Evenfall: The golden linnet by Alexander Armstrong

The quote on the back of the book, from Richard Osman, long-time colleague of the author, accurately expresses that the book is “A Da Vinci Code for kids”. It will appeal to fans of other fantasy offerings such as Phillip Pullman’s Dark materials, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter fans.  It is a debut novel for children from Alexander Armstrong who is better known for his hosting of the UK TV series "Pointless".

The story centres around Sam, an ordinary 13-year-old boy caring for his ailing father after his mother was killed in a tragic motor accident some years ago.  He is gifted a strange necklace and a Golden seal on his thirteenth birthday which seem to give him strange and wonderful powers.  Unbeknownst to Sam he was born to be the Tempest, a leader to save an ancient secret order of storytellers who once protected the world.  The Order of the Evening have all but been wiped out by evil forces hoping to find their hidden palace Belassis which is the source of some very powerful magic.  In the wrong hands it could destroy the world, and an old enemy is getting closer to finding it.  Sam and his unlikely friends Ish and Goz, must uncover family secrets, take terrifying journeys and face the cruellest of enemies to learn to unlock his true destiny and fulfill his heritage.

The book is fast-paced and takes the reader through some complex scenarios which may be better understood by more advanced readers.  Relationships are not always as they first seem, and Sam must work out who he can trust and who is working to destroy him. Sam’s friendship with Ish and the ways in which Ish’s family provide support to Sam is heart-warming and their developing friendship with the very independent Goz adds to this incredible adventure. A perfect read aloud for classrooms or bedtime.

Themes: Fantasy, Quests, magic, Secret societies, Prophesies.

Gabrielle Anderson