Demon Strike - Andrew Newbound

Demon Strike
by Andrew Newbound
Pub: Chicken House
Cover illus: Martin Simpson
Kids/YA
Possible first in a series.
Giveaway prize from My Favourite Books

For me Children's & YA books fall into two basic categories. Those that adults can also enjoy and those they can't. The warmth, wit and storytelling of Andrew Newbound put Demon Strike firmly in the can category.

The story focuses around a twelve year old ghost hunter who has taken up the work since her parents disappeared three years ealier. Along with her best friend and expert burglar Wortley, Alannah Malarra helps ghosts move on from earth in a kind of, blast them to hell way.

Just an aside, how great is that name Alannah Malarra, it sounds as though it should be alliterative and trips of the tongue. Fantastic!

Alannah and Wortley are investigating hauntings at an old manor and discover there is much more to the business of ghosts than they imagine, there are gargoyle's, ghouls and gnarls for a start, to say nothing of the Evan city forces the A.N.G.E.L's. The kids find themselves in the middle of a battle between good and evil and Alannah may be the key everything.

Newbound's characters are a joy, great fun and named appropriately although it took me a while to realise that Flhi Swift was Fly swift and not Flea swift. That's probably just the way I think though and not the authors fault. The story is entertaining and full of twists, adventure and suspense all neatly wrapped in a well considered fantasy.

There are clever twists on the ideas of Heaven and Hell whilst still implying that the real thing may be out there too and Newbound's multi dimensional world is well considered and neatly executed. He also sets up a couple of strands for future books of which I hope there will be many.

An easy entertaining read you can buy for the kids and read first. Sophisticated enough in story and delivery to satisfy anyone of any age who has a sense of fun.

Oh, and how cute is Martin Simpson's cover?!