The Blurb On The Back:

”Devils in the stones. All around us … “


London, 1592 – a teeming warren of tradesmen, thieves and cut-throats. But when scrunty Jack the nipper cuts the wrong purse, he stumbles into a more dangerous London than he has ever imagined – a city where magic is real and deadly.

An outbreak of Satanist atrocities has led to a wave of anti-witch fervour, whipped up by Preacher Webb, the charismatic Puritan leader. Webb promises to purge London of an ancient evil. But things are not as they seem. And Jack has good reason of his own to hate Webb.

Moving through a shadow world of criminals and fanatics, spies and magicians, Jack seeks his revenge. But since his first encounter with Webb there has been something wrong with his eye. Now he sees London for what it really is.

A city of devils.


ExpandThe Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Andrew Prentice and Jonathan Weil’s dark middle-grade fantasy, the first in a trilogy, is a well researched story that, for me, got a little too bogged down in historical detail with the result that the story lacked tension and excitement. In particular, I felt that the historical setting stifled the magical world building that was needed to set up the main themes in the story and I found the villain to be two-dimensional and the love story unconvincing. It’s an okay read, but while I’d check out what the authors produce next, I’m not in a hurry to continue this trilogy.

BLACK ARTS was released in the UK on 29th March 2012. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.

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