Review:
Nighttrap by Tom Becker
Scholastic 2008
Jonathan's friend Mrs Ellwood has been kidnapped by Vendetta the
vampire. As ransom Vendetta demands the Crimson Stone, a priceless gem
which is in the possession of Xavier, an elderly and fanatical antique
collector. Jonathan must secure the help of a crack team of thieves to
break into Xavier's impenetrable fortress, but once inside Jonathan's
worst nightmares are realised as the true, horrible identity of Xavier
is revealed and the Crimson Stone remains just out of reach.
The third in the Darkside series this is a gothic thriller on speed
with plenty of whirlwind action that you can almost visualise jumping
off the page. Peopled with vampires, a werewolf, magicians, a fire
eater and two argumentative trapeze artists there is sufficient drama
and humour to appeal to every discerning young reader. The superb cover
deserves a special mention and should certainly encourage children to
pick up the book.
Darkside is another world that exists parallel to the city of London
and in this Becker must surely be borrowing from Neil Gaimon's hugely
successful
Neverwhere, but that doesn't really matter as Tom
Becker has
created a well written, cinematic novel that should have boys champing
at the bit for more.
One word of warning; the stories build on each other, so it's better to
read them in the right order.
Claire Larson
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