Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published May 2013
336 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
At the turn of the twentieth century, New York's Bowery District becomes the scene of a terrible murder when the Klezmer King gets fried to a crisp by his Electric Tuxedo - on stage! The Inquisitor's apprentice, thirteen-year-old Sacha Kessler, tries to help find the killer, but the closer he gets to solving the crime, the more it sounds as if the creature that haunted him in his first adventure is back. Worse still, his own Jewish family is in danger. Sacha has avoided learning magic until now, but as his world falls apart around him, he changes his mind.
"Starred Review. Exciting, action-packed and absolutely marvelous." - Kirkus
"Starred Review. But although this is full of story, what captivates is the world that Moriarty has created, one where magic is woven into its very fabric. That its many practitioners all have their own ways of casting spells is part of what makes these characters so memorable. But from crime lords to rebbes, it is their own particular wisdom that deepens the nonstop action. A touch of Chabon, a hiss of steampunk, and a blast of originality. Grades 6-10" - Booklist
This information about The Watcher in the Shadows was first featured
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Chris Moriarty grew up in New York surrounded by a loud and zany family much like Sacha Kessler's. Chris has published several science fiction novels, including Spin Control, which won the Philip K. Dick Award. She wrote The Inquisitor's Apprentice for her children so that they would be able to read a fantasy that celebrates their New York Jewish heritage. Chris lives in upstate New York.
Mark Edward Geyer is best known as the illustrator of two Stephen King novels: Rose Madder and The Green Mile. Mark has worked in a variety of illustration genres, including corporate advertising, editorial, and architectural. He comes from a long line of artists.
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