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The Castle
A search for the truth about her father’s death takes schoolgirl Peta Jones to a dangerous place ...
It's not just the bridesmaid's dress that Peta has a problem with - it's the whole wedding. How can her mum remarry when her army-hero dad isn't dead? When Peta receives clues that seem to prove he's alive, she sets out on a crazy mission. Somewhere across the sea, her father's being held in a billionaire's castle. Dad would do anything to save her - and now it's her turn to rescue him.
It's not just the bridesmaid's dress that Peta has a problem with - it's the whole wedding. How can her mum remarry when her army-hero dad isn't dead? When Peta receives clues that seem to prove he's alive, she sets out on a crazy mission. Somewhere across the sea, her father's being held in a billionaire's castle. Dad would do anything to save her - and now it's her turn to rescue him.
300 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2014
5 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Bennett
123 books258 followersMy name’s Sophia, and I write about girls discovering their inner power. Sometimes they’re fashion designers, sometimes they’re would-be pop stars and sometimes they’re spies. They’re always a lot braver than they know, and I love it when they finally figure that out.
Since I won the Times/Chicken House competition in 2009 my books have been published around the world, from Germany to Brazil and Japan. When I’m not writing them, I tend to be at home in London with my family, or travelling around the place, talking about writing. (More about that here … ) As a writing teacher, I have been a visiting lecturer in writing for children at City University and City Lit, and a Consultant Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund.
Occasionally, people ask me what my advice would be to aspiring writers. Check out my writing tips page, on my website. Write every day, and rewrite even more. Follow your heart.
Since I won the Times/Chicken House competition in 2009 my books have been published around the world, from Germany to Brazil and Japan. When I’m not writing them, I tend to be at home in London with my family, or travelling around the place, talking about writing. (More about that here … ) As a writing teacher, I have been a visiting lecturer in writing for children at City University and City Lit, and a Consultant Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund.
Occasionally, people ask me what my advice would be to aspiring writers. Check out my writing tips page, on my website. Write every day, and rewrite even more. Follow your heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 28, 2018
5 Words: Mystery, thriller, stowaway, missing, secrets.
I don't think that words can express how much I loved this book. It was freaking excellent.
The main character really stood out and I loved how she wouldn't let anything go. She trusted her instincts and she went for it. Peta was an excellent character and I instantly took a great liking to her. Her dad? I wasn't so keen and I couldn't kick the feeling that he was hiding something much bigger.
This is a very different book from what I've read previously by the author. It's not about fashion for a start! It's fast paced and gripping, a truly excellent thriller.
This is one of those UKYA books that sticks with you. One that you'll keep thinking about and recommend to everyone. You know, the kind that you randomly push on complete strangers in bookshops.
I received a copy of this for free from the publisher for review purposes.
I don't think that words can express how much I loved this book. It was freaking excellent.
The main character really stood out and I loved how she wouldn't let anything go. She trusted her instincts and she went for it. Peta was an excellent character and I instantly took a great liking to her. Her dad? I wasn't so keen and I couldn't kick the feeling that he was hiding something much bigger.
This is a very different book from what I've read previously by the author. It's not about fashion for a start! It's fast paced and gripping, a truly excellent thriller.
This is one of those UKYA books that sticks with you. One that you'll keep thinking about and recommend to everyone. You know, the kind that you randomly push on complete strangers in bookshops.
I received a copy of this for free from the publisher for review purposes.
June 9, 2017
Emojiathon Book #1: Thriller & Book Without Hype
It's been so long since I've read a good heist and this managed to combine every Ally Carter book ever written into one! I could never predict where the story was going, or what the missing was, but I really loved how quickly it built and the Italian setting *u*
(The yacht scene was giving me Annie: A Royal Adventure vibes and I loved it! Any kind of stowaway situation and I'm on board...literally, you know, because it's a boat.)
It's been so long since I've read a good heist and this managed to combine every Ally Carter book ever written into one! I could never predict where the story was going, or what the missing was, but I really loved how quickly it built and the Italian setting *u*
(The yacht scene was giving me Annie: A Royal Adventure vibes and I loved it! Any kind of stowaway situation and I'm on board...literally, you know, because it's a boat.)
January 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this book
Fast paced and exciting throughout. Think a YA book version of the film Taken
Fast paced and exciting throughout. Think a YA book version of the film Taken
March 15, 2019
Probably 3.5 stars, but rounded up because I’d have loved this as a younger reader.
