R.K. Mortenson's Landon Snow & the Shadows of Malus Quidam ~ Reviewed

Landon Snow and The Shadows of Malus Quidam
By R. K. Mortenson
Published by Barbour Publishing
ISBN: 1597890448

Book Description: Landon Snow is heading into the darkness, hot on the trail of his younger sister Holly who has set off on a mission of her own. Emerging in the magical realm of Wonderwood, Landon discovers that Holly has been kidnapped by shadowy wolf-like creatures. With the help of his old friends-a horse named Melech, elfish Odds, and the poet/prophet Vates-Landon learns what he needs to do to set his sister free. But he'll need lots of courage. Will Landon be able to rescue Holly from the shadows of darkness and free the Odds from Malus Quidam's evil power?

In book two of the Landon Snow series, Landon has tells his sister Holly about his adventures in Wonderwood. His sense of relief at finally sharing his secret is short-lived when she refuses to believe him. Holly insists he must prove this strange world exists and the only way to do that is to take there. Landon agrees, happy Holly will finally get to meet his other-world friends.

But on this trip, things start to go wrong from the start. The talking books have developed an attitude. Black, worm-like shadows, dubbed "bookwyrmin" (German for bookworm) by the grumpy books, slither everywhere-Grandpa Karl's study, the secret tunnel and the Button Up Library (BUL).

Then somewhere in the library, Holly vanishes. Lured below the BUL, she is now a prisoner of Ludo, leader of the Odds and the keeper of the Great Coin. Landon follows her and is almost captured himself. He is rescued by his friends Melech and Hardy, but must leave Holly behind in Ludo's tree. As Landon, Melech and Hardy race to meet with Vates, he notices darkness covers Wonderwood. At his reunion with Vates, Landon learns that the night like daylight is caused by the Shadows of Malus Quidam, an evil ruler intent on conquering Wonderwood.

Landon also learns he is Wonderwood's only hope to defeat the Malus Quidam and his shadows. If Landon fails, he and Holly will be trapped in Wonderwood forever. But he won't face the fight alone. He knows the only way to defeat Malus Quidam is to remember where his true strength lies.

Randy Mortenson's fertile imagination is apparent in this second book in the Landon Snow series. Landon Snow and the Shadows of Malus Quidam, just like LS and The Auctor's Riddle is a fun read, great for all ages. I've recommended this series to several friends.

Book Review by Cheryl Russell