Release Date: 14/04/11BOOK BLURB:
This is the first thrilling book in the most exciting children's fantasy series since Harry Potter . They were taken from their beds one frozen night, when the world was covered in snow. The silhouette of a tall, thin man has haunted Kate ever since. Ten years on, Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in a string of miserable orphanages, and all memories of their parents have faded to a blur. Arriving at Cambridge Falls, the children quickly realise there is something different about this place - and Kate feels sure she has seen the dark, crooked house before. As they explore, they discover an old, empty leather book. The moment they touch it, an ancient magical prophecy is set irrevocably in motion, and the children are thrown into a dangerous alternate reality of dark enchantments and terrifying monsters. Only they can prevent the terrible event that will ruin Cambridge Falls - and stop the world from falling into complete devastation.
REVIEW:
Adventures are all the rage and when you write a book for the young reader market you need to come up with something special to not only keep them interested but also to create something that will take the genre into new ground. What John has managed with this title is create three memorable characters that allow different reading groups the chance to find one that they really like and stick with.
Add to this a seriously great adventure, with touches of City of Embers lovingly blended with great character personal exploration as well as growth which when backed with story development really creates something new. Its definitely going to be a series that will expand to become something totally unique.
The world he's created is original and fascinating. It includes dwarves, elves, witches, wizards and a few creations of his own, like Screechers, which are deliciously scary. It combines a lot of my favorite themes magic and prophesies -and perhaps the best damned explanation of time travel I've ever read.
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