The Mirror of Pharos

by J.S. Landor

Jack Tideswell’s parents died in a tragic diving accident while exploring the underwater ruins of the ancient Pharos lighthouse in Egypt. So Jack wants nothing to do with adventure. Until that is, a seagull delivers a strange disc, addressed to him in his own handwriting.

In the blink of an eye, all kinds of magic are let loose, sending Jack on a dangerous journey. Can he learn to navigate time before it’s too late to save the one person who can help him unravel the secrets of the disc?

Whether he likes it or not, there’s no more hiding away. And no looking back. Especially when Alpha is watching. A wolf who sees all there is to see …

For readers aged 10 plus, The Mirror of Pharos is a contemporary fantasy with a hint of sci-fi.

Genres: Childrens

344 pages, Paperback

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

Jenny has worked as a journalist, farmer and publishing editor. She has an MA in Writing for Young People and has edited several children's books. The Mirror of Pharos, published in November 2017, is her debut children's novel.

Meet the characters and find out more by visiting: www.jslandor.com

Reviews

[Caz C Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual messenger goes to a lot of trouble of delivering a peculiar package to Jack Tideswell. The tragic deaths of his parents on an archaeological mission caused Jack to hate adventures. But he is captivated by the magical contents of the package and before he knows it, he is head over heels in an exciting adventure of his own…

| Introduction |
Jack Tideswell is a twelve-year-old boy living with his Grandmother after his parents had died on an archaeological mission. His parents' accidental death caused Jack to hate adventures. But then, against his will, he is captivated by the contents of the package and by a stranger he meets. Before he knows it, he is in over his head much against his Grandmother's wishes.

| Storyline |
Number 12, Hill Rise, Morton Muxloe is the place a seagull is most desperate to deliver a brown parcel to – what is in it, we do not know but somehow, the wind insists on preventing the seagull from reaching the house. In the shadows, “two amber eyes patrolled the sky.” and yet again, we have no idea what is going on. If only Jack Tideswell knew what had happened while he was still in bed he might have woken differently but, as it turns out, this will take some time. For Jack, it is an ordinary Monday and that means: the weekend is over, back to school where his constant tormentors are ready to bully him as usual. Jacks Grandmother has no idea, he dares not tell her but his best friend, Charlie Day, an adventurous girl who is never afraid to speak her mind, is aware of the bullying but is sworn to secrecy. Involving his Grandmother will make things worse, Jack is positive. But even Charlie is puzzled when Jack tells her how he spent his afternoon…

It had all to do with the contents of the brown package – “a round piece of metal about the size and shape of a compact disc.” The CD feels warm and slowly, a pulsing sensation takes control of Jack’s mind. He tries to get a grip but everything is rapidly spiralling out of control for Jack and before he knows it, he finds himself… where? Aboard a ship! And not just any ship but one that is about to capsize! Jack has no idea how he found himself in such a dangerous and life-threatening situation and, to top it all, there are people who seem to know him! He has no time to think or consider because there are dead bodies and he has to escape but then he hears a little girl, Lily, crying for her parents. Lily’s only hope of rescue is Jack but with the coldness of the seawater surrounding them… A blur and a feeling of darkness all around … and Jack is back in his own room in Morton Muxloe with Charlie. Both are clueless as to what has happened. And why is his computer showing an image of a lighthouse? A word materialises: “Pharos.” What dangers will await them? Follow me and find out!

| My Thoughts |
As someone who loves magic and tales of adventures, and who has devoured the Harry Potter books, The Mirror of Pharos was too good not to be read! I enjoyed the adventures and the magical journeys – and how everything is not quite what it seems…. jack Tideswell is an endearing character, a victim of bullying but nonetheless, a fighter. Since his parents died, he dislikes anything adventurous but somehow, he is drawn into events beyond his control … one after another. I loved Charlie, his best friend. She is courageous and plucky and stands up for what she believes in! And of course, I have to mention Jack’s Grandmother or ‘Nan’ as he calls her. She is lovely and the author has described her so well that you can easily picture her baking in the kitchen, with her apron and chaos all around her!

