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Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time
Echo McCool is a magical, medieval girl with attitude. Don't get on the wrong end of her jump kicks, flick-flaks and open-palm strikes. In her own time, Echo escapes death from a poisoned arrow and hides inside a hollow oak tree. She lies dormant for hundreds of years but in the present day she is awakened by Jason Fleeting, a twelve-year-old runaway from a children's home. Together they set out to solve the murder of Jason's mother and to rescue his kidnapped sister Lauren.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 8, 2011
This is a story with various twists and turns which all link together at the end and show the girl Echo, a mystical being, being strong and influential. This book combines the historical views of a magical girl woken from a sleep that lasts hundred of years comparing her outdated ways with modern life. Echo overcomes all challenges that she is faced with showing her strength as a strong empowered girl.
A real character building book which combines magic, action and cliff hangers. You will want to keep reading to find out what has happened to Jason a 12 year old boy who unknown to him descended from dryads, who is looking for his kidnapped sister with the help of Echo. You need to read this book to appreciate the original magical element.
A great book for pre-teens and very much recommended for the age 8-13 age group.
A real character building book which combines magic, action and cliff hangers. You will want to keep reading to find out what has happened to Jason a 12 year old boy who unknown to him descended from dryads, who is looking for his kidnapped sister with the help of Echo. You need to read this book to appreciate the original magical element.
A great book for pre-teens and very much recommended for the age 8-13 age group.
June 11, 2011
I'm old enough to remember the 1970s TV series Catweazle starring Geoffrey Bayldon. As a fan of the time travel genre I read Echo McCool and I am in no doubt that the author was influenced by Catweazle. There also appears to be a secondary influence from the 1970s TV, the Kung Fu series staring David Carradine.
But does the Echo McCool series stand up on its own? I think so. The book succeeds in showing the twenty first century through the eyes of Echo, the 12 year old half-dryad girl from medieval times. As in Catweazle she befriends a modern day helper in Jason, though unlike Catweazle the story doesn't just play for laughs. Echo McCool is more of an action adventure story and should appeal to the Lara Croft/computer game generation. The author voice is clear, the characters engaging, the story exciting and all-in-all I would recommend Echo McCool to readers in the 9-12 age group.
But does the Echo McCool series stand up on its own? I think so. The book succeeds in showing the twenty first century through the eyes of Echo, the 12 year old half-dryad girl from medieval times. As in Catweazle she befriends a modern day helper in Jason, though unlike Catweazle the story doesn't just play for laughs. Echo McCool is more of an action adventure story and should appeal to the Lara Croft/computer game generation. The author voice is clear, the characters engaging, the story exciting and all-in-all I would recommend Echo McCool to readers in the 9-12 age group.
February 28, 2011
Echo McCool is a twelve-year-old half-dryad girl living the life of an outlaw in the vast Wicca Forest during England’s mythical past. One day she is pursued by a forester and shot with a poisoned arrow. Echo hides inside a hollow oak tree where she enters a deep sleep, the dryad magic preserving her soul for so long as the tree itself remains alive.
In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren.
This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax.
The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump.
In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren.
This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax.
The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump.
February 28, 2011
Echo McCool is a twelve-year-old half-dryad girl living the life of an outlaw in the vast Wicca Forest during England’s mythical past. One day she is pursued by a forester and shot with a poisoned arrow. Echo hides inside a hollow oak tree where she enters a deep sleep, the dryad magic preserving her soul for so long as the tree itself remains alive.
In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren.
This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax.
The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump.
In the present day another twelve-year-old, Jason Fleeting, suffers a near-death experience during which he discovers that the tree concealing Echo is soon to be cut down. Jason recovers from his ordeal and, a few days later, visits what remains of Wicca Forest (now known as Witch Wood) at the fateful time. Jason rescues Echo, awakens her from her long sleep and then they both set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother and to rescue his abducted sister Lauren.
This exciting children’s adventure is a fast-paced and interesting addition to the fantasy genre. Echo and Jason are brave, strong, likeable characters with whom the reader sympathises from start to finish. As well as being high in suspense and action, the story has its comical moments (such as when Echo and Jason visit a fast-food restaurant) and also it explores the developing friendship and understanding between the two protagonists. The principal antagonists (Scott, Kevin and Tiffany Cobalt) are suitably villainous; greedy, cold and calculating as well as being kung fu experts. However, Echo can match them with her own strength, agility and fighting skills. The sub-plots involving a lost inheritance and a rock group called Karmic Sometimes are seamlessly woven into the main story leading the reader on to a thrilling, suspense-filled and satisfying climax.
The novel lacks the high-fantasy elements associated with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and other leaders of the genre. Trolls, wizards and magic wands are entirely absent from Echo McCool, Outlaw through Time although Echo herself does possess a magical ability to witness glimpses of the past. This said, the story should appeal to Robin Hood fans as well as readers of stories featuring similar “out of time” characters such as Stig of the Dump.
June 19, 2011
Could dryads (particularly those in medieval forests) do martial arts? Although Echo McCool is by no means just about fighting and action, that's the premise you have to accept to enjoy this book. There'll be those purists who say dryads could do no such thing. More importantly, perhaps, I should point out that dryads never existed anyway. So to what extent should an author depart from folklore and tradition? This book works for me although it may not work for everybody. However, the story is aimed at the pre-teen (9-12) age group and at least the author made a bold attempt at appealing to both boys and girls in that age range.
June 19, 2011
I've seen a couple of comments on here regarding dryads and whether they possessed martial arts skills. In his Hearthside Stories (1873) William Bottrell did record a couple of oral folktales in which dryads demonstrated hand-to-hand combat skills, qualifying as "martial arts" in my humble opinion if not exactly Kung Fu. Hope this helps!
June 21, 2011
An enjoyable book though I'm in general agreement with Hugh Dennis; Echo McCool is heavily influenced by Catweazle. However, Hugh seems to be unaware that filming is presently underway for a Catweazle movie, so maybe that will lead to an increase in interest in Echo McCool (as well as an increase in the Kindle prices!)
June 23, 2011
Hugh Dennis and Iain Dale, how the devil are you? I agree with your comments regarding Echo McCool and, when the Catweazle movie comes out, i suspect the order of merit will be:
1. Catweazle TV series
2. Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time
3. Catweazle movie
Unless Bill Nighy gets the title role :)
1. Catweazle TV series
2. Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time
3. Catweazle movie
Unless Bill Nighy gets the title role :)
April 2, 2011
A good read for any 9-12 year old who likes reading fantasy books. Would fit nicely into a school library and could even be bought as a class reader.
July 4, 2011
A friend recommended this book to me so I thought ‘less than a quid on Kindle, what the hell?’ The first three chapters were great then the story seemed to slow down for the next two or three. Luckily I’m a persistent reader and once I got to chapter six I loved it and couldn’t put it down! There is some stuff in here that religious people might not like (such as the idea that the universe was created by a goddess!!) but that’s okay by me. I guess in the end this is a ‘Marmite’ type book, you either love it or hate it and I loved it!
August 14, 2011
A refreshing return to traditional story-telling, that is a story with a beginning, middle and end plus a strong sweep of action. My only gripe is the cover, the figure is great but why the plain background?!
September 16, 2011
It's about time something comes out that rivals some of the top MG/YA novels on the market. Echo McCool is a magical, epic coming of age journey. I was gripped from beginning to end and fully immersed in the world. The book is very well written and swept me away into an adventure I only wish I could be a part of.
Echo sets apart from most characters by having a perfect blend of magical qualities with a very tough, fighter persona. I've never come across any character quite like her in a single fantasy I've ever read. Very well played.
Echo McCool will take you on a wild ride of emotions and leave you craving more (There will be more....right? I hope so!!!!)
Echo sets apart from most characters by having a perfect blend of magical qualities with a very tough, fighter persona. I've never come across any character quite like her in a single fantasy I've ever read. Very well played.
Echo McCool will take you on a wild ride of emotions and leave you craving more (There will be more....right? I hope so!!!!)
September 18, 2011
Echo McCool just rocks! I read it over the summer and could not put it down! Prior to reading this novel, I was a HUGE Lemony Snicket fan (I own every single book of his in my collection). Now I have a new favorite. I think that this author writes in a very similar way by means of having the ability to create a story in our world that is filled with amazing characters and scenarios. It gives you that tease that "what if this could happen". The story flows so well that I got lost in time on many occasions and realized I was up way later than I should have been. I would absolutely love to see this book made into a movie! Echo would kick so much butt!!
October 13, 2011
I love Echo! She is probably one of the coolest female leads I've ever read about. I think girls and women around the world are going to fall for her. Shes rough and tough and doesnt let anyone mess with her, yet she is a great friend and loyal to those she cares for...a real hero! I loved her abilities and that she isn't fully a human at all. The storyline was epic and I enjoyed how she was introduced right in the beginning so that you really get to know her throughout the book. I'm a permanent fan of Echo McCool!!! More please :)
September 18, 2011
To me "Echo McCool, Outlaw Through Time" by Roger K. Driscoll, while listed as a YA, has equal appeal to both the YA and adult reader.
Echo McCool is a full-blooded dryad. At the beginning of the book, she is shot by a poisoned arrow and, to escape the villian and survive, she jumps into an old, large, hollow oak. Too tall for her to get out, she enters the big sleep--better labeled the long sleep.
Enter 12-year-old Jason Fleeting who is dying in a hospital. He meets Echo's mother, a guardian of the gateway. She tells him she can heal Jason if he will rescue Echo from her tree before some loggers saw her in half. Jason works his own bargain, he wants to find his sister--who was kidnapped by their mother's killer.
Bargain stuck, Jason runs away from a children’s home. Together, he and Echo set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother, rescue his kidnapped sister Lauren, and restore an inheritance to a new friend.
This is a fast read and I look forward to Echo's, Jason's, and Lauren's next adventure.
Echo McCool is a full-blooded dryad. At the beginning of the book, she is shot by a poisoned arrow and, to escape the villian and survive, she jumps into an old, large, hollow oak. Too tall for her to get out, she enters the big sleep--better labeled the long sleep.
Enter 12-year-old Jason Fleeting who is dying in a hospital. He meets Echo's mother, a guardian of the gateway. She tells him she can heal Jason if he will rescue Echo from her tree before some loggers saw her in half. Jason works his own bargain, he wants to find his sister--who was kidnapped by their mother's killer.
Bargain stuck, Jason runs away from a children’s home. Together, he and Echo set out to solve the murder of Jason’s mother, rescue his kidnapped sister Lauren, and restore an inheritance to a new friend.
This is a fast read and I look forward to Echo's, Jason's, and Lauren's next adventure.
May 22, 2012
The character of Echo McCool reminds me very much of the Princess Merida character in the Disney Pixar film BRAVE. Both are feisty and strong and red-haired and grew up in a British folklore world. Echo McCool was first published in January 2011 but Pixar must've been working on Princess Merida for a long time so I'm not sure which came first - but both are totally awesome!
October 8, 2014
A story that certainly lives up to the title of this site. A good read indeed with a captivating story line. Now my neighbours nine year old has borrowed it and won't put it down. Guess I'll just buy another copy as this is a book I will enjoy reading over.
October 7, 2014
This book has a slightly complex opening but once you get into the action towards the end of Chapter Three the story rockets along and I'd certainly recommend this one to readers in the 9-12 age group. Hope to hear more from this author.
October 7, 2014
An excellent read with great staying power until the last page with a strong concept, and I'd certainly have no hesitation in recommending it to the year 6/year 7 age group.
December 5, 2025
The female hero is a champagne cork.
Yep, the Heroine is popped out of a tree like a champagne cork! A tree she's been in for thousands of years. Our hero pops her cork (so to speak) then the both of them go on a vengeance tour to free his sister from the evildoers, who are all Kung-Fu experts, but no match for Champagne Cork Girl.
Okay...'nuf of the silly stuff; this is a pretty basic story aimed squarely at 12 year olds and not crusty old bastards like me. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. The plot is as transparent as Woolworths' bacon and the writing is as simple as falling off a log (or being popped out of one), but it still is eminently readable...fun even...provided you don't want to think too hard, work out cryptic, enigmatic plots, or try to keep track of a cast of thousands (Charles Dickens, I'm looking at you).
Okay, look. I'll admit I'm of an age where my back goes out more than I do, but every so often, I enjoy a YA novel, and this one was more entertaining than most. One star off for Jason remaining such a wuss.
Yep, the Heroine is popped out of a tree like a champagne cork! A tree she's been in for thousands of years. Our hero pops her cork (so to speak) then the both of them go on a vengeance tour to free his sister from the evildoers, who are all Kung-Fu experts, but no match for Champagne Cork Girl.
Okay...'nuf of the silly stuff; this is a pretty basic story aimed squarely at 12 year olds and not crusty old bastards like me. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. The plot is as transparent as Woolworths' bacon and the writing is as simple as falling off a log (or being popped out of one), but it still is eminently readable...fun even...provided you don't want to think too hard, work out cryptic, enigmatic plots, or try to keep track of a cast of thousands (Charles Dickens, I'm looking at you).
Okay, look. I'll admit I'm of an age where my back goes out more than I do, but every so often, I enjoy a YA novel, and this one was more entertaining than most. One star off for Jason remaining such a wuss.
