Evernight by Ross MacKenzie – Book Review
Evernight by Ross MacKenzie – Book Review
Evernight
Author – Ross MacKenzie
Publisher – Andersen Press
Pages – 352
Released – 6th February 2020
ISBN-13 – 978-1783448319
Format – ebook, paperback, audio
Review by – Stacey
Rating – 4 Stars
I received a free copy of this book.
This post contains affiliate links.
Thousands of years ago, the Evernight came to the Silver Kingdom and turned everything to darkness and chaos. It was only defeated thanks to the skill and bravery of the Witches. But now the Evernight is about to return, released by the evil Mrs Hester, and the only spell that might stop it is lost, deep below the great city of King’s Haven.
Then orphan Larabelle Fox stumbles across a mysterious wooden box while treasure-hunting in the city’s sewers. Little does she realise she is about to be catapulted into an adventure, facing wild magic and mortal danger and a man who casts no shadow . . .
Evernight is the first book in an exciting new middle-grade series featuring dark magic and witches.
Orphan Larabelle Fox, Lara, is a Tosher in the Silver Kingdom, which means she treasure hunts in the sewers. It’s a dangerous job but someone has to do it. One day whilst out hunting she comes across a wooden box. The box is linked to the Doomsday Spell and evil beings including Shadow Jack and Mrs. Hester are looking for it.
Lara soon finds herself the target of unwanted attention but can she protect the box or will the world be ruined?
The book opens with a fast-paced chase scene in which a woman called Jenny Winter is being chased through the streets by the fearsome Shadow Jack as he tries to get the wooden box from her, one of the last protectors of the box. We then move onto the present day with Lara in the sewers looking for treasure when she comes up against some bullies.
The pages are filled with adventure, friendship, magic, and mayhem which had me flying through the book not wanting to put it down. The book fills your imagination which is helped along by the full-on descriptions and fascinating scenery, which are out of this world!
Lara is such a wonderful character with a big heart, especially for someone who has been through so much in her young life. I was rooting for her from the very beginning and adored her personality and bravery.
The evil beings are not too scary for younger children but they are mildly sinister, especially Mrs. Hester who likes to steal other souls to stay young.
Overall the book is the perfect fantasy read for middle-graders with so much happening all the time and a good vs evil plot to keep the kids on the edge of their seats.
Book Reviewer – Stacey
Purchase online from:
Amazon.co.uk – Amazon.com – Amazon.in – Blackwells
About the Author
Ross MacKenzie has been writing stories since he was seven years old, when he created an illustrated short story about a hungry crocodile named Crunchy Colin in a smuggled school jotter.
His novel The Nowhere Emporium won the Blue Peter Best Story Award and the Scottish Children’s Book Award. He now splits his time between writing, his day job as a graphic designer and his wife, daughters and cocker spaniel, with whom he lives near Glasgow.
Sounds like a terrific middle-grade book. Excellent review.
Sounds like a book some of my middle schoolers would like.
Sounds like a book my niece would enjoy. Great review.
So glad you enjoyed this one. Always looking for good middle-grade reads.
This sounds rather sweet and I adore that cover
This sounds adorable. I need to keep a look out for it next time I visit the bookstore!
Amazing review Stacey, I absolutely love middle-grade fantasy books and this one looks and sounds my kind of book. I am really glad you fully enjoyed reading this book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.