The Night’s Realm

Nick Ward’s skilful, lively and atmospheric illustrations add hugely to the attraction of this fantasy story about a boy who conquers his fears. From the eye-catching, foil-blocked cover through starry borders and motifs to the detailed, cross-hatched black and white full page illustrations, the reader is drawn into the world of the Night’s Realm where children are trapped by the spells of the wicked Magician who drains their energy and memory to feed his own power. Billy’s secret fear of the dark is tested to the utmost when he is trapped in the Magician’s sinister world. Here, he finds that, protected by his grandfather’s talisman, he is the only child able to resist the Magician’s spells and he has to fight his fear, step up and save himself and the other children from the clutches of the Magician and the fearsome creatures of the Night’s Realm.

This spooky, magical tale presents a positive message of overcoming fears and should appeal to readers who enjoy a bit of a scare along with the fantasy adventures.