Cover illustration: Dana SanMar
Imagerations
I have been an admirer of Sam Gayton since his first book, The Snow Merchant, back in 2011. He is not the most prolific of children’s writers, but has since kept up a steady flow of titles, all of which have been delightfully original and inventive. Most recently, he has moved into books for slightly older children (upper MG /younger YA) showing the same remarkable flair. His previous novel, The Last Zoo, was an absolute riot of whimsical imagerations (his word). It is glorious entertainment and well worth seeking out for any who haven’t read it.
Differently the same
World Weavers is a rather more serious, immersive fantasy, but the author’s original invention is again in full evidence, a compelling attribute in a market where too many fantasies offer only minor variations on the same characters and scenarios. Here there are no orphans suddenly invited to magical schools or plunging through an unexpected portal to find a missing sibling in a faery world. Sam Gaston’s characters do move between worlds, as happens with remarkable frequency. They use their power as ‘weavers’ to find ways through worlds using ‘waythreads’ and to create things they need by re-pattering the nature of what is around them. His three intriguing protagonists, a disorientated boy and two sisters, are not without personality flaws. One sister is garrulous in the extreme, the other nothing short of truculent. Nevertheless they engage the reader fully in surprising events and encounters. It is all very thrilling and entertaining stuff.
Triple perspective
Clever writing, which switches perspective to follow, in turn, each of the three main characters, keeps the narrative developing compulsively. It is a great read from a writer who I think does not always fully attract the attention he deserves. I was delighted to see this book amongst the latest Yoto Carnegies writing nominations and would love to see it in the longlist. (See my last post.) Hopefully this nomination will attract many more readers to a hugely enjoyable fantasy.