Mr Ripley's Book Review: Django Wexler - The Forbidden Library

Django Wexler is a new name in the fantasy realm. His first book, The Thousand Names, was written for older/adult readers and was published by Del Ray in the UK. The follow-up to this book should be published this year, at some point in July. However, this is Django's first foray into the children's market which will be published simultaneously in the UK and the US early April 2014.  The cover above is the UK version, whilst the one below is the US book cover. It's great to see the difference between them - what are your thoughts about these?

My review of this book is taken from the advanced reading copy, which was kindly sent to me by the publisher Doubleday. This version does not have the black and white illustrations that have been drawn by David Wyatt and can be found in the UK copy. I'm not sure if the US edition will have the same illustrations in the final version. However, I have been lucky to see a couple of these already, courtesy of the illustrator, so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on a beautiful finished copy once it has finally been published in April.

This is the type of book that I love to receive - a classic fantasy adventure that is full of magical family moments. The more that you read, the more you become gripped by the brilliant imagination. It's like all your favourite books wrapped into one - a world that houses talking mischievous cats, well dreamt beasts (with warts and all) as well as a fantastic array of characters. Some of these are mysterious whilst others are sweet and nice - just like Alice, the main character, who we follow through the main story.

The vast library is captivating. It is filled with magical secrets, dark shadows and many strange books. I loved the idea of the characters jumping into magical books. With a life of their own, they are reminiscent of the characters in Cornelia Funke's Inkheart books. I hope that I haven't shared a little spoiler here, SORRY. The characters, Mr Geryon and Mr Black, are typical good-old mysterious and nasty adults that will suck you into the story and show a dark-side that may leave you feeling slightly unsettled.

This is a book that everyone will love, in my opinion. It is a great balance of action and fantasy magic which will put a spell on you. Alice is left to battle the world after her father goes down in a shipwreck and she is sent to live with a distant relative who she knows nothing about. Will the quest to find a happy ending be achieved?

At a couple of points, this story didn't quite gel together and felt slightly disjointed in parts. Nevertheless, this is a great debut book as part of a fantastic new series that could hold epic status. Captivating, thoroughly enjoyable and a very entertaining read, I would definitely recommend this book as a read for everyone. The splendid illustrations add to the great storyline and create a fantasy gem. 

Book published by Doubleday UK - 10 April 2014 

Check out this post by David Wyatt: http://davidwyattillustration.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/smatterings/

Book Review: Jonathan Stroud - Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

                    

Dear Reader, 

It has come to our notice that your property is being troubled by a Wraith, Spectre or similar Type Two apparition. As you know, such Visitors are very dangerous and bring with them the risk of fatal ghost-touch. You would be wise to consider urgent remedial action. The following procedures are recommended:

• read this book review
• buy a copy of the following book
• read the book thoroughly and enjoy it! 

Once these procedures have been completed, you will then become enlightened as to the suitable course of action that you need to take. 

As you can perhaps tell, I've had a serious infestation of the mind. I've been looking at this book for quite a long time on the bookshelf. In fact, to be precise, exactly three months it has been waiting patiently to be read. Eventually I cracked under the intense pressure and had to read it. The sample of ginger biscuits and the Lockwood special brew tea bags (that came with the proof) certainly helped the flow of concentration and whet the appetite - they were very scrumptious too.

This book is not published until the 29th August, so I do apologise if I'm teasing you but I just can't wait to scream about how good this book is. Although I do promise that this will be (hopefully!) a 'spoiler free' review so that you can just have a peep between the lines of the page. It is just going to give a tiny glimpse of what you can expect and perhaps an introduction to a floating spirit or two.

Jonathan has certainly taken me by surprise with this book. We all know that he writes great stories full of fantasy magic and brilliant imagination, as well as amazingly written characters in skilfully executed settings and backdrops. These are all still evident within this story but there are also elements of some Hitchcock horror genius which grows in strength towards the end of the book. You will know what I mean when you get there. 

You might want to keep the light on when you read this book. It's a dark and scary roller-coaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seats from the very first page to the last. It's gripping, engaging and full of explosive action. It has a whole raft of nasties for the Lockwood Psychic Investigation Agency team to deal with. Unfortunately though, nothing ever goes to plan for the unlikely trio as you will all soon find out.

I have one little moan about the book regarding the predictability of the outcomes of events. I did work out most of the story before it happened, but nevertheless it worked and, if the movie goes to plan, then this will definitely work well on the big screen. 

The expectation that surrounded this book was easily delivered. It is a fast paced horror story that builds up to a massive crescendo of scary moments filled with terror and mayhem. This is a memorable story full of mystery and secrets that uncover a hidden depth of knowledge that will leave the reader captivated on many levels. The more you read, the more the  tension rises to palpable levels. 

I think that Jonathan has created a brilliant story enclosed within this book. It will certainly find many a new reader in both the young and old. Hitchcock meets Ghost Busters is perhaps the easiest way in which I can sum up this book - so be warned.......... 

Michael Scott - The Enchantress: Book 6 (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)

                                            


The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life. The records show that he died in 1418. But his tomb is empty. 

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects - the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it is too late. And if the prophecy is right, twins Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

In The Enchantress, the sixth and final book in the series, the twins of prophecy have been split. Nicholas Flamel is near death, and John Dee has the swords of power. The future of the human race lies in the balance - how will the legend end?

The first five books in Michael Scott's six-part epic fantasy series, The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel , have all been New York Times bestsellers, and they are perfect for fans of Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.The Enchantress is the sixth and final book in the series.


Published by Doubleday Childrens (24 May 2012)