The Blackhope Enigma

The Blackhope Enigma #1

by Teresa Flavin

When Sunni Forrest’s stepbrother accidentally transports himself into a Renaissance painting, she and her friend Blaise set out to bring him back. They find themselves in a strange world of labyrinths, monsters and pirates. Can they evade their greedy pursuers? And will they ever find their way home?

Shortlisted for the Scottish Children's Book Award, the West Sussex Children's Book Award 2011, the Leeds Book Awards 2011 and the New Horizons Book Award 2012. Longlisted for the Amazing Book Award 2012.

"An impressive debut that’s part of Templar’s expanding fiction list. It’s a more literary read, and I’d put it at the top end of nine to 12." Fiona Noble, The Bookseller

"…anyone particularly interested in art will be absolutely fascinated by it" Thebookbag.co.uk

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Young Adult, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction, Art

294 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

I'm a children's book illustrator who branched out into writing art-based fantasy-mystery novels for children and young people. My first illustrated novel, THE BLACKHOPE ENIGMA (Templar Publishing UK, 2010; Candlewick, 2011) was shortlisted for a number of UK children's book awards and was a Junior Library Guild Selection in the USA. The sequel, THE CRIMSON SHARD (Templar UK, 2011 and Candlewick, 2012) was a Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2012. THE SHADOW LANTERN, the final book in the Blackhope Enigma trilogy, was published in the UK in 2013 and in the USA in 2014.

My latest novel, JET BLACK HEART, a supernatural time travel story for teens, is published by Barrington Stoke in the UK. Barrington Stoke also published my story for younger readers, YELLOW RABBIT, in 2013 (illustrated by Rich Watson).

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Reviews

[Miss_otis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost put this book down two sentences in, when we were told that the main character's name is Sunni Forrest [really?], but for reasons unknown, I kept reading.

I only kept reading for another 100 pages, and then happily abandoned it. There is an entire trainload of poorly-executed exposition; the characters are flat, and the plot non-existent. And I absolutely did not buy that, after her stepbrother vanished, Sunni would immediately leap to the conclusion that he'd been sucked into a painting. For 15 pages, she and her friend Blaise had been talking about art, Dean had been a pain, he vanishes, and instantly Sunni realizes that obviously, he must be in the painting. Nothing at all had been established to make this conclusion in any way logical - the world was not portrayed as magical,where such things might be the norm, Sunni was not shown to be a particularly whimsical or fantasy-minded person, who might be inclined to consider fantastical solutions to seemingly impossible problems.

I'm definitely not against characters working out that magic must be involved in Plot Point X, but come on - it has to be firmly established that the character in question is the type of person who would be inclined to make that kind of connection. Sunni, so far, had been shown to be interested in art, in Blaise, and in getting her annoying stepbrother to stop being annoying. The only reason she comes to that conclusion is because the author needs her to.

[Mir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being transported through/into paintings is hardly a new gimmick in fantasy (especially aimed at the younger set) but it is one that I like. I give Flavin credit for actually developing the world-inside-the-painting a bit, instead of making it extremely limited and static as many authors do with this concept (see The Shadows for an example of what I'm talking about). I liked that techniques like underpainting played a role. Beyond that, however, this book did nothing for me. Flat characters, flat exposition, not convincing or exciting.

[Lupe Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book took me over a month to read because the beginning was so boring and too set up. The characters in the beginning were very flat and didn't really seem to change much. However, about half way through, the adventure sequences kick in and those are good. The characters though? Still sucked. I'm sorry but Stockholm Syndrome is a thing and Sunni had it bad. Also, there is NO WAY I could believe that the teacher wouldn't have gone after them or tried again, especially since we find out it had been three weeks!! Like really? You didn't think to try?? I dunno. The action sequences and the world within the painting are really this book only saving graces.

[Hylary Locsin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Fourteen-year-old Sunni Forrest and her classmate Blaise Doran are both studying famous Renaissance artist Fausto Corvo for a project at their English school. Sunni enjoyed getting top marks in her class for her artistic skills, that is until Blaise blew in from America and wowed everyone with his intricate drawings. One afternoon while studying a painting called The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia housed in the chambers of the neighboring Blackhope Tower, Sunni’s tag-along twelve-year-old stepbrother, Dean, suddenly vanishes while walking through a labyrinth set up in front of the painting. Sunni and Blaise are shocked when they realize that Dean has been transported into the painting, spotting his out-of-place figure amongst the Renaissance inhabitants of Corvo’s work. Determined to rescue Dean, Sunni follows him into the painting. When neither Sunni nor Dean reappear from The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, Blaise decides to enter the work himself the following day, feeling partially responsible for their vanishing into the painting. What Sunni, Dean and Blaise discover is an intricate series of worlds layered upon top of one another in the painting. Each realm is beautiful, but dangerous, allowing visitors to move forward from land to land, but not in reverse. The trio soon realizes that the only way out of the painting is to continue on into the unknown, but will they survive what lies ahead long enough to return home?

Harkening to the traditions of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, The Blackhope Enigma, first in a series of novels for young adults by illustrator turned author, Teresa Flavin, brings a fresh, original, and enthralling tale that easily appeals to fantasy fans of all ages. The novel cuts right to the chase, immediately beginning Sunni, Dean and Blaise’s adventure from almost the first pages. The concept of the layered painting and various worlds that the trio experience is not only unique, but very entertaining. Readers will delight in finding out “what comes next” in The Mariner’s Return to Arcadia, with each layer adding more and more to the story. The inclusion of art history in the novel, from discussions of various painting techniques to a look at the society of the Renaissance, adds an element to The Blackhope Enigma that will appeal to educators who might want to spark an interest in this era. The characters of the novel, though somewhat underdeveloped, are enjoyable as well and will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers who can identify with some of Sunni and Dean’s brother/sister antics. Overall, The Blackhope Enigma is a wonderful start to a fun and exciting series. The second novel, The Crimson Shard, tells of another adventure involving Sunni and Blaise and was published in October 2011.

The idea of people entering enchanted paintings is something I relish, and I found this story to be, in a word, delightful. Although the characters left just a tiny bit to be desired in terms of development, I really enjoyed venturing into the world that Teresa Flavin created. The concept of the layered worlds in the painting was really intriguing, and I loved seeing how the story played out as the characters got further into the painting. I’m looking forward to reading The Crimson Shard and hope that it can live up to what The Blackhope Enigma accomplishes.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb states: "Recommended for lovers of mythology and monsters, mystery and magic." Totally not my style. In most cases I would have passed over it without a second though. I'm so glad I didn't.

This book was easy to fall right into, just as Dean and Sunni "fall" into a painting and get wrapped up in adventures there as they try to find their way back. The story is full of imagination and, yes, "mystery and magic", but it somehow manages to stay within the realms of realism as well. You almost expect that if you could find Blackhope Castle and the magic labyrinth you would be able to find Arcadia, the idealistic land within the painting, as well.

Score one for not following my reading instincts and going outside my usual genre interest!

[Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blackhope Enigma was a boring book. It was an easy read, but it still took me ages to get through it because I just couldn't relate to the characters.
As many other readers have pointed out, their names are just ridiculous. Sunni Forrest. When I read that name, I was like, yeah, you got to be kidding me. What the hell? Sunni Forrest?
Reading a book about a girl with a name like that is painful. When I think of "Sunni Forrest", I think of a 6-year old girl with huge red spectacles, even huger front teeth and a stupid smile on her face. From that moment on, I couldn't take the book seriously any more.
It was about that girl, Sunni, her stepbrother Dean (who was a completely unnecessary character whose only function in the story was to get Sunni and her friend Blaise into trouble and annoying everyone) and Sunni's classmate Blaise. Blaise. Isn't that a french name? So why is he American? 'Cause Blaise is such a handsome name? That's just ridiculous.
The three of them were in Blackhope Tower. Sunni and Blaise wanted to draw the really nice painting by Fausto Corvo and Dean just tagged along for no reason at all.
Because Dean is such a stupid and hysterical child, he chose to run around the labyrinth in the room "accidentally" screaming the password to enter the painting.
Smart as Sunni and Blaise are, they found out were Dean was in mere seconds and followed him, because that's a really smart thing to do. Who wouldn't want to go into a painting without knowing the way out?
When Blaise remarked that they should probably tell the police before they went in, Sunni replied that no one would believe them. Exactly. So why did they recount everything that happened to the police when they were back again? And why didn't the police officer offer them counseling sessions with a shrink?
The writing style was simple (in a bad way) and I had a feeling the author was a middle schooler.

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It's just plain bad.

[Julian Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book I read was The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin. In the beginning of the book, I wasn't too sure how much I liked it. The one thing that caught my attention was **Spoiler Alert*** was when Dean chanted Chiaroscuro to annoy his sister, but then was transported into the painting.
The story is about students Sunni Forest, Blaise Doran, and Sunni's step brother Dean. In the beginning Sunni goes to Blackhope tower to study the works of Fausto Corvo a marvelous artist. Then Dean chants the word Chiaroscuro to annoy his sister, but is then transported into the painting! Sunni realizing that she needs to somehow get her step brother back, she goes into the painting the same way as Dean did, and eventually Blaise does too. Angus Bellini figures out the way into the painting, and searches for Fausto Corvo's lost paintings for his own selfish reasons. All of the characters have an adventure in the painting, and some are able to find their way out.
The third Person point of view affects this story majorly because we get to read what each and every character is thinking, and we know what's going on to the characters that are separate from the others. A major event in the story that changed a character's point of view on someone was when ***Spoiler Alert*** Angus Bellini left Hugo Fox Farrat and Inko to die. ***End of Spoiler*** This event changed the way Blaise Doran saw Angus Bellini who is supposedly there to save the children. The title relates to the book because ***Spoiler Alert*** Blackhope tower is the exit out of the painting, and the way to close off the portal forever.
My favorite part was when ***Spoiler Alert*** Fausto Corvo himself trapped Angus Bellini on his own little island, for trying to steal the lost paintings ***End of Spoiler*** I was surprised when Sunni actually went into the painting after Dean. I was satisfied with the fact that ***Spoiler Alert*** Fausto Corvo was actually hiding in a painting within a painting, ever since the 1400's.
Overall I really enjoyed the book, I would give the book a rating of a 4/5. I give a 4/5 because the beginning was a little boring and made me want to just put the book down, but I'm glad I kept reading! I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy Fantasy type novels. Just to let you know, there are many plot twists in this story, which makes me like the story even more!

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new favorite for sure. Teresa Flavin blends magic, art history and mythology into a wonderful adventure. Sunni and Blaise are art students studying the Medeival painter Fausto Corvo for a school project. When Sunni, her step-brother Dean & Blaise go to The Blackhope Tower to see Corvo's famous painting The Mariner's Return to Arcadia, Dean suddenly disappears in a labyrinth in the tower. He stumbled across a key word in the painting's description, when spoke in repetition in the labyrinth takes you into the world of Arcadia. Sunni and Blaise follow him and get lost in they layers of the artwork and into the fantastical land of Arcadia. Will they get out before Angus Bellini (a greedy art enthusiast who follows them into the painting) and a host of other enemies trap them in the painting forever?

One of my favorite TV shows was MythQuest. A quirky Canadian show that didn't even last one season. In fact, there was a 2-part episode and only 1-part was ever filmed. It was about two teenagers whose father got lost in the world of myths via an artifact and a computer. I know sounds strange but the teenagers found their way into the myths in search of their father. Each episode was one type of myth: Native American, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, etc. It was a wonderful show but because they pulled the plug so early the teens never did find their father and I never got closure. I feel like The Blackhope Tower gave me a similar story, with a tighter and more cohesive plotline and with an ending that gave me closure!

I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes an intellectual adventure but also some light reading. The author really did her research but doesn't bog the reader with details either. You could do a surface read and enjoy it or you could really dig deeper and find a rich bounty of mythological, astrological & historical references.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I very nearly stopped reading The Blackhope Enigma about a third of the way through it. The writing is amateurish (needless descriptions and explanations, melodramatic villain lines, clunky action and lots of telling rather than showing), the characters are forgettable (also, don’t ask how many times I pronounced Sunni’s name as SOON-EE rather than SON-EE because of the spelling), and the whole thing hinges on a premise that is barely explained and not incorporated well.

However, the story does pick up a little and gets slightly more interesting once the characters make their way into the inner-inner painting (there’s the surface painting, then the inner painting where things are alive, and then apparently an inner-inner painting). Of course, then the book adds another melodramatic villain character and the obligatory mysterious handsome sorcerer, so it doesn’t really get any better in quality. But it became interesting enough for me to read it all the way through, though it never passed beyond merely bearable.

I like the idea that Flavin is trying to get across, but unfortunately, she executed it poorly. I think the concept of an enchanted painting is a good one and if Flavin was a better writer the book as a whole would have been a much better success. But Sunni, Dean and Blaise never become more than stock characters, stumbling around a world that is a good idea conceptually but poorly designed and implemented. I never get any sense of real danger from the villains or the world and the ending is clunky and contrived. The Blackhope Enigma is certainly an enigma—I still don’t know how I managed to finish reading the entire thing.

[Harley Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunni's step-brother Dean accidentally transports himself into a painting, she has to follow to rescue him. Her Friend Blaise plans to follow but is delayed until the following day. Once Sunni finds Dean, they begin searching for a way out. Unfortunately for them, no one seems to know the way. The journey that follows is full of peril and impeded by Marin, a former apprentice of Fausto Corvo, the artist who painted the enchanted painting. Sunni manages to win Marin's trust and he becomes an ally.
I really enjoyed this book.
SPOILER ALERT!
However, I did not like the way Blaise behaved while in the painting. And, I did not like the way Dean behaved once they were out of the painting.
A person generally will show their true colors when in a stressful situation. Blaise is often disrespectful toward Sunni. He tries to make himself the person in charge and refuses to cooperate with Marin even though Sunni makes it clear that Marin is trying to help them. Once out of the painting, he is very friendly and warms up to Sunni. I have a hard time imagining Sunni wanting anything more than a superficial relationship with this jerk.
Dean behaves as though he resents having Sunni as a step-sister before going into the painting. Once in the painting, he realizes, how much she cares about him and recognizes that she saves his life several times. However, once they are home safe, he reverts back to his original attitude; only worse. The bond he appeared to have built with Sunni during their time in the painting seems to have completely evaporated.

[Omiai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it grabs your attention right from the start and just keeps you hanging on. I read this in one go as I couldn't bear to put it down.

the characters in this story were brilliant, I really liked the main characters, Blaise, Sunni and Dean, which is unusual for me and a young adult book, the bad guy, Angus, was great, he was so two-faced and deceptive, you never knew what he was going to do next. What i really liked about this book were the other characters, ones that it wasn't entirely clear whose side they were on, whether they would help the children, whether they would keep helping them or turn them over.

The best thing about this book was the paintings. The descriptions were great, but it really made you want to visit the land of Arcadia, to see all the mystical things within it. the backstory about Corvo leant a brilliant edge to this magical tale.

I immediately ordered the next in the series, The Crimson Shard, because I just loved this book so much! well worth the read!

[Chris Meads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunni Forrest and her stepbrother along with her friend Blaise are sitting in the Blackhope Tower, making a sketch of "The Mariner's Return" by Fausto Corvo. They have heard about the enchanted paintings but that's all they know that it is a rumor the paintings exist. Dean is walking the labyrinth saying the word "chiaroscuro". When he gets to the middle, he disappears! Sunni and Blaise notice him in the painting and freak! How did he get there? How are they going to get him out?

So many things happen in the story--it keeps you reading and wondering how can someone get inside a painting. The book is well written and the characters seem real, even the bad ones (yes, the kids run into a few). This is a good mystery as well as a fantasy for young people.

