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When This Bell Rings
What if you could get inside the world of your favourite books? No, really inside them . . .
In London's Belgravia, Tamsin lives next door to Edie St Clair, famous author of the ‘London of the Bells’ series of graphic novels. With the series’ tenth and final novel overdue, Tamsin offers her idol help and discovers that Edie can literally draw herself into her stories. When Edie goes missing, Tamsin draws herself into the novel and lands in a world of unexpected danger. There, Tamsin discovers that Edie needs her more than she could have realised – only she has the power to write the perfect ending to this story. But the perfect ending will come at a great cost to all.
From a trusted author who knows what her middle-grade audience wants to read. A strong follow-up title to Allison's spooky middle grade titles The Turnkey, The Seven Keys and The Mulberry Tree. True to Rushby's style, When This Bell Rings is a page-turning mystery that will keep readers enthralled until the very end.
In London's Belgravia, Tamsin lives next door to Edie St Clair, famous author of the ‘London of the Bells’ series of graphic novels. With the series’ tenth and final novel overdue, Tamsin offers her idol help and discovers that Edie can literally draw herself into her stories. When Edie goes missing, Tamsin draws herself into the novel and lands in a world of unexpected danger. There, Tamsin discovers that Edie needs her more than she could have realised – only she has the power to write the perfect ending to this story. But the perfect ending will come at a great cost to all.
From a trusted author who knows what her middle-grade audience wants to read. A strong follow-up title to Allison's spooky middle grade titles The Turnkey, The Seven Keys and The Mulberry Tree. True to Rushby's style, When This Bell Rings is a page-turning mystery that will keep readers enthralled until the very end.
240 pages, ebook
Published September 7, 2020
72 people want to read
About the author
Allison Rushby
44 books291 followersAllison Rushby adores cities with long, winding histories; wild, overgrown cemeteries; redbrick Victorian museums; foxes; tea; and ivy. She lives in Queensland, Australia.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 16, 2020
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Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review
Was I over the moon that Allison has another book out in the wild? Hell yeah I am!!!!
Did I squeal like a child when that book rocked up at my doorstep? Of course!!!
Am I slightly obsessed? Damn right I am.
The reason why is because Allison Rushby’s work is fantastic is because she is such a brilliant writer. Her use of delicate and descriptive words builds the world and setting in your head so easily. But you also get a story within a story. There is always an underlying story or meaning within her work and I absolutely adore picking up on it. A middle grad read with an adult meaning. I love it.
Again, I loved it. The characters were beautiful, caring, sweet and overall, just divine. The story was brilliant and entertaining and the writing, well I just sat their and fangirled. I love it and Rushby is hands down my favourite middle grade author!
Bookstagram
Website
Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review
Was I over the moon that Allison has another book out in the wild? Hell yeah I am!!!!
Did I squeal like a child when that book rocked up at my doorstep? Of course!!!
Am I slightly obsessed? Damn right I am.
The reason why is because Allison Rushby’s work is fantastic is because she is such a brilliant writer. Her use of delicate and descriptive words builds the world and setting in your head so easily. But you also get a story within a story. There is always an underlying story or meaning within her work and I absolutely adore picking up on it. A middle grad read with an adult meaning. I love it.
Again, I loved it. The characters were beautiful, caring, sweet and overall, just divine. The story was brilliant and entertaining and the writing, well I just sat their and fangirled. I love it and Rushby is hands down my favourite middle grade author!
April 25, 2022
Tamsin is obsessed with Edie St Claire. The author who lives next door. She waits to see her red boots walk past her basement apartment window every afternoon.
Tamsin has read all nine of St Clair's books and is holding her breath, waiting for her to finish the tenth and final in the series. How will it end? Readers have gone wild wanting book ten. Edie can't write it.
Tamsin's decision to go next door and help St Clair write the final book has enormous ramifications for Tasmin and the story.
I enjoyed the complex plot and character development.
This book is recommended for readers aged 10-13 years and aspiring writers looking for creative character development.
Tamsin has read all nine of St Clair's books and is holding her breath, waiting for her to finish the tenth and final in the series. How will it end? Readers have gone wild wanting book ten. Edie can't write it.
Tamsin's decision to go next door and help St Clair write the final book has enormous ramifications for Tasmin and the story.
I enjoyed the complex plot and character development.
This book is recommended for readers aged 10-13 years and aspiring writers looking for creative character development.
October 16, 2020
An intriguing and fabulous tale of a world within a world where fiction and reality blend and what is real is questionable. Loved both sides of this story and the art of storytelling it revolves around is creative, imaginative and mixed with a little danger. Rushby has pulled off something pretty special here!
September 16, 2023
The ending really surprised me. I did not expect that.
"To Tamsin, the most real person I know.
—Edie St Claire"
OMFG THATS SO COOL I WAS READING A BOOK (THAT SUPPOSEDLY HADNT BEEN WRITTEN YET) ABOUT FINISHING A BOOK.
"To Tamsin, the most real person I know.
—Edie St Claire"
OMFG THATS SO COOL I WAS READING A BOOK (THAT SUPPOSEDLY HADNT BEEN WRITTEN YET) ABOUT FINISHING A BOOK.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2020
An absolutely fascinating plot and empathetic characters. My class will love this, I did. This author just gets better and better.
November 30, 2020
Loved The Turnkey and The Mulberry Tree but this one, although good, did not capture me as well. I kinda felt like I wanted to be reading the Graphic Novel series within the story because it felt really hyped. I think it distracted me.
March 10, 2021
I found When the Bell Rings to be an intriguing, creative and quite complex novel for young readers as the key protagonist, 11 year old Tamsin, is drawn into the imaginative graphic novel world created by Edie St Clair. This is a different London, one ruled by the Ravens who control the people through the ringing of London's church bells. The shifting worlds, Tamsin's place within them, and the power of the pencil to draw her in is quite original and added to the mystery that Tamsin must solve - to write the grand finale for Book 10 of the series, without killing off the remaining characters as they battle the ravens.
An adventurous read for 10- to 13 year olds.
An adventurous read for 10- to 13 year olds.
March 8, 2021
Not at all a straightforward middle grade and definitely one for the readers. It has a great pace considering the way the plot unfolds- it grabs you early but then gets quite complex and philosophical, all whole maintaining a sense of action and urgency. I think it would be a good class novel for year 6-7s.
February 25, 2021
When This Bell Rings proves that books written for kids don’t need to be simplistic - they can be complex and expect the reader to hold on tight for the ride! Allison Rushby has created a world within a world, and a story within a story, where the borders dividing these worlds are blurry.
Tamsin lives next door to the famous author Eddie St Clair, who has written a graphic-book series that has taken the children’s book world by storm. Everyone is waiting for the tenth and final book of her London Bells series, which is long overdue. Tamsin adores the books and spends every waking hour drawing the characters and immersing herself in the fantasy world that St Clair has created. When Eddie takes Tamsin into her confidence, Tamsin discovers that she has a role to play in the creation of "The End", a very active role in fact!
I wish I was eleven years old, just so I could read this book and lose myself in its magic. Rushby has created another original story with a strong female leading the action. There is the perfect balance of history, fantasy and adventure that I guarantee will appeal equally to confident primary school readers and lower secondary school students. A total delight!
Tamsin lives next door to the famous author Eddie St Clair, who has written a graphic-book series that has taken the children’s book world by storm. Everyone is waiting for the tenth and final book of her London Bells series, which is long overdue. Tamsin adores the books and spends every waking hour drawing the characters and immersing herself in the fantasy world that St Clair has created. When Eddie takes Tamsin into her confidence, Tamsin discovers that she has a role to play in the creation of "The End", a very active role in fact!
I wish I was eleven years old, just so I could read this book and lose myself in its magic. Rushby has created another original story with a strong female leading the action. There is the perfect balance of history, fantasy and adventure that I guarantee will appeal equally to confident primary school readers and lower secondary school students. A total delight!
March 7, 2021
This is the first I have read by this author. I'll definitely hunt down a few more.
It ticks a lots of boxes including strong female lead.
It ticks a lots of boxes including strong female lead.
March 5, 2021
The power of one’s imagination is at the fore in Rushby’s latest middle grade adventure. Without giving too much away, I loved the character of Tamsin and how she represented going back to one’s youth and rediscovering who you are.
Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me a copy of this to read!
Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me a copy of this to read!
October 13, 2020
Loved this! Such a clever idea and the story within a story is done so well.
November 9, 2021
An interesting and entertaining, but slightly confusing story of a story in a graphic novel. Dream world or delirium, it’s an unusual tale of faerie folk and giant ravens in a medieval London setting. Will the author break her writers block and find the perfect ending to her successful series? If you like dystopian or fantasy fiction, you might enjoy this tale.
March 2, 2023
Well written and aimed for a younger audience (young teen). I did not personally like the discovery that they made partway through the book, this made me consider a lower rating, but it ended up fitting in nicely.
October 9, 2020
I’m a big fan of the ‘Mulberry Tree’ but found I just couldn’t connect with this one. Loved how the author used embedded narrative but found I was more invested in the ‘real world’ story.
April 1, 2021
I definitely enjoyed this book a lot more than the turnkey.
Even though it is a short book, it keeps you interested all the way through.
Definitely give this book a read.
Even though it is a short book, it keeps you interested all the way through.
Definitely give this book a read.
May 17, 2021
This is listed as YA Fantasy. I think any age will love it, especially if you have any involvement in creative writing or drawing/illustration.
January 11, 2023
the plot was SUPER GOOD i never read anything like it. easy and fun read. although it appeals to younger audiences. it wasn't really my style of book. recommend though.
February 15, 2023
3.5 ☆ ||
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews