Helpful Score: 1
When I was a kid, I always particularly liked Joan Aiken's books, especially the spooky and grim, 'The Wolves of Willoughby Chase' and the funny 'Arabel and Mortimer' series. Somehow, I never got around to 'The Cockatrice Boys,' (or, looking at her bibliography, a whole bunch of her other books that I guess weren't at my public library!
I also hadn't heard that Aiken passed away last year... a belated R.I.P.!!!
When England is reduced to a near post-apocalyptic state by a sudden plague of monsters, the military builds a great train to attempt to combat the vicious creatures. Laying track up north, and getting decimated by assorted grotesques at every step of the way, they make their way closer to what may be the source of the problem... Our heroes are young drummer boy Dakin Prestwich and his cousin Sauna, an orphan who's spent the last few years tied up at her aunt's house so that she doesn't break the china. These two kids may be the last best hope of England...
Deftly melds the dark and the funny.... mixing classic legends of England with superstitions regarding Manchester United, etc... Imagine Terry Pratchett with a gothic horror feel...
I also hadn't heard that Aiken passed away last year... a belated R.I.P.!!!
When England is reduced to a near post-apocalyptic state by a sudden plague of monsters, the military builds a great train to attempt to combat the vicious creatures. Laying track up north, and getting decimated by assorted grotesques at every step of the way, they make their way closer to what may be the source of the problem... Our heroes are young drummer boy Dakin Prestwich and his cousin Sauna, an orphan who's spent the last few years tied up at her aunt's house so that she doesn't break the china. These two kids may be the last best hope of England...
Deftly melds the dark and the funny.... mixing classic legends of England with superstitions regarding Manchester United, etc... Imagine Terry Pratchett with a gothic horror feel...
England has been invaded by monsters! They eat everything in sight! The plucky English fight back with an armored train, inventing weapons as they go. This was a fast, fun read. Ms. Aiken has fun with stereotypes, the aunt was very creepy. Not tons of plot to get in the way of the action and humor.
