Blog Tour Review: The Light Thieves Search for the Black Mirror

Search for the Black Mirror is the second in The Light Thieves trilogy:  a thrilling, gripping rollercoaster of an eco-adventure that kept me utterly entranced throughout.  This can be read as a standalone as it starts with an innovative four-page illustrated synopsis of the first book.  I also thought this was a brilliant quick reminder of the events in the first book for those of us who have read the first book, and were left with the tantalising cliffhanger that made this one an eagerly anticipated read. 

It is being widely reported that friends Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli are responsible for the destruction of the Tipping Point which had been built by tech-entrepreneur, Howard Hansom, for the sole purpose of saving the planet which had been tilted on its axis after an earthquake three years previously.  This disaster has led to a black mark appearing on the sun which has grown bigger after the destruction of the Tipping Point taking the world one step closer to destruction …

The children have made their way back to the Wilde community who live in the forest, living in harmony with nature, and distrusting the technology which others rely on.  Grian shares a secret with his friends which his kidnapped Grandad has entrusted him with:  he has a letter and a crystal from the White Rose who may well be the only person who knows what is happening to the sun and can stop its energy loss.  Who is the mysterious White Rose, and can the children find them before the sun is damaged beyond repair?  Will they be able to get the help they need from those in the Council of Colour?  And, can they avoid being caught by the police and the Proctors, both of whom are chasing them?

So begins a brilliantly fast-paced, action-packed adventure as Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli begin their mission to save the world from the machinations of someone determined to steal the sun’s light for their own ends.  Can they find the mysterious black mirror mentioned in a puzzle that may be the key to saving the sun?  Who amongst those they meet can they trust, and who is prepared to betray them? This is one of those stories that I found impossible to put down as I became completely caught up in the adventure:  the danger, the twists, the revelations and the just not knowing who was friend and who foe.  I loved the tension and excitement built by the feeling that time was running out and, just when I thought I could take a breath, something else happens that makes me desperate to continue.   I just have to say that the villains are brilliantly portrayed and each time they appear, the tension and danger really ramps up.

I loved the role nature and animals play in this story with Shelli having a special bond of friendship with animals that saw many aid the children in their mission, and fight back against those who would harm the sun and their planet.  I especially loved her friendship with Nach, the fox she had rescued, and found their bond just beautiful.  I found it incredibly sad that technology was encroaching in to nature’s space and harming both flora and fauna.  There is a wonderful message about the need to protect nature in order to protect humanity.

Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli have formed a close bond of friendship with Grian trusting them with his Grandad’s secret letter.  They each have their strengths which they draw on to work as a team in their dangerous mission, showing great courage, ingenuity and determination.  I really enjoyed the camaraderie between them, their honesty with each other and the support they give each other when it is needed.

This is a brilliantly inventive, unputdownable eco-adventure that is guaranteed to captivate readers of 9+.  I absolutely cannot wait to find out how this incredible story ends, and really enjoyed the sneak peek at the end of the book.  Now, for the wait …

Author Information

Helena Duggan is a children’s author, graphic designer and illustrator from
Kilkenny, a medieval town in Ireland, which was the inspiration for A Place
Called Perfect. She writes in a treehouse built by her husband Robbie and his
brother in the bottom of their garden. She lives in a small house with Robbie,
their daughters Jo and Bobbie and dog Tinker.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heldideas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helddesign/

Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Usborne for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on this week’s Blog Tour below: