Torn Pages

by Ralph Burton

After a winter of snowball fights and photo-taking, fifteen-year-old David Flint isn't looking forward to the onslaught of exam season. Nervous and prone to panicking, it would be a miracle if he even makes it through the next week. The weather is getting oven-hot and the trees are looking unusually life-like. A school trip into the woods ends with the trees coming alive and attacking people. The creatures are repelled by David's strange classmate, Alice Collins, who suddenly draws blue fire from her hands. Alice's house, where she lives with her mother, Molly, may be the only safe place.Molly Collins has a dark and mysterious attic and many strange bicycles fitted with electric-blue lights which, she tells David and his friends, will lead them away from danger and into a fantastical multiverse of literature.Using Molly's bicycles, David and his friends travel to worlds that resemble classic books. They visit an epic fantasy forest, a countryside murder mystery, a brooding gothic horror, and then even wilder, more experimental books including a surreal dangerous Dublin and a postmodern university's ultra-violent tennis tournament. All the while they travel through the worlds of literature, they are pursued by monstrous trees. How can they run, when they are running from nature itself?

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2019

Reviews

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn Pages was such a fun and compelling read! It felt like I was jumping into a whole new fantasy world – one that would exhilarate and scare any reader out there! Ralph Burton’s writing style made it easy to become invested in the story – and the characters. There was instantly this sense of something more going on, even when the world appeared to be exactly what one would expect. Right up until suddenly everything was turned on its head, of course.

Personally, I liked how different Torn Pages read from many other books I’ve read, even those of a similar genre. It’s always refreshing to get something different, it feels like a breath of fresh air, you know? Part of me is actually a little bit sad that this is a standalone novel!

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[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant Adventure Through the Worlds of Books!

Torn Pages is an imaginative and thrilling read that pulled me in from the very first chapter. The concept of traveling through different literary worlds is both clever and beautifully written, blending fantasy, mystery, and adventure in a way that feels completely original. David and Alice are relatable and engaging characters, and the story’s mix of danger, wonder, and creativity kept me hooked until the end. If you love books about books and stories that come alive—literally—you’ll be captivated by this one. Highly recommend!

[O B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending and yes i got goose bumps

I had previously read a book written by Ralph, and for some reason it just stayed with me. After a few months, when i was looking for something interesting to read, this book caught my attention, and i must it was a right decision, the book is worth every penny and every second you spend on it. Looking forward to reading more from ralph.