Never before have so many books been written for the Young Adult market. It's wonderful to see such a huge choice opening up for teens and pre-teens.
To my mind debut author Jack Croxall has perfectly pitched Tethers, the first in a trilogy, for this readership. Tethers is set in Victorian England which is a neat device to allow Karl and Esther, two 13 year olds, the freedom necessary for this often dangerous and scary adventure – they can't be traced by their mobile phones!
I particularly like the way the friendship develops between Karl whose mother and aunt run a dress shop and Esther daughter of two publicans.
A fortnight before Tethers begins, Karl had been caught trespassing in Mr Stratham's garden and has been warned by his mother in no uncertain terms not to go there again. However what Karl saw through a sitting-room window – an engraved silver box with a "mosaic of intricate components" – bears further investigation and Karl is determined to take another look. On his way he is stopped short by a shout of "Oy, Rum-eyes!" the nickname he has acquired because he has one green and one blue eye. The interruption is from Esther who, bored duing their Easter holidays, is looking for distraction. Unwillingly Karl is forced to accept her company and what follows leads them on a long and hazardous journey away from their village during which they encounter injury and threats as well as witnessing deaths...
Jack Croxall writes well and the action-packed pace is maintained throughout Tethers. The Victorian setting isn't over-played but is used to good effect in the travelling by boat, and barge. This is a book which will appeal to everyone given that the heroine is such a feisty and engaging character and Karl is someone who has experienced bullying but stands up for himself and those he befriends.
I am not a great fan of Prologues but that is really my only criticsm of Tethers. Well-written and perfectly pitched for youngsters and adults alike, Tethers makes an excellent, stand-alone read but I look forward to the next two novels.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Tethers
