The fate of Fausto: a painted fable by Oliver Jeffers
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780008357917.
(All ages). Highly recommended. Themes: Greed, Wants and needs.
Fausto wants everything to bow in acknowledgement to him. He
believes that he owns everything and goes to a flower, a sheep, a
tree, a field, forest and a lake to force their submission to him.
He expects this, although the lake takes some time to see things his
way. Next the mountain holds his ground, making the man make his
fist, stomp his feet and generally put up a fight. The mountain
concedes.
Children and adults alike will see parallels all around them of
behaviour such as this.
But the man is still dissatisfied and takes to a boat upon the sea.
Away from the shore he tells the sea that the sea belongs to him.
The sea remains silent. He tells the sea again that he is its owner,
and this time the sea responds, telling him that Fausto does not
owns the sea. He is adamant that he does and says he will stamp his
feet, and climbs out of the boat onto the sea to do so. He
disappears.
None of the things that bowed to him cared. They carried on just as
before. Fausto's fate did not matter to them at all.
A wonderful modern fable about possessions and self image, readers
of all ages will thrill at the behaviour shown by Fausto in trying
to get his own way, seeing parallels in the nightly news or history
or people with whom they mix.
This story reveals all the elements of a fable, a short story in
which animals have human characteristics and ends with a moral, and
will be another discussion point with students. Comparing this tale
with Aesop's fables, for example will widen the student's literary
vocabulary and enable them to see other examples of modern fables.
Students could discuss why the author has chosen the name Fausto for
his anti hero, and absorb the wonderful story retold by Kurt
Vonnegut at the end of the book, seeing parallels between that story
and why Jeffers wrote his fable.
The startling illustrations done using a lithographic printmaking
technique, add to the dream like qualities of the story as many
pages are blank,some pages have a phrase and just a line of colour,
some pages are covered with colour but all expect the reader to
think about what is happening, to think about the man's expectations
of life and his dissatisfaction with what he has ending with his
sinking into the sea and oblivion.
The endpapers reflect books from years ago with their wonderful
marbling effect and intricate designs, which once more will attract
the readers to look again before the book is closed.
Fran Knight
Full disclosure by Camryn Garrett
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241367063.
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Themes: HIV, Sexuality, Gender, LGBQT+,
Prejudice. Simone is the adopted daughter of a gay couple she calls
Dad and Pops. The two men chose her, an HIV positive baby, as an act
of caring after seeing friends die from AIDS. Simone's condition is
managed with regular drug treatment, her viral load is almost
undetectable which means she is not a risk to anyone. But whilst she
is informed and responsible, she knows that the ignorance of people
around her can mean humiliation and rejection if anyone finds out -
that was the horrible experience at her last school. She is now
starting at a new school, with new friends, and has been selected as
director of the school play, but just when everything seems to be
going well, anonymous messages threaten her happiness once again.
Camryn Garrett wrote this book when she was only seventeen years
old, and it is a refreshingly candid account of teenage worries and
fears: anxiety about the first date, first sex, gender confusion,
sexual attraction, masturbation and even a first visit to a sex
shop! The voice is open and honest, and the values are positive
throughout. Her fathers are both caring involved parents, her
friends are loyal and supportive, she has an encouraging teacher,
and even the blackmailer is revealed to be a troubled person in need
of help rather than punishment. The book advocates for speaking up,
sharing worries and getting help. And ultimately Simone learns to
overcome her fears and to trust in the people who care for her.
Dealing openly with topics people generally don't like to talk
about, this story will reflect many teenage concerns, and also is
very enlightening and informative on the subject of human
immunodeficiency virus - readers will come away having enjoyed a
heartwarming story and be a little more knowledgeable as well.
Helen Eddy
The crayons' Christmas by Drew Daywalt
Illus. by Oliver Jeffers. HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780008180362.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Crayons, Christmas, Humour,
Pop up. This beautifully presented book, with flaps, letters,
envelopes, lift ups and pop outs will intrigue and delight younger
readers along with the older readers who helps them navigate the
pages.
Eager fingers will love searching through the intricacies of the
book's production. Buy two, even three! Kids will love it and shown
how to use it carefully, the book will last just as long as any
other popular book in the library or at home.
The humour of the The
day the crayons quit(2013), followed by The
day the crayons came home (2015) and Crayon's
book of numbers (2016) is spread throughout this
Christmas offering as the two, Red and Green crayon prepare for the
celebrations with Duncan.
