For some unknown reason I didn't read The Dreamsnatcher when it was published last year, and have only made amends following the recent release of its sequel, The Shadow Keeper. I missed out hugely, but at least I have caught up now with these tremendous titles from a very exciting new writing talent.
If I say that these books provide entry level access to the genre of high fantasy, I do not intend to demean them in the least. Quite the reverse. Although there are shelf upon shelf of fantasty titles for older readers, adults, teens, and even 'tweens', there is relatively little of this quality of fantasy writing so well geared for pre-adolescent children. In a situation where their particular market seems too often dominated (at least in the UK) by zany comedy and gaming spin offs, such accessible yet absorbing fantasy is to be welcomed with open arms. Of course this is an age group which often revels in somewhat irreverent, at times scatalogical humour, and there is nothing at all wrong with catering to it; it turns countless children into avid readers and that is a glorious thing. But children also need books which will develop and stretch their imaginations, take them beyond the world they know. There is nothing better than fantasy for doing this and Abi Elphinstone's books are pure story in the very best sense. Like the early J K Rowlings they are outstanding examples of how the genre can be made captivating for young readers.
The world of The Dreamsnatcher is very firmly built around classic high fantasy conventions, and this is, of course, exactly what it needs to be if it is to introduce young children to this genre. Its core scenario is the Tolkinesque good v evil, light v dark. It has at its centre the child (cf hobbit) who is selected as the one who can defeat the dark, and, despite youth and considerable vulnerability, proves to have the character and courage to meet this task. This is in itself such an important central image for children. Their lives are rightly restricted and controlled, they are at an age where they must be kept safe and secure. Yet they need in their fantasies to explore being special, important, and, at least vicariously, to be the one who saves the world.
Yet Abi Elphinstone builds around this core scenario a world that is more than original enough to give it vibrant life and freshness. The home base of Moll, her twelve year old protagonist, is a small encampment of gypsies. This works well and gives the characters strong identity and rich heritage, not least in the areas of superstition and 'magic'. It also very poignantly creates a core community which, in its simple, largely-outdoor living, its consequent strong connection to the earth, and animistic beliefs, could well represent any of a huge range of cultures and lifestyles across human history. It therefore has considerable resonance. Such fresh, clever imagining combines with strong writing to very powerful effect.
Against this the author pits evil characters based on traditions of voodoo-style witchdoctors, shamans or medicine men. These contrast well with the gypsies whilst being fully believable as belonging to the same world. They certainly fulfil most convincingly their iconic status as representatives of all that is evil. Although it has its lighter moments, and many touches of good humour, there are times when this book is actually quite dark, darker, indeed, than its rather picture-book cover would suggest. But this is a good thing too. A certain amount of 'behind the sofa' fear-tingle is another ingredient of fantasy that needs to be introduced and experienced. The eventual triumph of light over dark does not carry its full potency if the dark is not experienced as black and threatening enough. In fact Abi Elphinstone is fully to be trusted as a writer for this age group. She cleverly and rightly eschews the worst horrors of her protagonists actual killing without sacrificing the necessary shivers of horror engendered by their monstrous adversaries.
On the 'good' team, she successfully assembles a cast of likeable chracters with whom young readers will readily identify. Moll is feisty and rebellious enough to engender ready admiration, but is also touchingly naive and vulnerable. There is great charm in the way she takes on monstrous evil with a catapult. There are warm smiles too for her friend Siddy's devotion to his pet earthworm, especially as Porridge the Second is a replacement for a sadly deceased predecessor. After defecting from 'the dark side,' a third friend, Alfie, completes a trio of vivid young characters, to whom Moll's wildcat soulmate, Gryff, also adds an animal dimension. All in all, it is a 'tribe' of protagonist to rival the best young fantasy has to offer.
Nor are adults neglected in the world Abi Elphinstone creates. Moll's gypsy family offers a range of interesting figures too. Even though the writer plays the classic 'orphan' card with Moll, her adopted father, Oak, lives up to his name. It is good to see that the care and protection of 'responsible adults' is valued alongside the qualities of youthful bravery and friendship.
