Evenfall: The Golden Linnet

The central character in this debut fantasy novel by Alexander Armstrong is Sam, who lives with his father in Durham – an interesting historical city with many legends going back to the Vikings. Sam’s mother died in a mysterious crash some years earlier and Sam feels responsible for his father, who has struggled to cope since.

Sam discovers that his family was once at the heart of a secret society – The Order of the Evening – that had long protected the world. As the story progresses we discover what the long-buried secrets of Sam’s family are, and we are drawn into a battle between forces, dark and light, with a gathering of characters calling themselves the ‘Elver’ setting off on a march through England to protect ‘The Tempest’, and a sinister billionaire father-son plot to eliminate the same Tempest and steal his powers to control Bellasis, the Order’s hidden palace and the source of its powerful magic, the óthr.

Sam’s deep friendship with best friend Ish is very believable and central to the story, and it is Ish’s family who provides the support Sam needs to manage both his home life and accomplish his mission, whilst the developing friendship with Goz adds another thread to the storyline.

This is a sophisticated fantasy book at just under 400 pages and the writing and storylines are complex, with storytelling, symbolism and a fast-paced plot, so it would provide a compelling read for those children who are advanced readers and aged 10+. Highly recommended for readers who like fantasy, magic, intrigue and adventure.