LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Oscar is skipping school, which isn’t unusual because he doesn’t like it, and his teachers don’t seem to like him. But something happens at the skateboard park which is very unusual indeed: he is transported magically into another world and – fortunately temporarily - dies.
From this astonishing beginning, things continue at the same helter skelter pace, though the action is wonderfully controlled and there’s ample room for the characters to breathe as real people. Oscar meets the young members of an unusual blended family, Imogen, sisters Esther (a Rain Weaver) and Astrid, Bronte and Alejandro, one time pirate, now a prince.
Together they embark on a quest to save the elves’ city of Dun-Sorey-Lo-Vay-Lo-Hey by gathering nine pieces of a magical key – all against the clock too. There are encounters with water sprites, Radish Gnomes and witches, and even a flying carpet (of sorts), and along the way we learn as much about Oscar and his new friends as they do.
Part of Jaclyn Moriarty’s brilliant Bronte Mettlestone series, this is enormously entertaining, a sparkling fantasy of the very best sort, in which the magic is always surprising and the protagonists more than they seem too. If you haven’t read the others in the series, this works perfectly as a stand alone, but you must – and after reading this, you’ll be desperate to.
Andrea Reece
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About
The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere Synopsis
Oscar is just skipping school and hanging out at the local skatepark when he suddenly finds himself transported into a world very different to his. And this is his own account of his adventures from Monday to Friday last week.
In the company of Bronte Mettlestone, Esther, Imogen and Alejandro, ordinary Oscar finds himself on a quest to locate nine separate pieces of a key, held by nine separate people, in order to unlock a complicated spell that had trapped the Elven city of Dun-sorey-lo-vay-lo-hey.
If they don't succeed in their quest, on Friday at noon the spell becomes permanent, the Elves will be crushed to death and Oscar will be trapped in this magical world forever. (The account, it should be noted, has been written at the request of Oscar's school's Deputy Head Teacher. She wants to know exactly what Oscar considered more important than coming to school last week.)
Once again Jaclyn Moriarty perfectly weaves magic, mayhem and dry humour into an unforgettable, fast-paced adventure. Through Oscar’s viewpoint readers get a new perspective on the quirky, rich fantasy land and unforgettable characters she has created, in this brilliant fourth book in the Bronte Mettlestone series.
About This Edition
Press Reviews
Jaclyn Moriarty Press Reviews
Praise for the Bronte Mettlestone series;
The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone:
‘Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket’ Book of the Year, i newspaper
‘A whirligig of adventure’ The Telegraph
‘A spell-binding fantasy quest that will enthral until the end’ South Wales Evening Post
The Slightly Inconvenient Tale of the Whispering Wars:
‘A book to shout about!’ the i newspaper
‘Madcap and headlong, a deftly-told adventure’ LoveReading4Kids
‘Funny, quirky, clever and outrageously entertaining’ Lancashire Post
The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst:
‘A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colourful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings’ School Library Journal Starred Review
‘Splendidly entertaining’ Kirkus
‘Like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld – fantasy adventure steeped in humour, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order’ BookList
Author
About Jaclyn Moriarty
Jaclyn Moriarty is the best-selling author of many novels for children, young adults and adults. She has been the recipient of the NSW Premier’s Literary Award, the Queensland Literary Award, and the Aurealis Award for Fantasy. Her books have been named Boston Globe Honor Books, White Raven selections and Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
Jaclyn grew up in Sydney, Australia with four sisters (including authors Liane and Nicola Moriarty), one brother, two dogs and twelve chickens. She has lived in the US, UK and Canada, but now lives in Sydney again, along with her son, Charlie. She is very fond of chocolate, blueberries and sleep.
Find her on Instagram @jaclynmoriarty
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