Like the cast of characters, the topography of the world of The Dreamsnatcher is limited, which keeps everything within the easy grasp of young readers. Yet Abi Elphinstone skilfully uses such iconic locations as the ancient woodland, the dark and dangerous forest, the dividing river, and the blasted heath to establish landscapes of either security or menace, fitting for high fantasy.
As it builds to its climax The Dreamsnatcher achieves tremenous power, the power of wonderful story. It is gripping and thrilling, moving and terrifying in spades; truly awesome as only the very best stories can be. It is also a deeply moral book and one bursting with humane understanding. It is a celebration of the glorious struggle of all children to be someone special, and of their magical triumph of achieving it. Young readers will be captivated and enthralled.
One small thing. In reading this book, as indeed in a good many others, I do find myself wishing that the magical forces which engender prophesies and the like didn't do so in quite such dreadful doggerel. If their verses at least scanned acceptably their mystical utterances would make for a much more comfortable read as well as conveying far more awesome resonance. But this is tiny quibble in the context of a triumphant writing debut.
The Shadow Keeper is everything a sequel should be. It offers more of the same, just as readers desperately want, but without being in any way tediously repetitive. Abi Elphinstone cleverly shifts the base locale from the forest to the coast. This sacrifices something of the tightness of the first novel but opens up engaging new possibilities with smugglers, sea caves, kayaking and the like extending and invigorating the narrative.
There is a level on which this story continues the noble tradition of children's adventures. It has a classic gang of four children and an animal (two animals, I suppose, if you count the hermit crab) following coded clues and boldly seeking treasure, a second amulet. They even have dandelion-and-burdock cordial to refresh them when they need it (instead of lashings of ginger beer). It has no less charm, no less vicarious excitement than the best of its precursors, but it also adds a whole new dimension wih its fantasy elements and particularly with the ever threatening presence of evil magic. It is Enid Blyton for the post-Potter generation. However it is infinitely better written both in its language and in its story-telling than the work of that earlier children's icon. Its writing is unostentateous but always powerfully effective. It bursts with imagination too. It is indicative that its aminal 'companion' is a wild cat rather than a shaggy dog. This tale has edge; it's protagonist and her 'pet' are both semi ferral. Yet they remain endearing and the telling still has the capacity to wrap its readers in a warm blanket. It provides cozy insecurity. It helps children to become aware of the 'broken beauty of the world'. It weaves many threads from older tales into a new tapestry. It is consummate storytelling for this age group.
However it is its protagonists who carry this book's real power. Even more than their quest for the amulets, it is the children's journey to discover who they are, what they are made of, that is at its heart. Most of all, in this second instalment, it is the desire to restore the 'real' Alfie that provides the true emotional thrust of the narrative. It is this story's people who matter to us most of all. And that is a large part of what makes this, like its predecessor, a great book.
In crafting this sequence Abi Elphinstone is achieving something very special. She has taken the potent core conventions of fantasy and not messed about with them too much. Yet she has totally refreshed them and made then accessible and hugely exciting for a new generation of young readers. These books are already picking up fans daily. Very soon they will be BIG. They need international publication and will I am sure get it. They will be read and enjoyed by numerous children, now and in years to come. (Come on US publishers. These are certainly ones for you. Please can we have beautiful hardbacks with deckle edged pages? These are books which deserve editions as special as their content.)
Now,of course comes the wait for the third of the trilogy. The tantalising ending sets up thrillingly high expectations which the evidence of these first two books indicate will be wondrously fulfilled.
Meanwhile, here's a 'Jinx' link (Jinx is the name of Moll's cob in the Shadowmasks books).
Readers who are looking for something equally special to keep them going in the meantime are strongly recommended to seek out the Jinx (The Wizard's Apprentice) series by US author Sage Blabkwood (Jinx, Jinx's Magic, Jinx's Fire). Here is more 'high fantasy' pitched well at younger children. The Jinx books have a slightly different feel but are just as strong on imagination and storytelling. And they too have the frisson of fighting off malign forces but within a wholesome (and in this case admirably green) compass.
Posted with Blogsy