Review of The Plain Field / Shadow Twins

Post by **Rajnee Varma** » 12 Feb 2025, 05:20

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Plain Field / Shadow Twins" by John F Noone.]

4 out of 5 stars

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The Plain Field / The Shadow Twins by John F Noone is the second book in a fantasy trilogy set in modern times. The story revolves around an ancient magic box, a mysterious race of Djinns, and the O’Hare family. Charlie O’Hare was supposedly killed in a car accident, but his wife, Angela, and their children felt his spirit around them. He had left a message for his teenage son, Connor, which he listened to after a few years. The message was about a small mahogany box with carvings from an Algonquian Indian shaman named Sarah Sea Snake. Charlie had hidden it, but people who wanted it for evil purposes were after the box and Connor’s family. There were almost extinct magical bird-like creatures who befriended Connor and his friend Davy, and the boys’ families helped them make nests and propagate. Charlie’s youngest daughter, Dakota, exhibited supernatural powers and hence was targeted by a mad scientist, Dr. M. E. Wagner, and a secret council who wanted to control the powers of the box and use them to rule the world.

The author has created a realm of magic in the modern world on the islands near New York. It is a realm of magical powers, mythical creatures, and modern science in the hands of some ruthless scientists. The mythical characters, Djinns, have been given a new identity—bird-like mammals with long tails, big talons, and white bodies—who make their nests in the poisonous weed, Devil’s root, and like dark, cold places. Angela and her children are courageous and have accepted Charlie’s death and loved him in his spirit form, calling him Goldie. The characters in the story are impressive and realistic. The madness of Dr. Wagner intimidates her assistant, Dr. B. Thomas Knowles, a Nobel Prize-winning biotech engineer who devoted his time to his research work to revive the dead even after years of death and control them. Major Jackson is a positive character and an old friend of Charlie. The teenagers, Connor and Davy, play an important role in the story and are well-developed characters.

The tribal rituals, the story of Shaman Sarah, the history of the Algonquian tribes and the European settlers, and Dr. Wagner’s experiments are remarkably well-narrated. The author’s writing style is simple, and the story flows smoothly. The wooden magical box and the power of its contents make an amazing theme. The illustrations in the book help the reader understand the narration better. There is nothing negative or dislikeable about the story or narration, but the editing is noticeably poor. I found too many typos, and this fact does not allow a perfect rating. My overall rating of the book is 4 out of 5 stars.

The book is quite entertaining and keeps the readers captivated by its unusual theme. Although reading the first book in the series, The Plain Field, would be helpful, the storyline becomes clear after a few pages through the flashbacks. I would recommend it to fans of magical stories with a blend of science and technology. As is obvious, the story does not conclude in this book, so it is recommended to readers who are willing to invest time and money in the whole set of the trilogy, the last book being Eyes and Ash.

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The Plain Field / Shadow Twins
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shubham sah 1 · Post by **shubham sah 1** » 15 Feb 2025, 03:53

The plot is enchanting and engaging in a way that keeps the reader on edge throughout the book. The characters are believable. Besides the numerous typos that would throw off a reader's concentration, the book is a delight. For these reasons, I would give it a four out of five rating.

Recommendation: Personally, I prefer stories entwined with magic and science, so I really enjoyed this one. This is the second book in the trilogy; therefore, The Plain Field, the first book should preferably be read before diving into the other two. The sequel is Eyes and Ash, and the story picks up there.

Louis Donald · Post by **Louis Donald** » 17 Feb 2025, 06:14

The mix of ancient magic, mythical creatures, and modern science sounds intriguing, especially with characters like Connor and Davy driving the story. The unique take on Djinns and the mysterious box adds an exciting layer. It’s too bad about the editing issues, but the plot seems captivating enough to keep readers hooked.

Kelvin Omollo · Post by **Kelvin Omollo** » 17 Feb 2025, 07:20

Your review offers a clear and interesting synopsis of the book's special fusion of magic, mythology, and science. The mention of well-developed characters and captivating storytelling makes it sound like an exciting read. Nice one.

Post by **Shaniz Tobiaz** » 19 Feb 2025, 07:28

Have never been a fun of such novel ,but i will give this one a try

Pearl Flourish · Post by **Pearl Flourish** » 20 Feb 2025, 08:50

The mix of magic, mythology, and modern science sounds intriguing, especially with the Djinns taking on such a unique form. It seems like a gripping fantasy with deep lore, though the editing issues might be a bit distracting.

George Bastem · Post by **George Bastem** » 25 Feb 2025, 09:46

A fascinating mix of magic, mythology, and modern science, with a compelling family story at its core. The unique take on Djinns and the mysterious magic box adds depth, though the editing issues are a bit distracting.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 07 Mar 2025, 15:58

The first novel of this series already offered a curious mix of elements with a mobster and some supernatural stuff following the O'Hare family. This sequel seems to continue blending magic, science, and technology. I'll look into this series but I hope the author does proper proofreading to make it excellent. Thank you for your great review!

Marvelous C 1 · Post by **Marvelous C 1** » 19 Mar 2025, 22:32

Just the start of the novel really interest me which made me continue reading the writers really did amazing job . Bravo

Asma Butt · Post by **Asma Butt** » 20 Mar 2025, 08:52

It sounds like The Plain Field / The Shadow Twins by John F. Noone is a compelling blend of magic, mythology, and modern science, with an intriguing mix of characters and plot. The idea of integrating Djinns as bird-like mammals, as well as the mysterious box with its magical powers, really sparks curiosity. The way the author ties in real-world history, such as the Algonquian tribes and the European settlers, adds an interesting layer of depth to the fantasy world.
The idea of magical realism mixed with science and technology, especially with the role of Dr. Wagner's experiments, is a fascinating concept. If someone is into stories that weave together ancient magic and modern advancements, it sounds like this trilogy would be right up their alley. Have you read the first book in the series, The Plain Field? Or are you planning to dive into the third book, Eyes and Ash, after finishing this one?