Letters arrive at their home, but the contents are not for Duncan,
but various other crayons.
After being outdoors for a while in the snow they decide to get out
the Christmas decorations and hang them up, pulling out the box of
decorations that everyone has stored somewhere in their house.
Each routine of Christmas follows, putting up decorations, singing
carols, making a Santa in the snow, making biscuits and a drink to
leave for Santa, wrapping presents, receiving and sending cards and
letters, emails and gifts, until the night before Christmas arrives
and the Christmas play is over. All is in readiness. But Duncan
receives a map of the world showing a world tour by his friends and
hears that they won't be home for Christmas, so the crayons take the
day in hand, presenting a Christmas to remember.
A wonderful play on the idea of Christmas, this book revolves around
the routines of Christmas, the things done in western societies
heralding the day and its customs. Children will follow the routines
readily, recognising the ones done in their homes and seeing some of
those replicated in the shops and streets of their towns. Children
will love opening the envelopes and reading the messages, piecing
together the story as it unfolds, and enjoy hanging the decorations,
popping up the tree, taking out the clothing to put on the crayon.
Fran Knight
The lonely Christmas tree by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892923.
Recommended. The lonely Christmas tree is a small picture
book, based loosely upon the classic Christmas poem 'Twas the
night before Christmas. This book also follows a poetic rhyme,
which allows the reader to fall into a nice rhythm quite quickly.
Each page of text only has 4-6 short lines and a beautiful
illustration on the opposing page.
The story follows a lonely little tree who found its self far away
from all the others who had already been cut and decorated.
Suddenly a jolly fellow came and chose the tree for a prime position
in the town, and when the bright star was placed on top all the
tree's woodland friends returned.
Of course we all know who this jolly fellow is, and although not
named in the book it is easy to tell, which brings a special element
to the book for those who believe.
I really liked this book, and think it would make a great addition
to the Christmas Eve festivities.
The illustrations are simple, yet extremely effective in showcasing
a winter theme. Each page has dark tones, movement within the snow,
and just the right amount of brightness to light up the town on
Christmas Eve.
My favourite page is the last one, where the scene is of St Nicholas
(readers might have to explain this name to young listeners), who is
lit up by the silver moon, the town is below and most importantly
the once lonely tree is taking pride of place looking out over the
town and snowy mountains. The silver additions add that extra
element that brings some extra Christmas feeling to the page.
Loved this one, the short rhyming story and the beautiful
illustrations. 4 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
We're going on an elf chase by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526606303.
Recommended. We're going on an elf chase is a cute little
board book that encompasses a 'life the flap' on most pages.
It is the perfect size to read on the couch/bed with your little
ones but also great to pop into your bag for a day out (it has a
nice and sturdy cover so I think it will hold up well with lots of
use). The story follows 4 lovely little rabbits who are going on an
elf chase through the snow, where they come across winter animals
like penguins, birds, polar bears and even some festive reindeer!
As the reader lifts the flaps and find the elves, they can identify
the number they are up to (under each flap the numbers are written-
a great numeracy link!), and practice counting to 10.
The story also following a repetitive style with every second page
being the same text, allowing the reader to learn and join in with
the 'reading' of the book. My newly 5-year-old is just starting to
be interested in actual reading and this helped her begin to
identify words as she could predict what they were based on the
repetition of the book. I also liked how the author used some sounds
and noises associated with the animals they were creeping around.
This added interest and definitely increased engagement in the
story. We pretended to be reindeer who went cloppy, cloppy, clip and
birds who went chirpy, chirpy, cheep!
I really liked this book, as although it is a fairly simple story, I
was able to stretch that into the worlds of numeracy, literacy and
even some drama. Both my daughter and I enjoyed the illustrations
too, they are whimsical and free flowing and you can almost see the
freezing wind blowing across the landscape behind the rabbits!
I give We're going on an elf chase by Martha Mumford 4 out
5, a great Christmas book for children aged up to 6 years.
Lauren Fountain
Peppa's Christmas jumper day
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241371589.
Most parents of young children know the phenomenon that is Peppa
Pig, and probably can't help but sing the tune when it comes on the
TV! On top of the show, kids also have the ability to read about
Peppa and her friends!
This story is called Peppa's Christmas Jumper Day, and
follows the story of Peppa and her brother George who need Christmas
Jumpers for a special day at playgroup, but unfortunately theirs are
too small. It all ends with Daddy Pig coming to the rescue . . .
turning a normal jumper into a Christmas one with lots of baubles
and glitter.
Peppa Pig books follow the same predictable lines as the TV show,
and whilst reading it is easy to hear the characters' voices (if you
have had the privilege of hearing the shows over and over again!) in
your head. This will be comforting to young children who will feel
familiar with not only Peppa, her family and friends but also the
text.
The illustrations are exactly as they are seen on TV, bright
colourful and relatively simple.
I must admit that Peppa Pig was not one of my favourite TV or book
characters, however my daughter loved the show which meant that it
was a regular during quiet time at our house.
For children who love the Peppa Pig franchise, this Christmas
edition will be a fitting addition to their bookshelf. 3 out of 5
stars.
Lauren Fountain
The Underhills: a tooth fairy story by Bob Graham
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781536211122.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Teeth, Tooth fairies, Fairies,
Cupid, Angels, Airports, Immigration, Grandparents. With the
Underhill parents called to a job, the girls and their baby brother
go to their grandparents' house, a teapot by the airport, to stay.
Here a splendid time awaits: fairy cakes, pancakes for breakfast,
feather beds and chocolate. And the girls bring a jar of tadpoles
for Grandma. But an urgent call comes in: a tooth is arriving from
Ghana, and they are close to the airport. Grandpa is left reading
his poetry book in the garden with baby Vincent tied to him lest his
wings take him up like a balloon.
Grandma, Esme and April (seen first in April
Underhill: tooth fairy, 2010) fly to the terminal, there to
wait for the plane. Cupids and angels are there too, waiting to ply
their skills: cupids to help loving people greet each other, and the
angels to comfort those who are alone and sad, enfolding them with
their wings and helping to push their trolleys.
An announcement alerts the family to the plane's arrival and the
girls watch out for the Ghanan family and the young girl whose tooth
has fallen out. Grandma reminds the girls about where to find the
tooth and the girls fly to the young girl and climb into her pocket.
They retrieve the tooth, leaving a small coin behind, whispering in
Akuba's ear that she will not remember the event.
Grandma was worried about the girls doing their first extraction but
had confidence in them.
That night the girls sleep in the feather bed, the tooth safely
beside them, while Akuba sleeps on the other side of town with her
small coin, unsure of how it got there.
This charming story full of hope and love, shows the Underhill
family plying their trade. The girls are supported by their gran on
their first job at the airport, searching for the Ghanan family as
they come into England. They are successful and the Ghanan family is
at peace in their new home.
Graham's playful illustrations reveal the lure of staying with
grandparents, while the children take on a role usually done by the
parents. But his delightful micro world always pays homage to what
is happening around us. The endpapers have huge planes landing over
the tea pot house, wire fences and bright lights surrounding the
airfield, the outline of the plane overshadowing the nearby suburbs,
Gran has a mobile phone. In the airport, a soldier returns from
duty, older people come in alone, people arrive from other
countries, some heads covered by a hijab, but all hopeful and full
of anticipation. While outside the now quiet airport, some tadpoles
turn into frogs and slip away into the night.
Graham's work always leaves readers with a warm glow: recognition of
a familiar scene, reworked to reveal a different perspective.
Children will look again at the images presented here, not only the
loving family, but the background figures, those coming into the
airport for a variety of reasons, but all finding a safe haven.
Fran Knight
The wishing bones by Michelle Lovric
Orion Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781444009972.
(Ages 14+) Recommended. A magical and mysterious adventure novel
that follows a young orphan named Lily who has been raised in a
cruel and lonesome convent at the inhumane hands of the badessa.
Upon accidentally setting the convent aflame, Lily is sent to work
in the Hotel of What You Want. Here she meets Ivo Peruch, the
hotel's mysterious Boy-of-All-Trades who is cold and tight-lipped
and makes her an accomplice in a dark act before she realises what
she is partaking in. As the dark secrets of the hotel come to her
attention, Lily's desperation to leave is only exacerbated with the
arrival of a new guest, Deidre 'Darling' Dearworthy, who has a
direct connection to the dark act still haunting Lily. As Darling
quickly becomes Lily's first and best friend, she will do anything
to keep her from suffering a deadly fate at the hands of the
Signorina, the manager of the hotel. After the bones of Saint Lucy
are stolen, Lily, Ivo and Darling band together to save Venice;
facing countless dangers and adventures and meeting some magical
allies along the way.
Lovric creates a vivid and historically detailed Venice with rich
characters that provide a powerful message to the reader that you
are not your past and that you can still be a good person if you've
done things you regret. A powerful ode to resilience and the
importance of the family that you make for yourself. It should be
noted that this book is very grim and dark at times, with warnings
for substantial themes of death, grief, loss, murder, supernatural
themes and graphic discussion of dismemberment. Recommended for
children aged 14+ for these reasons.
Daniella Chiarolli
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
Illus. by Frank Miller. Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241376614.
(Age: 14+) As daughter of her village's chief Druid, 16 year old
Nimue would always be different from the other villagers but her
strangely scarred back and ability to powerfully experience hidden
forces further sets her apart. Dewdenn is a 'fey' village, in touch
with nature spirits and as such a target for the Red Paladins,
terrorising the countryside seeking out heresy on behalf of the
church, crucifying the fey folk accusing them of witchcraft. Tired
of being unwanted in her village Nimue decides to leave on a ship
from the nearest town but when she gets there the boat has left.
Returning, Nimue finds her village destroyed by the Red Paladins and
her dying mother charges her to take a sacred object to Merlin. The
object is the legendary 'Sword of Power' and Nimue finds she can
channel the power of the 'hidden' through the sword. Merlin is at
the court of Uther Pendragon, on her way there Nimue meets and falls
in love with Arthur, a mercenary son of a knight. The sword's legend
says that 'whosoever wields the Sword of Power shall be the one true
king' so it becomes the focus for competing powers vying for
possession. As violence escalates, Nimue's world descends into chaos
as the fey villages are destroyed at an ever increasing rate. She
responds violently channelling the sword's destructive power against
her enemies, becoming a rallying point for the fey refugees. The
struggle for the sword of power becomes tied up with the
annihilation of the fey villages by the Church, with the involvement
of Uther, leading to confusing and ultra-violent battles, no doubt
linked to the fact that the book is basically a screenplay for a
Netflix series. Other than familiar names and a magical sword the
story owes little to the Arthurian legends. The characters are
poorly developed, sometimes with the feeling that they are
placeholders for more detail in later instalments. Little effort is
spent on establishing a consistent sense of time or place, this will
probably be better realised in the Netflix version. The
illustrations have a sense of energy, in powerful compositions with
strong lines. While the wrapped and laced costumes are great,
inconsistencies in outfits make it hard sometimes to identify the
character. Where there is a double page spread, the focal point
often disappears into the book's gutter. Middle school fans of Game
of Thrones and violent fantasies might like this but be aware
that the violence is quite graphic. (It has been picked up to be a
Netflix original series).
Themes: Fantasy, medieval times, Arthurian Legends, magic.
Sue Speck
The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408896907.
Recommended for lovers of fantasy, aged 10+. Fionn is the anointed
'Stormkeeper', but it seems that his magic is not like other
Stormkeepers and his island is depending on him to protect them from
the return of the awful Morrigan and her supporters, the
Soulstalkers. The uncertainty and self-doubt that surrounds Fionn,
under the pressure of a deadline, places pressure on the young man .
. . but he must carry on, the island of Arronmore needs him. His
Grandfather, the previous Stormkeeper, is losing his hold on his own
magic and his memory, and Fionn must rely on his close friends and
mother and sister to create a plan to turn back the tide of evil
that is encroaching. With a long history of magical events and
intra-island rivalry there is drama at every turn and the
approaching 'storm' of conflict needs the outside help of the
merrows - ocean-based fantasy creatures. But how will they get word
to these creatures in time?
This is the sequel to The
Stormkeeper's Island and although it could be read as a
stand-alone book, it is best read in sequence so the understanding
of the magic, the time shifts and the candles that store memories
would be clear. The book is a delight as the internal self-doubt of
the young Fionn drives the tension as the islanders face the threat
of annihilation at the hands of the advancing evil 'army'. This
series deserves to be recommended to young readers who love fantasy
adventure. In no way is it like Harry Potter, but the reticent
central hero is akin to Harry in being intensely likeable and
supported by loyal friends. The magic is different, but the
atmospheric adventure is worth following. Catherine Boyle also
manages to capture the atmosphere of the small Irish island with its
storms, fogs and swells. It almost takes on a personality of its
own.
