Into The Shattered Dark

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This is a wonderful adventure story. It takes up the adventures of four young people in a mysterious stately home in Wales; it incorporates time travel to the period of the English Civil War and subtle science fiction elements. The characters are well realised and believable. The plotting is outstanding. There are moments of real tension and suspense, as well as comic sequences, action and high drama. The novel combines, if you are old enough to remember, the qualities of classic BBC children's dramas (think Box of Delights or Moondial) with a contemporary feel. What I particularly loved was the way in which this novel seemed to balance qualities of the best of classic British children's adventure writing (such as Puck of Pook's Hill by Kipling or The Once and Future King by T. H. White) with unobtrusive science fiction elements and thoroughly modern characters. The tantalising suggestion of a larger plot line makes the series promises to be one that could easily stand up next to the likes of Philip Reeve. I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone with a taste for historical adventure, mysterious stately homes, and that wonderful 'curled up in front of the fire' feeling.

Rating: 5 Stars