Em and Matt have been left reeling from the revelations of the past few weeks - not only do they now know that they are the children of a Guardian and an Animare, they now also know that their mother bound their father into a painting because he wanted to use them and their amazing creative abilities to open Hollow Earth and release the monsters on the world. That was enough to take in, but now their mother is also missing and they have no idea where to find her.
When they accidentally animate themselves into a painting at the time it was painted, Em and Matt realise that they have the ability to travel through time if they use a painting from the time they want to travel to. It is a stunning revelation, one that comes just in time for them to embark on another dangerous and thrilling adventure when they discover an old painting in the house that seems to hold a clue to help them solve the mysteries that surround them. It is a stressful time, a time when they not only face the challenges of being Animare and Guardian combined, but also a time of normal change for any 'tween, a time of growth, loss, and changing relationships between siblings.
Bone quill is the second book in the Hollow Earth series and continues on from the first book without pause, a chance for a single deep breath before plunging back into the action. It has been a while since I read the first book in the series, but this book feels like it carries on with the same amount of energy, a story that is driven forward by imagination and a deft touch with the writing. The story is not dumbed down, and it doesn't use too much high level language, which makes it a great read for confident younger readers and for teens who are struggling a little with reading.
The characters are well thought out, and there is obviously a well thought out mythology here, a set of rules that may be bent by the unique abilities of Em and Matt, but you can still see how they make sense. This is an enjoyable and engrossing series and I hope that there are a few more books in the series to keep readers hooked for many years to come. This series has the potential of developing a cult series, and you can easily see it transformed into a movie or TV series - maybe even with an appearance from one of the authors? A great read for boys and fantasy lovers who enjoy a story that blends into our own time and place.
If you like this book then try:
- Hollow Earth by John Barrowman and Carole E. Barrowman
- Stone heart by Charlie Fletcher
- Finding the fox by Ali Sparkes
- Under the mountain by Maurice Gee
- The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
- Lionboy by Zizou Corder
- Northwood by Brian Falkner
- The Halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
- Museum of thieves by Lian Tanner
- Lee Raven, boy thief by Zizou Corder
- The roar by Emma Clayton
Reviewed by Brilla
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