Peter Mcallister kicked open the door and tottered down the basement steps, looking like a box with no legs. I’ve had the good fortune of watching this trilogy develop over the years on James’ blog. During the process of writing the books James often posted about the experience and various snippets along the way, so [...]

The woods came to the edge of the property: to the gravel of the drive, the electronic gate, and the green twisted-wire fence that kept out the boars. I’ve heard many good good things about Guy Gavriel Kay’s writing, his ability to create wonderful characters, and a sense of place that puts you right in [...]

The sound came again, cutting through the night: a sharp, metallic tap that carried even up to the first floor of the house where Sam lay sleeping. Another of the books I read during the read-a-thon. Fin, didn’t think about the consequences when he left his sister to look after his young brother, Sam, to [...]

It was Mouse who found the box. Synopsis A boy destined to lead his clan; a girl raised by wolves; a stranger with a sealed box. These are the elements of this powerful novel, set on a rocky northern coast in a distant time, in a small community who live in dread of the coming [...]

Little Peggy was very careful with the eggs. Set in an alternate version of 19th Century America, Seventh Son, follows the story of Alvin Miller Jr, a ten year old boy (and the titular Seventh Son (of a Seventh Son)). The America in which Alvin lives is one coloured by the folk magic and lore [...]

If I close my eyes, and breath to the rolling rhythm of the sea, I can still remember that long ago day. Washed up on the shores of ancient Wales, the boy had no home, no memory and no name… He was determined to find all three. Years after he washed up on the Welsh [...]

They came in the night in a long, black boat. After a dramatic accident Kit and his parents find themselves washed up on a small island. But there is no sanctuary here. The local community is hostile and menacing. Soon Kit’s life is in danger and he is forced to face not just the inhabitants [...]

The escalator crept along slowly, straining upward. In an old station like this, what else could you expect? But the wind swirled like a wild thing inside the concrete pipe–ruffling his hair, tugging the hood off his head, sneaking under his scarf, pressing him downward. Synopsis Walking the streets of Moscow, indistinguishable from the rest [...]