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My thanks to Anne of Random Things Tours for the invitation to join the blog tour for Labyrinth Junction, and to author Hayley Davenport-Smith for a free copy of this book to review.
The blurb:
Little does Ben envisage this is what awaits him as he escapes the clutches of two bullies and climbs into the dark and gloomy cave. That’s when he discovers it, deep inside…Labyrinth Junction, a gateway to other worlds! Once he gets past the old witch standing guard, he’s led down a dark tunnel by a peculiar talking dog into the strange and magical land of Numblebrook and his adventures truly begin!
With his life in peril and trapped in Numblebrook, Ben befriends a pretty orphan girl called Amy and her pet dragon. Together, they and the strange Moonbeamer people set off on a series of dangerous missions in an effort to solve a riddle, free the land of the evil King and get Ben back home.
Labyrinth Junction is an exciting and fast moving fantasy story full of perilous adventures and heart warming friendships. It is a story about the sheer bravery and determination of a young boy who is prepared to risk his life if it means finding his way home. It will appeal to 8 - 12 year olds with a taste for adventure and excitement.
Magic & Fantasy
Children's Books
My thoughts:
This is a fast-paced, exciting adventure story with magic, puzzles to solve, danger and dragons.Written in the third person, it tells the story of a young boy called Ben. We meet Ben as he is running away from two other boys, Jacob and Owen. He enters a dark cave where he meets a witch. She is standing at Labyrinth Junction where there are four tunnels into other worlds. The witch sends him through one of the tunnels to Numblebrook with a message addressed to Haligan Lexin, who Ben must find once he has arrived in this new world.
Ben meets Amy, a young girl, who helps him evade capture by the evil King Ados.
Ben wants to go home but the tunnel entrance has gone, so Amy takes him to the Moonbeamers, a magical species, who she says will be able to help him find the tunnel.
The Moonbeamers are unable to help Ben because King Ados has stolen their power. The only way they can recover it, is to retake the throne, which King Ados' father stole from the Moonbeamers.
Ben, Amy and the Moonbeamers set off on an adventure to put Haligan Lexin on the throne, solving puzzles and facing danger along the way.
I found this story very well-written and enthralling. It held my attention throughout, and I'm a tad out of the intended audience age range! I particularly enjoyed trying to solve the riddles in the poem.
I'm passing on my paperback copy to my daughter for her class reading box. This is sure to fire their imaginations!
| Author Bio – Hayley Davenport-Smith |
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 Hayley is originally from Stockport, Cheshire, but relocated to the coast of North Wales in 2010 and now enjoys living a few minutes walk from the Irish Sea. She graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with an honours degree in Accountancy, and later studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education in Manchester. Whilst teaching in Wales, she completed a 'Post Graduate Certificate in Bilingualism in Education'. Hayley is a qualified primary school teacher and mother of five children. She has spent many years watching youngsters become absorbed in fiction books. Inspired, she decided to write her own debut children's fantasy novel. This was a personal book for Hayley, not only because her twelve year old daughter illustrated it and designed the cover, but because of the young minds she hopes to capture: I wrote this book after being inspired by my own children and the children I have taught as a primary school teacher over the last fifteen years, explains Hayley. Being a teacher is rewarding, but often emotionally challenging and you meet children from all walks of life. Every child has their own individual strengths and weaknesses, but I find that all children have one thing in common ... a love of fiction books. I wanted to create a story that would mesmerise children and carry them away into another exciting, fantasy world. Labyrinth Junction is the first book in a planned series. Hayley's interests include spending time with her children, wildlife, walking her two collie dogs, learning Welsh and, of course, reading! |
| Social Media Links – | |
| Web site | http://www.labyrinthjunction.co.uk/ |
| X | @/davenport_smith |
Huge thanks for the blog tour support Deborah x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to review my book 'Labyrinth Junction'. I'm so glad you liked it. Hayley x
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