Jude

by Elin Heron

Fifteen-year-old Nick has just finished his GCSEs. Stuck at home in a seaside village, his quiet summer quickly transforms when a neighbour goes missing. and he meets Jude, a wild and otherworldly boy staying in a horsedrawn caravan...

As the pair grow closer, Nick and Jude discover this isn't the first time a child has gone missing in the village, but their own search for the truth puts them both in danger.

Genres: Mystery

252 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Callum James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of magic and landscape and mystery. And at same time a book about two boys falling for each other, one a solid and dependable suburban son of a policeman, the other (the Jude of the title), a fey, wild, magical adolescent who travels the countryside in a horsedrawn carriage during the summer months with his father who does restoration work on old churches. As well as becoming involved with each other they are involved with the disappearence of a couple of children and step into a world of forest spirits and threat and menace in an attempt to find them. An absolutely enchanting book whose two main characters are alive and real in your heart as you read.

[Hukka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Not a bad book by any means. But not great either. The idea was intriguing, the characters mainly well fleshed out, but I found the book lacking. At the same time though, there was too much going on. From certain plot points to characters, there was too much stuff. It all felt very disconnected from each other, even though technically it all connected.

Maybe some of the things could've been cut out to leave room for the characters and happenings to breathe a bit. Now it just feels congested.

Some of the things that happened, happened only to move the plot forward in a very awkward way. Clunky would be the best word to describe the book.

I felt a certain disconnect from the setting. I grew up watching a ton of British television, yet this book didn't feel British. There were these wonderful elements of British folklore and culture, but it all felt too distant for me to really connect with it.

But, I'm looking forward to reading more from the author, if they'll write more!

[Karina Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a while. It feels like Piranesi or You let me in.

[Vonprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written teen/YA novel which combines first love, mystery and folklore. My full review is here:

http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....

[Sian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book full of magic and mystery.

[Bethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg the ending what!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapped in folklore, this is a wonderful read that opens up your world - both as a reader and for the characters within the actual story itself.

Full review to follow in PaperBound Magazine.