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Everton Miles Is Stranger Than Me: The Night Flyer's Handbook
The sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden , shortlisted for the OLA Red Maple Award.
I wander around like any normal, paranoid, self-absorbed teenager. Do we all think we’re being chased by deadly entities, I wonder? Probably, but how many of us actually are?
Gwendolyn Golden, Night Flyer, floats over the cornfields all summer. What draws her to the same spot, night after night? All she knows is that change is she’s starting high school plus there’s a strange new boy in town.
He’s Everton Miles and he’s a Night Flyer, too.
Soon the mismatched teenagers face dangers they never imagined, including a fallen Spirit Flyer, a kidnapping, and the eternal darkness of The Shade. How will Gwendolyn handle her new life and grade nine? With help from the Night Flyer’s Handbook and her strange new friend, it might not be that hard.
CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2017) Selection
I wander around like any normal, paranoid, self-absorbed teenager. Do we all think we’re being chased by deadly entities, I wonder? Probably, but how many of us actually are?
Gwendolyn Golden, Night Flyer, floats over the cornfields all summer. What draws her to the same spot, night after night? All she knows is that change is she’s starting high school plus there’s a strange new boy in town.
He’s Everton Miles and he’s a Night Flyer, too.
Soon the mismatched teenagers face dangers they never imagined, including a fallen Spirit Flyer, a kidnapping, and the eternal darkness of The Shade. How will Gwendolyn handle her new life and grade nine? With help from the Night Flyer’s Handbook and her strange new friend, it might not be that hard.
CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2017) Selection
232 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2016
2 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Dowding
21 books68 followersPhilippa Dowding is an author, poet, and composer/musician based in Toronto. She is the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, Young People's Literature, Text, and the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award, for her book FIREFLY.
Philippa was a writer early in life, and began writing poetry and short stories at age nine. She studied English Language & Literature at Western University in London, Ontario, and completed an M.A. in English at The University of Toronto. Soon after graduating, she began her professional writing life as a copywriter in the magazine and newspaper industry, where she won many industry awards.
When she had a family, she began telling bedtime stories to her children. One story, about a lost gargoyle living in a child's backyard in downtown Toronto, became her first published book in The Lost Gargoyle series.
Philippa has won literary nominations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including the Diamond Willow, Hackmatack, Silver Birch, Red Cedar and Red Maple awards. Her third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, was named a White Raven Book by the International Youth Library in Munich.
NEW BOOK: The Love Song of Mr. Byrd is coming this fall!
Visit Philippa's website for more about her books, poetry, and music: http://pdowding.com/
Philippa was a writer early in life, and began writing poetry and short stories at age nine. She studied English Language & Literature at Western University in London, Ontario, and completed an M.A. in English at The University of Toronto. Soon after graduating, she began her professional writing life as a copywriter in the magazine and newspaper industry, where she won many industry awards.
When she had a family, she began telling bedtime stories to her children. One story, about a lost gargoyle living in a child's backyard in downtown Toronto, became her first published book in The Lost Gargoyle series.
Philippa has won literary nominations across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, including the Diamond Willow, Hackmatack, Silver Birch, Red Cedar and Red Maple awards. Her third book, The Gargoyle at the Gates, was named a White Raven Book by the International Youth Library in Munich.
NEW BOOK: The Love Song of Mr. Byrd is coming this fall!
Visit Philippa's website for more about her books, poetry, and music: http://pdowding.com/
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 7, 2016
Gwendolyn is a fourteen years old girl who also happens to be a Night Flyer, which means she has the ability to fly without mechanical assistance. As every Night Flyer she has a Mentor and a Watcher, and she also has all the problems a "normal" teenager has. Everything gets even more complicated when Everton Miles, another Night Flyer, moves to town. Everton is strange, it's true, but not as strange as the black feathered creature who follows Gwendolyn calling her when she flies at night. What it is happening here?
