Get ready to visit the bookshops this October (2019) for the rip-roaring release of the first book in the world of Flember. The Secret Book is written and brilliantly illustrated by Jamie Smart and published by David Fickling Books. The fabulous illustrations make it a brilliantly visual adventure. They not only show images of the characters and the setting but also have diagrams of Dev's wacky inventions. There are also entire pages from the mysterious secret book highlighting the plot in creative detail. All of the illustrations pull the reader along a magical path that totally immerses them.
The main character is Dev, a young inventor whose creations go spectacularly wrong. In fact they often leave a cheesy taste in the reader's mouth. Here, in the little sleepy village of Eden, Dev finds his flying wings with his latest invention. However, the surreal aviation lesson leads to a heavy landing and a chain of spectacularly madcap disasters.
The village has banned all books and the power they contain. However, one day Dev discovers THE SECRET BOOK and the magical power called FLEMBER. This leads to EVEN more chaos as Dev builds a GIANT RED ROBOT BEAR called BOJA. What could possibly go wrong? I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that the consequences and events that ensue are both chaotic and spectacular.
The story is both fantastic and painful to read - it is very creatively written with fantastically memorable characters and settings. It will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. There really is a great community spirit at the heart of the story. It's a great family read that will fill you with wonder. The quirkiness will lead you into the mysteries of the plot and towards a climactic ending that will make you want more. This is a fantastic new series with (hopefully) more great adventures to come.
