The Chime Seekers
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books
Age 9+
Fantasy & Magical Realism Classic Fiction Family & Home Stories General Fiction
Discover a world of magical storytelling from a twice Costa-shortlisted author
“One of our finest children’s writers.” Phil Earle
“A master storyteller.” Aisling Fowler
“A true master of storytelling." Jenny Pearson
Step into a world of faerie tricks and hidden danger...
When an evil faerie steals Yanni’s baby sister and swaps her for a changeling, Yanni is swept into a dangerous race against time to get her back.
For faeries delight in tricks and rescuing her won’t be easy. With the help of his cousin, Amy, and the reluctant changeling, Yanni must travel to goblin palaces and battle-swept oceans, discovering ancient treasures and secrets along the way.
Yanni will need every drop of courage and even a few tricks of his own, if he’s to outwit the faerie and save his sister…
PRAISE FOR THE CHIME SEEKERS
Winner of the Redhill Academy Trust Book Awards
“Cracking adventure from the wildly imaginative Montgomery.” Daily Mail
"Funny, terrifying, full of folkloric strangeness hiding in everyday corner, this sparkling homage to David Bowie's Labyrinth is just as satisfying as last year's The Midnight Guardians." Guardian
"[A] whirlwind adventure." Daily Telegraph
"Richly imaginative." The Week Junior
“A quest like no other: Ross Montgomery is on spectacular form in this brilliant, edge-of-your seat story.” Emma Carroll
"Fast-paced and hilarious." Ross Welford
"Deliciously creepy, wonderfully imaginative." Sophie Anderson
“Very page-turny, with enough funny bits to stop it being too scary.” Philip Reeve
“All the hallmarks of an instant classic.” Carlie Sorosiak
“A fantastic adventure with shades of Jan Mark, Susanna Clarke and Neil Gaiman ... A brilliant example of the best children's fiction.” Christopher Edge
"Ross Montgomery is a true master of storytelling." Jenny Pearson
“FLAWLESS. Witty, emotional, beautifully written, pacey, punchy, and a story that just keeps delivering.” Nicola Skinner
"A modern classic." Phil Earle
“Rich in detail, humour and feeling. Ross Montgomery is a singular talent in writing brave and magical adventures." Katya Balen
“Fantastic! A brilliant cast of characters ... a whirlwind adventure and a fae world brimming with darkness, wonder and faerie tricks.” Aisling Fowler
“[An] enchanting masterpiece ... Charming, hilarious and brimming with magic." Catherine Doyle
“A tricksy, whirlwind of an adventure from start to finish with twists and turns I didn’t expect!” Aisha Busby
PRAISE FOR THE MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS
Shortlisted for the 2021 Costa Children's Book Award
Waterstones Children's Book of the Month for Christmas 2020
Hive Children's Book of the Month for November 2020
A Toppsta Children's Book of the Month for November 2020
"An enthralling, Narnia-flavoured novel with the folkloric feels of a Christmas classic." Children's Books of the Year, Guardian
"Beautifully drawn fantasy characters ... a story of hope and love underpinned by witty humour.” Daily Mail
"A magical slice of historical fantasy fiction.” i Newspaper
"This lovely adventure story has the feel of a classic children's book." Book of the Week, The Week Junior
“Beautiful writing and epic storytelling.” WRD Magazine
"A real triumph of the imagination." Editor's Choice, The Bookseller
Creators
Ross Montgomery started writing stories as a teenager, when he should have been doing homework, and continued doing so at university. His debut novel, Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door, was shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book of the Year and Branford Boase Award. It was also selected as one of the Sunday Times' "Top 100 Modern Children's Classics". His books have also been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award, while his picture book Space Tortoise was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Award and included in the Guardian's Best New Children's Books of 2018. The Midnight Guardians, Ross's first fiction novel with Walker Books, was selected as a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month and is garnering huge praise. He lives in London with his girlfriend and their cat, Fun Bobby.
Reviews
Montgomery has crafted a magnificent fable here, one that I think will enchant and enthrall middle-grade readers and above. Some slightly older readers may notice homages to Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, as well as echoes of The Chronicles of Narnia, and perhaps even a hint of Doctor Who. There is a dark undercurrent through the story that provides a fascinating edge without being too scary for children to read. Montgomery has an accomplished and evocative writing style, bringing his characters and settings to life with rich and exquisite language, imbuing each with life and depth. Montgomery is not afraid to address his audience as intelligent readers and this is a huge point in his favour – the emotional through-line of the story is real, we can feel it, and it feels very honest and true.My only wish is that there might be more books set in this world, more adventures for Yanni and Amy, and perhaps even Ari!
Reading Time
A highly imaginative and descriptive fantasy adventure that brings the magical world of British folklore to life.
Total Girl
The chime seekers would work as a class novel as a highly engaging read aloud and as a springboard for delving into the ancient world of faery tales and mythology – an imaginative world that has been neglected for some time in the lives of our young people.
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