Riverskin: A pacy and atmospheric tale

Tess lives with her Aunt Peg in the turns under the River Tees, their home furnished with the waste discarded by the dry-folk who live out of the water. Chained in a pit is Unkle Darkwater, a malevolent and dangerous presence, a constant threat to their safety. When Unkle breaks free and it seems Aunt Peg is lost to her, Tess is helped by Chris, a dry-folk boy she saved from drowning, in a quest to find the mysterious green lady of the foss and discover who she (Tess) really is.

Tense and twisting, Riverskin was inspired by the legend of Peg Powler, a green-skinned witch who is said to lurk in the waters of the River Tees, snatching people and dragging them to a watery death. This re-imagining asks the 'what ifs…', suggesting Peg isn't the villain she has been made out to be, offering a fresh take on traditional folklore.

Tess has a very distinctive voice, using blended words to describe her environment and her emotions. Evocative and otherworldly, this creative use of language, at times almost poetic with the use of alliteration, kennings and assonance, adds much to the story. There is no 'playing safe' here, challenging readers to immerse themselves in Tess's world and follow the flow of her thoughts and experiences.

The story poses questions around preconceptions, misconceptions and uncovering the true 'villain', exploring a possible backstory which offers a very different perspective. The casual pollution of rivers by human thoughtlessness is also constantly in the background of the story with Tess and her 'family' making use of all the rubbish which has found its way into the river.

A challenging and different story, perfect for those looking for a challenge and something out of the ordinary! ‎

272 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+