love the book. i
got the book August 17 2004 and i think the book is very touching it made
me think a lot about God and the evil things we do in this world and
all the things i take for granted and i think you are an awesome
writer. You and J.K. Rowling are my two favorite. i plan to do
my research project on one of the two of you. it would mean a lot if you
could send some information about yourself for that. thank you for the
book it was very touching and something i can look at in
everyday life and refer to with things i do. Thank
you Lee-Ann Thomas Hello.
I for one love fantasy books and I have never read anything so inspiring
in my whole life. My favorite part of the book so far has been with
Raphah, when he brought the Demon out of Blythe. I have been a
Christian all of my life but, this book leaves me stunned and makes me a
better Christian than I have been in years. Thank you so much
for writing Shadowmancer. I think it will make a
great change in my life. Best
wishes, This is a good story and I enjoyed it very much. The author failed to convince me that this was 18th century England. I wouldn't have known or cared about the time period of the story if I hadn't read the dust jacket. This story stands on its own and I have to disagree with all the other reviewers who have compared this story to the 'Harry Potter series', 'The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy' and Phillip Pulman's books. It does this book and author a disservice to compare them to the works listed above. the 'Harry Potter series' vs 'Shadowmancer' Mr. Taylor does not have the depth of characterization or scenic description of Ms. Rowling's works. 'The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy' vs 'Shadowmancer' Mr. Taylor does not have the depth of characterization, sense of ageless plot, or scenic descritpion of Mr. Tolkien's works. Phillip Pullman's books vs 'Shadowmancer' Mr. Taylor's writings are not as negatively dark as Mr. Pullman's writings, which I stopped reading after the second book. The only other series of books, that I can think of, with which I would compare 'Shadowmancer' is C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia". David
Thomas Tennessee,
USA Looking
for information on this wonderful book and its astounding author this
book is so good. it comes so close to beating harry potter and i think it
has. this is hard for me to say this because harry potter is my life.
thanks g.p. taylor. Excellent. hey,
like ok how amazing were Shadowmancer and Wormwood! I got completely
transported out of this world and into theirs it was sereal lol i hope
evry1 likes them because i don’t think he gets the praise he deserves!
xxx tash xxx Rusty
Shackleford Ive
Gone To Find Myself If I Get Back Before I Arrive Keep Me Here. I
thought that Shadowmancer was the best book that I have read ever and I
think that there really should be another instalment to that story. And I
am reading Wormwood and that is a very good story as well you are a star 31 December 2004 Dear
Graham, My
12-year-old daughter & I have both read SHADOWMANCER this December.
We were enthralled. Today
we purchased WORMWOOD to go with Shadowmancer.
Thank you for the opportunity to do this together … it is a … Dad
& Daughter’s Delight! Steve
(& Jenny) Rennick I think Shadowmancer is a wonderful book as well as Wormwood. I have just finished reading Wormwood and I am looking forward to reading Shadowmancer again. These books have now become the best I've ever read. Please write another. Megan
age 12 I
started reading the first potter book a few years back and put it down
after the first chapter. Too kiddiefied for me. Shadowmancer
on the other hand - well, what an amazing style of writing that grasps
children and adults alike. Made even better I might add seeing as I
live in Scarborough and can identify all the places in the book. The
existence of the Alum mines at Ravenscar and the tracks on the beach to
them is a fantastic touch. Hi I am writing this about 2 weeks after reading Shadowmanser, and i would like to say how brilliant i thought the book was!!! Even now i can not get the story out of my head. in fact i miss not having anything good to read on a night before i go to sleep. i loved the way in which the story reflected the Scriptures in a very subtle way it was pure genius, and i loved the way that Jesus is put across and the powers of good and evil are so true!!!! but sadly not very offten talked about in this way. i am a Christian and i found the whole story amazing and it has really lifted my faith. i did feel as though the ending didnt really pull it all together, what happened to beagle? i do hope that he escaped and that he is living it up somewhere!!! Thank
you so much for the journey that you have taken me on.
Ben
Norton Hey there Mr. G.P Taylor, I just wanted to let you like know, that your book was awesome! In only a few pages I was fully engulfed in the story. Your descriptive style of writing is fantastic, and I only hope you keep writing more books for this series. I plan to pick up a copy of Wormwood as soon as possible, and am looking forward to see if it can please me as much as Shadowmancer did. Its Christian themes have been ridiculed by many people, but I think completely opposite. A true face must be stamped on witchcraft and those who practice it. Keep writing, Your Bro in Christ, This
novel is a joy to the soul. Not since C.S. Lewis has the Christian fantasy
genre seen writing that so effortlessly integrates myth and folklore with
Christian truth to produce a story that leaves one uplifted yet challenged
in the ordinariness of everyday life. This is a book destined to be a
classic and ought to be on the shelves of every serious reader. G.P.
Taylor is to be commended for not only an engrossing tale in its own right
but also for boldly declaring the gospel. His characterisations are of
real people grappling with issues relevant today and finding solutions
that are eternally true. Whether you are young or old, this novel will
grip your heart and thrill your spirit. Sean
Clear Physics Teacher I
thought that the book was brilliant!!! If I hadn't of borrowed it from the
libary I would of read it over and over and over and over and over
and over and over and over and over again! Ella I
have read both Shadowmancer and wormwood and i believe you will not better
books to have you on the edge of your seat or pull you into a world where
anything is possible Kate
Sinfield-Brown When
i 1st picked up the book i thought it would be like any other book that
ive read. But no, I read it it was so inspirational, It shows you
the side of witch craft the harry potter doesnt and it really causes you
to see what really goes on. This book has all top ratings. It
really just like that. I would advise everyone to read if even if your not
into something like it. im Tell you you will love it Dear
Mr.Taylor, hi my name is Johnny Rainey. Shadowmancer is a good book but it has some certain qualties that you should have included. Maybe more discripition of the characters. I am looking forward to reading whatever you are going to write next. Wormwood was good too. Later Saw Waida Absolutely Bloody Great!!!!!!!!! Well done Graham. What a read, I couldn't put it down at work or at home. I purchased a copy of "Shadowmancer and Wormwood" a couple of weeks ago. I am hooked and have tonight started Wormwood. From the first chapter your main protagonist has set a good pace for the forthcoming adventure. As a budding 44yr old novelist, I have learnt a few good tips from shadowmancer. Hope to put them to use in the near future. Keep
up the good work, err,I mean writing!! Gary
A Williams. I
think one of the most important things about reading a book is the
author's ability to bring people and places to life. My partner
and I found the book magical and towards the end of the book, I had to
ration myself to 2 pages a day because I didn't want it all to end!
That is a real talent! I
originally come from Aberdeenshire and and I recently took my partner home
and while we were there we visited Slains Castle (30 miles north of
Aberdeen, on the coast). As soon as we arrived, my partner looked up
at the castle built on the cliff edge and said "this is exactly the
picture I had in my head whilst reading Shadowmancer!" It
brought everthing to life for him (I hadn't read it by this point!).
I don't know if you have ever been there but it is a very special place.
It is said to be the place that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula.
If you are ever up that way, it is well worth a visit (as are all the
mysterious castles in the North East of Scotland!). This
is the first time I have visited the web site and we didn't realise you
had another book out so I have my orders to go in my lunch hour tomorrow
and get Wormwood! You
really have a gift to be able to create such wonderful characters, some
who are easy to love and others whom you love to hate! I
cannot wait to read Wormwood and I hope you are well on your way to a
third! If not, then get writing!! Thank
you from both of us. I
read “Shadowmancer” a year ago, but the characters are still etched
clearly in my brain. The sheer grace of it all astounded me.
The characters shone out from each page as if they were right
beside me, and it made long car trips a lot more enjoyable. The use of
vocabulary captured my attention, and the way everything was described
delighted me most of all. My
favourite character was Obadiah Demurral. He was just perfect, sinister
and scheming, always scheming, and determined, but likely to crack
reluctantly under the strong force of good. I really like antagonists like
that. They are the strongest ones around. Raphah
was also another favourite of mine. He had such a safe quality, as if
everything would be all right. I had complete confidence in this
character, and I felt peaceful whenever I saw his name on the page. And I
thought Kate was brilliant, too, because she had such a strong will. I
hope to come across more of G. P. Taylor’s books soon! Philippa
Adams, aged 13 |