This middle grade novel was very enjoyable to read. The plot is absolutely engaging from the very first pages. Although it clearly has fantastic components, the story is set in a pretty normal small town. There are many funny moments, and some scary ones. Some of the issues of being a teenager are addressed along the way: gifts and responsibility, grief and expectations, dreams and reality. Friendship, in its different forms, is probably the main theme. I didn't read the first book in the series, The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, but I will do it soon. And I really would love to see more books in this series. I think Gwendolyn, Everton, Martin and Jez has still much more to give us.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk
This middle grade novel was very enjoyable to read. The plot is absolutely engaging from the very first pages. Although it clearly has fantastic components, the story is set in a pretty normal small town. There are many funny moments, and some scary ones. Some of the issues of being a teenager are addressed along the way: gifts and responsibility, grief and expectations, dreams and reality. Friendship, in its different forms, is probably the main theme. I didn't read the first book in the series, The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, but I will do it soon. And I really would love to see more books in this series. I think Gwendolyn, Everton, Martin and Jez has still much more to give us.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Find more children's book reviews in Reviews in Chalk
September 15, 2016
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me is the sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden.
Gwendolyn Golden is a Night Flyer. Night Flyer a certain people who during puberty suddenly learn how to fly. The can also fly during the day, it is just so risky, therefore, they usually only fly at night. In this installment, Gwen begins high school, and her mentor introduces her to the ne Night Flyer in town, Everton Miles. Everton is a year older, handsome, charming and popular. Gwen however, struggles to find where she belongs, not only in high school but also in the Night Flyer community. When she starts seeing, what appears to be a Rogue Spirit Flyer, and he starts calling to her, she realizes she has many choices to make. Gwen is growing up; who does she want to be?
This was not only a fantastic fantasy story for middle grade and YA readers, it also explored ones sense of self and how much what happens to a person affects that. Gwen had lost her father, but never came to terms with that loss, and that left her stumbling to accept herself. She learns that one has to overcome hardships in life to find out who they truly are inside.
Besides all of the deep stuff in the book, it was also just fun. Gwen's little twin brother and sister were a riot, and her love for them was the sweetest thing. She also had amazing friends in Jez, Martin, and Everton. And an amazing support system with her mother, her mentor, and others. She has the normal problems of a 15 year old girl, and the special problems of an adolescent Night Flyer. Talk about stress!
There is also a lot of great adventure and action. She has to fight the darkness and accept the light. It is a typical good versus bad story that never fails to amuse. Having a strong, yet flawed female narrarator is a great way to get younger girls to try a genre that has usually appealed mostly to boys. That being said, having two boys as secondary characters allow boys to also enjoy the book without it being to "girly". I would completely recommend this book for middle school and high school aged kids. I even know a lot of adults who would enjoy this book. I am eagerly awaiting a third in this series.
Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me is the sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden.
Gwendolyn Golden is a Night Flyer. Night Flyer a certain people who during puberty suddenly learn how to fly. The can also fly during the day, it is just so risky, therefore, they usually only fly at night. In this installment, Gwen begins high school, and her mentor introduces her to the ne Night Flyer in town, Everton Miles. Everton is a year older, handsome, charming and popular. Gwen however, struggles to find where she belongs, not only in high school but also in the Night Flyer community. When she starts seeing, what appears to be a Rogue Spirit Flyer, and he starts calling to her, she realizes she has many choices to make. Gwen is growing up; who does she want to be?
This was not only a fantastic fantasy story for middle grade and YA readers, it also explored ones sense of self and how much what happens to a person affects that. Gwen had lost her father, but never came to terms with that loss, and that left her stumbling to accept herself. She learns that one has to overcome hardships in life to find out who they truly are inside.
Besides all of the deep stuff in the book, it was also just fun. Gwen's little twin brother and sister were a riot, and her love for them was the sweetest thing. She also had amazing friends in Jez, Martin, and Everton. And an amazing support system with her mother, her mentor, and others. She has the normal problems of a 15 year old girl, and the special problems of an adolescent Night Flyer. Talk about stress!
There is also a lot of great adventure and action. She has to fight the darkness and accept the light. It is a typical good versus bad story that never fails to amuse. Having a strong, yet flawed female narrarator is a great way to get younger girls to try a genre that has usually appealed mostly to boys. That being said, having two boys as secondary characters allow boys to also enjoy the book without it being to "girly". I would completely recommend this book for middle school and high school aged kids. I even know a lot of adults who would enjoy this book. I am eagerly awaiting a third in this series.
September 14, 2016
Recently, Gwendolyn Golden found out she is a Night Flyer - which is to say, a person who can fly unaided. The "night" part is just a strong suggestion, since people are bound to notice you flying around in broad daylight. Gwendolyn also knows her late father was a Night Flyer, but only now does she learn how he died and what it had to do with his talent for flying. Meantime, she has been assigned a Mentor and a Watcher, and she learns the handsome new boy in town is a Night Flyer too, and she is being targeted by a demonic being known as a Rogue Spirit Flyer, and zoom! Her high school freshman year is off to a rocky start.
So many rocks pop up in her path, if she couldn't fly, Gwendolyn would be doing a faceplant a minute. Not only does she have to share a gym class with her personal bully, but they seem to fancy the same boy. Her science lab partner is the boy who gave her the Worst Kiss Ever last summer, and who used to be her best friend. Something is stopping her visiting her Watcher, the old man who lives in a shack outside down surrounded by mounds of used soda bottles, even though Mr. McGillies has fallen ill since he recently saved her life. She doesn't know how to explain what's going on to her best friend Jaz, which puts a strain on their relationship. And now both Gwendolyn and her adorable younger twin siblings, collectively nicknamed C2, have been in fights at school and must see a child psychologist. It's a real mess, and Gwendolyn struggles with a lot of anger and fear - especially about the fallen angel type who keeps trying to abduct her. The good angels, I mean Spirit Flyers, don't seem to be good for much when it comes to stopping this guy. The only thing scarier than being taken by Mr. Black Feathers is seeing him hurt the people she cares about. It's no wonder Gwendolyn's choice at the end of her first year as a Night Flyer - the choice whether to continue to fly, or to become forever earthbound - isn't the slam dunk you would expect.
There is some exciting action, good-and-evil conflict, and awe-inspiring fantasy scenery in this book. But mostly it's about coping with everykid's freshman-year issues - problems with school, family, friends, and all the changes happening inside and outside. The young teen-romance angle, Gwendolyn's struggle to accept her father's death, the mental block preventing her from visiting her Watcher, etc., etc., etc., could all have been part of the interminable, internal psychodrama of the first 300 pages of a "Twilight" novel, with an action-packed climax more or less making it up to us. But unlike that other series, this story has a dynamic heroine whose attitude matures and improves, and who justifies her designation as the heroine by achieving heroics when it really matters, rather than becoming catatonic until her angel in shining feathers descends (or whatever). It has a fantasy concept with a smart spiritual dimension, and an endearing cast of supporting characters who serve as much more than objects of ill-focused lust. So, while Gwendolyn does linger perhaps too long among the same doubts and anxieties, one reaches the end of the journey with her (or at least, this leg of it) with a sense that it was a worthwhile trip.
This book is the sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, and Part 2 of a series called "Night Flyer's Handbook." It is scheduled to become available in the U.S. Nov. 8, 2016. Philippa Dowding is also the author of the "Lost Gargoyle" trilogy, starting with Gargoyle in My Yard, and the "Weird Stories Gone Wrong" series, whose third book Carter and the Curious Maze appeared in paperback Aug. 30, 2016. This book review is based on a Kindle pre-publication proof made available through Netgalley dot com.
So many rocks pop up in her path, if she couldn't fly, Gwendolyn would be doing a faceplant a minute. Not only does she have to share a gym class with her personal bully, but they seem to fancy the same boy. Her science lab partner is the boy who gave her the Worst Kiss Ever last summer, and who used to be her best friend. Something is stopping her visiting her Watcher, the old man who lives in a shack outside down surrounded by mounds of used soda bottles, even though Mr. McGillies has fallen ill since he recently saved her life. She doesn't know how to explain what's going on to her best friend Jaz, which puts a strain on their relationship. And now both Gwendolyn and her adorable younger twin siblings, collectively nicknamed C2, have been in fights at school and must see a child psychologist. It's a real mess, and Gwendolyn struggles with a lot of anger and fear - especially about the fallen angel type who keeps trying to abduct her. The good angels, I mean Spirit Flyers, don't seem to be good for much when it comes to stopping this guy. The only thing scarier than being taken by Mr. Black Feathers is seeing him hurt the people she cares about. It's no wonder Gwendolyn's choice at the end of her first year as a Night Flyer - the choice whether to continue to fly, or to become forever earthbound - isn't the slam dunk you would expect.
There is some exciting action, good-and-evil conflict, and awe-inspiring fantasy scenery in this book. But mostly it's about coping with everykid's freshman-year issues - problems with school, family, friends, and all the changes happening inside and outside. The young teen-romance angle, Gwendolyn's struggle to accept her father's death, the mental block preventing her from visiting her Watcher, etc., etc., etc., could all have been part of the interminable, internal psychodrama of the first 300 pages of a "Twilight" novel, with an action-packed climax more or less making it up to us. But unlike that other series, this story has a dynamic heroine whose attitude matures and improves, and who justifies her designation as the heroine by achieving heroics when it really matters, rather than becoming catatonic until her angel in shining feathers descends (or whatever). It has a fantasy concept with a smart spiritual dimension, and an endearing cast of supporting characters who serve as much more than objects of ill-focused lust. So, while Gwendolyn does linger perhaps too long among the same doubts and anxieties, one reaches the end of the journey with her (or at least, this leg of it) with a sense that it was a worthwhile trip.
This book is the sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, and Part 2 of a series called "Night Flyer's Handbook." It is scheduled to become available in the U.S. Nov. 8, 2016. Philippa Dowding is also the author of the "Lost Gargoyle" trilogy, starting with Gargoyle in My Yard, and the "Weird Stories Gone Wrong" series, whose third book Carter and the Curious Maze appeared in paperback Aug. 30, 2016. This book review is based on a Kindle pre-publication proof made available through Netgalley dot com.
August 8, 2016
(ARC: Dundurn Press)
Wow!!!
I loved this sequel to Philippa Dowding's 'The strange gift of Gwendolyn Golden"!
In "Everton Miles is stranger than me", cryptic instructions such as 'Do NOT lose it! This will be your only copy' and 'What is happening to me?' gives the reader a unique glimpse into the 10 most critical questions asked by a budding 'night flyer'!
From that point onwards the fantastical adventures for Gwendolyn begin with the chance discovery of a tiny cornstalk doll and a eerie whispering of her name!
After that last line in the first chapter, I was totally transported into the Gwendolyn's world!
Angst, anger, uncertainty, fear are some of the emotions that plague Gwendolyn to varying degrees throughout the story.
Friendships, family and flying are tested again and again.
What could be 'stranger' than dragons gardens made from bottles, and black feathers that turn to ash?
Highly Recommended for Junior and Intermediate students !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow!!!
I loved this sequel to Philippa Dowding's 'The strange gift of Gwendolyn Golden"!
In "Everton Miles is stranger than me", cryptic instructions such as 'Do NOT lose it! This will be your only copy' and 'What is happening to me?' gives the reader a unique glimpse into the 10 most critical questions asked by a budding 'night flyer'!
From that point onwards the fantastical adventures for Gwendolyn begin with the chance discovery of a tiny cornstalk doll and a eerie whispering of her name!
After that last line in the first chapter, I was totally transported into the Gwendolyn's world!
Angst, anger, uncertainty, fear are some of the emotions that plague Gwendolyn to varying degrees throughout the story.
Friendships, family and flying are tested again and again.
What could be 'stranger' than dragons gardens made from bottles, and black feathers that turn to ash?
Highly Recommended for Junior and Intermediate students !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 28, 2018
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
If you don't already know Philippa Dowding, you must correct that immediately. Rush out and grab everything she's written and give it a read, and then come back to this book.
Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me picks up on the story of Gwendolyn Golden from the book The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden. If you follow my blog at all you already know that The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden was my selection for Best of the Best Good Books Found.
Gwendolyn is a Night Flyer - which is pretty much what you would expect by the name of it. Not too many people know about this, except for her best friend and her mentor (another Night Flyer meant to teach her the ways of night flying). She can't let too many people know about this ability and so, suffers through school just the way everyone else does.
On the first day of class, at the new school, the home room teacher already has a young boy in tears and Gwendolyn isn't too excited about what might be in store for herself - her bully, Shelley Norman, is in her gym class and Martin Evells, the boy who gave her the Worst Kiss Ever last spring seems to want to renew their friendship. Could it get any worse? Sure ... there's a new boy in town ... Everton Miles ... and he's not only a Night Flyer, too, he's there to keep watch over Gwendolyn and he's accompanied by a Spirit Flyer (a ghostly apparition with a special intuitive sense and some undefined power).
Like The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, this book is a powerful coming-of-age story. In the previous book, Gwendolyn faces a great deal of uncertainty and wonder over her body (flying) and the world around her. Here Gwen faces some of her own demons (literally and figuratively) and gets a little information about her father.
This story is much darker than the first book (though the first book hinted at the dark possibilities) and builds on the fantasy element. There were some unexpected turns here and, because author Philippa Dowding is an excellent story-teller and drew me in to the story, I was caught up with fear and anxiety for Gwendolyn - both with her school issues, as well as with the spiritual forces she faces.
This is an amazing follow-up in Dowding's Night Flyer series and there is some tremendous depth behind the surface story, which should greatly appeal to the strong student reader. I highly recommend this book.
Looking for a good book? Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me by Philippa Dowding is a strong sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden and should be read by every middle-schooler and young adult.
I purchased this book and donated it to my public library.
If you don't already know Philippa Dowding, you must correct that immediately. Rush out and grab everything she's written and give it a read, and then come back to this book.
Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me picks up on the story of Gwendolyn Golden from the book The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden. If you follow my blog at all you already know that The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden was my selection for Best of the Best Good Books Found.
Gwendolyn is a Night Flyer - which is pretty much what you would expect by the name of it. Not too many people know about this, except for her best friend and her mentor (another Night Flyer meant to teach her the ways of night flying). She can't let too many people know about this ability and so, suffers through school just the way everyone else does.
On the first day of class, at the new school, the home room teacher already has a young boy in tears and Gwendolyn isn't too excited about what might be in store for herself - her bully, Shelley Norman, is in her gym class and Martin Evells, the boy who gave her the Worst Kiss Ever last spring seems to want to renew their friendship. Could it get any worse? Sure ... there's a new boy in town ... Everton Miles ... and he's not only a Night Flyer, too, he's there to keep watch over Gwendolyn and he's accompanied by a Spirit Flyer (a ghostly apparition with a special intuitive sense and some undefined power).
Like The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, this book is a powerful coming-of-age story. In the previous book, Gwendolyn faces a great deal of uncertainty and wonder over her body (flying) and the world around her. Here Gwen faces some of her own demons (literally and figuratively) and gets a little information about her father.
