Module 9: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Book Summary:

Teenager Nora Kane chooses to apply to a prestigious private school to escape returning to her high school. After the death of her brother and her parents’ choice to keep to themselves, Nora wants to be where no one knows her or her brother. Everything seems to be working perfectly when she is accepted and receives a scholarship to Chapman Prep because of her unique ability to speak and write Latin. Then she discovers there is one person, Chris, who does know her and her brother. Chris keeps Nora’s secret and they become best friends. Nora, Chris, and Max, Chris’s roommate and now Nora’s boyfriend, all begin working for a professor where they all work translating Latin. The boys are assigned to decoding an ancient book and Nora is stuck with translating some letters. She is led to believe that her job is the least important but she soon discovers a love for the story that is unfolding. Then clues start to reveal themselves and the mystery proves to bring danger to everyone involved. Through unexpected murder, Nora finds herself following the clues all the way to Prague. This is where she discovers answers to more than just the mystery in the letters. Truths about her own life will be revealed.

APA Reference of Book:

Wasserman, R. (2012). The Book of Blood and Shadow. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impressions:

This was a very enjoyable mystery novel. Robin Wasserman did an excellent job weaving mystery with an old world, somewhat historical feel. I listened to the audiobook as I read this book which added so much to my interest and understanding. There is a great deal of Latin and some Czech in the book and the audio adds to the feel of the story. The story had many layers and many twists. Beyond the mystery, there are elements of history, romance, and adventure as well. This was not only entertaining to read but felt educational. The setting of Prague and its description made me feel like I was there and definitely like I’d like to visit one day. The historical monuments sounded very intriguing that I wanted to research more about them. The adventure and mystery had me completely enthralled. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that requires you to pay attention and think in order to solve the multifaceted puzzle.

Professional Review:

Nora Kane has to endure the impossible when her brother dies. Her parents retreat into separate worlds of despair, leaving Nora to stumble along alone. High school is torture with everyone staring and talking, even glaring and accusing, since her brother also took his popular girlfriend with him to the grave in the accident. To escape the achingly familiar, Nora applies for a scholarship to the exclusive private school across town. Thanks to her Latin professor father, who drilled Latin lessons on her for years, Nora impresses the private school board and achieves a scholarship. At last, she gets a slight break from the oppressive grief. No one knows her or her brother at the private school; she finally can be invisible.

However, she runs into Chris, an old classmate who transferred to the school earlier. He remembers Nora and her now-dead brother, but to his credit, he keeps her secret, and they become the best of friends. She even gains a boyfriend through Chris’ roommate, Max. Later, all three join a special, extra credit project assisting a professor trying to decode an ancient book written in Latin. Nora gets stuck translating letters found written by the author’s daughter, Elizabeth, a relatively menial task compared to translating the book itself. But Nora finds herself bonding with this girl from the 17th century, and then she stumbles upon some clues left hidden in her letters. It turns out the letters are the key to the entire mystery --- and people are willing to kill for it.

Shockingly enough, Chris is murdered and Max disappears. Adriane witnesses the death of her boyfriend, but is drugged and doesn’t remember anything. Max is the main suspect, and his disappearance doesn’t help him any. Nora doesn’t even know if he’s alive or dead. Then she receives a coded message from Max begging her to join him in Prague; he tells her he has some answers and needs her to help him clear his name. Nora and Adriane travel to Europe for the traditional senior class trip and then slip away into Prague. They land themselves in the middle of a 400-year-old mystery --- which includes instructions on building a machine to talk to God.

In the author’s acknowledgments, Robin Wasserman states, “Unlike Elizabeth, I am not a poet or anything close…” I must disagree. Maybe Wasserman isn’t a poet, per se, but she is definitely a genius of words and a master storyteller. She mixes in her intriguing mystery with some European and religious history, questions man’s inhumanity to other men, and delves into themes of forgiveness and faith. In addition, she includes secret codes and hidden messages, weaves in a bit of sizzling romance, and tosses in some mind-blowing twists and turns, making this an amazing recipe for one awesome book.

Nora is a very likable character but has a cast of deep and complicated co-stars, and Wasserman does an excellent job with the interrelationships. The Latin translations give it an ancient and foreign taste, as does the location of Prague. It is also worth noting that some chapters contain only a handful of sentences, which helps give the story its power and punch.

THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW is a wild ride, sort of comparable to a teenage mix of Indiana Jones and THE DA VINCI CODE, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it win multiple awards.

Shanley-Dillman, C. (2012). [Review of The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman]. Teen Reads. Retrieved from http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/the-book-of-blood-and-shadow.

Library Uses:

The Book of Blood and Shadow can be used in a book club and would foster a rich discussion. The genre of mystery can be examined as well as the elements of other genres present. It would be interesting to read parts of the book and meet frequently to see other’s thoughts about what they believe is really going on. Students can discuss what they think at various points throughout the story.