Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Audiobook Review)

Audiobook Reviews from Audiobook-Heaven

Title: Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Series: Star-Catchers, book 2
Author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Publisher: Brilliance Audio Books
Narrator: Jim Dale
Duration: 11 hours, 4 minutes
Copyright: 2006
Genres: adventure, fantasy, juvenile
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Kearney Public Library.

THE GIST: It’s been three months since the end of the Star Catchers adventure, which landed Peter, James, Thomas, Prentiss, and Tubby Ted, along with the notorious captain, Black Mustache, and his band of pirates, on the island of Mollusk. In those three months, things have settled down into a leisurely routine; namely, Peter crosses to the pirates' side of the island once a day to torment Black Stache, whom Peter has dubbed Captain Hook after the giant crocodile ate the pirates hand. Yes, things were settling down nicely, until, that is, strangers came to the island.

One of the strangers is Lord Umbra, a menacing, black-cloaked figure who never comes out in the daylight. Umbra is a shadow thief, all he has to do is touch someone’s shadow, and they become his willing servant. The other stranger is not really a stranger at all but that old scoundrel Slank, who was first mate aboard the Neverland. Slank was always a bit of a rascal, but now we know he is one of the Others, sworn enemies of the Star Catchers. Umbra and Slank have, of course, come to the island in search of the trunk full of star stuff. It doesn’t take them long, however, to learn that the trunk was taken back to London with Leonard Aster, Star Catcher and father of Peter’s friend, Molly.

Within hours of their landing, Slank and Lord Umbra are off again, chasing after their prize. Peter knows that he must warn Molly and her father of the impending danger, so he stows away aboard their ship in hopes that he will be able to reach the Star Catchers first.

Once they reach London, however, it seems like it’s one stroke of bad luck after another. A pet bird dealer captures Tinkerbell, and Peter gets arrested for trying to take her back. Meanwhile, Lord Umbra is using his special ability to gradually take control of the guards and servants of the Astor mansion. Will Peter and Molly be able to safeguard the star stuff long enough for it to be returned to where it came from?

MY THOUGHTS: Okay, I admit it, I was looking for the next Harry Potter when I began reading Dave Barry’s “Star Catchers” series. That was my mistake, because nothing can measure up to the fascinating world that Rowling created. Looking at it with all the objectivity I can muster, this audio book was fun to read. I especially enjoyed the character of Tinkerbell in “Peter and the Shadow Thieves.” Tink seems to have a bit of a crush on Peter and is extremely jealous. This creates some funny scenes with Teacher, one of the mermaids who is always flirting with Peter, and especially with Molly, who Peter fancies.

NARRATOR: Well, hopefully by now you know who Jim Dale is, and what a brilliant audio book narrator he is. Jim Dale is the whole reason I read Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if someone else had narrated it. His voices are, as usual, funny and very fitting to the characters.

FINAL WORD: The Star Catchers series does not transcend the “juvenile” genre the way Harry Potter did, but in all fairness they are still good audio books. “Peter and the Shadow Thieves" is recommended for the young-at-heart.

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
Peter And The Star-Catchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Audiobook Review)
Peter And The Shadow-Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Audiobook Review)
Peter And The Secret Of Rundoon by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Audiobook Review)
Peter And The Sword Of Mercy by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Audiobook Review)

If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "Peter and the Shadow Thieves" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson (Unabridged Audiobook) from Amazon.com.

This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from Audiobook-Heaven.