With ‘The Mirror of Pharos,’ the author has created an imaginative and exciting modern fairy tale, a wonderful YA story for all ages that flows well and captivates you from the beginning!

Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/mirror...

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a quote on the back cover of this book that compares THE MIRROR OF PHAROS to the early Harry Potter books which always makes me a little weary when I'm about to start a book, as I'm a HUGE fan of Harry Potter (aka obsessed!). But I'm delighted to say that this comparison is completely justified as THE MIRROR OF PHAROS will transport children and adults alike into a world of adventure, secrets, and magic, and you will not want this story to end.

Jack Tideswell has not had an easy life so far, losing his loving parents in a diving accident when he was a little boy, and now having to deal with bullies at every turn, But he understands that he is lucky to have his eccentric Nan and his best friend Charlie who are always there for him, no matter what. Jack just wants to live a quiet life and keep his head down but magic is a part of him and when he receives an unusual disc in the post it will launch him into an adventure of a lifetime where he will discover so much about himself and those he loves.

THE MIRROR OF PHAROS by J.S. Landor is a compelling and absorbing tale of friendship, danger, magic, and strength, and I absolutely adored this story which I have now handed over to my eldest child to devour. It has that special something which really makes it stand out and I really could imagine seeing this on the silver screen. The characters are likeable, especially Nan and Charlie, and the fantasy element is spot on.

THE MIRROR OF PHAROS by J.S. Landor also comes with access to a beautiful website (www.jslandor.com) which allows you to read snippets of the book, meet the characters, and view the stunning artwork that coincides with the book, which is such a wonderful added extra to the whole story, so make sure you check it out.
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This is a must-read for adults and children alike who love a great story with that extra dash of magic and mayhem that makes this fabulous story come alive!

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the blog tour organiser

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I have to say that I am very partial to middle grade books. I think it is probably because I can remember having so much pleasure myself from reading when I was that age. Well I just loved this one. There is tragedy, magic and the element of enough fear to give a youngster that adrenaline rush that makes them read a little faster, as if it can just keep them out of the clutches of the bad guys.
Jack is the main character in this story and a very reluctant hero if ever I met one! I can’t blame him really, his parents going out on adventures, trying to solve mysteries of the past, had got them both killed. So not really encouragement for Jack to want anything to do with it. All he wants to do is get home from school, away from the bullies and hide away at his Gran’s, where he lives. He likes Charlie to come round for tea, she is his only friend. Then one day he gets a very unusual ‘airmail’ delivery.
This is a super adventure story with a mystery from the past to solve for Jack. I really liked Jack as he went from a mousey young lad who was scared of everything to a lad with such strong determination that wouldn’t let he give up on his mission, even if he didn’t quite know where it was heading. Charlie is lovely and always saw Jack as her hero really. His Gran is nutty, in a cosy Granny way and the bad guys, well you will have to work them out yourselves.
There are some really fascinating characters in this story that will stay will readers when they are much older. A super read!
I wish to thank NetGalley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly

[J.B (Debbie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally when I review children's books I don't usually go for full length novels! However, after reading the blurb on this I decided to give this one a go. I'm so glad I did as I really enjoyed it. Jack is such a sad character for me. The loss of his parents in a tragic and mysterious accident has left such a hole in his young life. Cared for by his grandmother who clearly adores him and appears to be as mad as a box of frogs, Jack has had a lot to cope with in his young life and that grief is always there in the background, permeating all he does. Bullied at school he is a bit of a lost soul. His best friend Charlie however is always there for him..............despite being a girl! She has a type of bravery and confidence that Jack secretly wishes he had.

When Jack receives a mysterious package delivered via the cat flap by a seagull, his life soon takes on a strange new meaning. Finding himself hurtling through time Jack discovers that he has the power to be transported not only into the future but the past too. Jack soon discovers that he must be brave if he is to save lives! Throw in a mysterious character in the shape of Jago Flynn who happens to have a wolf following him about and Jack's life starts to become even more surreal. And, Jack doesn't know it but his grandmother is not all she seems either!

I loved this book! The story was engaging, gripping and its written in a style where the plot demands the reader to sit up and pay attention as there is so much going on. This is the type of book that I would have devoured as a pre-teen (quite a few years ago!) and I was every bit as intrigued by this book as I would have been had I been a young reader. The wonderful array of characters added so many dimensions to this book, each with something interesting to add to the plot and to further engage the main character in different ways. I adored Jack's grandmother. I loved her quirkiness combined with knowledge and wisdom. Her baking style with those wonderful flavours of cookies only added to her eccentricity!

The Mirror of Pharos is a great book to introduce pre-teens to a more mature writing style with themes such as grief and bullying explored within the context of the story. As an adult I really enjoyed this book and at times I did forget it was a book aimed at older children. I became engrossed in the story and found myself totally abandoned to Jack's adventures. There was lots of mystery and magic going on throughout and plenty of clues to keep me guessing. A brilliant read and highly recommended.

[Susan Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank the author J S Landor, publisher Matador and blog tour organiser Anne Cater for the ARC of The Mirror of Pharos in return for an honest review.
I think the greatest complement I can pay this book, is that it reminded me of long days curled up with a paperback as a child. Completely absorbed in an adventure and cut off from the world around me. The Mirror of Pharos took me back to that time and I loved every second of it.
Full of adventure and magic, it’s a book I would without hesitation recommend to all ages. As the Harry Potter series has come to be read and loved by adults and children alike, so I believe The Mirror of Pharos will also. It captures the essence of what an excellent YA book should be about, great characterisation and a strong flowing storyline. Young readers need a hook that draws them into a story and distracts them from other demands on their time just like adults, but with them it is computer games or social media. So stories need to have that extra something special and The Mirror of Pharos has that, it has magic and wonder.
In young Jack Tideswell , the story has a hero the reader will find easy to fall in love with. He is brave and yet vulnerable, attributes so many youthful readers of all ages will find easy to identify with. He is not then only wonderful character, there is his Nan with whom he lives after the death of his parents. She is eccentric and loving and they form a different type of family set up, which so many children will recognise and it will help them feel a part of the story. I myself come from a family/friendship group where the children have been mainly influenced by strong female roles models and I would be proud to introduce them to this magical story as they grow into what I hope are lifelong readers.
If you’re reading this in paperback form, there also is a delightful surprise at the corner of the page as you read, showing that the author and publisher care deeply about the importance of imagery in books for younger readers! It is extra touches such as this, that show how much they care about the reader and the story being told.
Magical and full of adventure,  The Mirror of Pharos is a splendid reading experience and I will cherish it for many years to come.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this book, I was intrigued as soon as I read the blurb for the book and saw the cover, I wasn't 100% sure what to expect but I am thrilled with what I found!

This is a fantastic story that you don't want to put down, you need to know what is happening next and how the story will end! I read it as an adult and devoured it so it certainly appeals to a wide range of ages. The characters in it are likable an the author has an excellent writing style that flows so well. This is an excellent debut novel.

Five stars from me - this is such a good book - I really enjoyed it and very highly recommend it - it is a genuine delight to have found this book!!

[Caz C Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

n unusual messenger goes to a lot of trouble of delivering a peculiar package to Jack Tideswell. The tragic deaths of his parents on an archaeological mission caused Jack to hate adventures. But he is captivated by the magical contents of the package and before he knows it, he is head over heels in an exciting adventure of his own…

| Introduction |
Jack Tideswell is a twelve-year-old boy living with his Grandmother after his parents had died on an archaeological mission. His parents’ accidental death caused Jack to hate adventures. But then, against his will, he is captivated by the contents of the package and by a stranger he meets. Before he knows it, he is in over his head much against his Grandmother’s wishes.

