Shade's Children

"Shade's Children" is an awsome book. It is actually one of my favorites. Garth Nix put so much detail and emotion into it, that it was practically realistic.
A fiction book about children living without their parents. Raised by Shade, a hologram. They are living in a dreadful nightmare. Children are being captured and sent to the Meat Factory to be turned into vicious creatures. This is a very scary book, but it's also very fascinating and creative.
Not everyone will be able to handle the tragedy though, so if you are looking for comedy, you won't find it here.

a post-apocalyptic for teens that adults will also enjoy where there are no adults and children are harvested for organs/body parts on their "sad birthdays" and the only adult left is the memory of one left in a computer. i have read the book 4 times now and the ending always makes me cry.

This is a pretty good example of children's/young adult fiction. There is some subject matter that parents might wish to discuss with younger readers (e.g., slaughter of humans as if they were livestock, the breeding custom called "the lottery"). I just happened to read this book at the same time as Orson Scott Card's *Ender's Game* and uncovered a great number of parallels between the two plots and underlying messages. Personally, I preferred *Ender's Game,* but I feel *Shade's Children* is more appropriate for young science fiction fans, as it is much less violent.
I recommend this book for 10-to-15-year-olds, especially if they love science fiction, but also if they just love an entertaining read.

This is definitly one of the best books I have ever read. It is so original and imaginitive...yet so real. It really made me think about the qualities I have as a human being. In the story, on the Sad Birthday ( the 14th birthday), the children are taken to the Meat Factory to have their brains and muscle removed for the Overlords creatures. These creatures are then devided into 7 armies, where they fight each other for the Overlords' sick passtime. Give yourself a whole day to read this (and start in the morning!), because it is so annoyingly suspenseful to HAVE to go to sleep before you can read the next chapter. I give this book 5 stars for, as I said, the orginial and imaginitive content, and because I literally could not put it down! THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK!!!

'Shades Children' is my absolute favorite book of all time. I've read all the other reviews and I disagree with many of them. 'Shade's Children' was not reminiscent of 'Matrix'. It was not terribly frightening, and it was WAY BETTER than 'Sabriel'. The novel was captivating and it fantastically explored the plight of Ella, Ninde, Gold Eye, and Drum both mentally, emotionally, and physically. It was exciting and capable of holding the reader's attention throught the entire story.It explored the needs wants and downfalls of humanity. Even lined with some dry humor 'Shade's Children' is a book that you will not forget.
=Alexis=

Garth Nix has amazed me once again with Shade's Children. Shade's Children is about a time on Earth when Overlords and their roborts rule and a child's fourteenth birthday is their last. Four children who have escaped the Overlords,Gold Eye,Ninde,Ella,and Drum, bond together under their protector,Shade,to release all children from this horrible future. It is a fantastic book full of suprises and twists. It is suspenseful and detailed. If you like books such as The Giver by Lois Lowry or Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, you will love this book. I greatly enjoyed this book and encourage you to read it.

This is one of those books that you never hear about. I walked into the store and found this book by Garth Nix. Garth Nix is an excellent writer for young adults, so I decided to try it out.
As I began to read it, the ever familiar writing style continued to flow, and before I knew it, the book had come to its end.
It was an excellent book and I recomment it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi or Nix's style. I can only hope to see more of Gold-Eye and Ninde, and of how they went about rebuilding their future.
If you enjoyed Sabriel, try this one!

This book has proved itself to be a lot better than I had expected to be, judging by the cover. In the world in this book, Overlords have taken over and are killing anyone who is over 14 years old. The book is about 4 characters, all over 14 years of age, trying to defeat the Overlords and their creatures. Shade is a computer with a personality of a human. These 4 characters, Shade's Children, have to listen to Shade in order to defeat the enemies. The book has numerous stories about encounters the 4 have with different types of creatures. The book keeps you interested all the way through, and has an ending that is very intriguing.

Did you like the imaginative dystopian setting of the Hunger Games? Want something with a similar tone but with more plot and less love triangle? Let me tell you something about Garth Nix: he writes prose that is readable while still being smart, his characters act in believable ways, and he will always bring something fresh to the game. Also he will spin uncannily apt and creative metaphors that make the text really pop.

Shade's Children is a beautifully crafted science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where the oldest living human is little over twenty. The author, Garth Nix, does a very good job of having his characters interact with this world he has created. One thing that I really love about Nix's writing is that he treats his characters as human beings; he puts his characters through all sorts of mental and physical trials that really highlight the different personalities.