April 8, 2012
I bought this for my 10 year old but because she loved it and kept going on about it I decided to have a read as well. Echo is half-blood Dryad girl who gets shot by this poison arrow in the dark ages and escapes by hiding in this hollow tree, but she doesnt realize that shell get stuck there and the poison will put her to sleep for something like 800 years. In the present a 12 year old boy called Jason is in this coma and having a near death experience where he meets Echos mother who says shell heal him and tell him how to find his kidnapped sister Lauren if he rescues Echo before lumberjacks cut her in half. He agrees and awakens Echo and they go off together to rescue his sister and restore an inheritance to a new friend. Overall this has good characters, its very readable and fast with loads of action and tension. Were both looking forward to the sequel already
February 7, 2012
I chose this book because of the high ratings on goodreads. It didn't disappoint :) It's a very fun story with some very interesting characters.
May 27, 2012
I’m something of a Youtube addict and lately I’ve been checking out the many trailers for the up and coming Disney/Pixar movie “Brave.” The internet is already awash with iconic pictures of the courageous red-headed Princess Merida, the lead character in “Brave.” However I can see parallels between her and Echo McCool, another valiant red-haired girl character. This said, Echo is a time traveller and has other magical gifts such as her ability to see snatches of the past. I’m sure we’ll see “Brave” setting the trend for fearless girl heroines so this summer is set to be a treat for fans of Princess Merida and Echo McCool alike.
March 2, 2021
I was surprisingly delighted by this story. Echo is a strong, mysterious girl who the story centers on. I was happy to find that the plot had twists which were a bit unexpected to me considering the audience this book was written to attract. Think of what you'd feel like to wake up from a coma after many, many years only to find that the world has changed in all the ways it would during a long, long period of time. That's not exactly what happened to Echo, but she did awaken after many years to discover an unknown world. I am more character driven than plot driven, although I must have a good plot to thoroughly enjoy a book and this book filled that bill for me. I cannot like a book very much if I can't believe in the characters, whether they're realistic or fantasy. Thankfully, I really enjoyed the characters in this story.
A kidnapping takes place, so I definitely wanted to find out what happened to that character. Her sibling is searching for her and elicits Echo's help. Obviously this book is written for elementary age children, but I really enjoyed it as an adult. I knew as I began it the age group it was directed at and that made a difference for me.
A kidnapping takes place, so I definitely wanted to find out what happened to that character. Her sibling is searching for her and elicits Echo's help. Obviously this book is written for elementary age children, but I really enjoyed it as an adult. I knew as I began it the age group it was directed at and that made a difference for me.
October 8, 2012
What an amazing book!An easy 5*!!! Adult or child, you'd love Echo McCool!!! The main characters are Echo and Jason, who I fell in love with, once I picked this book up I did not want to put it down!!! The writing is a very high standard, I loved the descriptions, I would love to have been there with them both (saving the day). The author is a very talented writer, and I can wait for the next instalments or any books he writes in the future. :) thank you for such a good read :)
September 18, 2012
Wow what a read! i couldn’t put it down!!! Love the characters, loved the plot, the way it was written, was interesting from start to end :) in my opinion the author is a very talented writer! Hope he has more instalments of Echo in the near future
March 30, 2013
enjoyable story
April 28, 2012
Many authors have attempted to do what Mr Driscoll does with Echo McCool, but few have succeeded. It's a very traditional story but at the same time new. It feels like a timeless classic has been updated to appeal to kids today. I was watching Sherlock on BBC One the other day and it put me in mind of how the makers of that show have updated an old idea to make it appeal to viewers today. Mr Driscoll has done the same here with classic children's fiction.
The stars, Jason and Echo, complement each other very well. Mr Driscoll does not give in to temptation and just have Jason 'do a Pygmalion' on Echo - instead he has them learn from and help each other. Yes, Jason is resourceful and has modern knowledge, but Echo is uniquely skilled, sharp not to mention self-sufficient. 'I know not ring the police,' she says, but I think she is not just saying she does not know who the police are - I think she is intelligent enough to work that one out for herself - she is saying 'I would not ever use the police.' Echo's strength is reflected in other ways too: e.g. Jason derides Echo's medieval language and tries to teach her how people speak today ("All this perchance and thou art stuff - no one speaks like that anymore. It's better to say perhaps and you are.") Echo then explains to him how "thee" differs from "you" and how modern language is actually a dumbed down version of what she speaks - it's less specific. I found this a joy to read as when I have read books like this before, the authors have tended to make the person from the past seem stupid when in fact they are just not educated about modern things. In many ways though they are cleverer.
I also like how Mr Driscoll combines Lord of the Rings-style mythology with modern day action. Going from a Drayad netherworld to a couple of working class blokes cutting a tree down really underlines the differences between the main characters' worlds, and he makes each's character's seem believable.
The story ends on a high note with Jason reunited with his sister and promises of new adventures to come, perhaps involving all three of them with any luck. I am looking forward to reading about the rest of their journey together.
The stars, Jason and Echo, complement each other very well. Mr Driscoll does not give in to temptation and just have Jason 'do a Pygmalion' on Echo - instead he has them learn from and help each other. Yes, Jason is resourceful and has modern knowledge, but Echo is uniquely skilled, sharp not to mention self-sufficient. 'I know not ring the police,' she says, but I think she is not just saying she does not know who the police are - I think she is intelligent enough to work that one out for herself - she is saying 'I would not ever use the police.' Echo's strength is reflected in other ways too: e.g. Jason derides Echo's medieval language and tries to teach her how people speak today ("All this perchance and thou art stuff - no one speaks like that anymore. It's better to say perhaps and you are.") Echo then explains to him how "thee" differs from "you" and how modern language is actually a dumbed down version of what she speaks - it's less specific. I found this a joy to read as when I have read books like this before, the authors have tended to make the person from the past seem stupid when in fact they are just not educated about modern things. In many ways though they are cleverer.
I also like how Mr Driscoll combines Lord of the Rings-style mythology with modern day action. Going from a Drayad netherworld to a couple of working class blokes cutting a tree down really underlines the differences between the main characters' worlds, and he makes each's character's seem believable.
The story ends on a high note with Jason reunited with his sister and promises of new adventures to come, perhaps involving all three of them with any luck. I am looking forward to reading about the rest of their journey together.
March 30, 2012
Son to a missing father, son to a murdered mother, brother to a kidnapped sister, Jason Fleeting will have his vengeance in this life...not the next.
When twelve year old Jason falls out of a tree and into a coma in the grounds of the children's home where he lives, he finds himself on a beach at the edge of time; somewhere between the living and the afterlife.
Here, he meets a beautiful dryad, Fenella, who recites a tale of ancient conflicts, war, bravery and death. She also reveals that Jason and his sister, Lauren, are descendants of a human-dryad and tasks Jason to return to earth to save her daughter, Echo McCool. In turn Echo will help Jason to rescue his sister from her kidnappers.
With Echo rescued from Witch Wood, she uses the dryad gift of Gewita to look into the past to unravel the mysteries of Jason's past and his sister's kidnapping. Together they delve deeper and deeper into the sinister secrets of the Cobalt family and the eerie Ravenstone Manor.
With the help of a (rock) band of minstrels, as echoes of a female Robin Hood resonate through the pages, they encounter dodgy coppers, arson attacks, collapsing tunnels and other endless confrontations, but don't panic - Echo knows Kung Fu.
A pacey, page turner from Roger K. Driscoll, packed with great characters and a great sense of fun. This action adventure flirts with crime and mystery as fantasy smashes headlong into reality.
Echo and Jason may not be able to predict their futures in the Gewita but in the words of a popular indie-rock band.
I predict a sequel...I predict a sequel...
When twelve year old Jason falls out of a tree and into a coma in the grounds of the children's home where he lives, he finds himself on a beach at the edge of time; somewhere between the living and the afterlife.
Here, he meets a beautiful dryad, Fenella, who recites a tale of ancient conflicts, war, bravery and death. She also reveals that Jason and his sister, Lauren, are descendants of a human-dryad and tasks Jason to return to earth to save her daughter, Echo McCool. In turn Echo will help Jason to rescue his sister from her kidnappers.
With Echo rescued from Witch Wood, she uses the dryad gift of Gewita to look into the past to unravel the mysteries of Jason's past and his sister's kidnapping. Together they delve deeper and deeper into the sinister secrets of the Cobalt family and the eerie Ravenstone Manor.
With the help of a (rock) band of minstrels, as echoes of a female Robin Hood resonate through the pages, they encounter dodgy coppers, arson attacks, collapsing tunnels and other endless confrontations, but don't panic - Echo knows Kung Fu.
A pacey, page turner from Roger K. Driscoll, packed with great characters and a great sense of fun. This action adventure flirts with crime and mystery as fantasy smashes headlong into reality.
Echo and Jason may not be able to predict their futures in the Gewita but in the words of a popular indie-rock band.
I predict a sequel...I predict a sequel...
July 22, 2017
Not really good but not really bad either. Filled in a long delay at the airport. I may read the next just to see how the main character develops. Felt nothing for the brother and sister (Jason and Lauren? I have forgotten already! )
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews