Illustrated by Rory Walker
Published by Everything with Words
The Narzat and the Shifting Shadow is the next hilarious, heart-warming adventure for the Narzat and his friends – and what a rip-roaring, arr- mazing tale it is!
An ancient pirate ship, The Shifting Shadow, sails over the treetops of the Jumble Jungle Wood, intent on capturing more creatures to add to their monstrous menagerie before unleashing a terrifying takeover …
Meanwhile, the Narzat and his friends have just finished a day at the Jungle School where the Narzat’s favourite subject is monster studies led by the wise Giant Taught-Us. After school, they visit their favourite place, the Jumble Jungle Wood Cafe which is run by a grumpy gorilla, Pertinax, who loves cooking but not customers! As a storm blows up outside, the candles are blown out and the Cafe is plunged into darkness. Heavy footsteps approach … and the Gloom Badger, second-in-command to the legendary Captain Carver, reveals himself.
He has come for the Chatty Chirper, the only creature who can read the map that reveals the location of a great treasure, the eggs of the Gorgonaconda, a two-headed snake whose eyes can turn those who look into them into stone. And why should the Chatty Chirper agree to become the Captain’s navigator? Because the Captain has someone he thought he’d never see again …
The legend of Captain Carver has travelled far, a fearsome, terrifying pirate but, despite this reputation, the Narzat and Looky Lizard are determined to help their friend. But the Chatty Chirper does not want to lead his friends into danger although they may just have other ideas … Can these firm friends come together to defeat a vile, vicious villain? Can they survive aboard the Shifting Shadow and amongst its nefarious crew?
What a joyous delight! An action-packed, laugh-out-loud adventure that kept me utterly entranced! I absolutely loved the blend of humour and heart, the playfulness of the language, and the imaginative brilliance of the jungle creatures such as the retractable giraffe, the gossip gibbons and the dandy-lion … and so many more! What a fantastic opportunity for children to create their own jungle creatures and monsters! Oh, and did I mention the twists and revelations – just brilliant!
I absolutely loved being back with the irrepressible Narzat and his two best friends. They have so much to teach others about friendship, kindness, encouragement and working as a team. They show real courage, but will their bravery be enough to defeat a monstrous miscreant who rules by instilling fear in others?
The full-and-partial page illustrations are brilliant – energetic and expressive – and complement the humour and heart in the story perfectly.
Venture into the Jumble Jungle Wood for an adventure brimming with humour and heart, with daring and danger, a magical place where pirates prowl and friendships flourish.
Thank you to Mikka at Everything with Words for sending me a copy of The Narzat and the Shifting Shadows. It was my decision to review this title and my review is my honest opinion.
Book Craic 