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The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin
The Blurb On The Back:
An old painting ...
A strange labyrinth ...
The sudden appearance of skeletons in a locked room ...
For centuries, Blackhope Tower has been shrouded in intrigue, which seems to centre around a curious painting hanging in the Mariner’s Chamber.
Its meaning has baffled historians, but when fourteen-year-old Sunni Forrest visits the tower, she finds herself transported to the very heart of the Blackhope enigma, and the painting itself. Can she and her friend Blaise overcome its dangers and evade their ruthless pursuers? And will they find their way home ... alive?
An age-old mystery is about to unravel.
Blackhope Tower is a building with a secret that centres on the Mariner’s Chamber – a room that houses a strange maze and a stranger picture that was painted by the famous 16th century artist, Fausto Corvo. When 14 year old Sunni Forrest decides to copy the painting for an art project, she is disappointed not only to have to take her annoying younger brother Dean with her, but also to find that Blaise Doran – a good looking boy in her class and rival artist – wants to copy the painting as well.
What should be a quiet afternoon takes an incredible turn when Dean disappears into the painting. When Sunni and Blaise go after him, they find themselves caught up in a centuries old mystery involving magic paintings, adventure, and dark goings on that will place Dean, Sunni and Blaise in great danger ...
Teresa Flavin uses art history as the basis for this story of magic and adventure and it’s interesting to have the two main characters of Sunni and Blaise share a passion for art. Certainly this is a book that communicates its enthusiasm to art to the reader. However there isn’t really enough of Sunni or Blaise that makes makes them memorable and I didn’t understand why Blaise needed to be American for the purposes of the story. Dean is a bit of a stereotype – a sulky 12 year old boy who’s more interested in his games consoles and TV.
The main villain, Angus Bellini, is transparent and his desire for riches and power is rather ho hum. Lady Ishbel has more potential to be interesting but isn’t really developed enough on the page to succeed. In fact, of all the characters it’s Marin, Corvo’s apprentice who’s been hiding in the painting looking for traitors, who most comes alive from the page.
The biggest problem though is that what should be an exciting story – with its skeletons in locked rooms, magical paintings and centuries old skeletons – is strangely lacklustre. There’s set up for a complex plot but key strands don’t seem to go anywhere and the pacing never really gels.
All in all, this is an okay read that will keep readers occupied, but I couldn’t help but think that a story about magical paintings and hidden paintings should have had more oomph to it than this ultimately offered.
The Verdict:
Although this book has an exciting premise, the delivery fails to meet up to expectations. The passion for art that comes across the page isn’t enough to sustain what’s ultimately a bland story with bland characters. It’s an okay read, but no better.
THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA is published in the United Kingdom in July. Thanks to Templar Publishing for the ARC.
A strange labyrinth ...
The sudden appearance of skeletons in a locked room ...
For centuries, Blackhope Tower has been shrouded in intrigue, which seems to centre around a curious painting hanging in the Mariner’s Chamber.
Its meaning has baffled historians, but when fourteen-year-old Sunni Forrest visits the tower, she finds herself transported to the very heart of the Blackhope enigma, and the painting itself. Can she and her friend Blaise overcome its dangers and evade their ruthless pursuers? And will they find their way home ... alive?
An age-old mystery is about to unravel.
Blackhope Tower is a building with a secret that centres on the Mariner’s Chamber – a room that houses a strange maze and a stranger picture that was painted by the famous 16th century artist, Fausto Corvo. When 14 year old Sunni Forrest decides to copy the painting for an art project, she is disappointed not only to have to take her annoying younger brother Dean with her, but also to find that Blaise Doran – a good looking boy in her class and rival artist – wants to copy the painting as well.
What should be a quiet afternoon takes an incredible turn when Dean disappears into the painting. When Sunni and Blaise go after him, they find themselves caught up in a centuries old mystery involving magic paintings, adventure, and dark goings on that will place Dean, Sunni and Blaise in great danger ...
Teresa Flavin uses art history as the basis for this story of magic and adventure and it’s interesting to have the two main characters of Sunni and Blaise share a passion for art. Certainly this is a book that communicates its enthusiasm to art to the reader. However there isn’t really enough of Sunni or Blaise that makes makes them memorable and I didn’t understand why Blaise needed to be American for the purposes of the story. Dean is a bit of a stereotype – a sulky 12 year old boy who’s more interested in his games consoles and TV.
The main villain, Angus Bellini, is transparent and his desire for riches and power is rather ho hum. Lady Ishbel has more potential to be interesting but isn’t really developed enough on the page to succeed. In fact, of all the characters it’s Marin, Corvo’s apprentice who’s been hiding in the painting looking for traitors, who most comes alive from the page.
The biggest problem though is that what should be an exciting story – with its skeletons in locked rooms, magical paintings and centuries old skeletons – is strangely lacklustre. There’s set up for a complex plot but key strands don’t seem to go anywhere and the pacing never really gels.
All in all, this is an okay read that will keep readers occupied, but I couldn’t help but think that a story about magical paintings and hidden paintings should have had more oomph to it than this ultimately offered.
The Verdict:
Although this book has an exciting premise, the delivery fails to meet up to expectations. The passion for art that comes across the page isn’t enough to sustain what’s ultimately a bland story with bland characters. It’s an okay read, but no better.
THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA is published in the United Kingdom in July. Thanks to Templar Publishing for the ARC.