Teenage twins Rose and Daniel aren’t allowed phones, computers, even a TV, thanks to their conspiracy-obsessed father. But when the people he always thought were after him actually turn up, the twins realise their dad wasn’t as paranoid as they’d always thought.
With their father missing and their house burned to the ground, Rose and Daniel find themselves at the centre of a worldwide conspiracy that stretches back through the ages, involving some of the most powerful and mysterious organisations on the planet.
Why them? Why their dad? The answers to these questions and other darker mysteries lie on a remote Scottish island, beyond the doors of an ancient house called Skerryvore.
These mysteries link the twins to a Dark Age king and queen, to a secret society that stands behind the City of London, and an energy source that links some of the world’s most ancient sites into a network that has the power – literally – to change the world.
I am a journalist and writer living in Dorset, England with my wife and rampaging toddler. I write about technology, innovation, green issues and political commentary for various publications including The Independent, The Guardian, Wired, Private Eye and International Business Times. Skerryvore is my first, and hopefully not last, novel!
[REVIEW NOTE: Apparently the copy I received through the giveaway was only a partial copy. I will update this review when I have read the entire book. FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW... =) ]
Skerryvore (Dark Net #1)
Skerryvore, is the first book in the Dark Net series, though I have yet to see any sign of further installments. At any rate, this book was a delightful, intriguing read and by all accounts very captivating. I was interested from the first few pages onwards; curious to see where the rapidly growing mystery would lead to. I was not disappointed. It was a deliciously exciting novel. Here is the synopsis:
"Teenage twins Rose and Daniel aren’t allowed phones, computers, even a TV, thanks to their conspiracy-obsessed father. But when the people he always thought were after him actually turn up, the twins realise their dad wasn’t as paranoid as they’d always thought. With their father missing and their house burned to the ground, Rose and Daniel find themselves at the centre of a worldwide conspiracy that stretches back through the ages, involving some of the most powerful and mysterious organisations on the planet. Why them? Why their dad? The answers to these questions and other darker mysteries lie on a remote Scottish island, beyond the doors of an ancient house called Skerryvore.
These mysteries link the twins to a Dark Age king and queen, to a secret society that stands behind the City of London, and an energy source that links some of the world’s most ancient sites into a network that has the power – literally – to change the world." -Book Blurb
Do not be fooled. This book is not as predictable as one might initially expect. For a somewhat YA styled book, having two thirteen year-old twin brother and sister as its main characters, it was a very clever, interesting and suitable book for most ages. I greatly enjoyed the book and its unique cast of characters. Both of the twins were very well drawn, likable characters, with Daniel Cross being the quieter one and his sister Rose Cross being the bolder one. Both characters were very relatable. I was also quite a big fan of Brendan, the gamekeeper of the island.
Skerryvore is a very well written novel, one that has a great deal of intrigue and imagination. I found there to be a hearty balance of adventure and mystery, excitement and exploration. Some of the scenery mentioned in the book was very vividly described that one might even feel they were actually in Skerryvore, a fascinating (presumably fictional) island off the coast of Scotland. It was all so excellently portrayed. There was no lack of detail or development as per other young adult novels I tend to come across. Which was awesome. And the world building was pretty amazing, from beginning to end, everything jumped off the pages. I loved all the brilliant and creative aspects of Skerryvore, including the mysterious library and the Sea Tower.
The only thing that would possibly lower my rating was the ending...However, since I received a free copy of this book from Instafreebies, I’m not sure if I got a full book or a shortened versioned. The inconclusive rating depends on the ending itself. If it truly ends as abruptly as my copy does, without any real answers then my rating sadly will remain 4 Stars. If there is more to it, I suppose my rating would then depend on how that is further handled and how satisfying it is as an actual ending. The ending to my copy did not feel like an ending at all.
Either way, I really enjoyed what I read so far. I would definitely recommend Skerryvore, especially to readers of modern fantasy and adventure, filled with all kinds of conspiracy. This is a fun read for adults, and teens alike. But be warned... it is not a completed series yet. =)
P.s. Such an awesome cover! Love it!! Also, a detailed map of Skerryvore island would be a great thing for this novel. At times I felt it needed one.
[CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNING BELOW...]
[OFFICIAL RATING: 4.5 STARS]
[CONTENT NOTE: While there is not a large amount of negative or explicit content, I still felt a few aspects might still be worth noting as they may be bothersome or offensive to some younger readers. There are some scenes of animal cruelty depicted (such as the maiming, killing, gutting, skinning of rabbits with a fair amount of detail, though the scenes are very brief and not intended to be gratuitous or exploitative. I.e. a character hunts, kills and prepares the rabbits for stew.) Language was fairly limited and vanilla in terms of offensiveness (such as h*ll, d**n, bastard, etc. Nothing too salty) A great deal of the book pertains to conspiracy and a shadow organization and there are speculations of people getting killed (assassinated) because of esoteric knowledge etc. There are some very brief, though light hearted comments about PTSD, as if trying to be comical. While perhaps belittling the seriousness of it, it was very brief and not too offensive. All in all, there was not too much to report in this one.]
