The Trooping Fairies have visited the small town of Clonbridge for their annual celebration. Their arrival awakens other creatures who are also after fun and mischief. Sibhe is the queen of the fairies. She seems like a very nice fairy but turns evil once you get on her bad side.
Eleven year old Cat who lives in the village is the main human character in this book. She has “the Sight”; a magical ability that allows her to connect with and understand supernatural things like fairies.
The scene is set for drama, excitement and adventures. Because each year the trooping fairies take children. Cat’s granny had given her and her brother Mickey magic charms to project them from the dangerous magic that sought children out. However, Cat’s mother who didn’t believe in magic had taken the charm from Mickey, leaving him in danger.
Jenny, the sister of Cat’s former friend Shane who also live in the village was taken as well. Jenny and Mickey were missing and now Cat and Shane had to work together to get their siblings back from Sibhe before dawn comes. Their efforts to do this form most of this story. Unfortunately Cat’s granny falls ill just when they need her the most. They are on their own to save Mickey and Jenny.
The book was very interesting, mysterious and surprising. I could have never have guessed what would happen next. It was a real page turner and had me gripped from beginning to end. It was a great story so I really wanted to finish it to see what happened. My favourite character was the Clurichaun. He is a solitary fairy. I loved how he tried to help Cat and Shane even though he knew it would get him in trouble. I loved his rhyme which helped them throughout the story; helping them figure out what they had to do.
There are a lot of characters in the story and the author gives us a very helpful glossary of their names and what their character is like at the end of the book. That makes it easier to follow if you get confused as you’re reading. I really liked the way most of the story is set over the course of one night. That really adds to the excitement of the story.
I didn’t know very much about Irish mythology and folklore so that was really interesting for me.
There was nothing I disliked about this book at all. I don’t usually read these kinds of books but I really enjoyed this one!
The front cover is lovely and I really liked the print size – not too small, not too big. The front cover shows all the little creatures and the two human characters.
I think this would make a brilliant movie!
I’d give this book 10 out of 10. I really liked it a lot. I love reading and this for me was one of the best books I’ve read so far this year
I’m 12 and I think this book would be good for 11 to 14 year olds. Younger readers might find it hard to follow the plot and all the characters. The print size is lovely; not too big and not too small – perfect. Thank you for sending this book to me to read. I will be keeping my eye out for other books by Alex Dunne!
By Tess, 6th Class, Mercy Primary School, Birr, Co Offaly.
“The Book of Secrets, by Alex Dunne, published by O’ Brien Press, is on sale now for €12.99 (P/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
