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A roller coaster of a story with the survival of orphaned Utterly Dark, one of the most charming and feisty young heroines, at its heart
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month September 2021 | September 2021 Book of the Month
Award-winning author Philip Reeve is gifted at creating alternative worlds which feel both comfortingly familiar and thrillingly new and original. The watery landscape of the Autumn Isles does just that providing the backdrop for a gutsy and gusty story of powerful old magic, new-fangled science and the perennial battle for the critical balance of power between land and the sea. It is the setting for a roller coaster of a story with the survival of orphaned Utterly Dark, one of the most charming and feisty young heroines, at its heart. Washed up on the shore of the Autumn Isles, Utterly is rescued and adopted by Andrew Dark, the Watcher of Wildsea, whose job it is to keep the islands safe from the many dangers forces that threaten the land, in particular, the terrifying Gorm, a fearful sea dwelling creature who threatens the life of the Islanders. When her guardian drowns in curious circumstances, Utterly must maintain the watch until a new Watcher arrives. But the new Watcher is sceptical of the old magic until his rash actions reveal the full power of the Gorm with almost fatal results. Can Utterly set the watery world of her home to rights?
Julia Eccleshare's Picks for September 2021
Utterly Dark and the Face of the Deep by Philip Reeve
Cookie and the Most Mysterious Mystery in the World by Konnie Huq
The Hideaway by Pam Smy
The Secret Garden by Geraldine McCaughrean
The Gloriumptious Worlds of Roald Dahl by Stella Caldwell & Quentin Blake
It was always at sundown they were seen. In that twilight hour, when the walls between the worlds grew thin, strange things might slip through the cracks. Sometimes then, so the stories went, enchanted islands would appear in the empty ocean to the west of Wildsea.
When Utterly Dark was a baby, she was washed up on the shores of the Autumn Isles and taken in by the Watcher of Wildsea. But everything changes when her guardian suddenly drowns. Now who will keep the Watch, and make sure Wildsea stays safe from the strange forces teeming in the deep ocean around them?
A magical new story from the bestselling and prize-winning author of Mortal Engines.
In addition to our Lovereading4Kids expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
A magical, mystical story about monsters, myths, witches and sea creatures that had me on the edge of my seat. Full review
'Absolutely extraordinary writing, like Charles Dickens writing Ursula K Le Guin... I can't think of anyone who does worldbuilding the way Philip Reeve does.' Ross Montgomery, author of The Midnight Guardians
'An absorbing, brilliant book. A glorious read. I loved my journey to Wildsea.' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy
ISBN: 9781788452373
Publication date: 02/09/2021
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9781788452373 |
| Publication date: | 2nd September 2021 |
| Author: | Philip Reeve |
| Publisher: | David Fickling Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 288 pages |
| Suitable for: | 11+ readers, 9+ readers |
| Genres: | Adventure Stories, Family / Home Stories, Fantasy / Magical |
| Recommendations: | Books of the Month, Julia Eccleshare's Picks, Star Books |
| Collections: | Our Top Children's Christmas Book Recommendations for 2021, Best Children's Books of 2021, |
Philip Reeve was our Guest Editor for June 2012. Click here to see his books and some that inspired him. Philip Reeve was born and raised in Brighton, where he worked in a bookshop for years while also producing and directing a number of no-budget theatre projects. Philip then began illustrating and has since provided cartoons and jokes for around forty books, including the best-selling Scholastic series Horrible Histories, as well as Murderous Maths and Dead Famous. He's been writing stories since he was five, but Mortal Engines was the first to be published. Mortal Engines defies easy categorisation. It is ...
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