The story of Shade's Children is refreshingly original. I found myself completely submerged into the world Nix created. I especially liked the relationship between the characters Gold-Eye and Nindie. The way he treated two young, confused teenagers was very believable. Nix is not afraid to address the things that many teens go through, mainly sexual urges. Nix handles situations like this in a very poignant manner, which fits the mood of the book very well.

I would recommend this book to older teens as well as any fan of science fiction. This engaging book certainly cannot be missed.

Great book, I really didn't enjoy the reader however. Should have just done this one paperback. Doesn't do different voices for different characters and has the same tone at the end of every sentence, it got quite annoying after a while. NOT EVERY SENTENCE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE SAME TONE. ugh.

Having just finishd Shade's Children about 3 minutes ago, I simply HAD to write a review for it. Garth Nix has done it again! He's created a completely believable, wonderfully described world along with well developed characters with great personalities and real emotions. You are really pulled into the story, and I found myself cheering on the characters throughout the entire book. This book has powerful emotion that will leave you crying, laughing, and thoughtfull.

There is some mature content however, so I wouldn't reccomend it for kids 12 or younger!

Garth Nix has brought the Science fiction genre to a new high. This book is so great I couldn't put it down. The way he makes you think about how the future could actually be, is scary. If the real world were actually like that if you had to die on your 14 birthday just to be made into some game pieces for a higher power, this world would be terrible. I especially like the computer entries at the end of each chapter, they told what the character's are like and what they think about all of this. At the end of the book I was literally in tears, I didn't want it to end. I would give this book a six but that's not on the rating scale.

I could go on and on about this wonderful book....it is scary and great all at once. Yes, when I saw the Matrix, I kept thinking, this is like Shade's Children! But I do believe that the book was written first. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it. I also recommend Sabriel, it is even better! I would really recommend that you read Shade's children, it will give you a frightning look at the human mind and what we will do to survive. It is, all in all, a chilling but beautiful book.

Shade's children is an interesting delve into what happens when children grow up too quickly. Massacred en masse at the age of seventeen (unless used for breeding) children are fighting to reach their adult years. Noone knows where the adults went, but in their place "overlords" have come to assail the planet.

But there are some who escape, some who can save the rest. These are "Shade's Children". They fight to keep eachother, and themselves, alive while attempting to save others from the "meat factory".

These novel is filled with twists and turns, and you is a must-read for anyone who can read science fiction. I am fifteen and loved it, so maybr you will too.

Shade's Children is a simply amazing book. It has everything in it! This includes all the action you need, suspense, and even romance. I can't really say much else because words cannot describe it. This is one of the books that I just re-read and re-read over and over again. And for you teens...I'm 15 and I listen to metalcore and even I enjoyed this book...just go get it.

This book kept me positively glued until the very last page, at which time tears trickled down my face. Shade's Children has distinctive elements of an un-cliched science fiction with suble undertones of fantasy in the "talents" that the heros and heroines posess. The concept of a world so horrific will make you sit and stare off into space, merely lost in thought for several minutes, pondering the future. You'll laugh, cry, and be incapable of motion when reading Shade's Children.

I have to say that this is one of the best books that I have ever read. Honestly, I read this book once, about six or seven years ago and yet it has remained one of my favorites! I remember the story like it was yesterday and have always recommended it to others. I read it when it was listed as a young reader's choice award nominee in junior high school, which seems to convey that the book is meant for young adults, however, I think that anyone who is a fan of science fiction or fiction in general will like this book!

When I first picked up Shade's children at my school library, I figured it would just be another one of the books I devour but I couldn't put it down which isn't rare for me but what is strange is that even after I finished it I had to read it again and again...and then sadly it disappeared from the school library and I didn't see it anywhere for nearly 7 months. But now I have it again! This is a truly touching story, one of the first books that actually made me cry. This book is as close to perfect as a book can get. It has every thing...adventure, computers, danger, creativity, and even a love story.

I first read this book in middle school and have since reread it every year (I am a recent college graduate). It is well written and extremely memorable. The pieces between chapters such as interviews, statistics and charts round out the story in a unique way and help bring the characters and the situations to life. You will not be able to put this down and the ending is as addictive as the later Harry Potter novels. There are parts that could be scary to younger readers.

