- Paperback: 202 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (Sep 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060000171
- ISBN-13: 978-0060000172
- Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,594,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's 1872 in New York and Horace Carpetine is working as a photography apprentice. Photographer Mr. Middleditch is a little down on his luck and in need of a large profit from a client. So when they are approached by Mrs. Von Macht, who is grieving the loss of her only child and wishes a portrait to place on her daughter's grave, Mr. Middleditch comes up with an idea to make money.
The pair will make a ghostly likeness of Eleanora appear in Mrs. Von Macht's picture, and hopefully she will miss her daughter enough to order more photos.
Problems start to occur, though, when Horace takes a photograph and Eleanora's ghost really does appear -- without the assistance of photography.
With the help of Pegg, the Von Macht's servant girl, Horace finds out the horrible truth about Eleanora's death. Together the new friends must stop Eleanora's vengeful ghost from hurting her family.
This is a great historical mystery by Avi. The history is rich and I felt as though I was walking the streets with Horace and Pegg. The details provide an interesting look at early photography and how it worked. The mystery keeps readers engaged and has some chilling moments. Recommended for history, paranormal, and mystery fans alike!
Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
The pair will make a ghostly likeness of Eleanora appear in Mrs. Von Macht's picture, and hopefully she will miss her daughter enough to order more photos.
Problems start to occur, though, when Horace takes a photograph and Eleanora's ghost really does appear -- without the assistance of photography.
With the help of Pegg, the Von Macht's servant girl, Horace finds out the horrible truth about Eleanora's death. Together the new friends must stop Eleanora's vengeful ghost from hurting her family.
This is a great historical mystery by Avi. The history is rich and I felt as though I was walking the streets with Horace and Pegg. The details provide an interesting look at early photography and how it worked. The mystery keeps readers engaged and has some chilling moments. Recommended for history, paranormal, and mystery fans alike!
Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
27 reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
seeing the unseen
25 Mar 2008
Format:Hardcover
"photography reveals facts" or at least some form of the truth which is why people began to prefer it to paintings. Horace Carpetine, the main character and apprentice to the photographer Enoch Middleditch, finds himself in a difficult position when his employer looks to profit by deceiving a customer. Mrs. Von Macht has recently lost her only child and comes to Enoch Middleditch for a photograph to place on her daughter's grave. She appears to be a grieving mother but things are not as they seem and Horace soon discovers the horrifying truth. When the deception becomes reality, things quickly begin to unravel and suddenly, everyone is in great danger.
I loved the book because it is suspenseful and I have an interest in photography. I have developed film and watched an image appear in the developer so I could relate to Horace's love of the art. But while it is noted that this book is for ages 9-12, I would hesitate to give this book to a 4th or 5th grader. The nature of the daughter's death is disturbing and for children who are easily frightened, this book could discourage them from ever posing for another photograph. Also, because this book is set in the 1800's and photography was new, some of the terminology and equipment will be completely foreign to a child, especially in our digital age. But for more advanced readers who like a little horror, it's a great read!
I loved the book because it is suspenseful and I have an interest in photography. I have developed film and watched an image appear in the developer so I could relate to Horace's love of the art. But while it is noted that this book is for ages 9-12, I would hesitate to give this book to a 4th or 5th grader. The nature of the daughter's death is disturbing and for children who are easily frightened, this book could discourage them from ever posing for another photograph. Also, because this book is set in the 1800's and photography was new, some of the terminology and equipment will be completely foreign to a child, especially in our digital age. But for more advanced readers who like a little horror, it's a great read!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
ghost story
6 April 2008
Format:Hardcover
Enjoyed the book and the main characters. Subject matter may be too dark for a sensitive reader. I would not recommend for a younger reader.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Quite a Creepy Little Book
26 May 2009
Format:Hardcover
Avi's Seer of Shadows is a delightfully creepy tale designed to take its young adult readers into the darker side of ghosts and things that go bump in the night. Heck, even this *slightly* older than young adult reader found herself able to vividly imagine a sinister young ghost set on terrorizing those who wronged her in life, and the idea that a ghost can materialize through photographs is one often put forth in the paranormal community. No wonder I looked cautiously over my shoulder as I read alone late at night!
Young Horace Carpetine finds himself apprenticed to a rather lazy photographer in 1872; business isn't all that good, so when an odd appointment is made, Horace doesn't think twice about accepting on behalf of his master to photograph the seemingly bereft Mrs. Von Macht. Mrs. Von Macht wants to bring reassurance to her recently deceased daughter's spirit by placing a photo of herself on her tomb, but Horace's master sees the opportunity to set himself up as a "spiritual" photographer by manipulating the photo to look as though the ghost of Eleanora has returned. It doesn't take long for Horace and the servant Peggy to realize that Eleanora has indeed returned, and she's bent on revenge toward her adopted parents. Things rapidly spin out of control as the two race to protect the Von Machts and help Eleanora return to the spectral realm.
Rich in atmosphere, Seer of Shadows is a fast read that envelops you quickly. With more scrutiny, the ideas don't hold up as well, but that's all right since the book more than accomplishes its goal of scariness. More bothersome to me is the "romance" between Horace and Peggy, which definitely doesn't fit the time period (even if it does make for a nice element). I liked how the story was tied up in the end, however, and could imagine someone telling this tale late at night at a slumber party. Good writing with just the right touch of the macabre.
Young Horace Carpetine finds himself apprenticed to a rather lazy photographer in 1872; business isn't all that good, so when an odd appointment is made, Horace doesn't think twice about accepting on behalf of his master to photograph the seemingly bereft Mrs. Von Macht. Mrs. Von Macht wants to bring reassurance to her recently deceased daughter's spirit by placing a photo of herself on her tomb, but Horace's master sees the opportunity to set himself up as a "spiritual" photographer by manipulating the photo to look as though the ghost of Eleanora has returned. It doesn't take long for Horace and the servant Peggy to realize that Eleanora has indeed returned, and she's bent on revenge toward her adopted parents. Things rapidly spin out of control as the two race to protect the Von Machts and help Eleanora return to the spectral realm.
Rich in atmosphere, Seer of Shadows is a fast read that envelops you quickly. With more scrutiny, the ideas don't hold up as well, but that's all right since the book more than accomplishes its goal of scariness. More bothersome to me is the "romance" between Horace and Peggy, which definitely doesn't fit the time period (even if it does make for a nice element). I liked how the story was tied up in the end, however, and could imagine someone telling this tale late at night at a slumber party. Good writing with just the right touch of the macabre.
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