Ministry of Pandemonium by Chris Westwood

The Blurb On The Back:

Another night shift, another lost soul – pray the good guys find it first.

Ben Harvester sees what no one else can ...

A cobbled alleyway – a place where it’s always night – hidden behind a crack in the wall.

Mr October, a man of many faces and secrets, knows Ben has a unique gift. He sets out to recruit Ben to a top-secret, highly classified Ministry department – to help in an eternal war against an unspeakable enemy.

And so Ben begins to understand just how great and deadly his gift may be, and why it puts him and everyone he loves in grave danger ...

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

There are some deliciously dark moments in this middle grade fantasy by Chris Westwood and the central idea of a Ministry existing to help ghosts pass on to the afterlife is well executed and very believable. For me the story was a little too slow, mainly because it concentrates on introducing Ben to the work of the Ministry and his own special gifts. However there’s plenty of action and the promise of a sequel will definitely see me reading more.

THE MINISTRY OF PANDEMONIUM will be released in the UK in March 2011. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.