| Storyline |
Number 12, Hill Rise, Morton Muxloe is the place a seagull is most desperate to deliver a brown parcel to – what is in it, we do not know but somehow, the wind insists on preventing the seagull from reaching the house. In the shadows, “two amber eyes patrolled the sky.” and yet again, we have no idea what is going on. If only Jack Tideswell knew what had happened while he was still in bed he might have woken differently but, as it turns out, this will take some time. For Jack, it is an ordinary Monday and that means: the weekend is over, back to school where his constant tormentors are ready to bully him as usual. Jacks Grandmother has no idea, he dares not tell her but his best friend, Charlie Day, an adventurous girl who is never afraid to speak her mind, is aware of the bullying but is sworn to secrecy. Involving his Grandmother will make things worse, Jack is positive. But even Charlie is puzzled when Jack tells her how he spent his afternoon…

It had all to do with the contents of the brown package – “a round piece of metal about the size and shape of a compact disc.” The CD feels warm and slowly, a pulsing sensation takes control of Jack’s mind. He tries to get a grip but everything is rapidly spiralling out of control for Jack and before he knows it, he finds himself… where? Aboard a ship! And not just any ship but one that is about to capsize! Jack has no idea how he found himself in such a dangerous and life-threatening situation and, to top it all, there are people who seem to know him! He has no time to think or consider because there are dead bodies and he has to escape but then he hears a little girl, Lily, crying for her parents. Lily’s only hope of rescue is Jack but with the coldness of the seawater surrounding them… A blur and a feeling of darkness all around … and Jack is back in his own room in Morton Muxloe with Charlie. Both are clueless as to what has happened. And why is his computer showing an image of a lighthouse? A word materialises: “Pharos.” What dangers will await them? Follow me and find out!

| My Thoughts |
As someone who loves magic and tales of adventures, and who has devoured the Harry Potter books, The Mirror of Pharos was too good not to be read! I enjoyed the adventures and the magical journeys – and how everything is not quite what it seems…. jack Tideswell is an endearing character, a victim of bullying but nonetheless, a fighter. Since his parents died, he dislikes anything adventurous but somehow, he is drawn into events beyond his control … one after another. I loved Charlie, his best friend. She is courageous and plucky and stands up for what she believes in! And of course, I have to mention Jack’s Grandmother or ‘Nan’ as he calls her. She is lovely and the author has described her so well that you can easily picture her baking in the kitchen, with her apron and chaos all around her!

With ‘The Mirror of Pharos,’ the author has created an imaginative and exciting modern fairy tale, a wonderful YA story for all ages that flows well and captivates you from the beginning!

[Cassie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I read the first page of The Mirror of Pharos, I knew I wanted to devour the whole thing in one go. What a truly magical tale this is!

Our time-travelling debut novel is a contemporary story with lots of adventure and a big heart. It opens with Jack Tideswell and his eccentric Nan who’s been taking care of him ever since his parents died in a tragic diving accident at the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse … And so you know right from the beginning something startling is about to happen.

With the arrival of a parcel containing a strange silver disc, Jack is flung briefly into another time dimension. He finds himself aboard an ocean liner facing a Titanic-like disaster, a fate which seems unstoppable unless Jack can somehow learn to navigate time itself. First though, he must rescue the one passenger who can help unravel the secrets of the disc and piece together the legend of the Pharos Lighthouse.

I was absolutely swept away by Jack's character and quest. He is utterly right for the part of a sensitive 12-year-old boy who faces challenges that lead to startling consequences. Jack is no one's puppet and learns to trust his instincts when it comes to working out who his friends are – most especially the mysterious wolf, Alpha. He's a perceptive lad with fears and secrets and a determination that keeps him going through life-changing events.

Author Jenny Landor masterfully melds the relationship between the hero and the magical wolf in a charming story about the power of friendship and the everyday magic that is all around us. I was rooting all the way for eccentric Nan who is both a mother-figure and magician, and for Odin, her spirited and impulsive cat. In fact, the entire cast, each with their story to tell, are well-developed and convincing.

There are many layers to this debut novel that touch on grief, loss, spirituality, imagination, and animal magic, all well-handled and giving insight into the characters' minds. It left me craving to know what happened to Jack and the supporting cast in the future. I rarely read books a second time around, but The Mirror of Pharos reminds me of the stories I loved as a child; The Secret Garden, Tom’s Midnight Garden and Five Children and It. I will gleefully return for a double helping.

