‘Shadowmancer’ seen as alternative to Potter series

BALTIMORE —  For parents who love seeing their children read but, for religious reasons, worry about “Harry Potter’s” positive depictions of witchcraft, this week’s arrival of G.P. Taylor’s “Shadowmancer” would seem a godsend.

The book, already a hit overseas (it spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on British book charts), offers parents an alternative to author J.K. Rowling’s juggernaut Potter series while promising young readers a similar tale of adventure, but with biblical references versus flying brooms.

And in the writings of Taylor, a vicar in the parish of Whitby, England, good always outweighs evil.

“Shadowmancer” is set in 18th century London, where an evil vicar, Obadiah Demurral, uses sorcery to set a course toward world domination. All that stands between him and his victory are teenagers Thomas, Raphah and Kate.

Taylor took nine months to write “Shadowmancer,” his first book. He sold his beloved motorcycle to cover costs of self-publishing, never expecting a hit.

Since then, Taylor has signed with Putnam Publishing, was offered a $4-million-plus movie deal and has been writing the sequel, “Wormwood,” due out in June.

Still, on these shores, many bookstores have yet to discover “Shadowmancer.”

“I haven’t heard of it,” says Janet Loizeaux, purchasing and receiving clerk at Trustworthy Bookstore in Baltimore. .

Others have been anticipating its arrival.

JoAnn Fruchtman, owner of Children’s Book Store in Baltimore, runs a fantasy book group and says she plans to discuss “Shadowmancer” with the children. “We actually gave the kids in the fantasy club a folder about it ahead of time,” she says.

As for comparing “Shadowmancer” to “Harry Potter,” Fruchtman demurs.

“It’s a different author, different fantasy, a different book,” she says.

Pat Kohr, owner of His Way Christian Bookstore in Ellicott City, Md., says that’s just what she’s hoping for.

“[‘Harry Potter’s’] not a book that I would want my children to read,” she says. “I think Christians have come along with this to give kids an option.”