And even when he succeeds in cracking a code, it reveals a cryptic clue which needs further thought. He needs to evade them plus decipher the coded messages that his master has left for his eyes only. However it backfires, hitting a stuffed bear in the crotch, and causing a big mess, at which point his master Benedict Blackthorn returns home to survey the scene.Īs events unfold, Christopher is forced to flee from his home with the murderous gang “The Cult of the Archangel” hot on his heels. The book starts with Christopher aided by his best friend Tom, making a cannon filled with gunpowder having deciphered his master’s coded gunpowder recipe. The main character is 14 year old Christopher Rowe, an orphan who is now an apprentice apothecary.
He quickly told me that was the year of the Black Plague. It is set in London in 1665, an era that son1 enjoys in history at school. Having read the first few chapters to son1, I was gripped by the storyline and had to read the rest of the book. However he is younger than the target age and afterwards we discussed how he would probably enjoy it more in a couple of years time.īut I would like to add that it is a great read for adults as well as children. Son1 did enjoy this book, but he found it harder going than he was anticipating, particularly to get into at the beginning, so I helped out by reading the first few chapters out loud to him, which then got him started. The race is on for Christopher: crack the code and uncover its secret, or become the next victim… His only clues are a coded message about his master’s most dangerous project, and a cryptic warning – ‘Tell no one!’ His only allies are his best friend, Tom, courageous Molly, and a loyal feathered friend, Bridget.
A wave of mysterious murders has sent shockwaves through London, and soon Christopher finds himself on the run. It’s a dangerous time to be the apprentice of Benedict Blackthorn. Potions, puzzles and the occasional explosion are all in a day’s work for young apothecary Christopher Rowe. He is currently into reading and watching Harry Potter, so potions hit the spot for him.įollow the Clues.
Neither of us had heard of this book but son1 was very keen when he saw the word potions on the synopsis. Son1 was recently offered the chance to review The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands.
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