Reviews

“There are fantasy sequences capable of captivating both children and adults, and one of the newest is by Kenneth Oppel…. This truly spellbinding sequel combines breathtaking suspense with humorous character development (Shade becomes jealous of Chinook, a handsome hunk of a bat who courts Marina), thought-provoking science (humans trap the bats, tag them with explosive devices and turn them into bat-propelled missiles), and meditations on mythology and religion (the vampire bats have their home under an Aztec pyramid).”

– Michael Thorn, Literary Review (UK)

“While the natural behaviour of bats is realistic, Oppel goes much further to develop a history, folklore, philosophy, and quest for the characters in the story, complete with heroes, villains, and a satisfying conclusion that leaves the world a better place for all concerned.” 

– School Library Journal

“As in Brian Jacques’ popular Redwall series, the intertwining story lines, evil villain, and intense action will keep young readers enthralled, but Shade is a more complex character than most Redwallian heroes. The other bats characters are also well drawn, particularly Shade’s female sidekick, Marina, and even the sinister jungle bat – horrible as he is – has a strong reason for his villainy. Shade’s dangerous adventures make a memorable impact.” 

– The Horn Book Magazine

“Oppel’s thrilling saga of a young bat’s journey to find his long-lost father was the first or second pick of most of our panelists. “Great story. More depth than Harry Potter,” says Judy Sarick, co-owner of the Children’s Book Store in Toronto. “A natural for the on-screen generation,” wrote Sarah Ellis in Q&Q. “The pace is hectic, the villains are dastardly, and the narrative style is that of a series of extremely visual scenes. Oppel has floated free of the conventions of the realistic animal story and invented something new.”

– Quill&Quire’s Best Kids Books of ’99, #1 Fiction Pick

"Action packed and suspenseful, this continuing adventure can be read on its own, but will appeal most to those fantasy fans who enjoyed the detailed bat world of Silverwing.” 

– Booklist

"This breathless, special-effects laden adventure will hold its readers, and not just because of its exciting variety. Shade has problems all kids deal with – insecurity, jealousy, desire – here expressed with schoolboy verve.”

– The Toronto Star

“Perhaps Oppel’s secret is that he doesn’t write down to children, but shares with them the matters that have troubled him since he was their age… Shade is one of the most plausible non-human narrators ever imagined.”

– Val Ross, The Globe & Mail

“Filled with high adventure… criss-crossing plotlines keep the story hopping while excellent characterizations make the anthropomorphizing believable.” 

– Kirkus Review

“Oppel’s skill as a writer is such that, short of developing furry wings and bat sonar, the reader begins to see and experience the world as a bat would, and arrives at a point when she or he cares deeply whether Shade Silverwing and his cohorts live or die… a wonderful story.” 

– Susan Perren, The Globe & Mail

“In Sunwing Oppel admirably fulfils his promise of a sequel. The pace is hectic, the villains are dastardly, and the narrative style is that of a series of extremely visual scenes. By book’s end, in a tour-de-force of clever plotting, all is resolved. This book is a natural for the on-screen generation.”

– Sarah Ellis, Quill & Quire