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:

Well, that was a busy month! I said goodbye to another class of Year 6 children moving on to secondary school – and then it’s the summer break! Vashti Hardy came to work with each of our Year Groups and it was so lovely to see their enthusiasm for creating fantasy maps. Having more authors visit is definitely a goal for next year.

Books I’ve read:

I’m not sure how I did it, but I read 16 books in July – to be fair, a few were shorter books. Three of these are from my Beat the Backlist Challenge so 27 to go!

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 9 books by Publishers this month. I have read and reviewed five of them so far.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is still at 96%. I requested and have been approved to read three books.

Books bought:

I’ve bought six books this month.

How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

Dead Good Detectives:  Ghost Rescue is an epic ending to this daring duology:  exciting, funny and heart-warming.  It can be read as a standalone, but I guarantee, if they haven’t already read it, young adventurers will be racing for Dead Good Detectives after reading this.

Sid Jones is now firm friends with 300-year-old ghost pirate Ezekiel Kittow (aka Bones) after using those well-known magical tools – a gel pen and a chocolate bar – to free him from the Halfway House where he and his crew were trapped by Old Scratch who may – or may not – be the sinister Innkeeper who has placed the entrapment curse on the inn.  Whilst Sid has her doubts as to whether she has magical powers, Bones convinces her to try to free another of the ghosts, and so her mission to free her new friends begins … 

Oh my giddy goodness!  This is the most wonderful adventure:  action-packed, fast-paced with oodles of excitement, plenty of giggles and heart, not to mention the danger, the scariness, the twists and revelations that kept me utterly engrossed.  I absolutely loved joining Sid and her best friend Zen as they work alongside their ghost friends to break the curse of the Halfway House, allowing the ghosts to complete their unfinished business in this world before moving on.  Could Old Scratch be the sinister Innkeeper, or is someone even more villainous behind the ghosts’ imprisonment?  Is time running out for the ghosts?  What could be causing the mysterious illness that is affecting the people of Fathom?

Sid and Zen are incredibly likeable characters with a wonderfully close friendship and a great deal of courage. They are determined to help free their ghost friends, even when they find themselves in dangerous situations.  I absolutely adored Bones who is incredibly protective and supportive of Sid, helping her to believe that she can complete her mission.  The trapped ghosts feel like a wonderfully close family group who are determined to help and support each other and their new friends as their situation becomes more and more precarious.  Their interactions are both warm and humorous which made this diverse group really likeable characters. 

The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous and really complement the warmth, humour and friendships in this brilliant adventure.  I also loved the inclusion of Sid’s map of Fathom in full colour which I really enjoyed poring over.

This is the most magical, exhilarating adventure brimming with heart and humour, danger and daring that is sure to enchant readers of 8+.

Thank you to the Publisher, Farshore, for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m about half way through the audiobook of The Werewolves who Weren’t and am really enjoying it. I love the relationship between Sam and the gargoyles, and am looking forward to seeing how to escapes the clutches of an old adversary. I’m reading the second book in the Lightcasters trilogy, Mia and the Traitor of Nubis and am loving being back in this world which is so brilliantly realised.

It’s been a good reading week, helped by the rainy weather and being off school! I finished City of Stolen Magic which I did enjoy but not as much as I thought I would! I also read Willodeen which was so beautiful, joyous and magical (I have posted my review). I loved The Light Thieves which has a brilliant cliffhanger ending so loved being back in Search for the Black Mirror which is a brilliant ecoi-adventure. I will be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour on Friday. I also picked up The Thing at Black Hole Lake from my backlist and, oh my goodness, I shouldn’t have waited so long to for this. It is such a fun sci-fi read, so much so that I immediately ordered the next one. On Twitter yesterday, I read a review that made me pick up Finn Jones Was Here at 10pm and I absolutely couldn’t put it down – read in one sitting. The premise is heart-breaking and there was definitely tears, but my goodness there were also laughs and so much love for these best friends. Finally, I read the utterly brilliant Dead Good Detectives Ghost Rescue – I will be posting my review tomorrow.

I’m hoping to read The Valley of the Strange and Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies next – and maybe another couple before I head off on holiday for a couple of weeks when I will have very little time for reading – except on the plane!

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?