- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: OUP Oxford (2 May 2019)
- ISBN-13: 978-0192768834
Brat, the unlikely hero of the story, is a orphaned boy who is rescued and forced to serve an evil magician/mad scientist - Lord Macawber. Since being exiled from the city, Macawber has lived only to avenge his rival and rescue his daughter (Ellari) by creating an army of vicious mutant monsters - using the magic of necromancy. Focused solely on defeating his enemy, Lord Macawber creates the strongest monster of all. Unable to control his own army, it is left to Brat to face his fears and escape the confines of the island, in order to warn everyone of the impending doom. Brat, together with his only friends Tingle and Sherman (Lord Macawber's first and least fearsome creations), set of on the perilous journey to warn the city and find Ellari.
This story is truly gripping and while I devoured it in one sitting, I was wishing for it not to end. With its message of self belief, inclusion and acceptance of difference this is a fantastic adventure for any KS2 child to read. I will definitely be recommending it to all the pupils in our school.