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A Clock of Stars #2
Za gorami
Gwiezdny zegar. Tom 2. Za gorami
Unknown Binding
First published October 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 10, 2023
A darkly whimsical story that is one chonky read!
This was a really good sequel that I found to be better than the first book, it was more darker and suspenseful! For younger readers this does have mentions of murder, drowning, monsters, and kidnapping, but I found it thrilling to the story. The world is creative with flavours of Eastern Europe, described in smooth and easy storytelling to understand.
The characters are slightly underwhelming however they have grown from the previous book which made me start to like them, although the jury is still out on Imogen. Miro's character development was the best. It gained a lot of layers with the addition of royal schemes, horrifying monsters, and the nitty gritty of adventuring.
I can't highlight how much I love seeing Chris Riddell's illustrations, they are so beautiful and really captures the characters and scenes that Francesca has created, although I wish there were more sprinkled throughout, but then again I'm just a big fan of his work.
The ending was a real twist!
This was a really good sequel that I found to be better than the first book, it was more darker and suspenseful! For younger readers this does have mentions of murder, drowning, monsters, and kidnapping, but I found it thrilling to the story. The world is creative with flavours of Eastern Europe, described in smooth and easy storytelling to understand.
The characters are slightly underwhelming however they have grown from the previous book which made me start to like them, although the jury is still out on Imogen. Miro's character development was the best. It gained a lot of layers with the addition of royal schemes, horrifying monsters, and the nitty gritty of adventuring.
I can't highlight how much I love seeing Chris Riddell's illustrations, they are so beautiful and really captures the characters and scenes that Francesca has created, although I wish there were more sprinkled throughout, but then again I'm just a big fan of his work.
The ending was a real twist!
December 29, 2021
I recieved the first book in this series as a birthday gift from a friend last year and devoured it either just before or just after New Year, so I was very excited to finally pick up this second book in the series. It sees sisters Imogen and Marie travel back through the door in the tree to the fantasy world they discovered in book, only this time they’re accompanied by an unwelcome person from their lives in the real world, and things very quickly go awry when Marie is kidnapped. If you’ve read book one, you won’t be shocked to hear that Anneshka is behind this, and I think I’m going to start this off by talking about her because she is honestly one of my favourite villains I’ve ever read. I love when a villain is a kind of blend of evilness and really funny at the same time, and Anneshka is just one of the best examples of this I’ve ever seen. There is one particular line she says in this book where she is interrogating Marie about England that made me literally snort with laughter. I’m also very fond perfectly imperfect heroine Imogen, who is willing to go to any length to get her sister back, King Miro is so lovely and brave, and it was very interesting indeed to see some more of Mark this time round. The new additions of Perla and her pet Konya were also great, and Zuby the skret also has a decent sized chunk of my heart because he’s such a sweetie!! I also really appreciated the discussion of mental health in here, which felt very realistic despite the issues these characters are facing being more fantastical. While this is a very lengthy book, and I was a wee bit intimidated by how big it is, once I got started I just flew through it because I was having such a phenomenal time being back in Yaroslav with these characters (as well as the new ones!) and after the sensational cliffhanger at the end, I’m very excited for the final book in the trilogy to be released. I kind of thought it was going g in that direction but I wasn’t sure if it was too dark for MG and I was still UTTERLY shook.
December 12, 2021
A fantastical adventure through a small door in a tree. This isnt Imogen and Maire's first time exploring beyond the realms of Earth this time though they are joined by the skeptical step father. Their journey begins with a magical moth and a skret but is soon left behind only to be greeted by an unusual witch, is she young or is she old? Partnered with the witch is an uptight wanna be queen. Upon hearing the witches prophecy that she will one day be queen and that Maria is somehow linked to that prophecy Anneshka sneaks away from the group with an unwilling Maria turning Imogen's world upside down. Imogen seeks out the the help of some her old friends but what they they find along the way is where the true magic of the story lies.
I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop during their adventures. Odlive the water sprite was my favourite. I found that Chris Riddell has captured a true essence of the characters described by Francesca and has illustrated them well through out the book.
I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop during their adventures. Odlive the water sprite was my favourite. I found that Chris Riddell has captured a true essence of the characters described by Francesca and has illustrated them well through out the book.
November 4, 2021
A worthy sequel
There are plenty of stories about children who enter a magic world and then return home but not many of them deal with the aftermath of such an extraordinary event. At the start of `Beyond the Mountains' sisters Imogen and Marie have been back from the Kingdom of Yaroslav for several months but no-one will believe Imogen's account of their adventures. She is forced to endure therapy sessions and cannot settle at her new school. Desperate to prove to her mother and her mother's odious boyfriend Mark that she was telling the truth, Imogen goes back through the door in the tree to take pictures. She manages to trap herself, Marie and Mark on the wrong side of the door and when Marie is kidnapped Imogen blames herself.
In the first book on the `Clock of Stars' series, I found Imogen hard to like but in the second book it becomes clear that she is struggling with mental illness. Worries and fears embodied as nasty creatures that only she can see threaten to overwhelm her. I'm sure many children and adults will empathise with her and rejoice when Imogen manages to overcome some of her mental torments. The plight of her friend young King Miro, who is afraid of becoming a bad ruler like his uncle, is also very sympathetically treated.
`Beyond the Mountains' features several familiar faces from the first volume, including the witch Ochi, the kind-hearted skret, Zuby, and the insanely ambitious Anneshka. As the sisters travel beyond Yaroslav, plenty of new characters are introduced - most notably a young mapmaker and her delightful pet lynx. The plot is a dark one involving children stolen by monsters. There are some joyful moments but I did wish that the sisters were allowed a few more pleasant experiences on their magical journey. Even so, I would have given this book five stars if it wasn't for the sudden lurch into Horror right at the end.
There are plenty of stories about children who enter a magic world and then return home but not many of them deal with the aftermath of such an extraordinary event. At the start of `Beyond the Mountains' sisters Imogen and Marie have been back from the Kingdom of Yaroslav for several months but no-one will believe Imogen's account of their adventures. She is forced to endure therapy sessions and cannot settle at her new school. Desperate to prove to her mother and her mother's odious boyfriend Mark that she was telling the truth, Imogen goes back through the door in the tree to take pictures. She manages to trap herself, Marie and Mark on the wrong side of the door and when Marie is kidnapped Imogen blames herself.
In the first book on the `Clock of Stars' series, I found Imogen hard to like but in the second book it becomes clear that she is struggling with mental illness. Worries and fears embodied as nasty creatures that only she can see threaten to overwhelm her. I'm sure many children and adults will empathise with her and rejoice when Imogen manages to overcome some of her mental torments. The plight of her friend young King Miro, who is afraid of becoming a bad ruler like his uncle, is also very sympathetically treated.
`Beyond the Mountains' features several familiar faces from the first volume, including the witch Ochi, the kind-hearted skret, Zuby, and the insanely ambitious Anneshka. As the sisters travel beyond Yaroslav, plenty of new characters are introduced - most notably a young mapmaker and her delightful pet lynx. The plot is a dark one involving children stolen by monsters. There are some joyful moments but I did wish that the sisters were allowed a few more pleasant experiences on their magical journey. Even so, I would have given this book five stars if it wasn't for the sudden lurch into Horror right at the end.
January 9, 2022
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the first book a little more, but the sequel had some fun bits. My main problem was the Annoying Adult plot that sort of took the fun out of the adventure for me. I have a pet peeve about overbearing grownups in fantasy adventures. But I did love the new characters we meet along the way and the return of some old ones. Looking forward to the third book.
I enjoyed the first book a little more, but the sequel had some fun bits. My main problem was the Annoying Adult plot that sort of took the fun out of the adventure for me. I have a pet peeve about overbearing grownups in fantasy adventures. But I did love the new characters we meet along the way and the return of some old ones. Looking forward to the third book.
March 8, 2022
Beyond the Mountains is the second book in the Clock of Stars series. Using a familiar trope for children's fiction, this sequel offers something a little different as well.
Imogen and Marie are our two main protagonists. They are sisters, and in the first instalment of this series, we see them discovering a secret door within a tree trunk, which takes them to a different world inhabited by strange creatures. Having returned from their adventure, Beyond the Mountains begins with the girls back in their own world. Although they have returned, things have not gone back to normal. Imogen is in therapy, as her mother is troubled by her insistence on having visited somewhere fantastical. Frustrated at not being believed, she decides that the only way to show those around her that she is telling the truth is by trying to find the door again, and to take evidence. But things don't exactly go to plan.
I loved that Gibbons has examined the effect of returning home from a fantastical journey, examining how that may affect those who experienced it. Imogen describes her 'worry creatures' which are her fears, and those feelings or thoughts that she struggles to voice to those around her. This examination of mental health is fantastic for young readers. It shows that it is normal to have some difficult feelings sometimes, but it also provides hope. Without wanting to give anything away, this tale also provides the message that you don't always have to be large to make a difference.
The ending suggests that there is going to be another visit to this world and these characters, and I will definitely return to them. This really is a fantastic children's adventure, with the added delight of illustrations by Chris Riddell (I do wish there were more).
Imogen and Marie are our two main protagonists. They are sisters, and in the first instalment of this series, we see them discovering a secret door within a tree trunk, which takes them to a different world inhabited by strange creatures. Having returned from their adventure, Beyond the Mountains begins with the girls back in their own world. Although they have returned, things have not gone back to normal. Imogen is in therapy, as her mother is troubled by her insistence on having visited somewhere fantastical. Frustrated at not being believed, she decides that the only way to show those around her that she is telling the truth is by trying to find the door again, and to take evidence. But things don't exactly go to plan.
I loved that Gibbons has examined the effect of returning home from a fantastical journey, examining how that may affect those who experienced it. Imogen describes her 'worry creatures' which are her fears, and those feelings or thoughts that she struggles to voice to those around her. This examination of mental health is fantastic for young readers. It shows that it is normal to have some difficult feelings sometimes, but it also provides hope. Without wanting to give anything away, this tale also provides the message that you don't always have to be large to make a difference.
The ending suggests that there is going to be another visit to this world and these characters, and I will definitely return to them. This really is a fantastic children's adventure, with the added delight of illustrations by Chris Riddell (I do wish there were more).
March 6, 2022
It's been a while since I have enjoyed a book so much. It reminded me a lot of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights trilogy.
The story follows two sisters who know of an entrance to another world through a door in a tree in a garden that they visit. In this, the second installment, no one believes that they have been through it, and their mother is trying to prevent it from happening again. However, the sisters, especially Isabel, needs to find proof that the world exists, and the only way to do that is to go back.
The creatures and people and places that you meet are described in enough detail for you to feel that you are there, but not too much so that you feel bogged down with information. Each character has its own personality, which you can relate to and believe in. Isabel's worries and struggles are easy to relate to and would help children to understand why people sometimes do what they do. Beautiful art work from Chris Riddell brings some of these characters to life. The story, quite a simple quest idea, takes the reader on a wonderful journey through many new amazing places. The children meet old friends, from the first book, and new. Scary and kind creatures and humans.
I am now very tempted to buy and read the first book, as it's a world that I want to go back to. I can't wait for the final book!
The story follows two sisters who know of an entrance to another world through a door in a tree in a garden that they visit. In this, the second installment, no one believes that they have been through it, and their mother is trying to prevent it from happening again. However, the sisters, especially Isabel, needs to find proof that the world exists, and the only way to do that is to go back.
The creatures and people and places that you meet are described in enough detail for you to feel that you are there, but not too much so that you feel bogged down with information. Each character has its own personality, which you can relate to and believe in. Isabel's worries and struggles are easy to relate to and would help children to understand why people sometimes do what they do. Beautiful art work from Chris Riddell brings some of these characters to life. The story, quite a simple quest idea, takes the reader on a wonderful journey through many new amazing places. The children meet old friends, from the first book, and new. Scary and kind creatures and humans.
I am now very tempted to buy and read the first book, as it's a world that I want to go back to. I can't wait for the final book!
September 1, 2022
Beyond The Mountain is the second book in the Clock Of Stars Series.
I went into this book not having read the first but as an experienced reader, I caught on to what I had missed and I would like to say that Francesca Gibbons is an incredible writer. This book is absolutely mind-blowing.
The storyline and characters are just so amazing.
The story goes like this...
Imogen and Marie are sisters who in the first book discovered a secret world and they return to this world called Yaroslav through the door in the tree to a whole new Yaroslav.
Miro who was their friend is now king but hates it.
When Anneshka hears a prophecy from the clock of stars, that she will rule the Greatest Kingdom, she kidnaps Marie, believing that she will be able to help her become queen, and heads over the mountains.
Imogen is devastated when she finds out that her sister is kidnapped and she and Miro chase after them, in hot pursuit and makes new friends on the way.
But what they find in the lands beyond will change everything again, and see them facing dangers they could never have imagined.
This book is a sensational book and I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of adventure and excitement should read this book.
