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BfK No. 146 - May 2004

Cover Story
This issue's cover illustration is from Jenny Nimmo's The Blue Boa. Jenny Nimmo is interviewed by Julia Eccleshare. Thanks to Egmont Books for their help with this May cover.

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Secret City

Jan-Andrew Henderson
(OUP Oxford)
160pp, 978-0192719577, RRP £5.99, Paperback
10-14 Middle/Secondary
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Something evil lurks deep in the ground under the ancient city streets of Edinburgh - something that will link the lives of Charlie Wilson, in the city for the Festival with his parents, and Peazle, orphan, pickpocket - and dead for 100 years. Fans of the supernatural won't find much to surprise them here - we've the story told in a diary, evil orcs, fairy princesses and even a magic sword - but they'll find lots to enjoy. Henderson weaves his different stories together skilfully using a genuine legend as the basis. Part of the pleasure of this kind of storytelling is knowing what will happen next - the treasure is bound to be cursed, there's obviously more to the strange young girl than meets the eye - but the author builds up the tension then springs some creepy surprises. An epilogue setting the scene for the sequel will no doubt please many young readers.

Reviewer: 
Andrea Reece
3
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