The stuff of teenage dreams, here executed with pace and panache

This densely written novel is fast-paced with excellent, detailed descriptions of battle scenes that literally take the reader's breath away. It kept me spellbound on the edge of my seat

He's clearly loving telling this story - there are some pleasing twists - and his energy creeps into the words on every page

Imagine a literary world where Philip Pullman meets Darren Shan and you have some of the flavour of this ambitious novel

An exhilarating cross between The Matrix and Hellboy, this is an impressive debut. Battles with powerful magic, demonic possession and vomiting bats combine to produce and action-packed and entertaining adventure

Jonathan Stroud goes from strength to strength . . . Dramatic tension and coruscating wit never falter