Jack Flint Trilogy Review - Joe Donnelly

BOOK BLURB:
Jack Flint is 13. He's never known his mother and has - literally - lost his father. On a stormy Halloween he steps from his humdrum world of school, chores and getting by, into a maelstrom. Scaling the dark-walled coppice known as Cromwath Blackwood he and his best friend, Kerry Malone, find a mysterious circle of thirteen standing stones. Stones that almost seem to be breathing, pulling the boys to a place of myth and mayhem. From playing fields to battle fields they stumble into the legendary world of Temair. Here Celtic myth comes to life as Jack, Kerry and Corriwen Redthorn, the orphaned daughter of a Temair Chief, face the terrifying cunning of Morrigan, goddess of death and her servants, the Scree and the cruel, black-feathered Roaks. Their quest is fast paced and furious. Along the way, startlingly, Jack realises they are not just saving their own lives, they find clues that might lead him to his father. Stepping through portals to other worlds is a favourite device - Narnia, Harry Potter, our own DOOMSPELL and LEGENDEER trilogies - but it's one of the most successful if it's done properly, as it is here by Joe Donnelly. Drawing on Celtic myth with his own original embellishments, he knows the world he's created inside out.


REVIEW:
As a late comer to the series I was unsure of what to expect from this author yet strangely feeling pretty safe with the author. Why? Well for an author to continue to receive press as well as continual publication you know that they not only have talent but also a good idea of what pleases the audience. What Joe does within each title is take elements of Ancient myths and blend them to suit the storyline whilst also allowing the reader a greater story arc hidden within that entertains as well as allows the reader to postulate as to future events. This offering, the first was not only entertaining but kept me glued as I really didn’t know what to expect. Add to this realistic banter between the principle protagonists and a strong minded female lead and it’s a title that will entertain both genders.

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BOOK BLURB:
The battle with the Morrigan may be over but Jack Flint's quest is only just beginning. As the Morrigan struggles with our three adventurers, she hurls Corriwen Redthorn through a gateway and into an unknown world. Jack and Kerry know they must follow and find her - and, unlike Corrie who is alone and afraid, they have the Book of Ways to help them. They step into Eirinn where the land seems held in the grip of an everlasting winter. Jack and Kerry are aided and abetted in their search by friendly Leprechauns, a gentle giant and a troupe of travelling players with magical powers. They soon discover that others are hunting her too. They're up against the treachery of Dermott the much feared Wolf Lord and Fainn, his Spellbinder. They have stolen the legendary silver cauldron of plenty and the golden harp which keeps the seasons in check. But it's also been foretold that Dermott will meet his fate at the hands of a fighting woman with red hair. Could Corriwen be his nemesis? He's desperate to destroy her and anything, or anyone, who gets in his way. Corriwen meantime has saved Connor, a local boy, from being killed by Dermott's men. He's a boy, as it turns out, with quite a story to tell. And Jack Flint is beginning to unravel the mystery of who he might be - his adventures in Eirinn reveal clue after clue that might lead him to his father.


REVIEW:
Here, in the second novel of the series, Jack and Kerry cross the gateways to rescue Corriwen after the cliff hanger of an ending in the first tale. As with the previous offering, Joe brings elements of myths and legends to the fore blinding it together in his own magical spell within the pages of this title. The characters continue to grow with the three way dynamic bringing a greater strength to the tale and as the authors pace alongside descriptive prose brings another cracker to the readers imagination.

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BOOK BLURB:
Continuing Jack's quest to find his father, Jack, Kerry and Corrie have passed through the gate into the peaceful summerland of Uaine. Hoping for a period of respite after all their adventures, they quickly discover that all is not well. The power-hungry spellbinder, Bodrun, has stolen the Copperplates - protective magical talismans - and released the terrifying Nightshades into the world. These creatures stalk the night, searching for a way to break through to other worlds and wreak havoc. They will do anything to get their claws into the heartstone. With The Book of Ways to guide them, Jack and his friends must travel deep into Bodrun's lair, facing gargoyles, giant spiders, walls of fire, shrieking all-consuming Nightshades, before a final confrontation with the evil spellbinder himself. And as Jack finds himself in the midst of this nightmare, he is forced to face up to what really happened to his father so long ago.


REVIEW:
The third cracking instalment by Joe Donnelly that will keep the reader up long past their normal switching off time as you’ll be heard muttering to yourself that you’ll enjoy just one more chapter. Like the others its addictive, it brings the myths and legends from Irish past to the fore and builds upon the rich tapestry of what has gone before. A great book by the author and one that leaves me sad to leave the intrepid trio for the time being. Add to this a title that delivers what the readers been demanding alongside cracking prose with great character empathy and you’ll be recommending this trilogy to young readers left right and centre. Great stuff and I’ll definitely be demanding more titles by Joe as soon as he’s written them.

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