Mark Forsyth Books

‘A Riddle for a King’ is the story of a young boy called Philo who lives a very normal, uneventful life with his aunt and uncle in their house full of clocks. Philo however longs for adventure, and one day that’s exactly what he gets when a strange creature looks out of a grandfather clock and Philo decides to follow him into the clock!

This wonderfully bonkers book, which made me smile from the very first page, is unlike anything I have read in a long time. It is reminiscent of Alice in wonderland – full of strange places and even stranger characters, mind-boggling riddles, and good old-fashioned silliness, which kept me smiling throughout.On Philo’s quest to get home, which requires him to find the elusive king, he is joined by Verity, a quick-witted character with a string moral compass who proves herself not only to be a true friend but also fundamental to the success of Philo’s journey.

The story moves cleverly from one adventure into another and as you read, it would seem there are numerous nods to familiar, well-loved children’s stories which only adds to the enjoyment.

This entertaining read is perfect for an imaginative KS2 reader who loves adventure stories.