I was drawn to this book by the gorgeously gothic cover. It hinted at the layers hidden within the story. And indeed there were!
The story follows young Luke Mountfathom in the various stages of his childhood. Growing up in the long standing magical Mountfathom family comes with a burden. Someone who isn’t happy for the rich to keep the powers within their family...why can’t the ‘have not’s’ use their magical abilities too?
The heart of this novel is the friendship between 2 boys. Luke – who has grown up very sheltered in his comfortable environment, whose biggest worry has been he wants to know more magic now (not when he’s older!) and Killian. Killian comes from a very impoverished background who has had to fight for food and survival.
The backdrop of the story being set in Ireland sets a lovely juxtaposition for McDowell’s magical/political conflict and brings more meaning to what to me seemed like a story with a little shortfall in its comings.
I didn’t feel very connected with many of the characters, other than Killian. Despite his nature and his lies, he was a product of his upbringing, and had heart. Luke seemed a little shallow, and only really showed any emotion towards the end of the book.
The description of the Mountfathom grounds and house were beautiful, as were some of the magical spell/elements.
But for me, this could have had more of an impact if the Mountfathom’s, or indeed any of the old magical families had more likeability.
Thank you to Readers First who kindly sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an open an honest review.
The story follows young Luke Mountfathom in the various stages of his childhood. Growing up in the long standing magical Mountfathom family comes with a burden. Someone who isn’t happy for the rich to keep the powers within their family...why can’t the ‘have not’s’ use their magical abilities too?
The heart of this novel is the friendship between 2 boys. Luke – who has grown up very sheltered in his comfortable environment, whose biggest worry has been he wants to know more magic now (not when he’s older!) and Killian. Killian comes from a very impoverished background who has had to fight for food and survival.
The backdrop of the story being set in Ireland sets a lovely juxtaposition for McDowell’s magical/political conflict and brings more meaning to what to me seemed like a story with a little shortfall in its comings.
I didn’t feel very connected with many of the characters, other than Killian. Despite his nature and his lies, he was a product of his upbringing, and had heart. Luke seemed a little shallow, and only really showed any emotion towards the end of the book.
The description of the Mountfathom grounds and house were beautiful, as were some of the magical spell/elements.
But for me, this could have had more of an impact if the Mountfathom’s, or indeed any of the old magical families had more likeability.
Thank you to Readers First who kindly sent me a copy of this book in exchange for an open an honest review.