This story is much darker than the first book (though the first book hinted at the dark possibilities) and builds on the fantasy element. There were some unexpected turns here and, because author Philippa Dowding is an excellent story-teller and drew me in to the story, I was caught up with fear and anxiety for Gwendolyn - both with her school issues, as well as with the spiritual forces she faces.
This is an amazing follow-up in Dowding's Night Flyer series and there is some tremendous depth behind the surface story, which should greatly appeal to the strong student reader. I highly recommend this book.
Looking for a good book? Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me by Philippa Dowding is a strong sequel to The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden and should be read by every middle-schooler and young adult.
I purchased this book and donated it to my public library.
July 17, 2017
I am pleased to say that the second book was just about as good as the first book. It's hard to do that. I really liked the characters and how they develop. Gwendolyn is lucky to have such wonderful friends and they all come through for her.
I can see that this could be the last book in this series, but I would love to read more about Gwendolyn and her friends and the twins. They are going to be a handful. Especially if one becomes a night flyer and the other doesn't.
I can see that this could be the last book in this series, but I would love to read more about Gwendolyn and her friends and the twins. They are going to be a handful. Especially if one becomes a night flyer and the other doesn't.
February 27, 2017
The first time that the main character meet Everton Miles I thought that he is a character that gets in trouble. He flew up to the window and did a roster call. The main character told him not to but he did anyway. I thought that the main character was pretty close with her dad and really loved him. Her dad was night flying and saved someone but died in the process. Whenever she talks about him she always seems to cry.
November 10, 2016
In this story, which is a sequel—I have not read the first—a young teen spends her evenings flying around town with Everton, who can also fly. They have protectors, both human and mythological, but there’s also a bad guy who wants to kidnap her for some reason that ties in with the disappearance of her dad.
Strange when the person in the title is not the main character, although you can argue “Me” is in there. There’s an interesting twist near the end that delves into pure fantasy; most of this story takes place in our world, where people can’t fly and there’s no beautiful ancient beings fighting celestial battles.
Despite this being targeted for pre-teens or teens, I can hear a kid’s voice as I read this. Most importantly, it was actually pretty fun. Gonna needta go back and read the first.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
Strange when the person in the title is not the main character, although you can argue “Me” is in there. There’s an interesting twist near the end that delves into pure fantasy; most of this story takes place in our world, where people can’t fly and there’s no beautiful ancient beings fighting celestial battles.
Despite this being targeted for pre-teens or teens, I can hear a kid’s voice as I read this. Most importantly, it was actually pretty fun. Gonna needta go back and read the first.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
June 2, 2024
Such a quirky and spitfire-like spirit that Gwendolyn Golden possesses! I would have loved to be a friend to her in high school. I definitely appreciated her journey of navigating her Nigh Flyer capabilities, alongside the new boy in town- Everton Miles. The fact that he becomes a dear friend to Gwendolyn instead of a convenient love interest is SO refreshing! I felt some tinges of nostalgia when reading about the quad of Gwendolyn, Everton, Martin and Jez.... how I wish to have a high school quad like that 🤔
October 15, 2016
For readers unfamiliar with the Night Flyers middle grade titles, the series begins with The Strange Gift of Gwendolyn Golden, where we first get an introduction to Gwen, her family and circle of friends, her background and how she discovers that she is Night Flyer. I won't get into all the details of the first title here (no spoilers!), but I will say that while not compulsory, I would recommend reading Gwendolyn Golden prior to Everton Miles- not only will you get a chance to read something beautiful and unique, but you'll also get an even deeper look into Gwen's personal life, her fantastical world and her initial forays into flying.
When we meet Gwen in Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me, she is flying...gliding through the early morning sky of her town the day before starting grade nine. Gwen can indeed fly, which sounds a marvelous gift and skill, but her being a Night Flyer comes with many caveats and...major, possibly fatal, risks. As a Night Flyer, Gwen has to abide by the rules in her official Handbook; heed to her assigned Mentor and Watcher who look out for her safety and interests; as well as remain vigilant about mortal dangers that can hurt Night Flyers...like the Shade which claims Flyers into its endless dark. While Gwen is flying that early morning, she sees something that gives her immediate pause: a dark figure with wings and golden eyes that seems to whisper her name...
Trying to push the disquieting image of the dark winged creature from her mind, Gwen attempts to focus on her new school year, and a new slightly peculiar friendship with a fellow teen Night Flyer named Everton Miles. As much as Gwen tries to avoid and forget that strange shadowy figure though, she and Everton both become inescapably locked in a battle with a monstrous force that threatens everything they have known and loved about the world of Night Flyers. I mentioned in the interview with Philippa that things take some harrowing turns in this novel- there are indeed moments of tragedy, hopelessness, darkness and epic duels between fallen angels and heavenly spirits. This is buoyed, however, with some wonderful happy surprises, intriguing character revelations, and by the characters of Gwen and Everton who are, themselves, indomitable. Philippa has written and created a tremendously imagined world here: everything- from the notes in the Flyer's Handbook (which readers get to pore over!), to her creation of the fallen angel named Rogue, the history of the Night Flyers, to the unnerving descriptions of the Shade- is carefully, beautifully drawn and truly comes alive.
Overall, Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me a sequel that meets and exceeds its already terrific first novel; it is a strongly written, wonderfully imagined children's fantasy title. Any readers who enjoy the work of authors such as Kate DiCamillo, Michelle Cuevas, J.K. Rowling, Ellen Potter, Neil Gaiman, or Karen Foxlee might be especially drawn to Philippa Dowding's world of Night Flyers.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Dundurn Press in exchange for an honest review and for the purposes of a blog tour. All opinions and comments are my own.
When we meet Gwen in Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me, she is flying...gliding through the early morning sky of her town the day before starting grade nine. Gwen can indeed fly, which sounds a marvelous gift and skill, but her being a Night Flyer comes with many caveats and...major, possibly fatal, risks. As a Night Flyer, Gwen has to abide by the rules in her official Handbook; heed to her assigned Mentor and Watcher who look out for her safety and interests; as well as remain vigilant about mortal dangers that can hurt Night Flyers...like the Shade which claims Flyers into its endless dark. While Gwen is flying that early morning, she sees something that gives her immediate pause: a dark figure with wings and golden eyes that seems to whisper her name...
Trying to push the disquieting image of the dark winged creature from her mind, Gwen attempts to focus on her new school year, and a new slightly peculiar friendship with a fellow teen Night Flyer named Everton Miles. As much as Gwen tries to avoid and forget that strange shadowy figure though, she and Everton both become inescapably locked in a battle with a monstrous force that threatens everything they have known and loved about the world of Night Flyers. I mentioned in the interview with Philippa that things take some harrowing turns in this novel- there are indeed moments of tragedy, hopelessness, darkness and epic duels between fallen angels and heavenly spirits. This is buoyed, however, with some wonderful happy surprises, intriguing character revelations, and by the characters of Gwen and Everton who are, themselves, indomitable. Philippa has written and created a tremendously imagined world here: everything- from the notes in the Flyer's Handbook (which readers get to pore over!), to her creation of the fallen angel named Rogue, the history of the Night Flyers, to the unnerving descriptions of the Shade- is carefully, beautifully drawn and truly comes alive.
Overall, Everton Miles is Stranger Than Me a sequel that meets and exceeds its already terrific first novel; it is a strongly written, wonderfully imagined children's fantasy title. Any readers who enjoy the work of authors such as Kate DiCamillo, Michelle Cuevas, J.K. Rowling, Ellen Potter, Neil Gaiman, or Karen Foxlee might be especially drawn to Philippa Dowding's world of Night Flyers.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Dundurn Press in exchange for an honest review and for the purposes of a blog tour. All opinions and comments are my own.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews