'Deep in the City something had been woken, so old that people had been walking past it for centuries without giving it a second look...'
When George breaks the dragon's head outside the Natural History Museum he awakes an ancient power. This prehistoric beast, sentry-still for centuries, hunts him down with a terrifying wrath. And this is just the beginning... The taints and spits - statues with opposing natures - are warring forces; wreaking deadly havoc on the city landscape. The World War One gunner offers protection of sorts; and the wisdom of the Sphinx is legendary. But George and his companion Edie are trapped in a world of danger. And worse - they are quite alone. The rest of London is oblivious to their plight.
This epic adventure exposes forces long-layered in the fabric of London. After entering its richly original and breathtaking world, the city streets and skyline will never again seem the same!
Having studied English Literature at university , Charlie began his career in the film business carrying cans of film round Soho and making very bad cups of tea on the principal that he'd then be asked to do something a bit more interesting, a strategy that he recommends to anyone starting out as a tea-boy. He progressed to the BBC where he worked in film editing on everything from Drama to Current Affairs.
He then went to California where he morphed into a screenwriter, having been awarded a Warner Brothers Fellowship in Screenwriting at USC School of Cinema and TV. He's written screenplays for Tri-Star, MGM, Paramount and Warner Bros among others. He continues to write for the movies, and also television. He still thinks that being a film editor is a pretty damn fine way to learn about story-telling in general, and narrative structure and pacing in particular.
Title: Stoneheart
Author: Charlie Fletcher
ISBN: 9780340911631
Binding:
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Publication Date: 2007-09-20
Number of Pages: 496
Weight: 0.3811 kg
An extremely clever and original book .... The idea alone is so interesting that is would appeal to almost everybody -- Emily Morton, aged 14 * Scottish Sunday Herald *
Intelligently and elegantly written, with pace and suspence, varied and convincing dialogue and big themes of loyalty, sacrifice and emotional growth, Stoneheart will make readers see London with new eyes * The Sunday Times *
After entering its richly original and breathtaking world, the city streets and skyline will never again seem the same * Children's Zone *
A fantastical, fast-paced adventure * Publishing News *
The plot is intricate, multi-layered and the world in which the boys are trapped is breathtaking. Charlie Fletcher is a brilliant storyteller and Stone Heart is an epic adventure that's not to be missed * Love Reading 4 Kids *
A really exciting read * Surrey Quarterly Magazine *
Erudition, lively prose and ingenuity combine, making this a not-to-be-missed addition to the fantasy oeuvre that will have readers thumping the air with delight! * Books For Keeps *
Another highly original fantasy ... the unrelentling thrills never let up and the careful and intelligent integration of realities never interefers with the action * School Librarian *
Thrilling stuff * The Scotsman *
Exploding with action on every page. I was gripped from the very first line ... A must-read for fantasy and adventure lovers -- Abbie Smith, aged 12 * Watford Observer *
Fantastic! -- Lisa Brown, aged 13 * Watford Observer *
Adventurous, believable and easy to get into the story -- Andrew Reid, St Thomas Aquin's High * Teen Titles *
A highly original page-turner ... This breathtakingly imaginative and inventive fantasy/horror story should come with a warning that once begun it is impossible to put down. The term page-turner does not do it justice and it will change your view of London forever * Book Trust *
Darkly magical * The Guardian *
An immensely enjoyable page turner with a thrilling twist around every corner! -- Eleanor Colquitt, year 7 * The Whitehaven News *
A fantastical, fast-paced adventure. * Publishing News *
Thrilling stuff. * The Scotsman *
An admirable debut. * The Sunday Times *
A highly original page-turner. * The Sunday Times *
A supernatural thriller with an intriguing premise. * The Mail on Sunday *
