A beautiful, thoughtfully-written tale of four black mixed-heritage children, GI Babies, living in a fictional post-war care home surrounded by forestA beautiful, thoughtfully-written tale of four black mixed-heritage children, GI Babies, living in a fictional post-war care home surrounded by forests and Cairns, who get entangled with Authurian Knights and evil Fae from other times and dimensions. I love the detailed fantastic and realist world and the camaraderie of Heather and her crew of Roamers....more
I really enjoyed this third real-world meet magical-world story by Ross Montgomery. A worthy standalone three-quel to The Midnight Guardians and The CI really enjoyed this third real-world meet magical-world story by Ross Montgomery. A worthy standalone three-quel to The Midnight Guardians and The Chimeseekers. The vibe is a little bit contemporary Aurthurian - like the Boy who Would be King. But with a girl heroine in Evie. A rag tag group of underwhelming magicians. A magical world parallel to ours; in the tradition of Alan Garner or Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. And a lot of trademark Montgomery unique humour and snappy writing. If you loved those other reads, and stories, then you will love this....more
This was a short read. Alan Garner's words are like poetry. You aren't quite sure what everything means, but the story has a heavy considered-ness to This was a short read. Alan Garner's words are like poetry. You aren't quite sure what everything means, but the story has a heavy considered-ness to it. Each word and phrase carefully chosen and shaped with absolute surety to make the whole. There is a real nostalgia to it as well. It has a Sunday afternoon pre-21st century feel to it, where there's just comics to read and outdoors to explore. But also a folk and fairy tale feel, where the characters that Joe meets - Treacle Walker and Thin Amren - are like Faerie Folk or Folk Lore figures, who have existed forever and are trying to teach Joe something subtle about time and himself. And in the end we are not sure whether anything is real or a dream or a parallel world or an afterlife. It was distilled brilliance....more
Portal Fantasy with a gritty sixties ‘play for today’ flavour. For me it was much more intriguing than ‘the Owl Service’ or ‘The Weirdstone of BrisingPortal Fantasy with a gritty sixties ‘play for today’ flavour. For me it was much more intriguing than ‘the Owl Service’ or ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’. It holds up well contemporarily. Some lovely writing and ideas. The ending was rather abrupt. Very short. I read it in a day....more
A gem of book that's jam-packed with heart and humour and one utterly unique set of friends.
It reminded me of Labyrinth in parts, and I recognised a fA gem of book that's jam-packed with heart and humour and one utterly unique set of friends.
It reminded me of Labyrinth in parts, and I recognised a few small nods to that film's dialogue and the humour of Terry Jones. There's some amazing detail about the blitz and some truly strange and heartbreaking side moments in the last act. Plus the bittersweet tone of the ending seemed really appropriate for these strange times. One to look out for when it comes out in Sept 2020....more
Of all the Rivers of London books, I think this story was one of my favourites so far, because of the kidnapping plot and the way it takes the story iOf all the Rivers of London books, I think this story was one of my favourites so far, because of the kidnapping plot and the way it takes the story in a markedly different direction. I listened to the audiobook read by Kobna Holbrook Smith, which is excellent....more
A highly entertaining portal-fantasy middle grade adventure story.
It is an enjoyable and light-hearted read, with fab characterisation. The pacing andA highly entertaining portal-fantasy middle grade adventure story.
It is an enjoyable and light-hearted read, with fab characterisation. The pacing and voice is great and at 500+ widely spaced pages it never felt like the story dragged.
Sisters, Imogen and Marie, follow a silver moth to a secret doorway in a tree which leads them into a medieval Fantasy world where three races of city folk, woodland people and mountain-dwelling monsters called the Skret are at war. Imogen and Marie stumble into the castle of the Kingdom and befriend Milo an orphaned prince and heir to the Kingdom whose uncle the King and Aneshka, his Lady-macbeth-meets-mean-girls wife are plotting against him. Milo helps the two sisters find their way back home, but first the three of them must re-unite the fractured kingdom.
Although it started off with some Narnia-Prince-Caspian vibes, the book this most reminded me of in the end was The Power of Three by Diana Wynne Jones....more
I really enjoyed this, it was a super-fun portal fantasy adventure, with two eleven year old twins re-stumbling into their childhood imaginary kingdomI really enjoyed this, it was a super-fun portal fantasy adventure, with two eleven year old twins re-stumbling into their childhood imaginary kingdom of Roar to rescue their grandad who has been kidnapped by the evil villain Croky and taken prisoner there. The adventure is light and fun - nothing too dark - and the characters are well written, especially Win, Arthurs friend and sidekick- who was my favourite. Very funny. I think he's one of the best MG characters I have read in a while. ...more
A well considered and brilliant dissertation on the lack and inadequate representation of Black characters in YA Fantasy fiction. It has left me with A well considered and brilliant dissertation on the lack and inadequate representation of Black characters in YA Fantasy fiction. It has left me with a lot to think about....more
Currently listening to the audio book read by Kobna Holbrook Smith. Love his reading of all of these. This one is up there for me with the first two boCurrently listening to the audio book read by Kobna Holbrook Smith. Love his reading of all of these. This one is up there for me with the first two books, as it has introduced some new magic-lore into the mix....more
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