Night Maze

by Annie Dalton

The story of Gerald Noone, who has spent most of his childhood in a succession of foster-families and children's homes. Suddenly he receives a summons from his dead mother's wealthy family and goes to live with them in their beautiful Elizabethan house.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

About the author

Annie grew up as an only child in the English countryside during the 1950s. Her father was not always around but when he was, he would tell her fantastical stories, often with her as the principal character. Annie missed him and his stories, which led her to the fantasy section at her local library, thus sparking life-long love of fiction.

After undertaking jobs such as waitressing, cleaning and factory work, Annie went on to study at University of Warwick and soon started writing.

Annie lives in Norfolk. She has three children, Anna, Reuben, and Maria (the inspiration for the first “Angels Unlimited” book, “Winging It”) and two grandchildren, Sophie and Isabella.

Reviews

[Sula · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
A lot of things were unexplained, especially what happened at the end. I was hoping the ending would resolve these unexplained bits but instead it created even more questions. What was meant to be a cool fantasy scene didn't make much sense.

[Hemavathy DM Suppiah-Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Dalton is my new favourite writer! I loved this book, and I would have loved it more if there hadn't been some unanswered questions.

- How did the family find out Lindsay had had a child before she died, that she had even died, and why did they look for Gerard now, after all these years?
- What was the significance of the age fourteen, for the chosen kids to help Alice?
- Was Lark also Lindsey?
- How did all the wild children leave their souls behind?
- Why was Hatty obsessed with keeping wild birds in cages?
- Who were the four tribal women Harriet met in the end?

Other than that, I loved it!

[Zoe-Katarina (KattieKay) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have previously tried this book and not been able to get into it. However this time, I found it to be quite a quick read. Some parts scared me slightly even as a adult. I would recommend reading this in the day!

[Chriss Corkscrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is moving and powerful and, I'll be honest, when I first read it as a child, it scared the living daylights out of me! It's just so visual and beautifully written.

[Donni Hakanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the throes of moving house, but needed time outs... and this small book was read in two days of breaks... excellent read!


Annie Dalton - I feel as though I have discovered a new Sheri Tepper... and to find she has written several books is exciting! Love it when I get an author!


The Night Maze is about an orphaned young boy Gerard. Just after he turns 14 he discovers he has family on his mother's side, and goes to live with them in their beautiful ancestral Elizabethan home. It's a charming story, terribly insightful, metaphysical and deeply moving. It is aimed at teenager fiction, and my sixteen year old daughter enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Loulou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasing re-read from a long time ago. And a galaxy far, far away