Mr Ripley's Book Review: The Obsidian Pebble by Rhys A Jones - Spencer Hill Press

                           

Spencer Hill Press have delivered what they set out to do - publishing special reads that fall into the category of "I couldn't put it down". Literally I found myself not being able to put this book down. It was such a fantastic read that it will definitely find itself gaining a late entry on my best reads of the year list. This is the first exciting installment in the Artefact series - it is the authors first step into the world of children and young adult literature.  

The amazing story line in this book will definitely help it to shine as it has so much going for it in my opinion. Eleven year old Oz Chambers is the star of the story - he appears to be a normal down-to-earth character who happens to live in a haunted house. However this haunted house is full of secrets and a mystery that will leave you flicking through the pages like a mad Buzzard in a whirlwind in order to get to the end. 

When Oz and his friends hear ghostly footsteps in the boarded up dorm during Halloween, Oz and his friends go exploring. They try to find out more about the eerie reputation engulfing this place. The story is a great journey focusing on friendships, loyalty, school and family life. I particularly enjoyed the way in which the hard lessons in life were explored through the many ups and downs that life can throw at you. The more that you read on the more the mystery engulfs the reader in a magical world that is action packed full of ghostly encounters and mind tingling moments that you will just love.

This book has so much character in it that you will find yourself lost within the 340 pages. It is really well written but, most importantly, the story inside is particularly good. The author has a great ability to write from a child's perspective which encompasses a fantasy magical world that is both gripping and intriguing. There is definitely more than one puzzle to unearth within this adventure. It is a cool, witty and fun book that will have every reader from ten to hundred enchanted and wanting to read more. 

I really hope that this book finds more readers. If this review has enchanted you then you will need to look out for this small indie publisher from the US - I hope that you manage to grab a copy. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully I won't need to wait too long.

Joanne Owen - The Alchemist and the Angel - Book Review

                                            

• Pages - 224
• Date - 5 May 2011
• Publisher - Orion Children's Books
• Format - Paperback Edition - 9781444001945
• Age 11+

I've been a big fan of Joanne's work after reading her debut book "Puppet Master" back in 2008. For some reason, this book passed me by when it was published in hardback, and became lost within the many piles of books at that time. However, when this attractive paperback copy arrived I placed it straight at the top of the reading pile, so as not to make the same mistake twice, and I'm so glad that I did.

I read this book in one sitting, which is a great sign of how much I was engrossed in the story as I did not want to put it down - it's that good! The book is thoroughly researched, using 16th century papers and documents, bringing together real-life events and characters of the time of Emperor Rudolf's reign. The author draws upon the culture and explosive lives of people who lived in Prague at that time. She has managed to blend a mixture of facts and real-life accounts into the book, whilst also adapting historical events and characters. This blend gives the book an air of authenticity - it feels like you're re-living an important part of history.

The theme of the book is based on the quest for eternal life. This quest changes orphaned Jan's world when he goes to live with his beloved Uncle Gustav, who is an anatomist, natural scientist and an aspiring alchemist. As they set about making a life-generating serum, Uncle Gustav dies suddenly, and events take a mysterious and dark turn. As a result, Jan and his secretive aunt move from picturesque Vienna to a new life in the hustle and bustle of Prague. 

The story highlights and encompasses a Gothic feel, which is true to the time. The depiction of the plague-ridden ghettos, and the account of mad Emperor Rudolf's reign, are a joy to read. The telling of the wonders inside the Cabinet of Curiosities, particularly at the end of the story, are just brilliant. As well as the thought provoking Chapel of Bones, which everyone should visit, if they dare . . . . .  

The book features a number of folktales, which run parallel to the main storyline, but blend in with the overall effect. They are a delight to read, although each one is quite macabre and dark, but still I deliciously devoured the sinister mood. 

There is so much to this story that I would definitely recommend. It has all of the ingredients that I look for in a book; a dark adventure with massive amounts of imagination and historical detail, themes of alchemy, treachery and greed all written beautifully alongside a back drop of beautiful Prague. I really hope that the next book that Joanne writes is as good as this.

                                               

Paul Dowswell - The Cabinet of Curiosities - Book review

The room was like a vast repository of missing treasure troves. It was impossible to take in what he was seeing. Every one of the thousands of things that assaulted his senses would have made a fabulous ornament and endless talking point for anyone who possessed it.

The story begins with a chilling experience, between the two main characters, Lukas Declercq and Etienne Lambert.  Their circumstances have thrown them together and as a result they end up as travelling companions. However they are robbed at knife point, alongside a number of other travellers, some of whom are killed. They flee for their lives as they travel towards the city of Prague, however this leads them into more danger and deceit. 

This colourful story unfolds into a fantastical adventure. I loved the stunning portrayal of Ancient Bohemia, which the author describes in a memorable way. The great detail and historical facts are skillfully interwoven with fictional events - clever storytelling is achieved in this way.

The story is action packed and takes you on a journey, which shows the twisted underworld of life during the reign of Emperor Rudolph II. The insightful window into his life depicts a most interesting view. 

The dark unrest within the book leaves an underlying current. This absorbs the reader; placing them on the very edge of tension until the end. Torture and killing, without any conscious recognition, is compelling to the core.

 Lukas Declercq is orphaned, his uncle summons him to Prague, a refuge for Europe's greatest alchemists and natural philosophers, offering to take him on as an apprentice. Uncle Anselmus is court physician to Rudolph II, the reclusive and unstable Emperor. He is also curator of Rudolph's bizarre Cabinet of Curiosities, a series of vast rooms stuffed with wonders and scientific marvels such as a nail from Noah's Ark, phoenix feathers and monstrous freaks of nature, which fascinate Lukas. As Rudolph retreats further into his fantasy world, the threat of rebellion hangs in the air. Dorantes, a diplomat from Spain, comes with his daughter, Celestina, on a mission from Philip II to persuade Rudolph to give up his heretical ways. But he discovers the court is full of diplomats who have been waiting months or years for an audience with the Emperor. Dorantes notices how some had wormed their way into the Emperor's favour by presenting him with fantastic gifts for his Cabinet, and sets about creating a device that he says will stop time. But it works only in the presence of the Emperor. Lukas knows the terrible truth behind Dorantes' mission. But sinister forces have plans for Lukas too, and before he can thwart the plot against the Emperor, Lukas must gamble on Celestina's loyalty in order to save his own life.

This is a great read; I hope there is a lot more to come. I feel we need more books like this - the characters deserve at least one more outing! However in my opinion, there's a lot of scope for many more books.

Book published by Bloomsbury 5 July 2010

Other books by author:

• Powder Monkey (2005)
• Prison Ship (2006)
• Battle Fleet (2007)
• Ausländer (2009)