Interweaving the Czech origin of the word ‘robot’ (meaning ‘forced labour’ and derived from Karel Čapek’s ‘RUR’ play), and Prague’s 16th century legend of the golem (a man made from clay created to protect the city’s Jewish Quarter) with contemporary pace and punch, this feels at once timeless and of the 21st century. In the sequel to Monstrous Devices, young Alex joins his mysterious and eccentric grandfather for another high-octane adventure, battling against old foes and an army of sinister robots. Messages about grief and loss that suggest death isn't as scary as we think it is, and perhaps there's a lovely afterlife. Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments It’s another Bookwagon day in our house. The kids were so excited to get their latest books in the post.

Goodreads The Shadow Arts by Damien Love | Goodreads

Hugely original, exciting debut novel... a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.' The Times This was a good book, great for middle-graders. It's unique and imaginative, the pace is good, and the characters are interesting. There's a lot of action, between the chasing and the getting chased, of Alex and his grandfather - but no serious violence, so it would be appropriate for most ages. Honestly, it would make an excellent read-aloud for a classroom setting or at home.

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I have even talked the head into a little revamp of the library so that we can display them properly! In The Shadow Arts, Alex is still desperate to know more about his dad and grandfather in hopes of learning more about himself. How much do you think biology matters? Is who we are more about our learned morals and values than our DNA? With more twists and turns than a Slinky going down a huge spiral staircase, an atmosphere reminiscent of the best of 1960s films and TV shows and some splendid touches of humour, The Shadow Arts is thoroughly recommended to able readers of 9 upwards. But Paris isn’t safe and Alex and his grandfather are thrown into a macabre and magical adventure which includes thrilling chases through small Parisian streets, dangerous rooftop encounters, a French country house and Christmas markets in Prague…

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love (Rock the Boat) Monstrous Devices by Damien Love (Rock the Boat)

An ingenious tale… an array of menacing miniature machines equipped with whirling blades; a mystery that it takes the whole book to gradually unravel…and a properly apocalyptic Christmas finale” – BOOKS FOR KEEPS How are the 1950s depicted in Monstrous? Why is that era so often considered such a wholesome, happy era? What were the realities of that time? How does the media play into artificially idealized depictions? Mysterious and frightening...a well-crafted adventure that's filled with desperate chases, narrow escapes, fight scenes, and twists.' Alex has time to add only a brief message to the note he and his grandfather leave for his mother. There’s a race to St Pancras and thereafter to Paris, for Alex’s latest gift from his grandfather, an old, ugly tin robot is wanted. What is this gift? Who wants it and why? Furthermore, the nature of those who hunt them down is something terrifying; it’s like they’re Monstrous Devices. They’re charged with knife-edged mini drones, or fliers, as Alex’s grandfather informs him. There are life-sizers, too.Another assured debut that takes its protagonist somewhere unexpected... Fans of Anthony Horowitz will love Monstrous Devices.' Let me start with the stupidest one first. I am aware it is kind of silly, but for some reason it drove me batty. Alex is bebopping all over the place with his cell phone, able to make calls and texts, but WITHOUT AN INTERNATIONAL PLAN. Also, his mom was able to text him, and he was texting her, but there wasn't the hassle of area codes. It was just like he knew how to make international calls no prob. Alex, 12 year old jetsetter. Things that should have been obstacles, even trifling ones, were just easily ignored or solved.

THE SHADOW ARTS | Damien Love THE SHADOW ARTS | Damien Love

Hugely original, exciting debut novel by Damien Love. He has built a fantastical but entirely believable world with scary killer robots oiled to perfection with automaton history, surprising characters and dry humour... Get hold of a copy, wind it up and let yourself go.' Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close I did have a good time reading the adventure story, but I feel that some things were not as well-solved by the end of the novel as I'd like. I don't know if this is the first of a series, but I felt some of the plot points could be cleared up more. The resolution hardly felt resolved, and some of the characters ... they fell a bit flat. Alex's grandfather was funny at times, but other times, his 'uh's' and other hesitations seemed overdrawn. Less charming and more annoying. I felt bad for Alex most of the time - I understand the point of keeping some things for later in the book, but the kid is so caught up in a mess that nobody understands completely. Not even the people fighting seem to have the clearest idea of who or what they're on about. He just randomly fights against these vague "evil" forces without understanding the real history behind the bad guys. Who is that girl? Who is the tall man? Why are they all scarred up and how are the robots controlled by them? The little bits that are uncovered leave more questions. Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing -Adventure, mystery and tin-toy terror! An absolutely ripping read from start to finish.' -- Tom Huddleston, author of Floodworld One of the most acclaimed, exciting new children's series in years... A hugely appealing adventure for all ages, which seems almost certain to be adapted for the screen.' * The Herald *