3 for 3~3.5. This book is a little darker than what I expected lol. Certain parts could totally pass for horror for people like me lmao. The main factor I don't feel fully engaged with the story... is that it's written in first person present tense, which I just personally don't prefer. xP

Review can also be found on GR, and contains later documentation of reading status updates:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2297560883

Shadow Weaver is a middle grade novel following Emmaline and her shadow Dar. Overall it was a very enjoyable read. I really liked the build-up of Emmaline's relationship with Dar, and how she slowly had to realize that Dar wasn't to be trusted. I love how Connolly did this by inserting a new family and showing how Dar had been taking advantage of Emmaline and her loneliness. I'm curious to see where the story goes, and I'm definitely not happy with where the story ended with Dar. I want to know more and I'm glad I waited to read this for the second book to be out. However, I am also curious as to what happened with Emmaline's parents. A lot was left hanging in this book, focusing mainly on what was happening in the moment, so if anything, I wish more angles were considered when writing this book.

This book explored very intense topics and emotions. While I liked the idea and the active storytelling it just felt a bit much.

DNF. I couldn't connect with this book at all and found it really hard to get into. I had high hopes for this, which is a shame.

Good little fantasy story. My daughter will definitely love this one when she's a little older. Beautiful cover.

There was something about the writing style that I just couldn’t connect with, with the word choice and the way the narrative connected with the dialogue and the protagonist’s thoughts/feelings. So I couldn't get into the story.

I did like that you could feel from the start that there was something off about Dar, and I loved the concept of the story, I had just lost all interest in reading it because of the execution.

This is the fantastic story of a young girl that can see and talk to shadows in a world where shadows are able to act independently. The story was compelling and unique and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next

This was a fascinating, hauntingly atmospheric middle grade fantasy. The story drew me in, and while the main character is not necessarily likeable at first, she really grew on me. Looking forward to the sequel.
I received an e-ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley.

A unique premise - shadows with their own personalities! It's a very good middle-grade fantasy that breathes magic and wonder.

I read Shadow Weaver with my girls as extra reading for our homeschool curriculum. We love reading middle grade fantasy books together. While it may take us a while (because we only read a chapter or two a week) we really enjoyed the story Connolly pieced together in this one. We'll be looking for more by this author!

I love these stories of shadows actually having their own personalities! This one is a good story for kids who enjoy magical stories and have great imaginations (which ones don't?!) It's fun adventure tale, with magic and great characters kids will enjoy. The plot was great and may well remind them or lead them to other like books! great addition to a library! I can't wait for the sequel.!

4 Stars! Emmeline's best friend is her shadow, Dar, and, actually, her only friend. In the book, a handful of children are blessed with magic talents every 25 years when a comet passes over. Those that can do magic are often viewed with fear. Emmeline's parents want to send her away to "cure" her of magic. Her gift is controlling shadows. To prevent her parents from sending her away, Emmeline strikes a deal with Dar, which will make her human again. Will it work??

Read on to see! I really enjoyed this little treasure. Emmeline and Dar are great characters. Once they run away to escape a certain punishment...We meet a few others. Lucas, who Emmeline is immediately drawn to, even tho his talent is the opposite of her own.

The book opens up a great discussion for parents or teachers to talk about fear with students. I honestly can't wait to use this book with my class. There is another part where Emmeline has to perform some difficult tasks so that she can collect the ingredients for a ritual she has to perform to make Dar human again. She is uncomfortable with some of these. So,I love her courage and tenacity. Again...another place for educators to open up a discussion about possibly getting out of one's comfort zone.

Many, many thanks goes to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky via NetGalley for an ARC to review. And thanks to the author MarcyKate Connolly. Highly recommended!

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This book is a fun middle-grade novel about a girl who has the ability to mold shadows and manipulate them. She is kept separated from the world by her parents after an incident that happened in the past as a result of her ability. Then, a noble family suddenly shows up and the story takes off from there.
I enjoyed this book, it was a lot of fun. The characters were well constructed and easy to connect with. The main issue I had was this book was the language. It was a little young for me, but it was obviously geared to younger readers so this wasn't necessarily a negative. If you enjoy fast-paced, action-filled story with twists and turns, then you will definitely enjoy this story.

Shadow Weaver is a middle grade book written to cast a spell over its readers- not literally of course, but figuratively. It’s well crafted design draws readers in to the story quickly and wraps itself around you like one of Emmeline’s shadows. It’s fast pace keeps you engaged while the constant battle of good vs evil plays out before your eyes.

Emmeline is a gifted child with unique powers given to her by a passing comet at the time of her birth. She is one of many, but sadly she is all alone. Her family is afraid of her. Their servants shirk away in terror. Only Emmeline’s shadow, Dar, is willing to stick by her side. That sounds funny because, I mean, a shadow has to stick to you, right? It’s attached and can’t go anywhere else. Except, that in Emmeline’s case, this isn’t entirely true. Dar is alive. Tethered to her best friend Emmeline, to be sure, but very much her own being- another gift from the comet. Yet, like many gifts, there’s more to this one than meets the eye.

In this exciting novel, the first of Connelly’s new duology, Emmeline must make a decision about how far she’ll go to save herself and those she loves. She may be only a girl, yet the power within her is great. And as she will fast discover, some things are worth fighting for- no matter the cost.

A big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with this review opportunity.

Charming and a little bit creepy.
A bit too light for an adult reader, but I know the kids I would recommend it too.
For readers of Nevermoor, or perhaps the Cris Colfer Land of Stories series

Born under a comet, Emmeline is a shadow weaver with the ability to manipulate shadows to her will. Isolated from the rest of the world, who don’t understand her magic, Emmeline is hidden away in her parent's mansion with her shadow as company. Her shadow can talk, but only to her. When nobles from another land visit offering to cure Emmeline of her magic the story truly begins.

Shadow Weaver is a wonderful, dark story that feels like a fairytale. Written for middle-grade readers it also offers an opportunity for adults to engage with a child on some key issues. Emmeline is naive at times, however, there are some great discussion points arising around trust and secrets.

One of the things I enjoyed most about Shadow Weaver is the balance between the powers the children have. Emmeline is a Shadow Weaver. Lucas, a Light Singer. Later in the book the author introduces more child characters with other magical powers. It allows for further conversations around what is considered by society to be good or bad. Is being a shadow weaver worse than a light singer?

The book is full of action from the beginning to end which will keep the younger readers interested. A two-part series (second due out in 2019), it allows the author to develop a more complex plot. One which reminds me of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. Less involved, as it’s aimed at younger children, but full of imagination and a similar premise of stolen children experimented on for their powers.

I’m a little uncomfortable with the sneaking around and eavesdropping Emmeline takes part in. Most are initiated by her shadow, Dar. If I was an educator or parent reading with a child, I would be keen to explore this point. Helping them to understand why sneaky behaviour isn’t something to copy.

An interesting book perfect for a middle-grade audience. Full of magic, tough baddies and brave acts from Emmeline. I would have delightfully devoured this when I was younger.

*thank you to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Jabberwocky for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.

This little gem was such a welcomed surprise! I was iffy going into it but it turned out to be so enjoyable! As a middle grade book I find they can be a hit or miss but this one doesn't even need a second thought, it's definitely a hit. I was worried that it would be really light on the dark themes but it actually wasnt too bad. I think most middle grade books have alot of caution about being too dark which I completly understand but this was just the right amount. I can't wait until book 2!

I was immediately drawn to this story because of its cover and premise, and I wasn't let down when I finally got to sit down and read it.
The writing style was both lyrical and simple enough for reluctant readers. Fans of Connolly will embrace the familiarity in the style and the dark but magical quality in every word and plot choice.
Emmeline is a flawed character, but one to root for. Her relationship with Dar, and the idea of a battle between darkness and light, isn't a new idea, but it's an important one I love seeing in middle grade, this fresh take on displaying this theme was well done. I especially liked Lucas and Emmeline together. Following them through their adventures kept the pages turning all the way to the satisfying, but teasing, conclusion.

This is my second Marcy Kate Conolly book and I enjoyed this more than the other one. The story is what the premise promised. We have Emmeline who is gifted with shadow weaving. She excels at it. She loves it. She acknowledges it. Only that her parents and the people surrounding her have grown wary about her power as the years went by. Then the day came when her parents couldn’t take it any longer and desired to send her away to get cured. So Emmeline ran and took refuge in the woods wherein she met a lovely family whose only son is gifted with magic as well. And so, her adventure begins.

I think the beauty of Shadow Weaving lies on the characterization of our main protagonist, Emmeline. . She’s clueless, lacks the basic sense of right and wrong, suffers from “I am the victim” syndrome, and thinks that the world revolves around her and her sufferings. What’s surprising is that Emmeline is not aware that she’s any of these things. She really thinks that her life is woefully pitiful without realizing that it was she who had alienated everyone around her, including her parents. Though her parents are not exactly good, they, at least, in their own ways, tried to provide good guiding hands for Emmeline. But they’re not just equipped (in skills or in experience) on how to handle such a child like Emmeline so they actually failed despite their efforts to give her a normal life. For Emmeline’s part, she’s really self-centered refusing to even take the time to reflect about why her parents act like that or why the servants shy away from her. Instead, she lets herself be easily led by her shadow, which is, by the way sentient and has no qualms of inflicting harm to people. But Emmeline thinks that her shadow is beyond reproach.

But other than Emmeline’s characterization, Shadow Weaver has nothing more to offer to the table. The lore of the Cerelia Comet and its blessings felt very shallow, I could not bring myself to be interested in it. The main conflict (good vs. evil) was too simplistic and easily resolved that it didn’t make an impact. And most importantly, I was only invested in Emmeline but couldn’t empathize with any of the other characters including Lucas and Dar.

I was really glad that Shadow Weaver was a very short book, thus, my patience didn’t run thin. Overall, this is not an inherently bad book but it sure would benefit from a little tweaking here and there.