"Packed with jokes and wild imagination, Stephen Mangan's debut is a heart-warming story of friendship and overcoming fears"
Stephen Mangan's debut novel for children is as funny and imaginative as you'd expect from this talented actor. But beyond the laughs, the mind-boggling puzzles and the Dahl-esque characters, it is a story of friendship and kindness. Jack, learning to cope with the death of his mum, is looking for distraction in the local fair. Tempted into the Rooms, a labyrinth of underground puzzles, he meets Cally - also dealing with bereavement after the recent death of her grandmother. As the pair work together to solve a series of challenges, which become increasingly hilarious and bizarre, they are taken on an amazing journey that tests their resilience, builds friendship and helps them navigate their grief. The book is illustrated with fantastic cartoon drawings by Stephen Mangan's sister, Anita.
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I love this book. Not only was it nice to read but it made me laugh and feel so many different emotions. I would not change anything about it and hope other children will get to read this great book.
The story is about a boy called Jack and a girl called Cally who together must find keys to escape rooms and find their way home whilst solving puzzles, traps, and riddles along the way.
My favourite part is when Jack and Cally are in a glass box and have to give a statement that is neither true or false. If they give one that's true they will be dropped into a pit of lions. If they say one that is false they will be dropped into a pit of poisonous spiders.... Read Full Review