Thank you to everyone who has read this review.
BookWanderer- Gone Wandering.
I went into this book not having read the first but as an experienced reader, I caught on to what I had missed and I would like to say that Francesca Gibbons is an incredible writer. This book is absolutely mind-blowing.
The storyline and characters are just so amazing.
The story goes like this...
Imogen and Marie are sisters who in the first book discovered a secret world and they return to this world called Yaroslav through the door in the tree to a whole new Yaroslav.
Miro who was their friend is now king but hates it.
When Anneshka hears a prophecy from the clock of stars, that she will rule the Greatest Kingdom, she kidnaps Marie, believing that she will be able to help her become queen, and heads over the mountains.
Imogen is devastated when she finds out that her sister is kidnapped and she and Miro chase after them, in hot pursuit and makes new friends on the way.
But what they find in the lands beyond will change everything again, and see them facing dangers they could never have imagined.
This book is a sensational book and I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of adventure and excitement should read this book.
Thank you to everyone who has read this review.
BookWanderer- Gone Wandering.
February 11, 2022
This sequel is just as good as the first book. It is rare to have a second book that keeps the same pace and quality of story writing but in this book the author absolutely has control.
I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator (Imogen church) was hugely talented at creating the atmosphere and all the different moods and nuances of the different characters.
I understand the books are beautifully illustrated but I would recommend the audiobook for pure entertainment particularly if you are going on a long journey with children. It may not be suitable for very young children due to the content but it is an exceptional adventure story.
I highly recommend this trilogy and I’m very excited for the final book to come out. However I don’t want her to rush as the same standard is going to be expected for the third book to complete the story I love the epilogue it made me really Keen for the next book.
I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator (Imogen church) was hugely talented at creating the atmosphere and all the different moods and nuances of the different characters.
I understand the books are beautifully illustrated but I would recommend the audiobook for pure entertainment particularly if you are going on a long journey with children. It may not be suitable for very young children due to the content but it is an exceptional adventure story.
I highly recommend this trilogy and I’m very excited for the final book to come out. However I don’t want her to rush as the same standard is going to be expected for the third book to complete the story I love the epilogue it made me really Keen for the next book.
May 24, 2022
A fantastic follow-up to The Shadow Moth, with lovely themes and important lessons that apply themselves easily to history, made-up worlds, and today's news landscape equally: blended families, the repercussions of blind ambition and total power, exploitation of resources and people, mental health concerns, family obligations, and friendship, love, and fairness. Though that sounds like a lot to pack into one book, it never felt forced or too full, was easy to read, and I loved watching the characters grow, especially Imogen. That it doesn't shy away from some difficult truths (or make those moments maudlin or melodramatic) is down to the talent of the writer. A triumph. Wishing we had sneehoolarks IRL, though!
December 24, 2024
This is a continuation of a series that I read the first book for 5 years ago. It doesn’t take itself seriously and is the embodiment of the fun middle grade tale that I used to love. It’s not immature or silly and deals with some mental health issues which is so important for children to read. I love the original cast since they bring back so much nostalgia, however most of the new characters do not feel fleshed out enough, and it really bothered me. I believe I will continue this series. I was apprehensive at first since it was a middle grade book and I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it, but it was a fun read.
February 10, 2022
This series is just so fun and a breath of fresh air. Sometimes you just need a good easy to read 8-12 genre book and I’m not even ashamed of how much of a good time I gad reading this
The book is surprisingly dark ngl and deals with topics such as anxiety, kids in therapy, trauma etc etc in such an amazing way especially for helping kids understand this and normalise it. The Worry Creatures was such a smart idea.
Due to the ending the book is quite obviously leading up to a sequel and I’m really excited to read it
The book is surprisingly dark ngl and deals with topics such as anxiety, kids in therapy, trauma etc etc in such an amazing way especially for helping kids understand this and normalise it. The Worry Creatures was such a smart idea.
Due to the ending the book is quite obviously leading up to a sequel and I’m really excited to read it
September 11, 2023
Probably closer to 3.5 stars but I have rounded up.
Imogen and Marie go back through the door in the tree and meet up with Miro who is now king. They end up undertaking another quest with a new character. I did enjoy this sequel just not quite as much as the first book, though I can’t put my finger on why. It also annoyed me that subee’s voice changed in this one even though it was the same narrator, he was my favourite character in book 1 he sounded slightly goofy but in this one he sounded like an old woman
Imogen and Marie go back through the door in the tree and meet up with Miro who is now king. They end up undertaking another quest with a new character. I did enjoy this sequel just not quite as much as the first book, though I can’t put my finger on why. It also annoyed me that subee’s voice changed in this one even though it was the same narrator, he was my favourite character in book 1 he sounded slightly goofy but in this one he sounded like an old woman
December 18, 2022
A wonderful middle grade fantasy that hit the spot in so many ways. This second installment was fast paced and included:
-a quest
-kidnapping
-kings, queens and bratty princesses
-friendships
-animal companionships
-goblin-like creatures
-monsters
-river sprites
-forest witches
-water sprites
-sibling relationships
-parent/step-parent and child relationships
-a duel
And more! It's also fairly clean for a middle grade, the worse that happens is a stabbing and a duel.
-a quest
-kidnapping
-kings, queens and bratty princesses
-friendships
-animal companionships
-goblin-like creatures
-monsters
-river sprites
-forest witches
-water sprites
-sibling relationships
-parent/step-parent and child relationships
-a duel
And more! It's also fairly clean for a middle grade, the worse that happens is a stabbing and a duel.
August 9, 2024
Beyond the Mountains (A Clock of Stars, #2) is my favourite book. Francesca's writing style is unlike others' styles, making it engaging for the audience while simultaneously adding a dark and mysterious essence to the story. The part of the book when Milo was duelling made me nervous yet excited at the same time. This book is perfect for readers aged 9 to 14. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did!
April 1, 2023
4.5*
Fantastic gripping second book in the series and Marie and Imogen end up back in the door in the tree for
A whole new adventure this time someone else comes along.
The story is harsh for a MG and it made me live it even more. It wasn’t afraid to pull punches
We got some old favourite characters and some new
Whole new monsters and lots of political manoeuvring
Fantastic gripping second book in the series and Marie and Imogen end up back in the door in the tree for
A whole new adventure this time someone else comes along.
The story is harsh for a MG and it made me live it even more. It wasn’t afraid to pull punches
We got some old favourite characters and some new
Whole new monsters and lots of political manoeuvring
July 11, 2024
4.5
nie mogę wyjść z podziwu, jak mądra, wartościowa i fantastyczna jest ta seria. pierwsza połowa miała nieco spadek formy, ale już druga przerosła moje oczekiwania🙏🏼
każde dziecko powinno to przeczytać, żałuję, że sama odkryłam te książki w późniejszym wieku, bo młodsza ja bawiłaby się jeszcze lepiej (o ile w ogóle tak się da, bo obecnie oceniam poziom frajdy na 10/10)
nie mogę wyjść z podziwu, jak mądra, wartościowa i fantastyczna jest ta seria. pierwsza połowa miała nieco spadek formy, ale już druga przerosła moje oczekiwania🙏🏼
każde dziecko powinno to przeczytać, żałuję, że sama odkryłam te książki w późniejszym wieku, bo młodsza ja bawiłaby się jeszcze lepiej (o ile w ogóle tak się da, bo obecnie oceniam poziom frajdy na 10/10)
December 13, 2025
Wat een ontzettend leuke serie. Deze had wel een stuk meer karakters als het vorige deel wat hem wat onoverzichtelijk maakte. Maar het verhaal bleek echt heel sterk en maakt me nieuwsgierig naar het derde en laatste boek van deze trilogie. Deze heeft mijn jongens van 9 en 11 terug aan het lezen gekregen.
November 1, 2021
Love Chris Riddell's Illustrations too
December 5, 2021
Read- December 2021
- Whilst I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one, I still didn't love it. I think this is just a very meh series for me but I can't pinpoint why.
- Whilst I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one, I still didn't love it. I think this is just a very meh series for me but I can't pinpoint why.
July 12, 2022
Another great adventure. Can’t wait for the next book
October 8, 2022
I like Francesca’s style a lot because she has good details. It is quite an adventurous book. I recommend this book for young readers or young adults.
February 23, 2023
Adventure, intrigue, cliffhangers, muddled relationships. What more could an avid reader ask for! Finished in one sitting as it was too hard to put down.
November 12, 2023
Great book, can't wait to read the third one!
December 27, 2023
The adventure gets better in this wonderful sequel.
May 31, 2024
4 stars
July 5, 2024
Incredible!!!! one adventure after another - loving this series! A cliffhanger…now onto the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews