Some children's books are gripping and get right into the story but I felt this was slow going, and I just found I had no interest in picking it up.
I struggled a little with the writing style as well, as spellings and many phrases were American and yet it was based in south London - it just didn't gel. And when anglicisms were included they seemed a little forced (e.g. pukka which I thought went out of common speech with Jamie Oliver). Add to that the Below-London aspect just screamed Neverwhere to me.
The book follows Rayleigh Mann who is always getting into trouble at school and spends a lot of time in detention. It is Halloween and he goes out with his friends trick or treating, but it doesn't go according to plan as he is 'snatched' by his uncle who wants to take him to a parallel world beneath London, which is accessed by floo powder ... sorry a coin, an instruction and a laundry basket to help search for his dad Bogey Mann.
I am sure kids will love this book but it wasn't one I could get into.
I struggled a little with the writing style as well, as spellings and many phrases were American and yet it was based in south London - it just didn't gel. And when anglicisms were included they seemed a little forced (e.g. pukka which I thought went out of common speech with Jamie Oliver). Add to that the Below-London aspect just screamed Neverwhere to me.
The book follows Rayleigh Mann who is always getting into trouble at school and spends a lot of time in detention. It is Halloween and he goes out with his friends trick or treating, but it doesn't go according to plan as he is 'snatched' by his uncle who wants to take him to a parallel world beneath London, which is accessed by floo powder ... sorry a coin, an instruction and a laundry basket to help search for his dad Bogey Mann.
I am sure kids will love this book but it wasn't one I could get into.