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Trettons sällskap
I ett England som länge saknat magi, dyker plötsligt en märklig bok upp. Den är oförstörbar och skriven på ett okänt språk. Några experter på det ockulta slår sig samman för att undersöka den. Esther och Tom, två gatubarn, blir inblandade och plötsligt byter boken ägare... Vem kan tyda den mystiska texten? Vem kan ta del av den magi som slumrat och bara väntat på att få vakna till liv igen? Och hur bemästrar man den? [Barnbokskatalogen].
374 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Gareth P. Jones
77 books154 followersGareth first started writing when he was very young but it wasn’t until he was in his early twenties that he completed his first novel. Having had it universally rejected he wrote a novel for children called Who Killed Charlie Twig, which received an equally unimpressed reception and remains rightly unpublished to this day.
Some years passed during which Gareth met his future wife, Lisa and began a career in TV, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Then one day he found himself having lunch at the offices of Bloomsbury. He mentioned the unpublished book to a nice lady called Sarah, who politely suggested that he should send in the first three chapters for her to look at (and most likely dismiss, she thought to herself). Gareth returned home and excitedly told his wife this news, who gently explained that the book he had written actually wasn’t very good, but reminded him that he had recently begun work on a much better idea. This turned out to be good advice. In 2007 Bloomsbury published the first of four books in the series The Dragon Detective Agency and have since published The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Space Crime Conspiracy and The Considine Curse. He has also written a shorter story, Perry’s 5, published by Barrington Stoke and a series of books called Ninja Meerkats, published by Stripes.
Gareth now divides his time between writing books, producing TV programmes, spending time with his wife and son, Herbie and playing the slightly ludicrous number of stringed instruments in his front room.
NOMINATIONS & AWARDS
The Dragon Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Cats was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize.
The Thornthwaite Inheritance was shortlisted for eleven local book awards and won seven of them.
The Considine Curse was voted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012.
Some years passed during which Gareth met his future wife, Lisa and began a career in TV, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Then one day he found himself having lunch at the offices of Bloomsbury. He mentioned the unpublished book to a nice lady called Sarah, who politely suggested that he should send in the first three chapters for her to look at (and most likely dismiss, she thought to herself). Gareth returned home and excitedly told his wife this news, who gently explained that the book he had written actually wasn’t very good, but reminded him that he had recently begun work on a much better idea. This turned out to be good advice. In 2007 Bloomsbury published the first of four books in the series The Dragon Detective Agency and have since published The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Space Crime Conspiracy and The Considine Curse. He has also written a shorter story, Perry’s 5, published by Barrington Stoke and a series of books called Ninja Meerkats, published by Stripes.
Gareth now divides his time between writing books, producing TV programmes, spending time with his wife and son, Herbie and playing the slightly ludicrous number of stringed instruments in his front room.
NOMINATIONS & AWARDS
The Dragon Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Cats was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize.
The Thornthwaite Inheritance was shortlisted for eleven local book awards and won seven of them.
The Considine Curse was voted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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May 10, 2016This is giving me Liesl and Po vibes like a motherfucker!
I need this book in my hands now!
*UPDATE*: I just bought myself a copy on Amazon haha I just had to do it.
I need this book in my hands now!
*UPDATE*: I just bought myself a copy on Amazon haha I just had to do it.
November 7, 2013
A rather disappointing historical fantasy. The author takes a set of fairly standard ingredients - Victorian London, street urchins, toffs, a stage magician, a dismal orphanage run by sadistic nuns, betrayals and double-crosses - and succeeds in creating something rather less than the sum of its parts.
February 6, 2017
I really didn't know what to expect from this book. I mainly bought it because I am a fan of Jones's. It makes me sad that only a handful of people have read his work because it is clever and refreshing. I would recommend him for fans of Jonathan Stroud.
Jones is not afraid to keep things real and dark for his middle grade readers. There's death, abuse, manipulation, alcohol, and all of those other things that happen in the real world, especially during the 1890s. I can see some of the subjects touched in this book could make parents squeamish to give to their children, but I think Jones is bold in doing this. He doesn't gloss over the realities of the Victorian period and he knows that children, preteens if you will, aren't as delicate as we have made them out to be in recent years. He states in his interview at the end of the book his adult readers are much more scared of these topics than the intended readers.