And there is another book in the series to come!
Themes: Magic; Fantasy; Adventure; Good vs Evil.
Carolyn Hull
The iron man by Ted Hughes
Illus. by Chris Mould. Faber and Faber, 2019 (c1968) ISBN:
9780571348862.
(age: 6+) Highly recommended. Themes: Cautionary tale, Modern fable,
STEM, Recycling. This outstanding new publication of The Iron
Man will thrill new readers as well as ones who already know
the tale, reminding them of not judging a book by its cover, as they
hear the tale of an outsider at first derided by the village but
then proving his worth beyond comprehension.
In this beautiful edition, Faber presents a book aching to be picked
up and held, its tactile cover enticing all readers to open the
first page.
In the first of five chapters, the Iron Man finds himself in the
sea, bits of him spread over the sea floor. He puts himself together
again, piece by piece and walks to the village, eating the barbed
wire fences along the way, scaring the residents. They build a pit
to trap him and when he falls in, cover him with soil, making a
small hill. But a family sitting to have a picnic finds their family
outing disrupted as the Iron Man rises from below, forcing them to
flee. He has returned. The village calls out the army to rid
themselves of the monster, but Hogarth has a different idea, and
chapter three ends with the monster happily residing at the scrap
metal dump in the village.
But an alien in the form of a space-bat-angel-dragon drops onto
Australia, covering the whole continent. Here it demands food and
military from over the world try to deal with it, without success.
Prompted by Hogarth, the Iron Man has an idea and chapter five
brings the whole to a satisfying conclusion, promoting world peace,
demilitarisation and harmony through music.
Ted Hughes' classic tale, first released in 1968 and rarely out of
print, is presented here with stunning new illustrations. Mould
invests the Iron Man with human characteristics, his mouth and eyes
revealing a host of emotions all children will recognise and love. I
love the intricacies of the Iron Man's body with its cogs and
wheels, nuts and bolts, derricks and winches, steel plate of all
shapes and sizes. Readers will love zeroing in on the make up of the
Iron Man marvelling its duplication on the end papers.
Cautionary in warning readers not to judge people by their
appearance, the story resonates with humour as it is the child in
the village who shows his elders the usefulness of their visitor.
And our audience will thrill at the alien landing in Australia, its
body covering our whole island.
Readers will love the way the story is resolved, the Iron Man
pitting himself against the alien, taken apart and reassembled bit
by bit on the northern beaches of Australia, bringing the world
together with a peaceful conclusion, a modern fable about working
together to promote enduring peace.
Fran Knight
My parents cancelled my birthday by Jo Simmons
Illus. by Nathan Reed. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526606587.
(Age: 9 - 12) Recommended. Themes: Birthdays; Family; Humorous
stories. Tom is looking forward to his birthday but several
dilemmas, including the pet pig falling off the roof and squashing
his Grandmother's chihuahua, leads to the decision to cancel his
'special' birthday acknowledgement. Tom's father is unsuccessfully
attempting to finish his book, his mother is stressed and working
too hard, his Grandmother decides to hold a seance to 'speak' to the
now dead pet and his sister's missing tooth and the curse of the
tooth fairy all work against Tom and his attempts to restore the
birthday celebration. Fortunately, he finds that friends can help
him, and even chickens listen to him to enable him to plan his own
festivity to acknowledge his birthday.
Jo Simmons has written a silly litany of disasters that young
readers will find amusing. At every turn everything goes wrong, and
there are some impossible moments that are extremely eccentric.
Young readers will be entertained, and the suspension of disbelief
required to accept some of the quirks in the plot will not cause
them distress.
Carolyn Hull
The Mitford scandal by Jessica Fellowes
Sphere, London, 2019. ISBN: 9780751573930.
(Age: Secondary) Themes: Set in the late 1920s and early 1930s
London, this historically correct mystery is narrated from Louisa's
(lady's maid to Diana Mitford) perspective.
The book denotes the author's deep knowledge of the historical
figures and events of the period (she has written for the Downton
Abbey TV series).
The actual mystery is woven around the life and events of
aristocratic Diana Mitford's life as a young married mother and
society woman.