Shades Children was an awesome book, full of action. Every page has a new adventure awaiting, and a new surprise. I love this book because its given a look into what the future could be like, most likely not, but its cool to hear someone elses point of view of the future. I definetly recomend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and stuff. And also if anyone has read either Lirael or Sabriel, youll wanna read Shade's Children too. Its better then any of the books that Garth Nix has ever written.

This is one of my favorite books. The story of the merciless overlords and what our world could become. I grew close to the charaters because of Nix's wonderful devlopment of them. Nix is an terrific writer and his stories are wondrous. I recommend this to everyone that loves sci-fi and fantasy. Even if you don't, give "Shade's Childern" a chance.

This is the fourth Garth Nix's books i have read, and quite frankly i think it is the best. Only Garth Nix could write anything with this much thought and this many twists. Although i cried at the ending, (hey im a chick what do you expect?) i still highly reccomend reading this, not just for science fiction fans, but for any avid reader. Warning: Make sure when you start this book you have no disturbances and enough time to finish the whole book in one sitting.

My 11 year old son recently read this book. I picked it up one day and was immediately grabbed by the story - but appalled at the amount of sex sprinkled throughout (sex lotteries for teens, instructional videos, jokes about being "on top") and profanity (including numerous appearances of the "F" bomb). My son borrowed the book from his classroom library and I'll be having a conversation very soon with the teacher. This is not appropriate reading material for 10 & 11 year old kids in a 4th/5th grade classroom.

That said - I thought the story itself was terrific and I could hardly put it down. Highly recommended for mature middle school and above.

Shade`s Children is an awesome tale of a terrifying future or elsworld.
It is a perfect blend of fantasy,power and friendship.If you`ve ever read marvel comics x-men it favors their mythology with a darker aweinspiring tone. It is sometimes frightening because the characters go through a lot where it seems as though they would give up or be killed or captured by the evil forces at work.
I highy suggest this book it is just something that cant be missed. trust me.

I love this book. I read it three times and I don't like reading books over. The plot is very unique. The book is fast-paced. The characters are well done. Each having original personalities.Gold-Eye, the main character, guides the story with his misfortunes and innocence. I could read this book a hundred times and still be mistified by it. I highly recommend this book,even if you do not enjoy science fiction. Garth Nix is one of my favorite author's and this is one of the reasons why.

shades Children is one of the best science fiction books i have ever read. From the very first page you are locked into the world that Nix has created. The only reason this book is missing a star is because there were F-Words in it, which I thought took highly away from the pleasure of the book. I am in eight grade, and if swearing bugs you as much as it bugs me, i would reccomend reading this book with caution,however, the plot was fantastic.

Garth Nix is an amazing writer. Shade's Children is hard to discribe without giving so much away. The kind of science fiction that Garth writes makes all of the strange things seem believable. I would suggest to anyone who likes science fiction to read this book. Also if you like this book I would suggest his other books. They all have the same style but not even close to the same story lines. I love his books!

Hey, I had to read this book for school. After getting into it I discovered that it wasnet that bad. Although it has some VERY adult context and some seens that get a little to graphic for young minds, it is a great book. I sugest that if you like the gory, mixed up,weird,gross,and utterly insane stuff, this book is for you. But I warn you now.....If you dont like graphic books, dont read this one!!
bye bye

terrifying.
Shade's Children, while 'good' in that it is well written and exciting, gives me the same feeling reading Orwell's 1984 did. It's definitely a page-turner sort, but you will get the chills as you read. It's not a scary or horror book in the usual sense, but in terms of sheer quality of evil the bad guys make Darth Vader look like a teddy bear.
If this is the sort of book you like, you will love Shade's Children. Otherwise, you may want to pass on it.

I loved this book! It has been a favorite of mine for years, I recently bought a new copy from having read my old copy so many times. I would recommend this book for ages 11 and up, even as an adult this book fascinates me!

I have read both Sabriel and Lirael by Garth Nix and thoroughly loved them. This book is very different than the other books Nix has written. The change of style is refreshing as well as interesting. The characters are well-developed and there is an interesting blurb at the beginning of each chapter-it didn't make sense at first but you get into it! A great read!

The first of three books by Garth Nix that I have had the pleasure of reading, this one is definately at the top of the list. Deeply compelling with a beautifully written ending and complex characters, this novel is one that can be read several times and still remain both intriguing and surprising. I highly reccomend it!