That aside, the story starts innocently enough, there are some orphan pickpockets (a la Oliver Twist) running around London when they get enlisted into the service of a Lord Ringmore. He is trying to prove magic exists and with the recent discovery of a book, he believes that his search might be over. The orphans are supposed to be invisible nobodies, but through ease-dropping they discover what this secret society is up to. Through the influence of a conjurer-turned-magpie, the orphans find themselves transformed by magic and able to weld it themselves. I thought I had this story figured out in terms of the characters and what their part was going to be. I thought I knew who was the good witch and the bad wizard and place of all the other characters, but I turned out to be dramatically wrong. This would be a good book to have a sequel too. There are enough loose ends to do it efficiently.
Jones is not afraid to keep things real and dark for his middle grade readers. There's death, abuse, manipulation, alcohol, and all of those other things that happen in the real world, especially during the 1890s. I can see some of the subjects touched in this book could make parents squeamish to give to their children, but I think Jones is bold in doing this. He doesn't gloss over the realities of the Victorian period and he knows that children, preteens if you will, aren't as delicate as we have made them out to be in recent years. He states in his interview at the end of the book his adult readers are much more scared of these topics than the intended readers.
That aside, the story starts innocently enough, there are some orphan pickpockets (a la Oliver Twist) running around London when they get enlisted into the service of a Lord Ringmore. He is trying to prove magic exists and with the recent discovery of a book, he believes that his search might be over. The orphans are supposed to be invisible nobodies, but through ease-dropping they discover what this secret society is up to. Through the influence of a conjurer-turned-magpie, the orphans find themselves transformed by magic and able to weld it themselves. I thought I had this story figured out in terms of the characters and what their part was going to be. I thought I knew who was the good witch and the bad wizard and place of all the other characters, but I turned out to be dramatically wrong. This would be a good book to have a sequel too. There are enough loose ends to do it efficiently.
December 31, 2018
So this is my last book of the year. A lively tale of magic, ambition, cruelty and conspiracies in 19th century London. I wish I could explore this world and its mythos more, but it's a done in one. Lots of interesting characters too, many of whom I'd have liked to learn more about. Imaginative and richly imagined, but a little frustrating because of all the possibilities unexplored.
October 7, 2013
This is the second book I’ve read by Gareth P. Jones and everything that I loved about the first is still there. It amazes me how he can write a story told from so many character perspectives and, as a reader, you don’t struggle to follow.
The writing is beautiful and really brings everything to life and the characters, oh my – how varied and fascinating, my particular favourite was Mr Hayman. Also Mondriat and Olwyn need a mention, especially Olwyn – clever. The ending to this book is so brilliant.
There are a lot of main characters in The Society of Thirteen and I think maybe there are a few too many. Don’t get me wrong, they are really interesting and I’d probably be hard pressed to choose who shouldn’t be in this book but I didn’t care as much about Esther and Tom as I wanted and I’m wondering if that’s because I too distracted by everyone else.
High enjoyable, mysterious and wonderful, The Society of Thirteen is a book well worth reading but if you asked me I’d still tell you to read Constable & Toop first.
The writing is beautiful and really brings everything to life and the characters, oh my – how varied and fascinating, my particular favourite was Mr Hayman. Also Mondriat and Olwyn need a mention, especially Olwyn – clever. The ending to this book is so brilliant.
There are a lot of main characters in The Society of Thirteen and I think maybe there are a few too many. Don’t get me wrong, they are really interesting and I’d probably be hard pressed to choose who shouldn’t be in this book but I didn’t care as much about Esther and Tom as I wanted and I’m wondering if that’s because I too distracted by everyone else.
High enjoyable, mysterious and wonderful, The Society of Thirteen is a book well worth reading but if you asked me I’d still tell you to read Constable & Toop first.
December 20, 2023
Eu e minhas amigas compramos esse livro em uma bienal do livro em Brasília e criamos algumas altas expectativas pelo fato da capa ser bem instigante e o livro se considerar suspense infanto-juvenil. Mas, infelizmente, várias dessas 'expectativas' foram por água abaixo no desenvolvimento da história. Sinto que eu tava gostando muito da história no início — um livro mágico chegando as mãos de um homem poderoso, a formação de uma sociedade, pré-adolescentes em busca de uma vida melhor e mais alguns elementos que deixam a história intrigante e de repente, somos surpreendidos com a falta de acontecimentos jogados na história, sumiços misteriosas, mortes desnecessárias e alguns diálogos um tanto esquisitos para um livro com classificação indicativa de 13 anos. Foi uma leitura bem diferente e como foi feita em grupo, ficou ainda mais divertida do que o esperado. Os plots são bem interessantes, eu nunca imaginei que aconteceria aquilo tudo e dá margem para continuações. Duas estrelinhas porque faltou tompero no desenvolvimento da história.
November 30, 2020
13 år gamle hovedpersoner. Handlingen er satt i London på 1800- tallet, noe som passer godt til fortellingen om magi og mystikk. Litt treg til tider, men veldig spennende mot slutten.
