John Stephens - The Emarald Atlas - Book Review

                                           

This was one of the most talked about books this year at the Bologna Children's Book Fair - the buzz surrounding this book was hailed as a "Narnia-like" classic. After a fellow blogger got hold of it and gave it a glowing report, I decided I had to try and get a copy in order to read it as soon as possible. I had to know whether this book lived up to the buzz or not . . . . .

The author is the US screenwriter, John Stephens, who has written the first novel in the trilogy known as the 'Books of the Beginning'. This is aimed at the 8-12 age range. However, like all good stories this book appeals to both every one and every age group. It is actually one of those rare books in fantasy fiction that doesn't fly past your bookshelf very often. It's certainly a book that you want to read over and over again and again.

From the start of this book you soon find yourself riding the wave of a fantasy adventure of great proportions.  The story is crafted from magic itself, as you follow three young orphans and their mysterious past from orphanage to orphanage, until one day they find themselves on a train to Cambridge Falls. They arrive at a strange crooked house as the mist rolls in, as they begin to explore their surroundings things start to happen, and happen they really do, through every word that is read. 


The book is full of great ideas, from the very well written section on the Screechers (straight out of Middle Earth) leaving you feeling chilled to the bone, to the evil power-hungry Countess of Cambridge Falls, who needs to posses the magic atlas with all its secrets and untold power. The book has many characters who you genuinely fall in love with. Through the epic battles which are played out, it keeps the readers on their toes, genuinely hoping for the best outcome. It's a great page turner propelled by magic as the prophecy unfolds.


This is one of the best stories that I have had read in this genre for some time. It has a great blend of humour with lots of plot elements to keep the pages being turned rapidly. From one wicked queen and her evil sidekick, to dwarves that live under the mountains and well depicted dark monsters, all of these ingredients make for an enchanted read that will be a classic of the future. It will most definitely be a movie at some point in the future, I believe. It's a really strong debut book as an appetiser for the next book.


The only minor issue with this book is that it's not being published by Doubleday until April 2011 in the U.K and Knopf in the US. Whilst I do apologise for the incredibly early review of this book, I was just far too excited that I needed to share it with you all, instantly!

Bologna Book Fair 2010 - Andrew Peters - Ravenwood - Rights Pick

Every year I say to myself that I would like to go to the Bologna book fair. But every year I never get there - hopefully one day I'll eventually make it.


This is the fair where most of the more exciting books get brought to the attention of various publishing companies. Some of the best children's books pass through Bologna and for the lucky few, their rights can be sold all over the world. Last year my Bologna post was based on new talent Barry Hutchison, and his new "Invisible Fiends" series, which was exhibited at the book fair and made a lasting impression last year.


This year I am going to highlight an epic debut fantasy novel called "Ravenwood", written by new talent Andrew Peters.
The book will be published by Chicken House in the U.K in May 2011, but will be first exhibited at the Bologna fair where the rights will be offered.


This is a little snippet of the book, however it may be subject to change before it is published. Hope you enjoy this exciting adventure and want to read it soon!

The arrow flew over his shoulder and thudded straight into a wooden post. Too close! If he hadn’t stumbled, the shaft would now be buried somewhere near his heart.  He imagined the blood blooming like a flower across his shirt, his body tripping over the edge of the branch to fall, lifeless to the earth - a mile below.

Ark was exhausted. Sweat coursed down his back and his calf muscles ached.  He flicked his head round: they were only a couple of hundred yards behind. This part of the high-way was wide and straight. Not only had the original, huge branch been carved flat, like all the smaller branch-roads, but it had also been extended widthways with beams and scaffolding. Now it was twenty feet across at the passing places. At this time of the afternoon, before brush-hour, the way was deserted - not that any bystander would mess with this lot.

Somewhere hidden up above, dark clouds squeezed out their downpour, filling the forest with echoing drips. Ark ran for his life though a mass of shifting shadows, the splash of his footsteps giving him away.

The guard paused, wiping rain from his eyes, taking careful aim for another shot. The boy’s drenched clothes were like a painted target; every item from the brown leather skullcap and grotty tanned jerkin, to the tight britches and worn stockings that had seen better days, screamed out ‘plumber’s apprentice’.

The rubber-soled creepers on the boy’s feet were standard wear this high up. No-one wanted to slip off the edge, especially in this weather. But the guard shuddered at the thought of what those shoes had trod in. In fact, his prey resembled one big, turdy stain, a brown blot on the treescape. As for killing a fourteen year old? It wasn’t a problem but the solution.

Straight ahead, the high-way ran towards a huge, hollow tree trunk. Ark bolted into the centre and hesitated, catching his breath. The dead tree was a crossroads. Its massive trunk supported the junction with branch lines leading off in three directions through carved archways. In a dark corner, ancient, moss-covered steps led down into the hollow depths. He was desperate, but going earthwards? He shuddered even to think of it. Which way?