Excuse me but just for everyone's information Shade's Children could not be a rip off of the Uglie Trilogy. Shade's Children was written in 1998, around eight years BEFORE the Uglie Trilogy. And Shade's Children is a wonderful book and a good buy for everyone 12 yrs and older.

Shade's children is one very good book gold-eye is so hepless at first until ella, ninde, and drum come along and spice things up. When u first start off reading this book it is a little slow but after a while u cant wait to read the next chapter. I would recomend this to anyone who like science fiction or just wants to read a good book.

I remember picking this book up in my middle school's library years ago. I am not what you would call an avid reader, but I sat down and read this book over the span of one week, not doing much else. It's fantastically written, and one of the only books I brought with me to my new college dorm. Rereading it now, I remember it being just as good as it was back then.

in the bood Shade's childrewn, a boy by the name of gold-eye has just turned 14 years old and is being chased by overlrds who want to kill him and use his body parts for his creatures. the overlords do not allow for any boy to live past their 14th b-day. gold-eye is saved by three kids by the name of ella, drum and ninde. together they try to defeat the overlords and save man-kind. the four of them are trained and sheltered by a man named shade. at the end of the book the kids are faced with a tuff decision that could result in death. definitely a must read for all science-fiction lovers.

I read this book in the 8th grade after having heard about it the year before from my 7th grade English teacher. I picked it up and I couldn't put it down for the next week. If you like science-fiction then you'll love this book. This book is thoroughly enjoyable and got me back into reading.

I loved this book! GArth Nix is a great author! I wish he would write more books like this! He creates a cool adventure! this was the best book ever. I enjoyed it. I recommend you read lireal, and sabriel too though

This book is full of surprises, suspence, good characters, and lots of thrills. If you like a page turner you will want this book to never end. I think it is Garth Nix's best work although sabriel was excellent, and if you like sabriel you should love this.

I think shade's children is a good sci-fi futuristic book. The author weaves real human thoughts and emotions that people actually think into the story, along with interviews of the characters to give a little background information.

Having read Sabriel,Lirel and Abhorsen I was looking for other books by Garth Nix. This book was very different - much more Sci Fi than fantasy.I would recommend it but don't expect the it to be like the above 3 books.

I barely ever read anything but when I had to read this book for a school project, I couldn't put it down. Every time you think you will stop reading, you can't. I highly recommend this book for any Science Fiction fans.

I read this book going on other people saying it was a must-read for science fiction fans. However, other than some big words and all the electronics and machinery, I don't see how this qualifies. I was consistently bored with the story, and I did not have any feel for the characters. I also found it sadly predictable and very cliched. Nix also overuses sex in the book; it's fairly obvious from the beginning that this book is not intended for serious readers.

I'll start off by saying I am (or was) a big fan of Garth Nix. It's a simple fact that he's a great storyteller. He's creative, inventive, and does a phenomenal job at developing not only his characters, but the worlds they traverse. I'm saying this, only having read Shade's Children and the Keys to the Kingdom series. I loved the Keys to the Kingdom. It really doesn't get much better than that.

I picked up this book after reading the Keys to the Kingdom, hoping that Nix was a good a writer before he wrote Keys to the Kingdom as he is now. I was presently surprised. A brilliant story greeted me with fascinating characters, and a wonderfully twisted plot. His writing was great, and I immediately loved the style and the mood. Dark, broody, mysterious.

This book had huge potential, and I knew that if Garth Nix kept going like he was, this book would be at the top favorite list. But then he ruined it with something that is the least necessary for a book meant for ages twelve and up.

Halfway through Nix suddenly started throwing strong sexual themes into it. More than just themes... and in a book meant for kids twelve and up.

This sent the book to the bottom of my do not read list. Why would someone ruin a perfectly good sci-fi novel?

This is probably the shortest review I've ever written, but it can be just narrowed down further to four words:

Don't read this book.

This book has so many sex related comments, it teaches that casual sex is okay.. See page 136.. It also has women entered in a lottery, they will be chosent to go into a cubicle and have sex with someone!! Terrible. I will never allow my child to read one of Nix's books again!

I think that this book is ill suited for even adults with Garth Nix's sick mind. Im probably younger than the person who is reading this and I found at least 5 things that had to do with sex, 1 briefly describing it. DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE