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A boy with his head in the clouds. A magical ride through the sky. Can he take a trip back to medieval London and get home in time for school?
Twelve-year-old Nathan Bannister fantasizes about never having to go to class again. But his dreams never included a crazy wizard and a hot air balloon waiting inside his bedroom! Nathan is cold, scared, and still in his pajamas when the mad magician abandons him in medieval London.
Desperate to return to his Granny's house in the modern world, Nathan falls in with a ragtag crew of street kids. As he attempts to find friends and allies, the young boy must escape a wicked Baron and rescue the girl if he wants any chance of returning home.
Can Nathan track down the loony wizard to find his way back before school, or will all his homework become ancient history?
Snap is the first book in the Bannister's Muster middle-grade fantasy series. If you and your child like wondrous magic, awesome action, and cool medieval cities, then you'll both love Barbara Gaskell Denvil's brilliant adventure.
Twelve-year-old Nathan Bannister fantasizes about never having to go to class again. But his dreams never included a crazy wizard and a hot air balloon waiting inside his bedroom! Nathan is cold, scared, and still in his pajamas when the mad magician abandons him in medieval London.
Desperate to return to his Granny's house in the modern world, Nathan falls in with a ragtag crew of street kids. As he attempts to find friends and allies, the young boy must escape a wicked Baron and rescue the girl if he wants any chance of returning home.
Can Nathan track down the loony wizard to find his way back before school, or will all his homework become ancient history?
Snap is the first book in the Bannister's Muster middle-grade fantasy series. If you and your child like wondrous magic, awesome action, and cool medieval cities, then you'll both love Barbara Gaskell Denvil's brilliant adventure.
Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
85 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Gaskell Denvil
43 books63 followersI was born approximately two hundred years ago (It sometimes feels that way) in Gloucestershire, England, right in the heart of the Cotswolds. After a few years, I moved to London and fell in love with the history which oozes through the old stones, and the medieval atmosphere leaks from the beautiful old buildings. For many years, I walked the old cobbled lanes and researched the 15th century from original sources, and the books in the British Museum. I worked there in the Department of Ancient Documents, a place which I adored, full of scrolls illuminated by medieval monks, and hordes of informative parchments.
My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books
Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.
I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.
After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.
My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.
Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.
I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.
Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).
My father was an academic and playwright, my mother was a retired teacher, and my sister was an author of fantasy. I had no other passion except the arts, and books
Already a passionate reader half-crazed by the avid consumption of literature, I had grown out of Enid Blyton when I was about six. Next came a passion for Georgette Heyer, although far too young to understand romance. Once again it was the historical details I loved and I moved quickly onto Shakespeare, Dorothy Dunnett, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and a host of others.
I started writing. Nonsense naturally! But I kept it up and eventually write articles and short stories for current magazines and newspapers. I was also a tutor for scriptwriting, and a reviewer for Books and Bookmen. That kept me busy until I married. A husband and three little girls (including identical twins) were a full-time job, and for most of the time I also worked at secretarial jobs, keeping the threat of starvation at bay and paying for the baked beans.
After leaving my husband, I started writing again but this time I was distracted by something different, as I had a wonderful 18-year romance with a man who lived on his yacht in the Mediterranean, sailing during spring, summer, and autumn, and exploring Europe by car in winter.
My partner died, and I was bereft, deciding to come to Australia for a change instead of sitting around in stagnant tears. Writing again, and seriously this time, I wrote full length books in all my favourite genres. I was accepted by one of the big top 5 publishers, and two of my historical crime/mysteries were published in the traditional manner. However, although I was reasonably well paid and sold reasonably well, I also found myself disliking the control system. I had to write as commanded, insert bucket loads more romance, accept covers I hated, and generally do as I was told.
Now, happy and free, I self-publish, and enjoy every minute of my writing. I live in Australia, adore the weather, the birds and the wildlife, and live a placid life during the day and a wonderfully exciting one in my dreams at night.
