"Oliver Twist meets Cherub in this dynamic contemporary thriller"
This high-octane, high-stakes London-set thriller is a fast-paced read with contemporary resonance about kids who get caught up in gang culture as a result of being forgotten by government and overlooked by adults.
Orphan Ollie’s life is turned upside-down when his guardian is captured and attacked in front of him and he discovers The Haven, a secret subterranean organisation of kids and teenagers who look after and educate each other with no adult intervention. “We’ve come to realise that grown-ups don’t always have kids’ interests at heart,” explains one of The Haven’s leaders. This stimulating set-up is propelled by a gripping race against time to find a missing kid, the murderous menace of a woman bent on destroying the city, and the threat that The Haven itself might be dying as a result of diminishing incomers and depleting donations from former members.
The compellingly thought-provoking concept is deftly delivered through accessibly snappy writing and, as such, I’d recommend it to reluctant readers and those with shorter attention spans as well as devoted fans of teen thrillers, providing as it does an instant hit of action, intrigue and narrative energy. What’s more, this is the first in a series, and readers will no doubt be left eagerly awaiting the second instalment.
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Adventurous, and thrilling. Full of character and great plot.
I really liked the book Haven because it has a really passionate idea to help children, and at the same time shows how children can help other children. I also like how it is adventure packed. It is a great story and has a meaning to it. I admire the twists and turns especially when Dodge betrayed them. My favourite character was Ollie because I really liked his fast thinking in tight situations and his great perseverance. My favourite part was when Ollie saved all the gangs members because I think that shows his true character and his heroic nature.... Read Full Review
The Haven is an interesting action book that starts slowly and builds into a great read. Rog is a great charcter because of his morals and leadership skills. Boys and girls will like this book and I cant wait for the next book.
The Haven is a good book which recounts the events of a group of homeless children who have come together to form an underground city. The Haven starts slowly before the action takes hold and you start to really enjoy it.... Read Full Review
Haven is an action packed book, rammed full or adventure and danger. I loved reading this book.
Me and my mum have loved this book, we have read it aloud to each other each night and we knew in the first few pages it would be a book we would both enjoy.
The Haven is a place for kids, run by kids and these kids are good, they want to help other children like them. This book has a lot in common with Oliver Twist but at the same time is completely different. The biggest similarity is the names, Ollie and Dodge, Fagin, Sikes and Bullseye all appear in Haven but not as the characters we knew in Oliver.
This book is going to be big. It's exciting, it's full of danger and it's really enjoyable.... Read Full Review