The mystery incorporates drugs, homosexuality, poisoning and a
surprise ending with religious mania. I found the pace slow until
the last chapter since the life of the Mitfords and friends is
prominent with a love interest for Louisa also woven into the story.
While I enjoyed reading the book, readers who do not have much
knowledge of (or interest in) the Mitfords may not find the book as
interesting.
The book has a Historical Note and Bibliography sections at the end. The Mitford scandal is the third of the Mitford Murder series
by Jessica Fellowes but can be read as a stand alone mystery.
Ann Griffin
Boy giant by Michael Morpurgo
Illus. by Michael Foreman. HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780008347925
(Age 10+). Highly recommended. Themes: Refugees, Gulliver's travels,
Hope, Afghanistan. When Omar and his mother flee for their lives
after their village has been bombed and Omar's father killed, they
tramp over vast regions until they get to the sea, suffering
privation, hunger and thirst. Here Omar's mother makes a
heartbreaking sacrifice pushing her son onto the boat while she
stays behind, promising that they will meet again in England,
reminding him of the address he must repeat to himself. This address
becomes a mantra to Omar, as he sits alone in the bottom of the
boat, watching others as they are washed overboard, waiting for the
rising water to claim him.
But he wakes on an island, surrounded by little people dressed in
costumes from two hundred years before. With the few English words
he knows from playing cricket, he makes connections with the
Lilliputians, who call him Son of Gulliver, when they recall the
stories of the giant who visited their shores generations before.
Omar learns English, helping the people with their problem with the
next door island, just as his predecessor did, eventually building a
boat to leave.
Packed into its 280 pages, Morpurgo gives readers a modern look at
the classic Gulliver's travels. Enough of the story is told
within Omar's story for readers to gain a solid grasp of the tale.
Morpurgo's telling, a story within a story within a story weaves
together the tale of Omar and his mother fleeing from war, the
classic Gulliver's travels, Omar working with the
Lilliputians to stop the war with their neighbouring island, and
then leaving Lilliput.
Omar is found by a passing rower and in telling her his story while
the two little people he has with him tell theirs, we have a
multi-layered feast. With Foreman's wonderful illustrations and
different fonts used to indicate each story teller, the book will
have wide appeal. An adventure with a strong anti-war theme, the
plight of all refugees is told through the tale of Omar and his
mother, two people caught in a circle of violence outside their own
making, as news breaks of a truck containing 39 dead refugees has
been discovered in England (October 2019). Morpurgo's book resonates
with meaning as the plight of refugees the world over makes front
page news. The generation reading this book will gain some
understanding and sympathy with those seeking refuge.
Fran Knight
The deathless girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Orion Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781510106918.
(Age: Senior secondary) This novel is about Bram Stoker's 'dark
sisters.' First person narrator Lillai tells a linear, past tense
story. She journeys through medieval settings filled with
challenges. Soldiers and marauders pillage and people fight with
stakes and knives. There is a Gothic sense of hidden menaces and
forbidding castles. Millwood Hargrave's style is descriptive,
sometimes florid. Rapid fire similes and metaphors are initially
distracting, but many students listening to me read liked the style
and the author's tricks of foreshadowing.
This novel is suitable for independent study in senior school and
for intertextual analysis. Millwood Hargrave raises several ideas
and affirms that women can take control in harsh situations. In the
beginning, demonic men kill adult Travellers, burn their homes and
capture young Travellers out foraging. We are alerted to women's
agency when Lillai says of her twin, 'I was especially proud of the
injuries Kizzy inflicted'. The sisters are sold and appraised by a
Mistess Malovski, who takes them to a castle owned by Boyar Valcar.
His Cook tells their futures, keeping us interested to see if her
prophesy, 'I can find no death for you', comes true.
Defiant, the twins are confined in solitary cells for a time,
fulfilling our sense of Gothic entrapment. 'I didn't know these
places were real', says Lillai. Preparing them for their meeting
with Valcar, Malovski shows the sisters how to make bite wine - wine
infused with snake venom to improve men's virility. We meet many
grotesque men and wonder who Dracula might be.
Cook helps Lillia escape with Mira, whom she starts to love. Lillia
and Mira are reunited with other young people, and they try to
rescue Kizzy.
As the melodrama unfolds, it's hard to stop reading. While the
imperative is to read, not to reflect, there is plenty to say about
the ways in which the author presents the strength of female
characters and the choices they make at the end.
Chris Bourlioufas
