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The Humming Machine
The Humming Machine
Sep 21, 2024 7:34 PM

Author:Berlie Doherty

The Humming Machine

Great-grandpa Toby is making so much NOISE! And if Tam can hear the clamour coming from his humming machine, the fairies will too. And soon enough, on the night of a blue moon, Great-grandpa Toby vanishes without a trace. While battling nightmarish fairies and decoding the words of the Flame-Reader, Tam eventually discovers his Great-grandpa has been captured by the beautiful Damson Hag, and turned into a nine-year-old boy! Bewitched, fed only with rose petals, and mournfully playing the humming machine to himself, Great-grandpa Toby is tempted to stay in Faery Land and be young for ever... Unless Tam has anything to do with it.

Reviews

Garfield at his absolute best

—— Observer

A great read

—— The School Librarian

A great story to read aloud or for new readers to tackle on their own

—— Northern Echo

[The book] succeeds because it does not condescend to reluctant readers

—— Sunday Independent

The narrative is linear and pacy

—— Inis

One of those books you take with you to the bath . . . Packed with bloodcurdling spectral incident.

—— Evening Standard

I have a particular terror of anything involving unfriendly ghosts and usually steer clear, but this one was just too tempting. Scare me it did, but the thrills were perfectly balanced by the intriguing plot twists and the humorous banter of the three main protagonists. It’s a little bit Sherlock Holmes, a little bit Skulduggery Pleasant, with a terrifying haunted house thrown in for good measure. You definitely won’t be disappointed

—— Waterstones.com

This was absolutely excellent. I loved the story, the amount of suspense and creepiness was exactly right to keep me reading page after page very quickly.

—— Guardian online

Stroud is one of the smartest and most talented writers around . . . Be prepared for lots of humour and some very creepy moments. You're going to be hooked.

—— Children's Books Ireland

It's a ripper! . . . With plentiful wit and good humour, more than a few chilling moments and, above all, refreshing creativity, Jonathan Stroud has constructed an energetic, fast paced narrative that trips nimbly back and forth from the present to the past as he first sketches and then deftly paints this fascinating landscape.

—— Science Fiction World

It's brilliant - that's all you need to know really so go and buy it now

—— Bookzone4boys

It’s almost impossible to put down and all I have left to say is that I want more.

—— books4teens
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