This is an awesome YA book! The teenage twins adventures are exciting and I love the history that is woven into the fabric of the story. The tale grabbed my attention right from the very beginning. There were so many twists I was constantly wondering who can be trusted and who can't? Nearing the end I knew it could not come to a conclusion with so few pages to go, I am left needing to read the further adventures, I can't wait to see the next book!
What a magical book! I really enjoyed reading this. Williams has a great writing style with a host of well-crafted characters that really jump off the page. The clever narrative weaves together references to nature, mythology and history in a gripping fantasy tale. The characters navigate their way through different mysteries and challenges touching on topics which feel particularly relevant in the current climate. I loved exploring this fantasy world and wish I could visit Skerryvore’s library myself! An impressive debut novel and I look forward to reading the next book.
Twins Rose and Daniel are not allowed any technology and they go along with this ban. But then their father that works in a big tech company and is obsessed with conspiracy theories goes missing and their home burned to the ground. The twins find themselves in an old mansion called Skeryrvore. There they learn of their connection to a king and queen, Arthurian legend, and a secret society.
I really enjoyed this book. There is a lot of edge of your seat action and a great story that was hard to put down for things like work or sleep. It seems so strange that the twins were not allowed technology and that they just accept it. I did love this world. There was so much that caught my eye and kept me reading.
Of course the ending makes it feel like there is more to come. I can’t wait to see what the next step for the twins is. This is one book that will appeal to all ages and will be one that you will be adding to your shelf.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
This book is right up my alley and had quickly become one of my favorites read this year. It was perfectly paced, full of twists and turns, and held my interest through the pages. The action holds you until the exciting climax, which wraps up the questions you have, yet leaves you wanting a second novel.
I love the the characters. Though they were young, they were relatable. They reacted to situations the way you would expect them to and I always appreciate that from a novel, and it is a testament to the writing craft of Lee Williams.
I’m kind of obsessed with this world, and had to keep myself from picking the book up again and re-reading right away. I cannot wait for more!
*I received this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
Twins Daniel and Rose have accepted their unorthodox life without access to any electronics, but an amazing turn of events suddenly brings reality crashing down on them in Skerryvore by Lee Williams. After leaving his job at a tech firm, the twin’s dad exhibited increasing paranoia but a fire at their London home and a double abduction make them realize he wasn’t crazy. Arriving at an old castle on the coast of Scotland, the twins are drawn into strange circumstances in which they have to learn to center themselves, live in the moment and see things the way they are, not the way they want them to be. With the help of an eccentric old man, Daniel and Rose uncover ancient mysteries that will have a tremendous impact on the future. Unfortunately, there are others who are searching for these artifacts and will stop at nothing to succeed in their evil plans. Can the twins overcome their fears and be strong enough to stand up to overwhelming forces?
Lee Williams has created an amazing adventure in this wonderfully written YA fantasy epic, Skerryvore. Exciting and well done with plenty of twists and turns to capture and hold the reader's interest - I know it did mine! Perfectly paced and full of brilliant characters, the fast-paced action spirals you forward to an exciting climax that pulls almost all the mysterious clues together, leaving you satisfied yet still anxious for the follow-up novel. Lee Williams mixes history, science fiction and everyday social issues along with mythical characters and legends to make Skerryvore the ideal story to keep you reading and wanting to read even more.
I was lucky enough to get a preview copy of this to read before the publication date and I loved it! I'm a big fan of Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials and if you like that I'm sure you'll enjoy this too. The author has written about a world that is, on the surface of it at least, our own familiar one but there are a few characters that would be more at home (spoiler alert!) in Arthurian legend. There is a rather dark under-current to the story too but the novel is still aimed at teenagers and young adults. Having said that, I'm in my mid-50's and couldn't put it down!
Without a doubt I've read this book quicker than any others this year so far... That's not because it's short or simplistic.
It's aimed at a YA audience in much the same way as the Harry Potter books, so it offers something for readers of all ages.
It's a book that grabs from the start and you keep reading because you want answers. Do you get them..well, let's put it this way, there has to be a sequel!
This is a great first novel!
Now, get writing the second book because I want to know what happens next!
I loved reading this book. Although it is written for a YA audience it kept me entertained and over a weekend, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were current and relatable and plot kept me guessing right up until the last page. Skerryvore is beautifully written and I was instantly drawn into it’s world. I am not sure how long I can wait until the next book.
A fantastic and engaging read. I loved the characters and their interactions with each other and I loved the whole conspiracy feeling behind it. Awesome work
The author has a storyline that is a new one that i have not read before but oh does it feel like today's social media. The chsracters are great and each are developing their own kind of supernational abilities and then adding the... don't want to spoil it!!! This author paints pictures in your mind so you are there every step of the way! Not all writers have that unique way with words!
I couldnt put it down!! i need to see if there are more.... pequel or sequel.
This story blends elements of Arthurian legends, mythology and modern technology. The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing.
The author also weaves in a conspiracy similar to many of those we read about nowadays. Political power struggles among ancient secret societies vie with the usual teenage worries of fitting in with the cool crowd, despite having a father who forbids the use of any technology.
The story ends with a very steep cliffhanger, leaving me looking forward to the next instalment.
Skerryvore by Lee Williams is a book that should not be missed. An interesting take on a story where twins, Daniel and Rose, are faced living with a parent who is a huge conspiracy theorist. Like all kids, Daniel and Rose love their father and fend for themselves mostly. Until that one day when their life changes and they found themselves in the old, mysterious Skerryvore located on an old Scottish island! No TV, no internet, nothing … well, that’s not entirely true … there is a library, a secret and a conspiracy!
Williams creates a story that is horrifying to most children – no tv, no internet, no gaming, … nothing just a weird library, an old man and other mysterious and deadly folks lurking around! With his vivid descriptions, one can see the story come to life. He builds each character carefully and in great detail in order to build connections to the readers. The storyline flows smoothly with some twists and keeps you reading.
I highly recommend this to readers of all ages, it is a book that can and does hold the attention and connects with the readers.
*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Skerryvore is an exciting teen/YA fantasy adventure that blends modern information technology with Arthurian legend to great effect.
The story begins with Rose and Daniel struggling to live a normal teen life with their paranoid, conspiracy-nut dad who shines lasers at their friends and won’t let them a phone. It doesn’t take long at all for them both to realise that maybe their dad wasn’t so nutty after all… but is it too late?
There are definite echoes of Narnia here – I thought of Turkish Delight every time apple sweets appeared! – and of course, the idea of the prophesied ‘Chosen One’ children needing to defeat evil and save the world is a common one in fantasy fiction. There was also an echo of The Witches when a certain group of adults gathered to discuss their plans for world domination.
I particularly enjoyed here the way that the author explicitly set up the ‘evil’ modern world of internet and mobile phones against the good old-fashioned world of books, maps and scrolls. As an inveterate bookworm myself, I found this hard to argue with, but I did sympathise with the twins on how very difficult everything seemed when you removed easy access to mobile phones and the internet… to the point where I have no idea how I survived my own childhood!
I would recommend this one to any fans of teen fantasy adventures, from C.S. Lewis to J.K. Rowling and beyond.
He was beginning to feel calmer as he consoled himself with the thought of some time alone. He stopped at a crossing and pressed the button, wondering whether he had enough money to buy some chocolate. But his thoughts were interrupted by an ominously familiar whirring noise. He turned just in time to see the thing swivel towards him.
He looked up at the camera and the camera looked down at him. For a second he found himself staring straight into its blank predatory eye.
I really enjoyed this first book by Lee Williams. The mix of ancient legend juxtaposed against the potentially sinister threat of modern technology (no great leap to realise that the technology detailed in this book is actually where we are heading - scary stuff) was an unlikely one but actually blended really well.
I finished the book wanting to know more, and you can tell there is a whole intricate back-story just waiting to be told, with not enough time to explore it all in just one book, so I'm definitely looking forward to the next one in the series.
The only downside I'd say is that there were times in this story that I wished had been expanded on with a little more time and detail, for instance the whole twin thing, exploration of the house and library, Mr Humblestone (intriguing character - we need more of him!), but it was as if there was so much the author wanted to fit into this first book - just because it IS the first book - that there wasn't enough time to go into detail. As I say, I'm hoping these things will be addressed in more detail in the next book(s), and don't be afraid to make the next one bigger to get all that detail in Mr Williams!
Overall, a great read, very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Brother Daniel, and sister Rose, was in for a surprise. Their dad was having them live like hermits, afraid of people coming around. He quit his job and lived off the land whenever possible. What happens is unbelievable! Fast paced and you wait for something to happen and it does. Very good characters and good storytelling. A have to read book.
Fascinating YA story where teen twins think their Dad is strange because he want to be self sufficient and off the grid, that I until their home goes up in flames and Dad is missing. Only gets better from here, must read.as l
Was reading along just fine and really enjoying the story only to find out that the book I was reading was just a preview :( And nowhere can I find a complete digital copy to continue. I did a search everywhere, even for print copy, none to be found.
Unputdownabble. Cleverly combining the drama and sorcery of legend with sinister technological advances, this book is rich in atmosphere and suspense. Can't wait for the next in the series.