[Veronica The Demigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was really good! At first I was like boring with a capital B! Soon it got better and better... I love how in one part of the book Blaise is with Sunni and when he sees how she looks at Marin, I am just like omg she likes him. Only after she began to trust him... The character Angus I did not like from the moment he came into the story! Inko was a sad character since he was drawn in, because the real Inko died, but he can't die!! Then there is Hugo who at first I don't trust that much but when I realize he may be dead, I'm like OH NO! Then he was alive and I was happy. Also a little side note someone needs to make these movies, otherwise I will do it and I will! These would make great movies...

[Victoria Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book honestly had a very slow start. I had to convince myself it would get better. As I continue used reading this book it got slightly interesting the farther I got. About half threw so about chapter 13 did it really catch my attention. The action started to leave me on the edge of my seat. The character that really brought me to enjoy the book would be Marin. Once he was introduced it got interesting. It was ok before just very boring. Karin brought danger and excitement. After I finished this book I had enjoyed the book. I was very happy I liked it because it was different type of book than usual read. Overall this book was about three stars. I enjoyed but I don't think I'd recommend it.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin is a fantasy book that centers on a painting by an artist who disappeared centuries ago. Some characters do have crushes on others, but it’s not horrible. Three children get drawn into the painting at different times (one on accident, one after that child, and one after the both of them) and have to navigate through a maze, sail across a sea, decipher a map, and then get through an island’s obstacles, as well as the people who live in the painting, to get home. It’s an okay story, but it was a bit boring for me. I would recommend it to people who like adventure stories, but I probably won’t read it again.

[Apurva Khadye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunniva and Blaise are studying famous painter Fausto Corvo for their school project but they accidentally unravel mysterious world created by Corvo himself. It was slow at beginning. took me a while to become interested in it but once it started it was a good read. Ms. Flavin has wonderfully created amalgamation of art history mystery and adventure. Book moves on good pace. Plot is well thought of. Characters however I felt bit clichéd. Sunni come across as bit stupid. Her brother Dean is cool. few grammatical errors here and there can be avoided.

[Bethany Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot seemed fairly original, and it was creative enough to keep me interested. The characters were pretty generic, and didn’t really act or speak like children. The author does a good job at making you hate the villain, though not a good job at making you like the protagonists. I really didn’t care what happened to them. But it still kept me interested, even if it was due to the concept and creativity.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was an interesting concept and unlike any other book I have read. The author did a great job of creating a magical setting. I found that there wasn't a lot of character development and that is something I appreciate in a story. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading the next two books in the series.

[Noreen Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm so happy I stumbled upon this YA fantasy book on a recent trip. The characters, while confusing at first to keep together, were delightful. It was an interesting and very definitely not overdone tale of disappearing into a painting, facing adventures, rescuing whom you must, and coming out the other side. Every hero must go to hell first, right? Sunni nailed it, and so did Teresa Flavin.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysteriously appearing skeletons, a labyrinth and an ancient painting all set the stage for a adventure that is hard to put down. When three children magically disappear inside a magical painting they encounter odd inhabitants, pirates, monsters and mortal danger. The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin is the first book in an exciting series for children age 9 - 15.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book and was very glad I did. This story grabs you right from the start. It’s a great adventure story that a art lover would love to read or a teen who likes a page turner with steady action.

[Govind Sharma · Rating 2 out of 5]

its not prolific. very agony . boring and predictable. when suni and her brother got caught into the painting , everything seems predictable. no so good attempt. good luck for future.

[Heather Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. The concept was cool but that was the only good thing. The author didn't give me anything about the characters to make me care about them or to want to finish the book.

[Heather McCloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventure story! With lots of art thrown in!!

[Srilina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it years ago and enjoyed every single pages.

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable: the plot, the characters. I just couldn't get into it and didn't read it all.

[Briana]

dnf

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a really good book with great characters and a good storyline. I recommend that you read this book if you're looking for a good fiction story to read.

[Georgen Charnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found myself skimming as it lost my interest; characters are a bit flat.

[Alyson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this. Too many characters that I didn't care about. The story drags.