What a delight! * Fiction Focus *

Beautifully written, completely absorbing ... Magical * The Book Magazine *

Brilliant descriptions, powerfully evoking the sounds and smells of London in the period and superbly drawn characters combine with a delicately constructed plot to make this book a real pleasure * Good Book Guide *

A beautifully written tale of suspense and intrigue * The Historical Novels Review *

Spellbinding * Haverhill Echo *

A very unusual, poetic tale * The Northern Echo *

An extraordinarily beautiful and gripping tale * The Times *

Enchanting * The Children's Bookseller *

Richly written, highly visual and full of accurate historical detail * Children's Education *

Gripping ... as vivd as Pepys' diary ... strikingly original ... a very special book indeed * School Librarian *

'completely engaging' -- Jennifer Taylor * THE BOOKSELLER *

An original and enigmatic novel * The Spectator *

'a beautifully written story. Sally Gardner has clearly researched the times and customs very well indeed for she had me transported back to that far off time. I would definitely recommend this book, told with such care and feeling.' -- Muriel Barking * NEW BOOKS *

'Beautifullly written, completely absorbing story... the author evokes the streets of London and the political upheavals of the day with compelling ease. -- Christine Kidney * THE BOOK MAGAZINE *

'will captivate readers with its riveting and detailed parallel storylines, its intriguingly drawn characters, and, above all, its engrossing first person narration' -- Marla Arback * YABOOKSCENTRAL.COM *

'the skillful writing sweeps through mid-seventeenth century London.' * SCHOOL LIBRARIAN *

'a thrilling story that mixes historic realism, credible characters and the dreamy, sometimes violent, dimension of a netherworld. The two blend seamlessly in this gripping and orginal story that abounds with gritty suspense. An excellent read.' -- Mary Arrigan * SUNDAY TRIBUNE *

'a book filled with enchantment and difference. You won't read many novels as beautifully written and as enthralling as this rich, spellibinding, new-off-the-black fairy tale.' -- John Millen * SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST *