Monday 1 June 2009

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Gullstruck Island - Frances Hardinge


BOOK BLURB:

On Gullstruck Island the volcanoes quarrel, beetles sing danger and occasionally a Lost is born ...In the village of the Hollow Beasts live two sisters. Arilou is a Lost - a child with the power to depart her body and mind-fly with the winds - and Hathin is her helper. Together they hide a dangerous secret. Until sinister events threaten to uncover it. With a blue-skinned hunter on their trail and a dreadlocked warrior beside them, they must escape. Can the fate of two children decide the future of Gullstruck Island? Discover a dazzling world, a breathtaking heroine ...and an incredible adventure. For on the island of Gullstruck nothing is exactly as it seems! With a cast of larger-than-life characters, this is a richly imagined adventure no child will be able to put down - or ever forget!


REVIEW:

A rip roaring childrens adventure novel that is currently as unique as Harry Potter was on his original outing which makes this a book that I think will soon have the premise replicated by others trying to produce something different. The characters are not only interesting but also have a vibrancy about them that makes this mammoth book a hard to put down tale.

Its quirky and when you add to the mix an arc featuring murder, betrayal as well as consequences from inaction due to the character tribes fear and you have a tale that really does inspire. A great offering and definitely an author to watch.

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