Review - The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Published September 3rd 2015 by Puffin

Star Rating - ****

Goodreads Challenge - 41/50

Synopsis from Goodreads

London, 1665. Fourteen-year-old Christopher Rowe is apprenticed to master apothecary Benedict Blackthorn. In Blackthorn’s shop, Christopher learns the delicate secrets of transforming simple ingredients into powerful medicines, potions and weapons. His beloved master guides him with a firm, steady hand—instilling in him the confidence and independence that prove increasingly vital as Christopher learns of a mysterious cult preying on the most learned men in London. The murders are growing closer and closer to home and soon Christopher is torn from the shop with only a page of cryptic clues from his master and the unambiguous warning—‘Tell no one.’

Helped by his best friend, Tom, Christopher must decipher his master’s clues, following a trail of deceit towards an unearthly secret with the power to tear the world apart.

 

My Thoughts 

As a lover of all things mystery and a fan of The Da Vinci Code and National Treasure I knew after reading this synopsis this book was going to be right up my alley and I wasn't wrong. This is a story about Christopher, an apothecaries apprentice, and his master, who has all sorts of secrets. Christopher is joined by his best friend Tom and pigeon Bridget and off they go on a cryptic adventure across historical London. If you love codes, cryptic messages and adventure then this book is for you.

The characters were fun. I thought Christopher demonstrated some good qualities such as intuitiveness and as a young character he didn't jump head first into situations as they often do. Tom was also a fun character and the friendship was written well showing Tom as being the loyal friend Christopher needed. The only criticism I have in terms of characters is that I would of liked there to have been some more strong female characters.

I thought the writing was clever and the author had thought out his puzzles and clues well. There wasn't any point when I was left feeling as though something wasn't explained or confused.

Overall I would recommend this middle grade story to any age reader and I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series.

Overall rating