The Wickit Chronicles: Ely Plot

Pip, an orphan boy in the Wickit Monastery, finds himself involved in rescuing a fictitious king of England from a plot to kill him, helped by a gargoyle that has come alive. This does sound a mixture, which it is; a mix of historical detail, fantasy and a fictitious monarch. This last one does spoil what is a very well written story with great appeal. Set in the Fens of East Anglia during medieval times, the life of the monastery is well pictured with much detail which makes it really live.

Pip meets Perfect, a stone dragon which comes to life, and the two journey to Ely Cathedral with the Prior and Brother John. Pip is to sing in the choir and unexpectedly sings for the King. Perfect overhears a plot to kill the young King Arnald, which Pip helps to foil.

This is obviously the first in a series which promises well and the quality of the writing and research give depth and authenticity to the story but quite why there was the need to invent a king when there have been many, rather than a plot which has been done before (notably by Geoffrey Trease in Cue for Treason ) is a mystery. There are many novels with a real monarch surrounded by fictitious characters but the reverse is unusual to say the least. Pip is an engaging hero and Perfect a good foil and the two could well sustain an entertaining series. Small drawings by David Wyatt add flavour to the story.