Beast Quest: Ferrok the Iron Soldier

It is not surprising that the ‘Beast Quest’ series has sold in its millions since the first volume was published in 2007. This volume continues the signature style of excitement, action and adventure in a good-triumphs-over-evil story. Harking back in style to classics like Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and C S Lewis’s The Last Battle, it should have even the most reluctant boy reader on the edge of his seat.

In this new story, Tom and Elenna face a new Beast in the form of Ferrok, an Iron Soldier who throws nets of flaming thread to trap and kill his enemies. He emerges from below the ground, trapping a young soldier and encasing him in a metal body to turn him to evil. As Ferrok creates a growing army of these slaves and marches on Avantia, Tom and Elenna have to move quickly to defeat this new evil and save the kingdom. The compelling narrative is well structured and well written, rich in figurative language and powerful detail. Sentences are straightforward in construction and short, punchy chapters allow plenty of opportunity for less experienced readers to take a break. Copious manga-style illustrations support the reading experience.

This particular book is a bumper volume, with two stories in one book and four collector’s cards. It is highly recommended for its excellent writing and the telling of a really good yarn.