December 13, 2025
Well written and looks interesting, but thirteen is simply too many if each members gets a whole chapter of introduction. I gave up after number three.
November 7, 2021
I didn't enjoy this book as much as Constable & Toop. I think Jones has great ideas that capture my curiosity, and this was an interesting take on magicians for sure. This story also had an historical setting and a big ensemble of characters that form a complicated plot. But some reason it didn't keep me that engaged. The writing just wasn't as good, and my interest went back and forth while reading.
It also ends on a villain monologue explaining everything, which I find weak, and I didn't find the ending satisfying regarding Tom and Esther. The author says he cut down on the Prologue and Epilogue, but I think that's the mistake. It didn't give us much and was much too open. He might as well just have written a more definitive conclusion to the events in 1891.
Warning: There are outdated and offensive terms used to describe people who are Native American, Asian, and Romani. There is no excuse for their use when everything in the writing is modern and it's addressed to a modern audience. Middle-grade readers might not know better. That's disappointing from Jones, who managed not to do that in Constable & Toop.
It also ends on a villain monologue explaining everything, which I find weak, and I didn't find the ending satisfying regarding Tom and Esther. The author says he cut down on the Prologue and Epilogue, but I think that's the mistake. It didn't give us much and was much too open. He might as well just have written a more definitive conclusion to the events in 1891.
Warning: There are outdated and offensive terms used to describe people who are Native American, Asian, and Romani. There is no excuse for their use when everything in the writing is modern and it's addressed to a modern audience. Middle-grade readers might not know better. That's disappointing from Jones, who managed not to do that in Constable & Toop.
November 25, 2018
På omslaget står det Ny blodisande - och rolig! - slukarläsning.... Jag håller faktiskt med. Den var lite rolig, men bara lite - vilket var inte vad jag hade förväntat. Den var desto mer blodisande. I en Hcg förväntar man en viss mängd återhållsamhet - händer det riktigt läskiga saker ska det hände "off camera".
Men inte här!
Men boken är en riktig slukarbok med korta kapitel och snabba flytt från en av karaktärerna till en annan. I centrum står två föräldralösa barn. De blir smittade av magi och får plötsligt tillgång till oerhörda krafter. Esther ser på det hela med skepsis och glömmer aldrig vad hon vill här i livet. Tom å andra sidan blir snabbt maktgalen och vill bara mer och mer.
Bland de vuxna är Lord Ringmore den pådrivande i utforskandet av magi. Han bilder Trettons sällskap och samlar ihop en skock "experter".
Det mesta händer år 1891. Sir Tyrrel är en konservativ politiker som ser på kvinnors strävan efter jämlikhet som en hädelse som kommer att driva landet i fördärv. Å andra sidan har han inga problem med enskilda starka kvinnor - som t.ex. mr. G. Hayman som har tagit en manlig pseudonym - precis såsom Mary Ann Evans - för att bli accepterad som en seriös författare. Hon har så pass identifierat sig med sin nom de plume att hon kallas boken igenom för "mr. G. Hayman". Det var lite kul. Illusionisten Harry Clay är en uppkomling som har dock blivit vida berömd och ganska förmögen. Likt Harry Houdini är utbrytning hans specialitet. Olikt mr. Houdini råkar han inte ut för riktig magi.
Jag skulle inte rekommendera detta för barn! Annars är den riktigt bra - om lite väl läskig.
Men inte här!
Men boken är en riktig slukarbok med korta kapitel och snabba flytt från en av karaktärerna till en annan. I centrum står två föräldralösa barn. De blir smittade av magi och får plötsligt tillgång till oerhörda krafter. Esther ser på det hela med skepsis och glömmer aldrig vad hon vill här i livet. Tom å andra sidan blir snabbt maktgalen och vill bara mer och mer.
Bland de vuxna är Lord Ringmore den pådrivande i utforskandet av magi. Han bilder Trettons sällskap och samlar ihop en skock "experter".
Det mesta händer år 1891. Sir Tyrrel är en konservativ politiker som ser på kvinnors strävan efter jämlikhet som en hädelse som kommer att driva landet i fördärv. Å andra sidan har han inga problem med enskilda starka kvinnor - som t.ex. mr. G. Hayman som har tagit en manlig pseudonym - precis såsom Mary Ann Evans - för att bli accepterad som en seriös författare. Hon har så pass identifierat sig med sin nom de plume att hon kallas boken igenom för "mr. G. Hayman". Det var lite kul. Illusionisten Harry Clay är en uppkomling som har dock blivit vida berömd och ganska förmögen. Likt Harry Houdini är utbrytning hans specialitet. Olikt mr. Houdini råkar han inte ut för riktig magi.
