I’m sure my mind is playing tricks on me. I definitely remember reviewing The Secret of the Blood Key by David Farr, but as I look back through my GeekDad posts, it doesn’t seem to be there. What’s weird about this, is that Secret of the Blood Key is the second book of a series, and if I wasn’t going to review it, I would definitely have read The Book of Stolen Dreams first.

I read the books out of order (2, 1, 3), and, for fairly obvious reasons, I don’t recommend it. In my non-existent review for book 2, I remember commenting that you can read book 2 first, and it still makes sense. What you definitely can’t do is read book 3 without reading book 1. I know, because I tried and got completely lost and had to head back to the beginning before returning to the final novel. (Fortunately, publisher Usborne had sent me all three books, so I could easily take a look. Many thanks to them for doing so!)

Book One, The Book of Stolen Dreams, is a masterpiece of children’s fiction. While Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures may have garnered the largest number of literary plaudits (at least here in the UK) of any children’s release in the last five years, for me, it is beaten into a firm second by The Book of Stolen Dreams.

This is a mesmerising tale with a mysterious book of poetry at its heart. A book that allows travel to the afterlife. Not only that, the titular “Book of Stolen Dreams” offers the potential for the deceased to return to Earth.

The setting is a fictional country in a world that, in a wider context, is similar to ours and fairly modern. There are cars, film, and telephones, but also airships for travelling about. No real-world countries are visited in the book, but they are mentioned. The world is simultaneously familiar yet unfamiliar.

The nation of Krasnia is ruled by a dictator. The brilliantly named Charles Malstain. Malstain maintains a brutally oppressive regime, where children are not tolerated. As the novel opens, Malstain is after the Book of Stolen Dreams. Rachel and Robert’s father, Felix, is head of the Library of Krasnia and sworn protector of the book. Malstain, who is dying, must not be allowed access to the afterlife (called The Hinterland in the books), lest he return as an undying overlord.

Felix is captured and “disappeared,” but not before handing the book to Rachel and Robert. They are tasked with getting it to safety. A heroic adventure ensues that involves a bickering family of spectral artists, a plot to assassinate Malstain, and working out how to push back against a regime that stifles all dissent. There is a melancholy thread, too. Rachel and Robert’s mother has died, and the Book of Stolen Dreams might allow them to see her again. Yet, they know the book must be destroyed to ensure that Malstain can’t use it to live for eternity. Victory will be bittersweet.

The first book is paced perfectly and filled with a wonderful magic. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Books 2 and 3 carry on in the same vein. (Mild spoilers ahead for book 1).

After their victory, Rachel and Robert are left with a Red Key. They discover that several of these exist, and that Rachel is now part of a secret organisation sworn to protect the integrity of The Hinterland. When a young girl is kidnapped and taken into The Hinterland, Rachel follows her in to effect a rescue. In doing so, she unwittingly furthers Malstain’s plans to return from beyond the grave.

This second book, The Secret of the Blood Red Key reminded me a little of The Phantom Tollbooth, with its depiction of The Hinterland. Rachel meets its denizens and discovers the various themed zones of the afterlife, where people linger before moving on to their final resting place. Again, David Farr imbues his story with a soft magic that is a joy to read.

The beginning of the third book, The Final Battle, is perhaps the weakest section of the three novels. Change abruptly comes to Krasnia once more, as Malstain returns for a final time to bring iron rule to the beleaguered nation. The device for doing so felt a little convenient and unpolished, considering the smooth plotting of the first two books. Once you accept Malstain is back, however, the book purrs along just like the other two.

The final story is essentially one of a shameless demagogue who lies to get exactly what he wants and cement his place in power. He assures this by manipulating his fanatical and uncritical base. These themes may feel horribly familiar to older, politically aware readers.

As a triumverate, these are a special set of books. Everyone should read The Book of Stolen Dreams, it’s a classic in the making. Once you do, you’ll almost certainly be back for the other two books.

If you would like to pick up a copy of The Book of Stolen Dreams, you can do so here in the US and here, in the UK. The Secret of the Blood Red Key is also available stateside (and here in the UK) but so far, The Final Battle is only available in the UKU (Affiliate Links)

And I noticed after finishing writing this review, I wasn’t going totally mad – I did review the book but on YouTube, during a very short tenure of recording book reviews.

If you enjoyed this review, check out my other book reviews, here. 

I received a copy of this book in order to write this review.

Source: geekdad.com