Red Necklace

Review A gripping read ― The Children's Bookseller A tense and believable fantasy ― Historical Novels Review Enthralling ― The Daily Telegraph A tremendous adventure story told at breathtaking pace ― My Child Sophisticated, unpatronising ... extremely rewarding ― Waterstones Books Quarterly Told with relentless pace ― Inis One word to describe The Red Necklace: Fantastic! -- Alexandra Dignan, Aged 12 ― Undercover A truly original voice ... a thrilling read ― Spectator A rattling good story ― The Guardian Peopled with thrilling characters and gorgeously suspenseful ― The Times [A] compelling marriage of magic and history ― The Sunday Times A new star in historical children's fiction ― The Independent A splendid story ― The Independent Exciting and enthralling ― Bookzone Enthrallingly told, it offers action, surprise and protagonists to care about ― The Sunday Times Product Description A thrillingly exciting, action-packed novel about a boy destined to be a hero of the French Revolution. The story of a remarkable boy called Yann Margoza; Tetu, his friend and mentor; Sido, unloved daughter of a foolish Marquis; and Count Kalliovski, Grand Master of a secret society, who has half the aristocracy in thrall to him, and wants Yann dead. Yann is spirited away to London but three years later, when Paris is gripped by the bloody horrors of the Revolution, he returns, charged with two missions: to find out Kalliovski's darkest deeds and to save Sido from the guillotine. With a tangle of secrets, a thread of magic and a touch of humour, the follies of the aristocracy and the sufferings of ordinary people are unfolded as their lives move relentlessly towards the tragic and horrific days of the Terror. THE RED NECKLACE is not only a tremendous adventure story but a vibrant and passionate picture of Paris in turmoil and of a large cast of memorable characters. Book Description A thrillingly exciting, action-packed novel about a boy destined to be a hero of the French Revolution. About the Author Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles. Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift. Her website is www.sallygardner.net and you can follow her on Twitter @TheSallyGardner