Authors: Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
Publisher: Chicken House
Details: £6.99, 288pp, paperback
ISBN: 9781911490906
This book is an intriguing mystery from start to finish, written with great warmth and humour.
Hannah Peck’s beautiful cover entices you into a Victorian London where time stands still and monsters roam. It’s like a really good episode of Dr Who, and the imagery created would lend itself well to a screenplay.
You can’t help but like the main character, Emily - she is feisty, fearless and fun. “The Library” section demonstrates some superb characterisation…though I’ve made it clear that I won’t be answering to the name “Bookface”.
Our Year 5 children loved it and although some found the language a little “grown up” in places and the story slow to unfold, they were all soon hooked and keen to talk about how much they enjoyed it.
As big fans of Chicken House books, we were all pleased to discover a new writing duo, too.
Kate Gieler is a teacher and school librarian at Glebe Primary School near Brighton
Pupil reviews
‘A world of monsters’
Emily sets out to find her parents and finds herself in another world - a world of monsters. After a long adventure, Emily finds her parents and discovers that her mum’s unlucky necklace is magical. Emily is interesting and surprising. My favourite part of the story is when she defeats the Nocturne. I was really surprised when Emily turned into a rabbit. I loved the story, it was fun to read and not at all what I was expecting.
Caitlin, aged 9
‘Fun and compelling’
I loved the mystery of this book, but the plot was a little confusing at times. Emily is my favourite character, as even when she is talking to monsters, she is mouthy. I was surprised that Emily is magic, too - I thought she would be the odd one out. The story is fun and compelling, and a good challenging read.
Travis, aged 10
‘For anyone who likes magic or comedy’
After Emily’s parents go missing, she sets off on a dangerous adventure in a different realm to find them. She gets chased by a bear, almost arrested, nearly gets eaten by the bear, discovers a whole new magical realm full of ghosts, vampires, people with five eyes and men with beards bigger than their faces.
She makes a fairly good friend, who helps her defeat the Nocturne. My favourite character is Hoggins the hedgehog. After a slow start, I really loved the whole book. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes books about magic or comedy. If someone likes Harry Potter, they would certainly like this.
Patrick, aged 10
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