Peta can’t get used to the fact her father is dead. She’s adamant he didn’t die in Baghdad but everyone around her thinks she’s in denial. When she receives a strange phone call with a message that only her father would have known, she comes up with a crazy plan to rescue him.
What she finds is way more than she expected.
Stranded on a remote super yacht and surrounded by very wealthy very criminal people, you wonder how she’ll survive. But she does.
Like the best schoolgirl spy fantasy, none of this credible but it’s paced well and entertaining.
Peta can’t get used to the fact her father is dead. She’s adamant he didn’t die in Baghdad but everyone around her thinks she’s in denial. When she receives a strange phone call with a message that only her father would have known, she comes up with a crazy plan to rescue him.
What she finds is way more than she expected.
Stranded on a remote super yacht and surrounded by very wealthy very criminal people, you wonder how she’ll survive. But she does.
Like the best schoolgirl spy fantasy, none of this credible but it’s paced well and entertaining.
March 17, 2016
nice book but not a good ending
March 3, 2018
Also posted at http://snugglingonthesofa.com/blog-to...
Less contemporary and more adventure, The Castle tells the story of Peta, whose father was 'supposedly' killed in war. But Peta holds out hope he is still out there somewhere- even if this hope results in her having to see a therapist, as everyone else thinks she is crazy. So when suspicious things start occurring, Peta knows it must have something to do with her dad. And she will do anything she can to try and find him.
'Adventure, Friendship, Mystery': this is how the book is described on the back. I haven't read many adventure YA books, so I was excited for this one. I love contemporary, but there is something thrilling about not being able to put a book down, and thats exactly how I felt with The Castle.
Full of mysterious clues, messages and strangers, I was instantly captured by Peta's story, and her determination to prove that her father was still alive. And boy is it an emotional rollercoaster. The friendship between her, Karim and Amina just stole my heart. And this meant that I became addicted to the story. I wanted to find out what really happened to Peta's father, and who Karim really is, and whether they manage to survive. Just so many questions that needed answering! Kept me on edge right to the very end.
A truely pacy adventure from start to finish. The main characters are so captivating that I could not put this book down. 3 sofas.
Less contemporary and more adventure, The Castle tells the story of Peta, whose father was 'supposedly' killed in war. But Peta holds out hope he is still out there somewhere- even if this hope results in her having to see a therapist, as everyone else thinks she is crazy. So when suspicious things start occurring, Peta knows it must have something to do with her dad. And she will do anything she can to try and find him.
'Adventure, Friendship, Mystery': this is how the book is described on the back. I haven't read many adventure YA books, so I was excited for this one. I love contemporary, but there is something thrilling about not being able to put a book down, and thats exactly how I felt with The Castle.
Full of mysterious clues, messages and strangers, I was instantly captured by Peta's story, and her determination to prove that her father was still alive. And boy is it an emotional rollercoaster. The friendship between her, Karim and Amina just stole my heart. And this meant that I became addicted to the story. I wanted to find out what really happened to Peta's father, and who Karim really is, and whether they manage to survive. Just so many questions that needed answering! Kept me on edge right to the very end.
A truely pacy adventure from start to finish. The main characters are so captivating that I could not put this book down. 3 sofas.
July 21, 2014
The castle.
This book is about a girl who has lost her soldier father to a car bomb.
She still believes that he is still alive but she is alone in that belief. This is her adventure trying to find her father.
This book contains action adventure and drama genres. The characters were amazing and unique they were different from characters I have read before. I loved the plot line it had twists and turns and was unpredictable . I would rate this book five out of five stars
This book is about a girl who has lost her soldier father to a car bomb.
She still believes that he is still alive but she is alone in that belief. This is her adventure trying to find her father.
This book contains action adventure and drama genres. The characters were amazing and unique they were different from characters I have read before. I loved the plot line it had twists and turns and was unpredictable . I would rate this book five out of five stars
October 6, 2015
Fast paced young adult fiction. Peta Jones doesn't believe her father died in a car bomb blast. Little things like the arrival of a kitten on her birthday keep him alive in her mind even though she is in therapy to 'cure' her of these thoughts. A stranger phone call leads on her an adventure to a secret Italian Island that becomes a mission to save her father. Enjoyable read.
June 29, 2016
This was a great read. It's been a while so I don't remember much but what I do remember is that I took an immediate liking to Peta Jones' character. And Amina's brother, I don't remember his name but that was a deep character too. I was at first suspicious of Peta's dad, lol.
All in all, this is definitely the kind of book I like to curl up with.
All in all, this is definitely the kind of book I like to curl up with.
October 17, 2014
A really good yarn which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, a tale for all ages even thoughtargeted for teenagers.
December 17, 2015
Super awesome. Best show of relationship between dad and daughter
May 4, 2016
There is an error in this book: two hundred millions times ten is two billions.
February 2, 2017
Great story. Quite believable for a 14 year old girl. I got this for a bargain £1 at Waterstones, so didn't have much to lose when I picked it up, but pleasantly surprised.
February 5, 2018
Great unusual story.
February 17, 2022
At the start, I didn’t really like the book. I thought the writing style was too casual for my liking, and felt I wouldn’t be able to get into the story. It was written in the perspective of a teenage girl so I expected a lighter tone, but I think it was just a shock, perhaps? Anyway, I fell in love with the main character quite quickly, but felt her ‘tomboy’ nature was quite forced?
It was as though the author tried to differentiate her from traditional femininity? Maybe that’s a reach, but either way, this forceful portrayal of her *difference* was only noticeable in the first few chapters. Personally, after that, I didn’t think much of it, and her difference was written in a less hateful way towards femininity? (I’m not sure if that makes sense.)
I loved how Peta’s thoughts were not only given through narration but through italics as well so we could truly see what she thought. I loved the repetition of ‘stupid crazy girl’ (and variations of that phrase), I thought that was really relatable and I found myself laughing at her too!
It was amazing how I kept guessing throughout the book and I was given just enough information to make the completely wrong assumption but it was satisfying to be proven wrong. I especially loved the complexity of the ending and the chilling fear that seeped through the words on the page. Genuinely could not put the book down!!
(I even tried rushing to the ending because I was so gripped!!)
And again, I usually don’t read prologues or epilogues. With this book, I read every. single. word.
Genius.
If only I liked the beginning more, definitely would have been 5 stars!
It was as though the author tried to differentiate her from traditional femininity? Maybe that’s a reach, but either way, this forceful portrayal of her *difference* was only noticeable in the first few chapters. Personally, after that, I didn’t think much of it, and her difference was written in a less hateful way towards femininity? (I’m not sure if that makes sense.)
I loved how Peta’s thoughts were not only given through narration but through italics as well so we could truly see what she thought. I loved the repetition of ‘stupid crazy girl’ (and variations of that phrase), I thought that was really relatable and I found myself laughing at her too!
It was amazing how I kept guessing throughout the book and I was given just enough information to make the completely wrong assumption but it was satisfying to be proven wrong. I especially loved the complexity of the ending and the chilling fear that seeped through the words on the page. Genuinely could not put the book down!!
(I even tried rushing to the ending because I was so gripped!!)
And again, I usually don’t read prologues or epilogues. With this book, I read every. single. word.
Genius.
If only I liked the beginning more, definitely would have been 5 stars!
April 24, 2018
Loved it!
We follow our heroine as she tries to find her dad whom she knows definitely didn't die in a car bomb like everyone else believes. On her tail are some serious baddies.
The setting is fabulous - a labyrinth of tunnels her only sanctuary and two modern day child slaves her only allies. OMG - it was just great.
Really face-paced thriller. I could definitely see this turning into a film, or at the very least a series of books. What happened? Why did it just stop at one? More please.
We follow our heroine as she tries to find her dad whom she knows definitely didn't die in a car bomb like everyone else believes. On her tail are some serious baddies.
The setting is fabulous - a labyrinth of tunnels her only sanctuary and two modern day child slaves her only allies. OMG - it was just great.
Really face-paced thriller. I could definitely see this turning into a film, or at the very least a series of books. What happened? Why did it just stop at one? More please.
May 23, 2025
I didn't think I would like this book as it was the first one I tried to read after branching out from Darren Shan, and being a female character too, I struggle with "relating". I know.. weird right!? seeing as I am a female myself.. but I don't really relate to them in books. But this was ok. Not much to say about it, but it was an alright stand-alone 'starter' book for me.. as I always said, I wouldn't read anything other than Darren Shan's work.
October 13, 2017
Actually was really good! Wasn't expecting it, seeing as I just picked it up on a whim!
January 20, 2019
I read this when I was about 12/13 and I loved it. It was my favourite book for a number of years. Its thrilling, and full of adventure, great for all genders, ages and preferences.
