Carnival of the Spider: BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR

By Author / Illustrator

Kieran Larwood, Sam Usher

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Faber & Faber

ISBN

9780571364541

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-07-2023

Synopsis

There were three men and two women . . . One had half a face. One had iron legs. The others all had one or both arms missing. There were pincers and claws and guns instead. And you could hear them ticking. Ticking all the time.

When Sheba the wolfgirl learns that her old friend Sister Moon is being held prisoner by the Spider and its gang of mechanical villains, the Carnival immediately launch a daring rescue mission to Paris. Along with Pyewacket the witch's imp and catlike Inji, Sheba joins forces with Moon's son Remy, a boy who can bend shadows to his will.

Deep underground in the catacombs of Paris there is a map, which they must find to trade for Moon's freedom. But who is this mysterious Spider? And why is she so desperate for an old map? With the city under siege from Prussian invaders and the Spider's henchmen on their trail, the Carnival will need to use all their powers to save their friend . . .

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Reviews

Carnival of the Spider is the third in the series following on from Carnival of the Lost and Carnival of the Hunted. It did not disappoint; this book is every bit as well written as the first! It's full of snippets of history and the pages are packed with adventure.

This time we are transported to Paris, deep underground in the catacombs during a siege from Prussian invaders, on a quest for a map to secure the release of Sister Moon who is being held prisoner by a gang of mechanical villains. We are introduced to Remy, Sister Moon's son, who is desperate to free his mother. He approaches the Carnival for help and Sheba the wolfgirl, Pyewacket the witch's imp and catlike Inji all join forces. They need all of their wits about them and to use their special abilities to save their friend.

As always, it was good to be reunited with the characters from the beginning of the series. I loved that we got to learn a bit more of their back story, particularly Mama Rat's secret past. I also enjoyed the description of the mechanical villains of the story. One had half a face, another iron legs and there were pincers and claws added instead of hands. Their mechanical nature made them stronger adversaries although their ticking noises gave them away.

I really loved the illustrations throughout the book. Sam Usher has a real talent for bringing the characters alive on the page. The dark drawings added to the Victorian, steam punk feel of the story. Kieran Larwood's writing is also very descriptive, so he sets the scenes in Paris very well.

There were several tense moments throughout the book, where I found myself really rooting for Remy and the others. There is an excellent notes section at the back of the book which explains some of the French history and acts as a glossary. This is great children's fiction and will really appeal to those that enjoy a good fantasy/adventure story.

352 pages / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian