Alice Ravenwood and the Tomb of Saint George

by Orson Teller

‘The Mythological Society are the only thing stopping this world from being overrun by violent, monstrous beings. The hours are flexible, there’s no uniform to speak of, and the tea-making facilities are excellent.’


After his parents mysteriously go missing, thirteen-year-old Thomas Crowley is sent to live with his godmother, Alice Ravenwood, and her elderly Scottish housekeeper, Dougal.

Having previously known nothing of his godmother’s existence, Tom is further surprised to learn that Alice is in fact a globe-trotting field agent for the shadowy Mythological Society. Their mission: to protect the planet from all manner of extra-dimensional threats.

When Alice and Dougal are despatched on a mysterious assignment to the West Country of England, Tom must join them. There he befriends Prisha ‘Pree’ Laghari, and the two of them are thrown head-first into an adventure that will change their lives forever.

What is causing tremors underneath the town of Glastonbury? What connects a village postman with a martyred knight? What exactly does Alice Ravenwood keep locked up in her basement?

Tom must discover the answers to these questions if he’s to survive his new life with Alice and the Mythological Society.

456 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Gingerlily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. A bit of suspense, interesting characters, fantastical science and an enjoyable writing style. It felt like reading a 90's adventure movie.

I would love to read more books about the adventures of Alice!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our young hero was not quite prepared to find out about the mythological world or that his grandmother combated these things on a regular basis. But he is going to have to learn quickly because the threats never end and he is a part of it now.

This is book one of the series, so a perfect place to start.

This is an urban fantasy story with lots of fantastic elements to it. The story is well written, easy to read and just full of adventuring goodness. The setting is well developed with plenty of mysteries hiding just around the corner. The characters are equally well done from our young hero to his adventuring nana and beyond. The story moves at a good pace with action and mystery at every bend. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more adventures from this author.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning, this seemed exactly like my desired flavour of mystery, if you like. It felt like an adventure story as well as a mystery. It was very fun and entertaining. I'd say it was aimed at young readers, but also the kind of thing that can be enjoyed by adults. I believe this is the first of a series, and I look forward to reading more about Alice Ravenwood and her friends in the future.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[P Diotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about this adventure! The characters are complex and have different strengths and weaknesses, the plot is intriguing and action-packed, and humour is used effectively throughout the novel. I did guess one of the plot twists early on, but it didn't bother me because it wouldn't have been realistic for Tom to figure it out right away. I look forward to reading more about Alice and her entourage!

[CorrieGM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book, I simply loved it.
The first chapter (OK, the prologue), sets the pace.
After that, the story keeps moving forward in great speed.
I did certainly not like all the characters, but the story was great, just great.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I raced through this rip-roaring adventure story. Although aimed at 11–18-year-olds, I found it highly entertaining and would recommend it to all age groups. I would love to have been able to recommend this book to students when I was a librarian; it contains brilliant imagery, great characterisation, and lots of adventure, which will engage readers and spark their imagination. This book also offers a fantastical twist to a traditional myth, adding an educational element without reducing any of its charm. By the end of the book, I was eager to learn more about the characters and join them on future quests. It looks as though we may have the pleasure of a sequel, which I will be keen to purchase! I look forward to more time with these characters, especially Dougal, who I wish was a friend of mine, with his never-ending supply of tea and treats! Alice is a strong, intelligent female protagonist, which is always great, and all the characters have various flaws, making them interesting, likeable, and multi-dimensional. Orson Teller manages to sensitively weave these flaws and anxieties with humour and entertainment, making this an all-round brilliant book.