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Spylark
Ever since the accident, Tom’s struggled with his mobility. But he has a secret Skylark, his drone–through this technology, he can fly above his Lake District home, exploring his world from a totally different perspective. But when he stumbles upon a terrorist plot, he knows no one will believe him. Maggie and Joel, a sister and brother on holiday in his aunt’s cottage, are the only ones who can help… but can they stop the plot in time?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 1, 2021
*3.5
I loved how this book was set in the Lake District, it's just such a beautiful setting. I noticed Danny Rurlander had brilliant describing skills, with similes and metaphors that stood out to me. However, this wasn't my absolute favourite book. If I didn't compare it to Alex Rider, I probably would've loved it. But Anthony Horowitz just brings the best suspense, and Spylark didn't quite get there. The characters were brilliant, Maggie being the confident, inspirational girl that you always need in a book, and Tom being mysterious but interesting and smart.
You always know that if the problem solving happens in the middle of the book, something is bound to go wrong afterwards! Of course, that happened, and I think the last few chapters was the best part of the book.
I loved how this book was set in the Lake District, it's just such a beautiful setting. I noticed Danny Rurlander had brilliant describing skills, with similes and metaphors that stood out to me. However, this wasn't my absolute favourite book. If I didn't compare it to Alex Rider, I probably would've loved it. But Anthony Horowitz just brings the best suspense, and Spylark didn't quite get there. The characters were brilliant, Maggie being the confident, inspirational girl that you always need in a book, and Tom being mysterious but interesting and smart.
You always know that if the problem solving happens in the middle of the book, something is bound to go wrong afterwards! Of course, that happened, and I think the last few chapters was the best part of the book.
August 8, 2019
Great book!
With my ‘teacher hat’ on, I would like to say brilliant for inference, exploring characters and how they change, discussion around bullying, friendships, trust and forgiveness.
Beginning with the title and the intriguing front cover illustration, I can see fantastic opportunities for book talk.
But also it is simply a really good adventure story, particularly for children aged 9+ although I loved it as an adult.
It is set in the Lake District and on the author’s website, there are explanations of how the fictional names relate to real places around Windermere and suggested walks to find the various locations.
The author and publisher make links with the Swallows and Amazons series and while it reminded me of those books, it more strongly made me think of the more recent Swallows and Amazons film, the Alex Rider series and also (from my childhood reading) the Lone Pine series by Malcolm Saville.
With my ‘teacher hat’ on, I would like to say brilliant for inference, exploring characters and how they change, discussion around bullying, friendships, trust and forgiveness.
Beginning with the title and the intriguing front cover illustration, I can see fantastic opportunities for book talk.
But also it is simply a really good adventure story, particularly for children aged 9+ although I loved it as an adult.
It is set in the Lake District and on the author’s website, there are explanations of how the fictional names relate to real places around Windermere and suggested walks to find the various locations.
The author and publisher make links with the Swallows and Amazons series and while it reminded me of those books, it more strongly made me think of the more recent Swallows and Amazons film, the Alex Rider series and also (from my childhood reading) the Lone Pine series by Malcolm Saville.
March 3, 2023
Got a signed cop and love how it is set in the Lake District
February 9, 2025
Pretty good for a "teenagers save everything" YA novel.
March 8, 2020
Great adventure story featuring drones, terrorists and secret government plots, full review here: https://bit.ly/39xF100
January 9, 2024
Representation: Main character with physical disability
Trigger warnings: Terrorism
Score: Six points out of ten.
This book was an ok, but action packed sci-fi book from a British middle grade debut author and I had high expectations for this but unfortunately this didn't fulfil them mainly due to the issues I found so I highly doubt that I would pick this up again and since then I've read better ones, where do I begin. The plot was really absurd, and the last bit wasn't good either and especially the terrorist plot (So a guy who wanted to sell drone weapons wanted to kill the Queen (Charles wasn't the King at the time the book was set) as a demonstration, but other than that, what was the point of targeting that person?) This entire book aged like milk, since only three years on from the book, she died of old age, and the King took the throne. However, the only person who could stop the terrorist attack is a computer nerd, and not the MI6? Then, the terrorists destroyed a factory and got away with it, how unsatisfying and this ends it on a low note. Read the Alex Rider series instead if you want a more believable but just as action packed book series.
Trigger warnings: Terrorism
Score: Six points out of ten.
This book was an ok, but action packed sci-fi book from a British middle grade debut author and I had high expectations for this but unfortunately this didn't fulfil them mainly due to the issues I found so I highly doubt that I would pick this up again and since then I've read better ones, where do I begin. The plot was really absurd, and the last bit wasn't good either and especially the terrorist plot (So a guy who wanted to sell drone weapons wanted to kill the Queen (Charles wasn't the King at the time the book was set) as a demonstration, but other than that, what was the point of targeting that person?) This entire book aged like milk, since only three years on from the book, she died of old age, and the King took the throne. However, the only person who could stop the terrorist attack is a computer nerd, and not the MI6? Then, the terrorists destroyed a factory and got away with it, how unsatisfying and this ends it on a low note. Read the Alex Rider series instead if you want a more believable but just as action packed book series.
November 8, 2019
Tom is a really interesting multi-layered character. He has had some difficulties in his life and since the loss of his father and his debilitating injury he has lived with his great-Aunt in the Lake District in the UK. He has thrown himself into creating his drone technology. He is absolutely brilliant at inventing but it isolates him from his peers, whilst also providing a shield for him against the local school bullies. When his drone views some potential terrorist activity, with the Queen as the target, he must rely on and learn to trust his new friends. This novel will appeal to a wide range of readers - there is the appeal of spying, mystery, suspense and adventure, and drone and weapon technology, but it also has the appeal of a book about a character who experiences emotional growth with the support of friends and family. With lots of surprises and twists this was a very enjoyable read.
Suitable for 9+
Suitable for 9+
September 27, 2019
Danny Rurlander has a big imagination, that man! I found the writing a bit confusing sometimes, but I liked the book all the same. I also like the surprise plot twists and the big switcheroo! Awesome! I think the view he used in the last couple of chapters is good, I mean the way he switched back and forth between the characters, I really like it. Well that’s all I have to say - if you like suspense, you should read this book!
August 12, 2019
Deliciously cosy and yet decidedly tense at the same time! Loved it! Thank you Mr Rurlander.
October 27, 2019
Great narrative and excellent read. Perfect for the genre - thriller, spy, action with gentle pathos. Loved it. Hope there is a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews