The Midnight Howl

The Midnight Howl, even better than the first, this second in the series allows readers the chance to re-enter the magical and often scary world of Victorian London, a world which is always stuck at midnight and is inhabited by an array of strange and/or scary characters. I think we knew that the Nocturne would be back to fight another day, or night, in this case. So, clearly, Emily had to come back too, whatever her mum and dad said.

If it's a case of saving the Midnight Hour from losing all its magic - through holes which have started to appear in its structure - or staying at home and being good, what child would think twice? Clearly not this one. It seems that Emily (accompanied, of course, by Hoggins and a reluctant-but-dutiful Tarkus) is drawn to danger and adventure; perhaps it's in her Pooka blood. At least she can draw on some magic and throw some bad luck around when facing down the enemy. But she'll need that and more - the help of sisters Art and Library - to defeat the third Old Power, Nocturne. It will also help to have some of her relatives as back-up, even if only at the last moment.

I have many favourite bits, but Emily's conversations with Uncle Pat and with Tarkus are hilarious. I also enjoyed how the authors subtlety changed real-world names, like Hatchet booksellers and Floaty MacFloatface. They are a hugely talented duo, whose imagination and humour overflow onto the page. Theirs is certainly a story that many Years 5 & 6s will be asking their teacher to read aloud, or asking their school library to get, and then hoping there will be another to complete the trilogy.

304 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Jane Rew, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+