The Island at the Edge of Night

The Island at the Edge of Night

By Author / Illustrator

Lucy Strange

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

9+

Publisher

Chicken House

ISBN

9781913322380

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

11-04-2024

Synopsis

A twisty-turny shadowy mystery from highly-acclaimed and Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author Lucy Strange.  Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have been sent there for doing something wicked. But what is it that Faye has done? She might be bold enough to explore the prison-like island but has she the courage to face a secret deep within herself?


A stunning new tale from the Queen of Gothic, Lucy Strange - author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood, Sisters of the Lost Marsh, The Ghost of Gosswater and the Waterstones Prize-shortlisted Our Castle by the Sea.  A masterful blend of thrilling Gothic mystery, a touch of magical realism and stunning writing, all wrapped up in a twisty-turny plot Perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Emma Carroll.


Praise for The Island at the Edge of Night: 'A gripping tale, as gritty and gothic as it is otherworldly and luminous. Nobody does it like Strange.' Nicholas Bowling. 'Dazzling, endearing, unputdownable, green-magical. A gorgeous book.' Hilary McKay.  'Absolutely superb! Unputdownable. From its gripping drama to its breathtaking beauty, I loved every word.'  Eloise Williams.

Reviews

Beverley

12-year-old Faye Fitzgerald has been sent away to school on the bleak and remote Auk Island in Scotland. She knows that something terrible happened at home involving her Aunt Christina and an ancient yew tree, but she cannot remember exactly what occurred.


When Faye arrives at the school, she discovers that the other pupils there have also been deemed as 'wicked' and have been sent there to be reformed. The school is housed in a creepy old abbey and its regime is harsh; the children are made to work hard and are kept locked in their rooms and given drugs to keep them sedated and compliant.


However, compliance is not in Faye's nature, and she soon discovers that those who run the school are the evil ones, and not the children. Faye embarks on a thrilling adventure and is determined to save herself and her fellow pupils escape from Auk Island.


The Island at the Edge of Night is a brilliant gothic adventure mystery; beautifully written it holds the readers' attention from the very first page. Faye is the perfect heroine, she is tortured by the fact that she cannot remember what she did that caused her to be banished.  The island itself is a fantastic setting, wild and windswept with The Knife, a towering mountain, at its heart.


The main themes of this book are friendship and family - Faye loves her father but since he returned from fighting in the First World War he has changed and become distant. She longs for the days when she was younger and they lived happily together in The Forest House. She has never had friends, but becomes very attached to new friends on the island. 


The Island at the Edge of Night would appeal to readers who love adventure and who enjoy a spooky mystery. In the classroom, with its premise of trees communicating with each other, it could be used to support work around rainforests, or islands; the island in the novel is almost a character in its own right. This story is also a great example of the gothic genre and it could easily inspire children to write their own similar stories.  This book will be a very popular addition to any school library. Highly recommended.


304 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+

 

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