The final novel in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series finds Torak leaving the relative safety of the forest to seek the lair of the Eagle Owl Mage in the Mountain of Ghosts. He must destroy the Mage to save his world from the terrible fate that awaits it if the Soul Eaters triumph. This powerful tale of survival and loss is a fitting end to an entertaining series.
Roz
Cleverly plotted tale of survival and menace focusing upon Sig trapped in a cabin with his fathers corpse surrounded by a bleak snowy landscape. Threatened by a sinister stranger Sig fixates upon using a hidden revolver. Superb narrative and character development not a single word wasted with an electrifying ending.
Sue
Just Jealous did not disappoint at all – it is quite a dark book, but it captures the rollercoaster of first love, rivals and the painful experience of jealousy which can be all encompassing when feelings are raw. Elly is the main character and she is mad about Carl but has been afraid to let him know her true feelings. When a new girl joins their sixth form with her stylish looks and American accent Carl’s attention is soon directed her way. Elly is driven to the edge by her jealousy and she creates an explosive situation with tragic consequences.
A group of students who are not normally friends, quite the opposite, are chosen to go on a team building school trip. There are tensions within the group which includes a bully, a crawler, a boffin, a loud mouthed girl and a new girl who is shy and overweight. The teacher in charge has had cause to dislike the bully, and his personal feelings are in danger of coming to the surface. The trip includes a day exploring caves where legend has it a monster lurks, but that is just kid’s stuff – isn’t it? Disaster strikes the trip and the only way the students will survive is by working together, but can they do it?
Lesley
Knife is a fairy who is a hunter in her community and she has never had contact with a human being. She does have to hunt in the human world and she collides literally with Paul, a human boy in a wheelchair and breaks her wing. Knife is mystified by the strange behaviour of this human who she sees as lazy because he never leaves his “throne” and has everything done for him by other humans. The story tells of the close relationship that develops and is both funny and sad in places.
Beth
The Poison Garden by Sarah Singleton
It is the 1850s and Thomas has just inherited a strange box from his grandmother. The box leads him into a mysterious garden where his dead grandmother warns him she was poisoned. It seems she was one of seven members of the Guild of Magical Herbalists and one by one they are being murdered. Can Thomas solve the mystery before he is threatened himself? An evocative Victorian fantasy mystery.
Roz
Harry has accidentally burned down his kitchen. While repairs are underway, he persuades his Mum to let him go on holiday with his less than reliable uncle to a remote island. They stay with Uncle Tristram’s unconventional friend, Morning Glory and events conspire to make the trip a memorable one culminating in the ‘eating things on sticks’ challenge. This is a warm, funny story, with short chapters interspersed with lots of good line drawings. Harry is a very likable character and you worry for him as he unintentionally creates havoc.
Sally
Returning to Scotland for the first time since her father vanished when she was only a day old; Hannah discovers that her family was cursed centuries before. In order to break the curse she must travel back to the time of Mary, Queen of Scots and find all four pieces of the puzzle ring. Magic, mystery, secrets and history; this story has them all.
Hannah
Gemma is sixteen and this debut novel opens with her kidnapping from Bangkok airport and her imprisonment in an isolated house in the Australian outback – alone with her kidnapper. This psychological thriller gradually builds the tension of her struggle for survival, her relationship with her captor and the massive sense of isolation she feels until an emotional climax. Strong characterisation, an intriguing plot and wonderful descriptions of the desolation of the Australian outback.
Roz
Maggie gets caught up in accusations of witchcraft in a turbulent 17th century Scottish Highland adventure. She faces many hardships and betrayals as she attempts to escape her accusers facing the possibility of imprisonment and even execution. Along the way she meets people prepared to defy the King and risk everything they hold dear in order to worship in their own way.
Sue
