I am an avid reader of Fantasy, Thriller, True Crimes, Biographical and chick literatures. My collection of books has dwindled somewhat lately but, of course, due to the creation of this site I hope it shall grow again.
I thought that I would make my first posting in this section on one of my all-time favourite books:
The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick
Plot Introduction: The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are dead days, when spirits roam beneath the surface of our lives. A magician called Valerian must save his own life within those few days, or pay the price that he made with evil so many years ago, but are no match against the great power pursuing him. Helping him is his servant, Boy, a child with no name or past, and the orphan girl, together they dig in death-fields at midnight, and are swept into the subterranean city on a journey from which there is no escape.
Main Characters: The main character is a 15 year old only known as ‘Boy’. He is pretty much the sidekick/slave to Valerian, a sorcerer who works in the ‘Grand Theatre’ performing Magic Tricks. Valerian himself is described as ungrateful, rude and foul-tempered by Willow. Willow is a witty and probing individual. She likes to know all and sometimes asks too many questions.
Summary: Initially we are given the ‘grand tour’ so to speak of the Grand Theatre, Valerian is using Boy in his magic tricks, Boy is described as being very small, much smaller than you would expect for a lad of fifteen years of which Valerian exploits to his best advantage.
When the show is over Boy is sent on an errand to collect a mysterious Music Box from an acquaintance of Valerians. Upon arrival at the pub, he observes the man he is supposed to retrieve the box from heading to the restroom. Boy follows him, inside the restroom Boy witnesses the murder of Valerians acquaintance, although he could not see who did it as the killer was shrouded in purple smoke.
Frantically Boy collects the Music Box and runs from the venue. He bumps into Willow, she is covered in blood, much like he is. She explains that the Theatre owner is dead, he was killed by something only known as ‘The Phantom’ The both get arrested and accused of the murder of the Theatre owner.
Valerian breaks them both from their cells and takes them to his home. Boy shows him the Music Box and Willow tells him the notes spell out a name. GADBEEBE, The name of a man who had died. This leads to the three of them heading to the largest cemetery in the city and searching for his grave, much to their disappointment they could not find it.
It is later revealed that Buried with Gad Beebe, is the mysterious Book of Dead Days, that apparently holds the answer to everyone's biggest question. The three get arrested for their cemetery shenanigans, and are stowed away in dungeons. They manage to escape through the underground channels of the city’s water system.
And this is where I stop writing the summary, the twist in the end should be yours to experience. Yes I do mean experience, this book draws you in, it is deeply descriptive to the point you can almost smell the smog, feel the cold and be embraced by the dark side this book portrays.
It sequel ‘The Dark Flight Down’ fills any gaps you may discover within the original, although I’d be hard pressed to say what exactly the gaps are. Nevertheless I recommend buying these books as a duo as once you pick up ‘The Book of Dead Days’ you will finish one and defiantly be wanting to read the next.
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