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Smallville: Shadows
Diana G. Gallagher Book Review

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Plot Summary of Smallville: Shadows
"

Aspect, Sep 2003, 5.99, 261 pp.
ISBN: 0446613606

In Smallville, LexCorps owns the former Minuteman II Silo and the accompanying land, converting it into a fertilizer plant. As Clark Kent races home past the plant, he notices farmer Howard Stoner, who suddenly chokes to death. Clark's father Jonathan believes strongly that the Luthors, Lex and his father Lionel, are polluting the environment and killed Howard. He plans to sue though it may cost the family farm. Clark disagrees as he thinks highly of Lex.

Clark investigates while his innocence and naïve manner hooks another female into liking him. This time shy Sharon Farley, recently moved to the area with her scientist turned novelist father, finds Clark cute. The evidence proves more and more that his father is right in his assertion, but Clark continues to dig even as other local residents die or are harmed. Soon he and Lana end up in a precarious situation in which only Superboy can save them from the experiment going on inside the silo.

Fans of the TV series or the comic book will enjoy this delightful slice of life in Kansas as seen through the teen years of the Man of Steel. Clark struggles with girls even as he as Superboy must save the day. The support cast, especially the Kents and Lana, add to the feel that Smallville is a real town on the Great Plains. Through brief flashbacks of Clark thinking back to an event or person, newcomers to see some of Clark's history though this technique slows down a story line faster than a speeding bullet. This novel adds to the mythos of a great hero.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Smallville: Shadows
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Romance Yes
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - unraveling a conspiracy
Mental/magical powers focus Yes
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - coping with mental/magical powers
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Human/magical couple? Yes

Main Character
Identity: - Male Alien
Profession/status: - student
Age: - a teen
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Earth setting: - current (early 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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