Jag skulle inte rekommendera detta för barn! Annars är den riktigt bra - om lite väl läskig.
January 2, 2021
En väldigt spännande ungdomsroman, med många mörka twistar och händelser. I början så är det mer mysterier, och funderingar om vem Ringmore är, då han är en väldigt underlig man redan från introduktionen - han påstår att magi är äkta och att det finns mer än just illusioner, hans observationsförmåga är också amazing.
Iallafall så är Esther och Tom ute och försöker sno till sig plånböcker från rika folket i London, attans att de träffar på Ringmore, för han fångar dem, men de är fria att jobba åt honom. Tillit och sånt är väldigt svag i denna roman, allt beror på mat, omständighet och så... Så Tom har inga problem att sälja Ringmore och hans pengar när han blir hotad, överlevnad är prio här! Lite teman om ärlighet, moral och religion uppstår... väldigt fascinerande och sant.
Men jo jag älskade nog denna roman. Den var spännande, mystisk, och magisk. Man visste inte riktigt vart detta skulle leda och värsta plot twisten när den *spoiler* elaka avslöjar sig, inte för att jag litade på hen, hen var en skummis från den stunden hen introducerades.
Om man gillar Spiderwick, Harry Potter, Familjen Addams eller liknande, ska man helt klart läsa denna bok ;)
Iallafall så är Esther och Tom ute och försöker sno till sig plånböcker från rika folket i London, attans att de träffar på Ringmore, för han fångar dem, men de är fria att jobba åt honom. Tillit och sånt är väldigt svag i denna roman, allt beror på mat, omständighet och så... Så Tom har inga problem att sälja Ringmore och hans pengar när han blir hotad, överlevnad är prio här! Lite teman om ärlighet, moral och religion uppstår... väldigt fascinerande och sant.
Men jo jag älskade nog denna roman. Den var spännande, mystisk, och magisk. Man visste inte riktigt vart detta skulle leda och värsta plot twisten när den *spoiler* elaka avslöjar sig, inte för att jag litade på hen, hen var en skummis från den stunden hen introducerades.
Om man gillar Spiderwick, Harry Potter, Familjen Addams eller liknande, ska man helt klart läsa denna bok ;)
March 18, 2020
Didn't even really hold up to The Considine Curse, let alone The Thornthwaite Inheritance :(
January 10, 2025
Achei um livro legalzinho, fui começar em 2023 e só terminei na virada do ano novo pra 2025 porque cismei que não poderia levar esse livro pra 2025. A história de início é super instigante e te faz querer ler mais e mais, não sei oque aconteceu no meio do livro que ele ficou chato pra cacete, a história ficou tão arrastada. Os plots são legais, e o final é bom, não gostei da forma que a relação dos personagens foi trabalhada mas isso deve ser coisa minha.
Recomendo se você tiver paciência.
Recomendo se você tiver paciência.
January 29, 2024
I believe this could have been better, the two children could have been a better intruge in the story and I felt they didn't quite set their mark.
I do love that it's placed in a historical England with magic and cobblestone streets but I do feel like it wasn't quite utilized as it could have been, the magic was sort of strange. Let me just say it didn't hold up like Gareth's other works.
I do love that it's placed in a historical England with magic and cobblestone streets but I do feel like it wasn't quite utilized as it could have been, the magic was sort of strange. Let me just say it didn't hold up like Gareth's other works.
September 24, 2021
literally one of my favourite books! It had been on my shelf for two years and i couldn’t bring myself to read it but once i did i couldnt stop. Its an easy to read, short book and it has an amazing story, with various plot twists that will leave u hanging
January 25, 2024
There are some interesting moments in this book, and issues worth exploring, but it loses steam somewhere and it is sometimes hard to not drift away and lose focus.
A somewhat difficult read, more than I had anticipated, but not a bad tale.
A somewhat difficult read, more than I had anticipated, but not a bad tale.
February 16, 2024
I’m usually a huge fan of this author but I just don’t know with this one. I enjoyed watching the magic side and the life of orphans all those years ago. I just wasn’t convinced that there needed to be so much death. I was also hoping for a better ending between the kids and Lord Ringmore. Definitely not one I’m convinced of.
October 8, 2018
Another exceptional story. Unique magic, wonderful writing, and fantastic characters.
June 21, 2019
I was disappointed by this book because i loved another work by this author. I found it boring and didn't like some of the word choices (a native american characters is consistently called 'indian')
July 9, 2020
Some use of London. Alright.
