LoveReading4Kids Says
Samuel Johnson and his loyal dog, Boswell, have already saved the world from being overrun by demons – twice. You would have thought they had done enough, AND they’ves had to put up with a couple of strangely undemonic demons who stayed behind after the last adventure and are living with them at home. But no, it seems they must take on the forces of evil once again. There are weird things happening in Biddlecombe – statues that move without help, shadows that seem to grow and grow and begin to block out the sky’s light, strange goings on in the town’s big department store, which is theoretically opening as a toy shop. Something is not quite right (well, many things, really)…
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for the Samuel Johnson vs The Devil series a small number of readers were lucky enough to be invited to review the first in the series, The Gates. Here's a taster....'a really brilliant, breathtaking book that captures your attention from the first word...'
Scroll down to read more reviews...
LoveReading4Kids
Find This Book In
| Suitable For: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
The Creeps Synopsis
Samuel Johnson is not in a happy place. He is dating the wrong girl, demons are occupying his spare room, and the town in which he lives appears to be cursed.
But there is some good news on the horizon. After years of neglect, the grand old building that once housed Wreckit & Sons is about to reopen as the greatest toyshop that Biddlecombe has ever seen, and Samuel and his faithful dachshund Boswell are to be guests of honour at the big event. A splendid time will be had by all, as long as they can ignore the sinister statue that keeps moving around the town, the Shadows that are slowly blocking out the stars, the murderous Christmas elves, and the fact that somewhere in Biddlecombe a rotten black heart is beating a rhythm of revenge.
A trap has been set. The Earth is doomed. The last hope for humanity lies with one young boy and the girl who's secretly in love with him. Oh, and a dog, two demons, four dwarfs and a very polite monster.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781444751857 |
| Publication date: |
9th October 2014 |
| Author: |
John Connolly |
| Publisher: |
Hodder an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
312 pages |
| Series: |
A Samuel Johnson Adventure |
| Suitable For: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
John Connolly Press Reviews
A small number of readers were lucky enough to be invited to review the first title in the series, The Gates. Read their reviews below.
Evie Scott-Sentance, age 10 - 'This is an exciting story but also surprisingly funny given it has such a dark subject. It made me laugh a lot and it reminded me of Lemony Snicket...I recommend this book as an exciting, funny read.' Click Here to read the full review.
Darcy Gray, age 11 - 'The Gates is a hilarious book and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I would recommend it to everybody.' Click Here to read the full review.
Josh Hall, age 13 - 'Extremely good and strangely realistic to say it was very much a fantasy book...It was a good book, the likes of which I have not read before' Click Here to read the full review.
Traviss Chaytors, age 10 - 'A brilliant book with demons, dogs and gargoyles and you just can’t put it down.' Click Here to read the full review.
Safiyah Afghan, age 15 - 'Hilarious and dark, this book is comical and darkly humorous. Full of adventure, humour and laced with scarier moments The Gates is perfect for all readers.' Click Here to read the full review.
Dylan Sweet, age 10 - 'This is a fantastic book about demons, a little boy called Samuel and a dog called Boswell and an amazing adventure...I would rate this book four star because it is scary, humorous and adventurous at the same time.' Click Here to read the full review.
Alice Watkinson, age 10 - 'a really brilliant, breathtaking book that captures your attention from the first word... A work of pure genius with spine-tingling twists and turns that stay in your mind forever.' Click Here to read the full review.
Jodi Coffman, age 11 - 'The Gates is a fast-moving, action-packed thriller. It is a real page turner and I can't wait for the next in the series.' Click Here to read the full review.
Octavia Sharman - 'I would recommend The Gates to any science-loving readers who are open to new ideas.' Click Here to read the full review.
______________________________________
Praise for THE GATES:
Demonic and darkly comic' - Daily Telegraph
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole bizarre, mind-bending, thought-provoking ride - Books
Ireland
A delight for kids and adults alike. - The Age
Destined to be another runaway success appealing to both young adults and their parent alike. - Sunday Independent
About John Connolly
JOHN CONNOLLY sees a strong connection between his adult and children’s books … ‘Most writers only have one or two themes to which they constantly return, and one of my themes is childhood. I make no apologies for that, and the Samuel Johnson books ‘are simply another aspect of that fascination – albeit one that allows me to be a little funnier than in my adult books, and permits my imagination a different, and perhaps freer rein.’ With strong opinions on how scary books for children can be, he brings a noire element to his writing for youngsters that will chill and thrill and entertain. Born in Dublin, he is a bestselling adult novelists known for his Charlie Parker mystery thriller books.
He has also co-written a young adult novel called CONQUEST with Jennie Ridyard.
More About John Connolly
