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Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher
The Blurb On The Back:
"Deep in the City something had been woken, something so old and so ordinary that people had been walking past it for centuries without giving it a second look ... "
When George breaks a small dragon carving from the Natural History Museum he finds himself plunged into a world he can't understand: racing for survival in a city where scupltures and stone carvings move and fight, where it's impossible to know who to trust and where nothing is what it seems.
Enter the original and breathtaking world of this epic adventure, the first of an exciting three book sequence, and you'll never see the city in the same way again ...
Since his dad died, 13-year-old George tries to avoid being noticed. However when he breaks a dragon carving outside the Natural History Museum, he finds himself thrown into a world that exists in parallel to ours - one where statues come to life and seek vengeance against George for what he's done to one of their own. Aided by a statue of a World War I gunner and Edie, a girl who can see a statue’s history, George must make good the harm that he's done by seeking the Stone Heart. But others also seek the Stone Heart and if George fails to amends in time, then he'll trapped forever in this nightmare world.
A delight from start to finish, the idea of statues coming to life is an original idea, well told. Fletcher effortlessly introduces the reader to the concept of the taints (statues who look like animals) and spits (statues who look like humans) and builds up additional layers of complexity. The use of London's geography is excellent and the book includes a map in the book identifying where the key character statues are located.
George is a lost and confused character but what happens to him forces him to re-evaluate his life and develop a confidence of his own. His relationship with Gunner is well portrayed, as is his more complex relationship with Edie (for me the star of the book). Edie is trying to come to terms with what she is and learn more of her strange gift, which the statues see as a curse. Fletcher keeps the flashback scenes fresh and original (particularly his recreation of a Frost Fair) and uses them to form a central mystery that keeps this trilogy going. Edie's loneliness echoes George’s with both keeping people at a distance. The way in which they come to like and respect each other is well-handled and touching. The Walker and his Raven are chilling antagonists, relentless and ruthless in their hunt for George. There is a wonderful set-up at the end of the book for a sequel where hopefully both characters will play an important role.
One nitpick is that occasionally scenes feel slightly over-written. One exchange between George, Edie and Little Tragedy adds nothing to this story (although may be picked up later in the trilogy).
All in all, this is a really good read with a rich and evocative world.
The Verdict:
Take a really original concept, mix it with some excellent writing and put in a darkly fascinating pair of villains and you have a recipe for an entertaining fantasy read that will be loved for years to come.
When George breaks a small dragon carving from the Natural History Museum he finds himself plunged into a world he can't understand: racing for survival in a city where scupltures and stone carvings move and fight, where it's impossible to know who to trust and where nothing is what it seems.
Enter the original and breathtaking world of this epic adventure, the first of an exciting three book sequence, and you'll never see the city in the same way again ...
Since his dad died, 13-year-old George tries to avoid being noticed. However when he breaks a dragon carving outside the Natural History Museum, he finds himself thrown into a world that exists in parallel to ours - one where statues come to life and seek vengeance against George for what he's done to one of their own. Aided by a statue of a World War I gunner and Edie, a girl who can see a statue’s history, George must make good the harm that he's done by seeking the Stone Heart. But others also seek the Stone Heart and if George fails to amends in time, then he'll trapped forever in this nightmare world.
A delight from start to finish, the idea of statues coming to life is an original idea, well told. Fletcher effortlessly introduces the reader to the concept of the taints (statues who look like animals) and spits (statues who look like humans) and builds up additional layers of complexity. The use of London's geography is excellent and the book includes a map in the book identifying where the key character statues are located.
George is a lost and confused character but what happens to him forces him to re-evaluate his life and develop a confidence of his own. His relationship with Gunner is well portrayed, as is his more complex relationship with Edie (for me the star of the book). Edie is trying to come to terms with what she is and learn more of her strange gift, which the statues see as a curse. Fletcher keeps the flashback scenes fresh and original (particularly his recreation of a Frost Fair) and uses them to form a central mystery that keeps this trilogy going. Edie's loneliness echoes George’s with both keeping people at a distance. The way in which they come to like and respect each other is well-handled and touching. The Walker and his Raven are chilling antagonists, relentless and ruthless in their hunt for George. There is a wonderful set-up at the end of the book for a sequel where hopefully both characters will play an important role.
One nitpick is that occasionally scenes feel slightly over-written. One exchange between George, Edie and Little Tragedy adds nothing to this story (although may be picked up later in the trilogy).
All in all, this is a really good read with a rich and evocative world.
The Verdict:
Take a really original concept, mix it with some excellent writing and put in a darkly fascinating pair of villains and you have a recipe for an entertaining fantasy read that will be loved for years to come.