February 4, 2021
I read this when I was younger and really enjoyed it! Would recommend this author and especially this book to read to children.
March 27, 2023
Io adoro Jones come autore, ma questo libro mi ha lasciato completamente indifferente e molto annoiata.
Difficile da reperire, l'ho preso usato anni fa, bellissima copertina, non male il concetto di base ed Esther mi è piaciuta molto.
Tom invece non l'ho sopportato fin dall'inizio. La trama si svolge lentamente e non avevo molto interesse a sapere come andava avanti.
Difficile da reperire, l'ho preso usato anni fa, bellissima copertina, non male il concetto di base ed Esther mi è piaciuta molto.
Tom invece non l'ho sopportato fin dall'inizio. La trama si svolge lentamente e non avevo molto interesse a sapere come andava avanti.
January 6, 2025
I know it’s been like ten years since this came out but I want a sequel. Like now.
August 11, 2022
Great book, good perspective of characters and eerie ending
February 25, 2015
he Society of Thirteen is a richly detailed fantasy novel set in Victorian London. It’s full of illusions, theatricality and menacing characters.
Tom and Esther are two thirteen year old street urchins. They left the hideous orphanage to live on the streets of London but it’s a mean place. They survive by pick pocketing the wealthy folks of Bloomsbury and other posh parts of the city. But one day, they try their luck on Lord Ringmore. Yet it doesn’t turn out how they planned. Lord Ringmore hires them as messengers. Esther is pleased by this honest turn of fortune. But Tom doesn’t trust the strange man. He’d rather chance a life of petty crime. Lord Ringmore has his own unique agenda. Seeking the truth behind the existence of magic, a book crosses his path and offers an insight into the mystery. But who sent the book to him and to what end?
This is dark magic, sinister and dangerous. The story centres on the mysterious book and how it may have the power to unlock the secrets of magic. The characters in the Society of Thirteen have their own motivations for seeking real magic. It makes for exciting reading. The author’s clever plotting and characterisation creates a really exciting ending.
This book is wonderfully rich with language. It’s full of theatre vocabulary, magic vocabulary and historical vocabulary. It’s definitely the sort of book for more confident readers and those who like their fantasy novels that bit darker.
There’s also an interesting interweaving of religious ideas in this book. Some of the characters are fervently religious and yet they act in many selfish and uncharitable ways. And then, there is the study of the occult and the search for magic. Perhaps some readers will be uncomfortable with this but it certainly didn’t promote any demonic values or encourage one to join a cult.
Overall, a really enjoyable read. The chapter length was perfect to keep you reading on. The characterisation was entertaining and exotic, the plot thrilling. The Society of Thirteen is full of twists and the unexpected just like a magic show.
Read it if you enjoyed:
The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick
The Black Book of Secrets by F E Higgins
Tom and Esther are two thirteen year old street urchins. They left the hideous orphanage to live on the streets of London but it’s a mean place. They survive by pick pocketing the wealthy folks of Bloomsbury and other posh parts of the city. But one day, they try their luck on Lord Ringmore. Yet it doesn’t turn out how they planned. Lord Ringmore hires them as messengers. Esther is pleased by this honest turn of fortune. But Tom doesn’t trust the strange man. He’d rather chance a life of petty crime. Lord Ringmore has his own unique agenda. Seeking the truth behind the existence of magic, a book crosses his path and offers an insight into the mystery. But who sent the book to him and to what end?
This is dark magic, sinister and dangerous. The story centres on the mysterious book and how it may have the power to unlock the secrets of magic. The characters in the Society of Thirteen have their own motivations for seeking real magic. It makes for exciting reading. The author’s clever plotting and characterisation creates a really exciting ending.
This book is wonderfully rich with language. It’s full of theatre vocabulary, magic vocabulary and historical vocabulary. It’s definitely the sort of book for more confident readers and those who like their fantasy novels that bit darker.
There’s also an interesting interweaving of religious ideas in this book. Some of the characters are fervently religious and yet they act in many selfish and uncharitable ways. And then, there is the study of the occult and the search for magic. Perhaps some readers will be uncomfortable with this but it certainly didn’t promote any demonic values or encourage one to join a cult.
Overall, a really enjoyable read. The chapter length was perfect to keep you reading on. The characterisation was entertaining and exotic, the plot thrilling. The Society of Thirteen is full of twists and the unexpected just like a magic show.
Read it if you enjoyed:
The Book of Dead Days by Marcus Sedgwick
The Black Book of Secrets by F E Higgins
Read
May 20, 2015It's okay...not too good, not too bad...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews