Well, this will be an awkward read for the people still following the 'lived experiences only' fad. We're in rural Norway, and beyond a framing device quickly dispensed with, what we are reading is the story told by two older women, sisters, of how they grew up under Nazi occupation. They have a lot to say, and very differing opinions about, another girl in the village – the rich girl whose mother caught the eye of the SS commandant, and whose house had the place's only proper lawn. The father of Liva and Tove has smuggled himself away to be a resistance fighter, perhaps, leaving them with a strong mother and a hot-headed older brother. But the third girl, Agna, may in her own way be as strongly anti-German has he is, and may be fighting back in a special manner. For the woods around the village – even if they're not populated by trolls, sprites and special characters like that, they're filled with the belief in them, and special places to tell fairy tales and ghost stories. If you can't win and resist the Nazis a standard way, perhaps you might do so by engaging with the other world beyond ours…

This is very much a snowy del Toro story, although one much more quietly, calmly engaging with spirit belief. What it is doing much more vocally is talking of the Quislings – the collaborators, traitors to their kind, the people cooperating with the occupiers just to damned well get by. This is a very readable essay on culpability – if the people you try and act against then do something horrible as a result, how much of that is on your shoulders?

Don't get me wrong, this is not plodding and philosophical and moralistic about such matters – but it certainly isn't as dramatically magical as you might hope. War – building POW camps, stopping the locals having radios and canoes and guns, demanding the name of the higher-ups in the resistance hierarchy – is a mundane factor of life, and wishing the sprites and woodland spirits altered the balance of luck and power is not that realistic a one. And who this serves best is the maturer reader who can work that out, with or without the evidence here. Even the most courageous, affirmed, determined and dogged people here make mistakes and run out of answers. The book refuses to spoonfeed us a magic get-out, nor some of the information a more populist read might – we're never precisely told what went on when someone had a bit part to play in a night bombing raid.

All told, this is a smart effort, and a strong achievement. There will be some who want the pages to evoke the fantastical more than they can, especially now Ms Rundell has taken the word 'Creatures' and made a mahoosive hit read with them. But be on board with the reality of this – this is rationing and rationalism, not the wondrous – and this will show its cleverness very capably. It's a historical fiction, not a genre piece, for all its talk of the unknown. Know that, and know it to be an educational, surprising, clever piece of work, doing the author's ancestors very proud.

This was an excellent historical read, one I could certainly see turn into a film at some point. One, I dare say, I may even reread.

'Shadow Creatures' is an excellent historical novel for younger secondary school readers. Based on the author's family history, the novel describes live in Norway under Nazi occupation during WW2, and the heroic efforts of those who became involved in the Resistance. Narrated alternately by sisters Tove and Liva, we come to understand the different ways that members of their village respond to the occupation and the courage required to resist the Nazis - in particular to help the prisoners of war stationed on a nearby island. This often involves impossible dilemmas and unforeseen consequences, and Chris Vick is never guilty of sentimentalism or sugar-coating the past: at times the Milorg (Resistance) have to be deeply ruthless to carry out their objectives, and we also see how quickly this history becomes contested after the end of the war.

I found this a gripping and illuminating read - like, I suspect, most young readers, I knew almost nothing about the occupation of Norway, and this novel introduces us to this important context. It deserves to be widely read in schools and will be enjoyed by any fans of authors like Ruta Sepetys. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

What a beautiful story about love, friendship, family, and loyalty in times of hardship.
Three siblings (Tove, Liva and Haakon) enjoy their slow life in a coastal area of Norway. Their days are filled with simplicity and admiration of nature. Liva is the youngest, only 9, and she loves listening to folk stories and spending time with Agna, a new girl in the neighborhood. When the war begins and suddenly invaders come to their little village lives get changed and nothing is simple anymore.
This book is beautiful. The writing is soft and warm. The story is emotional, but not overwhelming. The fact that the author blended in some folk beliefs and historical facts is another bonus. This is a gem worth reading, worth having on your shelf.

Even now there are still so many unknown stories from the second world war, and it’s good to see a story that shines a light on Norway’s plight during the occupation as the majority of books will focus on other nations. This may be a work of fiction, but Vick has created a moving tribute to the people whose voices still need to be heard.

Having split points of view from the central characters enhances the heightened tension and the heart rate of the reader! It expertly shows how quickly actions have consequences and under the Nazi's gaze, people were a breath away from catastrophe with every gutsy move of resistance.

This book deserves to be a huge success, it’s captivating and can make a huge impact on the hearts & minds of young readers.

We really enjoyed this book. I like to introduce the children to history and how others lived during various periods of history. I love that there can be some educational aspect to a childrens novel. This had that and excitement and intrigue in bucket loads. We will be buying this to put on our carefully curated bookshelf.

Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for my ARC copy.

This was a really quick and easy read. I really enjoyed the way the story was told through different characters.

SHADOW CREATURES is a historical novel about the Nazi occupation of Norway, and sisters who find their own ways to survive and resist in little and big ways, while protecting one another.

The occupation of Norway is a part of World War Two that's not mentioned as much in the British curriculum and this book shines a light on it. The story charts the experience of ordinary Norwegians whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of German officers and all their rules, disrupting daily life (such as stopping fishing, which was people's livelihood and food source) and enforcing strict rules.

Because the tale covers so many aspects of the occupation (including things like either the bouncing bomb raids or the heavy water plant sabotages - I think it was intentionally left vague) it's a great jumping off point to introduce children to this area of the war. It will broaden their understanding of its reach and so I can see it being a great tool for schools.

This book is on the upper MG/lower YA edge, and so very accessible to both groups. It covers the entire occupation of Norway, so though Livia and Tove start aged 9 and 12 respective, the book ends with them 14 and 17.

The story is framed by a grandchild asking for this family story, and then wanting to see the places. It is a very personal plea to remember these events as we lose the generations who experienced the war, and the author's note (explaining the inspiration from his own family history) reinforces this important message.

I love Chris Vick books and this one did not disappoint. A very different theme to lots of his other stories but it was a welcome change. Set during the Second World War in Norway, this is a story of resilience, courage, and determination. I really enjoyed the different narrative voices and the characters, and their different personalities, were brought to live on the page. The line ‘they were only interested in what you are, not who’ really resonated with me, especially considering all of the awful behaviour in the country at the moment! Definitely one to recommend to my pupils so they learn the message that we are all human beings and therefore deserve to be treated equally and fairly.

Shadow Creatures is the story of a small village in Norway during World War Two and is inspired by the real events of members of the author's family. It follows two sisters, Tove and Liva; their brother, Haakon; another girl, Agna and the role they all played in challenging the Nazi soldiers who set up an internment camp for Russian prisoners on a small, nearby island.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read a lot about the Second World War - both fiction and non-fiction - but this is the first I've read about Norway's part and I found this really interesting. I also enjoyed how the author has woven fairy tales and 'underjordiske' - shadow creatures - into the story.

I have read a fair few WW2 novels for young children over the years but never one about Norway occupation so this was a first for me and what a first it was. I absolutely loved how this novel began - I have fond memories of my grandparents telling me stories about their youths - and I think this was an excellent way in to telling a story that is set in the past. Tove and Liva tell their story of when the Germans occupied Norway and what happened to their town and family. The chapters are from various viewpoints - something that I love as you really get to know more characters and their voices this way - and the story itself is one of resilience, acceptance, danger and bravery. Agna was by far my favourite character - mischievous, determined and so utterly brave; her story was really moving. The book itself would be great for children that are more mature in Year 6 (so aged 11+) and those that have some understanding of WW2. Friendship and teamwork is a wonderful thing and I think these themes run beautifully through this excellent novel. Thank you netgalley and the publishers for this ARC copy.

I love Chris Vick's writing and really enjoyed this historical adventure story based in occupied Norway in World War Two. The story of the small coastal village is told from the point of view of sisters Tove and Liva who are 12 and 9 at the start of the book but who age as the story goes on through the war. It has the expansiveness of Girl, Boy, Sea in the way that the story doesn't feel pinned down to any strict narrative formulas yet still keeps you avidly turning the pages. I also loved the easy way that he wove in traditional folk tales and legends into the story both to add authenticity but also as a symbol for the cultural significance of such things when you are being oppressed. Towards the end of the book the story goes to some dark places, especially when the girl's older friend, Agna, is imprisoned and questioned, but it is sensitively written.

I received this from NetGalley and I absolutely loved it! Probably the first book I have ever read about Norway’s occupation during the Second World War. Incredibly interesting to see how that country fared - dare I say much better than most! Although I say that entirely based on this one group of people. Liva especially was a wonderful character to read about and I enjoyed her chapters the most. I am definitely keen to read more from this author, as well as being now on the lookout for more on Scandinavia during WWII.

Shadow Creatures is the story of how WWII changed the lives of everyone in a small town of Norway.

Told as a dual narrative from the point of view of Tove who was 12 and Liva who was 9, we learn about how the Germans marched into their village and changed everything, including using the small island they used to use for picnics as a POW camp.

I always enjoy books set during WWII but I don't think I've ever read one set in Norway so I was intrigued. Life clearly isn't easy in the village but it is a small place and everyone knows everyone else, so when word comes that the Germans are on the way they decide to hide what few valuables they have and then many of the men leave to fight, including the sisters' father, leaving their brother Haakon as the man of the house.

As the book progresses, it is clear to see that their simple, carefree childhood becomes much darker and more serious as the threat posed by the Germans becomes very real. Even though Norway is a neutral country, the village still faces rationing, food shortages, changes to their curriculum and restrictions in what they can do.

Shadow Creatures is a story of resilience and bravery that highlights the effects of WWII on the children of Norway and is a book I would recommend for those heading into KS3 (KS2 children would enjoy this but there is the odd piece of vocabulary that some parents may worry about).

Publising 3/10, Shadow Creatures is an incredibly interesting and thought-provoking read.

Having never, I think, read any books set during WWII until a few years ago, I now seem to go out of my way to do so. This is a title that has been on my radar for a little while after being smitten by David Dean’s fabulous cover when it first cropped up in my Twitter feed. While most of the stories set during this key point in history I have read have been set in the UK, my reading travels have also taken me to France, Germany and Poland but not – until now – to Scandinavia, and in particular Norway, where this title is set.

A brilliant dual narrative, told by sisters Tove and Liva, this is a story that explores not their experiences in a country at war but in one that, despite its neutrality, has been occupied by the Nazis. As we get to know the girls, their family, friends and the others who the war brings into their lives, we learn of the hardships the people of Norway endured and what it took for so many of them to survive the occupation in a fictionalised account with its roots very much grounded in what really happened to members of the author’s family.

It is the first night of Georgy’s Norwegian holiday when our story opens, and they are keen for stories from their Bestemor (grandmother) Tove and Grandtant (great-aunt) Liva of what happened all those years ago. Casting her mind back to 1940, Liva begins to recount the sisters’ tale – remembering their visit to the house of Mose and her daughter Agna, who moved to their village after the death of Mose’s husband, Agna’s father. Together with everyone else assembled, Tove and Liva hear the radio broadcast that heralds the arrival of the German invaders and try to deal with the realisation that their lives are about to change immeasurably.

After hiding their valuables, like everyone else, the sisters’ father leaves the home they share with their mother and older brother Haakon, who is charged with being the man of the house and who greets the soldiers when they arrive on the doorstep. Under the watchful eye of the Kommandant and his men, a new normal starts, but nine-year-old Liva is determined to stay as carefree as she has ever been and when she spies Agna taking out her fishing boat illegally, persuades her to take her with her.

When the invaders find out about the trip, they investigate the island to which the girls had headed, and it soon becomes a camp to hold prisoners of war. As the conflict progresses, the lives of Tove, Liva, Agna and those within the camp become tangled together and things for those on both sides become harder. With secrets increasingly difficult to keep, and family and friends doing everything that they can just to stay alive, how far will the sisters be prepared to go to stand up to their oppressors, and what will be the consequences of their actions?

Although the story is narrated by Tove and Liva, their stories are bound to those of their brother Haakon and Liva’s friend Agna, amongst others. Carefree in the main when the story opens in 1940, as time progresses – and the characters also age – their positions become more and more serious as they are drawn into small – and some not so small – acts of resistance. For those reading the story, the slow realisation of just what is happening draws you in so that before you know it you are worrying about where free-spirited Agna’s behaviour will lead her and how Tove and Liva will deal with their increasing responsibilities both at home and outside in the occupied world that they inhabit as they try to do whatever they can to not just look after themselves but to follow their consciences with respect to those around them.

I have to be honest – although I knew that Norway had been neutral during WWII, I hadn’t considered what effect the war had on its citizens. Here, it is abundantly clear just what they went through – whether it be the food rationing they experienced, the Nazification of the school curriculum in an attempt to brainwash the country’s children or many other horrors, all of which are covered in an age-appropriate way here.

The idea of age ratings for children’s books briefly reared its ugly head again on Twitter recently and although I would suggest this is probably more suitable for those in upper KS2, the only thing that I would comment on that might make some adults squeamish about giving it to younger readers, or indeed those in Years 5 and 6, is the use of the insult bastards in the book. I would not have a problem with it myself (let’s be honest, most children hear much worse than that on a regular basis) but I know from my teaching experience that some adults would.

A cracking read, my enormous thanks go to publisher Head of Zeus and to Net Galley for my advance, virtual read. Shadow Creatures publishes 3rd October.