The Crimson Shard by Teresa Flavin (Children's, 9 years +)

October 2011, Templar

340 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Children's, 9 years +, 

Themes: time travel, artists, life in 18th century, girl having to pretend to be a boy, kidnapping, evil and conniving men, thieves aren't all that they seem, paintings, lots of danger, mild romance, a few laughs 

Summary from Templar

This sequel to The Blackhope Enigma is imbued with alchemy and intrigue. During what seems like an ordinary museum visit, tour guide Throgmorton lures Sunni and Blaise through a painted doorway into eighteenth-century London. When Throgmorton demands secret information from the pair about their Blackhope escapades, they attempt to flee, encountering body snatchers, art thieves and forgers in this gripping time-travel adventure.

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Sunni...she's brave and plucky, but doing what it takes to survive in the 18th century plays havoc with her conscience. However Blaise was sometimes there to help her. 

How nasty/evil was the enemy? My skin tingled every time I caught wind of him. People consumed by greed will stop at nothing to get what they want, which causes lots of problems for Sunni and Blaise. 

Are there lots of plot twists and surprises? This was as fast paced as the first book, perhaps more so just because I knew the characters so. I was seriously worried every time Sunni and Blaise ended up in a corner, and how they got out was pretty neat. 

One of my favourite parts was...when Sunni got to wear a masquerade costume. I'm pretty obsessed with costumes, and I had great fun imagining how it felt to be in it. 

This is such a pleasure to read, with the right balance of laughs, thrills and fear, getting 10/10 from me. 

Check out Teresa's website for more information about her and her books. 

Suggested reading

For another time travel read, check out Katie's adventures in Victorian England in The Queen Must Die! by K A S Quinn