Hollow Earth

Barrowman, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442458534 ISBN 13: 9781442458536

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2013

In this fresh and innovative middle grade fantasy, imagination matters most in a world where art can keep monsters trapped--or set them free. Lots of twins have a special connection, but twelve-year-old Matt and Emily Calder can do "way" more than finish each other's sentences. Together, they are able to bring art to life and enter paintings at will. Their extraordinary abilities are highly sought after, particularly by a secret group who want to access the terrors called Hollow Earth. All the demons, devils, and evil creatures ever imagined are trapped for eternity in the world of Hollow Earth--trapped unless special powers release them. The twins flee from London to a remote island off the west coast of Scotland in hopes of escaping their pursuers and gaining the protection of their grandfather, who has powers of his own. But the villains will stop at nothing to find Hollow Earth and harness the powers within. With so much at stake, nowhere is safe--and survival might be a fantasy.

Review:

a fine piece of storytelling (Choice Magazine)

a captivating children's fantasy adventure (S Magazine, The Sunday Express)

Gripping (iVillage.co.uk)

a pacy adventure (Book Witch)

nail-biting, exciting read (Woman's Way)

The central conceit - that certain people, known as Animare, are able to bring to life any picture they draw - is interesting and explored well, and the main characters, Matt and Emily Calder and their hearing-impaired friend Zach, are appealing and given convincing dialogue. The plot, meanwhile, sees sinister forces aligning to exploit the children's powers to open up a netherworld full of demons and there's a good use of lesser-known beasts from myth and fable. (Financial Times)

an exciting page-turner...awash with devils and demons, set against an atmospheric backdrop (Scottish Sunday Post)

a superbly exciting story (Newbury Weekly News)

a world that is sure to capture children's imaginations (The Ulster Star)

a fascinating premise for a story... The potential is huge and there is plenty of scope for more gripping adventures (Parents in Touch)

About the Author:

John Barrowman has appeared onstage, including on London's West End, and on-screen. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, as well as appearances on Desperate Housewives, and Scandal. He is currently a series regular on Arrow.

Carole E. Barrowman is a journalist and a professor of English in Wisconsin.