Shadow Breakers by Daniel Blythe (review)

Following the tragic death of her father, twelve-year-old Miranda May and her family relocate from London to the seaside village of Firecroft. Soon after they arrive, however, Miranda notices that strange things are happening: a school bus turns to ice on a balmy spring day, computers in the school’s lab suddenly explode. More frightening still, the Shape that has been plaguing her dreams begins to appear during the day. Hoping to find answers, Miranda allows herself to be recruited by a group of strange but gifted kids from her school who use a combination of science and magic to unlock the secrets behind Firecroft’s mysterious goings-on. The group finds that an animus, a powerful manifestation of an angry spirit, is both the culprit and Miranda’s Shape, which may be connected to someone in Miranda’s life. As the group attempts to defeat the enemy, Miranda must face down her personal demons in order to save her friends and herself. A fast-paced and entertaining read, this middle-school fantasy offers plenty of action, chills, fascinating ideas, and even some entertaining British slang. Miranda and her friends are a curious and appealing group, with each member contributing a unique talent to their endeavors. The novel’s interweaving of magic and scientific elements is likely to please fans of both science fiction and fantasy, the team’s efforts to uncover the village’s secret past and the identity of the Shape will appeal to readers who love a good mystery, and the final battle scene will leave readers hungry for possible sequels.