Monday 22 November 2010

10+: Fly by Night - Frances Hardinge

Release Date: 01/09/96

BOOK BLURB:

This is a breath-taking adventure story, set in reimagined eighteenth-century England. As the realm struggles to maintain an uneasy peace after years of cival war and tyranny, a twelve-year-old orphan and her loyal companion, a grumpy goose, are about to become the unlikely heroes of a radical revolution. Mosca Mye has spent her childhood in a miserable hamlet, after her father was banished there for writing inflammatory books about freedom. Now he is dead and Mosca is on the run, heading for the city of Mandelion. There she finds herself living by her wits among cut-throat highwaymen, spies and smugglers. With peril at every turn, Mosca uncovers a dark plot to terrorize the people of Mandelion, and soon merry mayhem leads to murder ...With an unforgettable cast of characters and an inspiring message at its heart - sometimes the power of words can change the world!


REVIEW:

Frances Hardinge’s first novel and one that clearly demonstrates the author’s talent and why she’s a name to watch. Originally released in 2006 I am pretty much a late comer to this title and was pleasantly surprised at what the book contained.

As with her other titles, the reader can expect some great dialogue, a good number of interesting characters and protagonists that they can readily identify with. Add to the mix a seriously good descriptive style as well as an understanding of pace that makes this a title that the reader enjoy especially when they take into account the vivid world described within. All in, this title is thoroughly enjoyable, although on a critical note, I’d suggest that this title is for the older reader than the recommended age due to the complexities of the overall arc.


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