Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley, reviewed by Philip Ardagh
"a stylish and atmospheric page-turner" PHILIP ARDAGH
apologies for not being able to post this review link on Saturday...
Reviews: October 2011 Archives
The History Keepers by Damian Dibben, reviewed by Tony Bradman
who finds the book over-complicated...
the plot is far too elaborate. The bad guy's aim is to stop the Renaissance before it begins, therefore destroying humanism and leaving villainy to reign. Now, I don't mind evil overlords over-complicating things for themselves - it's part of the job description. But this leads to some very tricky passages of explanation, and it could all have been a lot more straightforward, as it will almost certainly have to be in the movie. The old formula still rings true: strong character plus simple story is the best recipe for magic. TONY BRADMAN
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce - reviewed by John Lacey
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again is much funnier and more engaging than Fleming's original novel. The book looks great too, filled with lovely illustrations by Joe Berger, who even manages to sneak in a magnificent diagram of James Bond's Aston Martin, detailing exactly where you'll find its secret panels, machine guns and ejector seat. JOHN LACEY
Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick, reviewed by Anthony McGowan
I did at times wonder if Sedgwick was playing too much to his core audience of long-fingered, spindly-legged goths and self-harming emos, for whom love is always eternal and doomed. But perhaps that shouldn't matter. Midwinterblood contains much that is riveting, strange and darkly enchanting. I read it in a single feverish sitting, late one evening, and drifted to sleep haunted by its vision of love and fate and history. ANTHONY MCGOWAN