I'm absolutely sure middle grade and early teen readers will love it just as much as me. J S Landor is a children's writer to watch out for, and I feel lucky to have got my hands on an advance review copy before the official publication date. Let's hope there is a sequel.

[Christine Ottaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a bit of a party pooper compared to many of the other reviews but I write as I found.
I am sure this is a great story but I just kept being distracted by the bad writing. What shocks me is that the author has an MA in Writing for Young People and has done other writing courses so what's gone wrong?
1. Point of View - surely you need to maintain a consistent point of view at least in a chapter but it changes three times in the first chapter and that is not the only example.
2. Showing not Telling - the basic for writing fiction. Most of this book is telling with a bit of showing.
3. Place names - just didn't ring true.
I will leave it at that.
I suspect this is a good story but there are some details that need ironing out especially the going back and forth in time. This gets downright confusing and I am not sure it all hangs together. If Jack has changed the timeline that Lily is living in so that the tragedy of The Empress doesn't happen - how did she know who Jack was? Surely all their previous encounters would have been altered?
This of course is one of the hardest parts of writing stories where time is altered - so much else gets altered as well. The time junction also appeared out of nowhere.
Some of the characters like Jago are brilliant and I think characterisation is the strongest part of the novel.
I am disappointed because I think there is a great story here but somehow it just didn't come out for me.

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Tideswell lives in a town that begins to thrum with magic just as the charismatic Jago Flynn blows into town. Jack, the reluctant hero, is soon catapulted into time-slip adventures. Magic and reality blur and shift as he follows his dangerous quest.

Jack may not be a have-a-go hero, but he's determined to make sense of the weird computer disc dropped into his lap by a seagull. Jago rather captured my heart, a shadowy figure who reminded me of medieval travelling conjurers. Other characters include Jack's nan, who practises her own kind of domestic sorcery and the almost ghostly young Lily, whose life is in Jack's hands.

From the opening page, this book hooked me with its masterly storytelling voice. The language is gorgeous. J S Landor's plot covers a lot of ground, sometimes at real pace – a little like Alpha, crossing the strangely surreal landscape of Morton Muxloe.

The striking thing about this book is that has a real resonance with stories both ancient and modern. Its good-against-evil finale reminded me of Harry Potter, while the narrative voice was reminiscent of books by Alan Garner. It's a story that tackles some interesting concepts and there are big ideas to unpick. There were plenty of twists and turns in the plot. Original and sparky, it's a story that will stay with me.

(Written from an advance review copy)

[Cherry London · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack is in turmoil being bullied in school every day was no easy feat, having nightmares borderline to reality was even worse, they were taking a toll on him and he needed answers. Magic was the only answer to what was happening and how the disc he receive worked, but was it good or bad he was confused and wondered at his new friend Jago, was he good or bad, and Alpha what was he. He was naive enough to believe he can find the answers on his own by running away from home, he needed to know that wasn’t the answer for any child to undertake, no matter what. His journey has only begun and right away comprehension dawned upon him about what was happening, the past, future and present were all intermingling and it was scaring the crap out of him shifting from one dimension to the other, even though he was enjoying the adventure. Now he has his Nan worrying about him and racing to his rescue not knowing what dangers lay ahead. I will not say more, kids you have got to read this book for yourselves and enjoy the adventure along with Jack, Nan, Charlie and all the others, a bunch of awesome characters following an intriguing and truly captivating storyline, engaging with subtle intensity and very entertaining.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with this story and want to know what happens next! I love books that start in the real world then add magic and the supernatural into the mix. A bit like Nan's amazing cookies - one bite is not enough!

Nan was one of my favourite characters, along with Jack's best friend, Charlie. She's tough and kind and not just a sidekick. Out of the animal characters Alpha is obviously a massive presence and Jack's connection with him is spine tingling. But I couldn't help having a soft spot for Nan's grumpy misunderstood cat, Odin.

There's some deep stuff as well. To be a Magus and unravel time, you have to be a mindful sort of person and Jack is. I think this is suitable for grown up kids too!

[Grand Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My youngest daughter, Maggie is now ten and a fluent reader but we still both really enjoy sharing books together. She particularly enjoys adventure stories and as wolves are her favourite animal, we couldn't resist The Mirror of Pharos - just look at those amber eyes staring out from the front cover! I'll be reviewing the book first today and then Maggie will share her thoughts below.

My Review
I believe a great book for children can be about any subject but it needs certain ingredients. The first is an engaging plot that takes its readers on a journey and never patronises its young audience. The Mirror of Pharos certainly fulfils that criteria as the plot takes its protagonist from the present day to the future and the past in a storyline that is both exciting and really quite complex. J.S. Landor has created a wonderful story here, filled with magic, time travel and danger. As an adult reading the book I was completely gripped and I have to admit to Maggie having a few later bedtimes as we couldn't resist one more chapter!
So, the plot is crucial but the book also needs an appealing protagonist - step forward Jack Tideswell. At the start of the book Jack is a rather timid boy. He has become the main target for the school bullies and spends much of his time trying to avoid them. Jack's life changes abruptly though when mysterious disc arrives and he meets fascinating stranger, Jago Flynn. As he attempts to find out just what the disc's purpose is, Jack will find himself in mortal peril and discover secrets about his character he could never have dreamed of.
The secondary characters are also essential and again The Mirror of Pharos comes up trumps. Jack's Nan is a fabulous addition to the plot; in many ways she is the typical grandmother, worrying about whether her grandson has remembered his coat and spending hours in the kitchen baking delicious treats for Jack and his best friend, Charlie but there is something a bit magical about Nan, whether it's the special flavour of her recipes - biscuits that taste of candyfloss that remind Jack of a funfair or treacle pudding that evokes memories of hot tarmac on a summer's day - or the feeling that she knows more secrets than she's letting on. Charlie is exactly the best friend that Jack needs, wise, brave, forthright and loyal even when Jack seems to abandon her in favour of the peculiar Jago Flynn. It's Flynn's secrets that lead Jack into an adventure he could never imagined - just who is this strange man? Then there's Alpha of course - powerful, enigmatic and wild, I suspect all readers will fall under this wolf's spell. A word too for Nan's cat, Odin who displays all the contrary feline characteristics cat owners know and love, and who will definitely be grateful for his nine lives by the end of the book.
The story flows beautifully, there are twists and turns, scenes that will set hearts racing and moments that threaten to break them. I absolutely loved The Mirror of Pharos, it was a pleasure to read aloud (although I'm not sure how accurate my magpie impressions are!) and I loved that although this story reached a satisfying conclusion there is the potential for lots more adventure and magic to come for Jack and Alpha. Highly recommended to anybody who loves imaginative, thrilling tales that open doors into the world of magic.

Maggie's Review
This thrilling page-turner is absolutely awesome! The author has a brilliant style of writing and kept me addicted to The Mirror Of Pharos throughout the whole book. Jack is just an ordinary boy who is trying to get on with his difficult life. He is bullied at school, and lives with his Nan since his parents died. He doesn't expect a package in his own handwriting and he certainly doesn't expect the adventure ahead of him! At the start of this book, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Jack but before long he became one of my favourite characters. He's very kind to most people and he becomes brave as the story goes on. The mysterious eyes of a certain wolf named Alpha follow Jack as he gets closer to the truth. As a lover of wolves, I was very fond of Alpha and loved the way he was described. I am very pleased Alpha wasn't a pet but was a stunning wild creature. Whether speeding through the past or into the future, Jack wasn't going to give up. The writing painted pictures into my mind and I could imagine just what happened almost as if I was there. I loved the twists that were right under my nose and the sense of danger.
I recommend this to children and adults who love mysteries and adventure! I'd rate this five out of five for the clever plot and brilliant characters.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book than can be enjoyed by both children and adult.
It is well written, with a very entertaining plot full of twists and adventures, lovely and interesting characters.
It's a page turner and keep you hooked since the beginning.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Troubador Publishing!