childreris

Heirs to a fantasy world

Castle of Shadows (8+) by Ellen Renner Orchard, £5.99 * £5.69; 336pp

Quicksilver (8+) by Sam Osman Marion Lloyd/Scholastic, £7.99 * £7.59; 448pp__________ Amanda Craig

Adventure stories involving brave boys and girls, a dash of magic and a lot of suspense were once commonplace in children's fiction thanks to writers such as Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and even the muchderided Enid Blyton. All these have stood the test of time; but where are their heirs? For lovers of Aiken, Ellen Renner's debut, Castle of Shadows, is not to be missed. Set in a country very much like Victorian England, its king is mad and its loved queen has been missing for most of Princess Charlie's life. Charlie has roamed theCastleof Quale for years, learning its secret hideaways and being bullied...