I have written fantasy and historical fiction. Very different genres, but all are crime mysteries in one way or another. I have almost finished my children’s series (Bannister’s Muster series, for middle-grade children), no crime here, but a vibrant mixture of history and fantasy. After this is complete I am moving onto a series of modern crime mysteries, and I’m looking forward to that.
Writing is and always has been my passion, now that I am able to do this full time, I am in my element and life couldn’t be better (a little more sunshine might help though).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 13, 2017
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
Snap, Book One is an exciting children’s adventure from the Bannister’s Muster series by Barbara Gaskell Denvil. Nathan Bannister is snatched from his bedroom one night by a strange man called Brewster Hazlett. He’s transported to medieval London where Brewster literally dumps him on a street and disappears. Confused, Nathan wanders the streets and some street ruffians befriend him.
Alice, the only girl in the group, hides from her stepfather, Baron Darling. He wants her inheritance and can only fleece it if she is under his control. Nathan devises a plan to help Alice, but somehow things always backfire. He realizes there is a magical link between the future and medieval London, and wonders why Hazlett hints that his family is involved, especially Granny October.
I really think Bannister’s Muster is a wonderful novel that children will like immensely. There are lots of never-ending adventures and engaging action that Nathan and his friends find themselves in. Barbara Gaskell Denvil’s depiction of life in medieval times is interesting and realistic, especially the parts involving the homeless kids who struggle to survive on the streets, as well as Nathan's adjustment to it. Her descriptions of Baron Darling and his brother and their antics are funny.
It’s an intriguing, fast-paced story that is hard to put down once you start reading. The author’s writing is clear, the plot creative, and she ended the story in a suspenseful way as Nathan’s adventures will continue in the upcoming sequel, Snakes and Ladders. Snap: Bannister’s Muster is highly recommended for pre-teens.
Snap, Book One is an exciting children’s adventure from the Bannister’s Muster series by Barbara Gaskell Denvil. Nathan Bannister is snatched from his bedroom one night by a strange man called Brewster Hazlett. He’s transported to medieval London where Brewster literally dumps him on a street and disappears. Confused, Nathan wanders the streets and some street ruffians befriend him.
Alice, the only girl in the group, hides from her stepfather, Baron Darling. He wants her inheritance and can only fleece it if she is under his control. Nathan devises a plan to help Alice, but somehow things always backfire. He realizes there is a magical link between the future and medieval London, and wonders why Hazlett hints that his family is involved, especially Granny October.
I really think Bannister’s Muster is a wonderful novel that children will like immensely. There are lots of never-ending adventures and engaging action that Nathan and his friends find themselves in. Barbara Gaskell Denvil’s depiction of life in medieval times is interesting and realistic, especially the parts involving the homeless kids who struggle to survive on the streets, as well as Nathan's adjustment to it. Her descriptions of Baron Darling and his brother and their antics are funny.
It’s an intriguing, fast-paced story that is hard to put down once you start reading. The author’s writing is clear, the plot creative, and she ended the story in a suspenseful way as Nathan’s adventures will continue in the upcoming sequel, Snakes and Ladders. Snap: Bannister’s Muster is highly recommended for pre-teens.
June 13, 2019
The way this book started I have to say I didn't hold out much hope. I absolutely did not like how things were introduced or really not introduced. Too many questions and no understanding of any of the background of the main characters. But towards the middle things started to look up and the end was good. So I gradually began to like it. It really took awhile but I do like the plot.
August 16, 2018
This children's novel is a cross-genre adventure of a kind I haven't seen before, and I found it rather intriguing. Although the story starts with magic as the young hero Nathan is whisked out of time by a mad wizard, it quickly resolves into a medieval melodrama with a wronged heiress, a wicked stepfather and a plucky band of street urchins. Despite the familiar elements, it is very well done and late medieval London is evocatively described. Nathan adjusts bravely to a very different way of life. And then, about two thirds of the way through, the fantasy comes in again with a bang as we visit a magical land with talking animals, an evil usurper and a dangerous quest. It is all rather surprising and enjoyable, with many twists and turns. It will particularly appeal to children who like thrills, spills and hissable villains and who have a high tolerance of unlikelinesses.
January 3, 2019
❤️ LOVE, LOVE, and... LOVE!!!!!!!
I ABSOLUTELY TRULY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! I just finished reading it, and I am DIEING to read book two! The characters, the events, basically EVERYTHING had me hanging on the edge! The authors are indeed, very talented. The only thing that needs improvement are the commas, quotation marks, and periods. I keep finding places where a punctuation just didn’t make sense. Other than that, AMAZING job!!
I ABSOLUTELY TRULY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! I just finished reading it, and I am DIEING to read book two! The characters, the events, basically EVERYTHING had me hanging on the edge! The authors are indeed, very talented. The only thing that needs improvement are the commas, quotation marks, and periods. I keep finding places where a punctuation just didn’t make sense. Other than that, AMAZING job!!
December 28, 2023
Nat is carried off by a magician in a hot air balloon and abandoned in medieval London, where he has to figure out how to survive. Falling in with a gang of street urchins, he begins to see that there's a larger plot underway. But some things are more urgent, like finding a safe place to sleep, enough food to eat, and helping one of his new friends reclaim her inheritance.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this adventure. The rest of the series is on my To Read list.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this adventure. The rest of the series is on my To Read list.
December 20, 2020
2.5 stars. There felt like a lot of plot holes put in on purpose so that more books could be written... unlike many series books which expose information and plot and grow from the first book. If I don’t have anything else on hand, I’ll read the next book in the series, but I’m not anxious to get my hands on it, and I generally love any series.
March 6, 2018
Bannister's Muster by Barbara Gaskell Denvil has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"Great characters, kept me interested and wanting to read more. It was well written and flowed easily."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"Great characters, kept me interested and wanting to read more. It was well written and flowed easily."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
June 3, 2018
A kid and an evil wizard from a strange land. Good combination. This is an entertaining fantasy novel that will take you through a historical journey following the adventures of Nathan, a 13-year-old boy, and the friends he makes along the way.
December 2, 2018
Great story
I’m looking forward to my Grandkids reaction to this tale. I expect his response to be even better than mine, he likes fantasy adventures much more than I do ... that’s probably ‘cuz he’s younger than I am ... Tee Hee Hee.
I’m looking forward to my Grandkids reaction to this tale. I expect his response to be even better than mine, he likes fantasy adventures much more than I do ... that’s probably ‘cuz he’s younger than I am ... Tee Hee Hee.
December 8, 2018
Sprightly Adventures in Medieval England
More or less gentle adventures with glimpses of the harshest undertones of the times, combined with sorcery and enchantment both then and in the present.
More or less gentle adventures with glimpses of the harshest undertones of the times, combined with sorcery and enchantment both then and in the present.
March 27, 2019
Bannister's Muster: Snap
I know this is supposed to be a children's story but I still enjoyed the story immensely. Barbara Gaskell Denvil always writes stories with lots of action and intrigue and they always hold my interest from start to finish.
I know this is supposed to be a children's story but I still enjoyed the story immensely. Barbara Gaskell Denvil always writes stories with lots of action and intrigue and they always hold my interest from start to finish.
December 3, 2023
This book felt like two separate books. I really enjoyed the historical plot line but the magical plot line felt rushed and half planned… like it was an after thought to make the book longer.
Also all the spelling mistakes in the last third were highly upsetting!
Also all the spelling mistakes in the last third were highly upsetting!
November 27, 2018
Great book
March 13, 2019
I received a free copy of this book to review. Book One in a new series for young adults. Nathan is kidnapped and taken from Modern day England to England in 1485. He meets a group of children and they become great friends. Full of adventure and intrigue, the first book was well worth the read. Now I’m on to reading Book Two!!!
January 25, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"I loved this full of life magical adventure ... promises to be a thrilling adventure series ... suitable for all ages, not just younger readers".
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"I loved this full of life magical adventure ... promises to be a thrilling adventure series ... suitable for all ages, not just younger readers".
December 7, 2017
We are proud to announce that SNAP: BANNISTER'S MUSTER by Barbara Gaskel Denvil is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews