Robin Jarvis

Robin Jarvis's classic dark fantasy, perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett, Derek Landy and Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising. Set in the home of Bram Stoker's Dracula. 'Deeply creepy and utterly compelling,' Guardian When orphans Ben and Jennet arrive in the seaside town of Whitby to stay with Alice Boston, they have no idea what to expect. A lively 92-year-old, Miss Boston is unlike any other foster mother they've known. Ben is gifted with 'the sight', which gives him the power to see things invisible to other mortals. He soon encounters the mysterious fisher folk who live under the cliffs and discovers that Alice and her friends are not quite what they seem. But a darkness is stalking the streets of Whitby, bringing with it fear and death. Could it be a ghost from the Abbey? Or a beast from hell? Unless the truth is uncovered, the town and all its inhabitants is doomed…

As London shivers in the grip of an icy blizzard, the Deptford Mice huddle indoors, telling ghost stories to keep the bitter cold at bay. But this is no ordinary winter. Their most fearsome enemy has returned from beyond the grave and plans to use his evil sorcery to plunge the world into an eternal, freezing night. At his command, the bloodthirsty rats of the sewers are stirring once more. Alone and seemingly powerless in the face of this most terrible of foes, the mice are close to giving up hope. Can they draw on their last reserves of strength to defeat Jupiter one final time, or is it already too late?

REDISCOVER A CHILDREN’S CLASSIC: An updated edition of the enchantingly spooky animal fantasy for middle grade fans of Redwall—now updated with 60+ stunning new illustrations. Join power-hungry rats, nature-loving mice, and mystical bats on a second Deptford Mice adventure in the magical sewers under London! Enter the fantastical world of adventure with the Deptford Mice. They bring a magical and fearsome world to life, with intense and memorable creatures. They are dark and scary fantasy writing of the very highest level, an absolute treat for young readers eager to enter an adventure that offers an honest and brutal reality without being unnecessarily gory. They are addictive and thrilling and don’t shy away from the grisly moments, but offer something the author aptly calls “a safe scare”. A perfect series to get immersed in and a much-needed addition for the current market, which tends to lean towards either forced happy endings or too much adult content. Strong writing that will be appreciated by this age group eager for an immersive story.

A new edition of the classic children's fantasy adventure set in a magical world of mice and rats in the sewers under London In a borough of London called Deptford there lived a community of mice. An old empty house was their home and in it they fashioned a comfortable life for themselves. People never disturbed them with traps, and because all the windows were boarded up, they never even saw a cat. The Deptford Mice live a cosy life in the skirting boards of an abandoned London house, with no humans or cats to disturb them. But something is lurking deep beneath the city. Something that threatens to destroy their cosy existence for good. In the dank sewers under the house lives a mysterious being, worshipped by a horde of bloodthirsty rats who cower in its presence... When a mouse called Albert Brown unwisely ventures down into the sewers one day, he uncovers a terrifying plot to awaken an ancient evil. Soon Albert's family and friends find themselves in a desperate struggle for their lives. Summoning all their courage, they must confront treacherous enemies and foul sorcery in a battle to save London and the world from eternal darkness. The Dark Portal is the first book in the much-loved Deptford Mice trilogy of classic dark fantasy novels, set in a magical world of peaceful mice and bloodthirsty rats.