June 28, 2019
I picked this up at local library cancelled for a bargain price, what a thrill this book was read over a couple of days. My only wish was the end could have been a little more debeloped. Great Work
March 24, 2020
Not the best book in the world but still alright.
April 7, 2022
✔️My #14 📙 in #2022 . 'Peta Jones, you' re Not Crazy. Stupid. Crazy Girl. ' 4.5⭐ for #TheCastle by #SophiaBennett
June 28, 2022
I know this is a YA book. I did enjoy it for the fact it is written for a younger reader. The storyline was good, the characters were well written and overall, a younger reader would love this book.
December 20, 2022
DNF - 42%
I love Sophia Bennett books but this one I couldn’t wrap my head around. Maybe in the future I will come back to it!
I love Sophia Bennett books but this one I couldn’t wrap my head around. Maybe in the future I will come back to it!
November 19, 2023
this was the first ever book i read at 12 that got me into reading
August 2, 2024
It was good from the start then got a bit boring in the end
September 24, 2024
Good easy read, bit back and forth towards the end though.
November 12, 2021
Read this years ago in my school library and till date, I don't remember a book being this amazing!! Quite a fast paced book and definitely a must read for the adventure lovers out there.
September 10, 2023
Trigger warnings: Disappearance of a father
7.5/10, I can't believe that it took me two months to get my hands on this crime novel and I've been wanting to read this after the last book made by this author called The Look kind of underwhelmed me so I had high expectations for this; I'm so glad I read this since this is so much better than the last book, where do I even begin. The author did not disappoint me with her latest book as far as I know. It starts off with the main character Peta and interestingly it starts off on some sort of wedding since her mother is remarrying after her father apparently died somehow, she recounts that he was even knighted by the Queen at the time this book was set, and I think this cements that this is a British book, not Australian, not American, but British. Anyways Peta discovers some clues that her father is alive and being held in an island country run by a billionaire but I forgot the names of both of them. Peta finds her father soon enough but predictably there was a big battle and I think he sacrificed himself ending this on a bittersweet note. Did I mention the plot was basic and the characters didn't really experience any development?
7.5/10, I can't believe that it took me two months to get my hands on this crime novel and I've been wanting to read this after the last book made by this author called The Look kind of underwhelmed me so I had high expectations for this; I'm so glad I read this since this is so much better than the last book, where do I even begin. The author did not disappoint me with her latest book as far as I know. It starts off with the main character Peta and interestingly it starts off on some sort of wedding since her mother is remarrying after her father apparently died somehow, she recounts that he was even knighted by the Queen at the time this book was set, and I think this cements that this is a British book, not Australian, not American, but British. Anyways Peta discovers some clues that her father is alive and being held in an island country run by a billionaire but I forgot the names of both of them. Peta finds her father soon enough but predictably there was a big battle and I think he sacrificed himself ending this on a bittersweet note. Did I mention the plot was basic and the characters didn't really experience any development?
July 22, 2016
I thought it was enjoyable and it captured my attention. It is a fast-paced read which has a mix of adventure, action and secrets.
The Castle centres around Peta Jones. It starts with Peta being a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding. However, Peta doesn’t believe that her father died in a car bomb blast. She is convinced he is still alive. She is put in therapy to ‘help’ her get rid of these thoughts. Peta is convinced her father is still alive, especially when a kitten arrives on her birthday. A strange phone call leads Peta to an island where she soon discovers a lot of secrets.
This book felt completely different to the other two books I’ve read from Sophia Bennett. It was a good different though. I like it when an author isn’t pigeon-holed into one genre or an ‘expected’ plot for each of their releases. I am really looking forward to reading Love Song which I hear is incredible!
The Castle centres around Peta Jones. It starts with Peta being a bridesmaid at her mother’s wedding. However, Peta doesn’t believe that her father died in a car bomb blast. She is convinced he is still alive. She is put in therapy to ‘help’ her get rid of these thoughts. Peta is convinced her father is still alive, especially when a kitten arrives on her birthday. A strange phone call leads Peta to an island where she soon discovers a lot of secrets.
This book felt completely different to the other two books I’ve read from Sophia Bennett. It was a good different though. I like it when an author isn’t pigeon-holed into one genre or an ‘expected’ plot for each of their releases. I am really looking forward to reading Love Song which I hear is incredible!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews