All the best stories and adventures start with a knock at the door… Or the thwump of a dragon’s tail at the entrance to her cave, in the case of Emba Oak. That’s not strictly true in this new book by Jenny Moore, Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows, as the cave doesn’t have a door! But that doesn’t stop it from being a great story.
Emba Oak is a young girl like no other young girl you have ever seen or read about. She has thick lizard-like skin and scales on her arms and legs. She lives in cave in Witchingford Wood with her friends Fred and Odolf. She is happily living her life until that mysterious thwump, thwump, thwump which leads to the discovery that she is an orphan who was hatched from an egg.
Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows is a thrilling adventure story packed with magic, spells, thieves, castles, dragons and humour. The perfect exciting read for children aged 9+.
When the thwump of destiny comes to Emba’s cave, Emba and Odolf are to embark on an adventure to rescue Fred from the evil clutches of Necromalcom, a powerful sorcerer who has spent years searching for Emba – he is after her very special blood. When they find Fred has gone missing with a note and blood left behind, Emba consults the book of prophecies, The Tome of Terrible Tomorrows, to try and work out their next course of action. With the answer given in the form of a riddle that they must decipher, they journey across the land, armed only dangerous truths, riddling prophecies, a hero’s helmet and a magical belt buckle and toenails, to rescue their beloved Fred. Along the way they have to fight off bears and avoid thieves and guards, but can they keep themselves safe and avoid capture, the dungeons, the executioner’s block, and the evil Necromalcom himself?
Overall, Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows is an excellent humorous action-packed adventure brimming with magic, friendship and dragons. A fantastic story of true friendship, loyalty, courage and bravery as well as dark magic and an evil sorcerer.
Readers will delight in the endearing characters of Emba and Odolf, always bickering but always there for each other. They may not be brother and sister but their bond is just as close.
Emba, hatched from an egg and developing more dragon traits as the story unfolds, is a very clever, brave, quick-thinking young girl who will take whatever risks necessary to protect her friends.
Odolf, is a little naïve with a hero complex, but is very loyal and despite his fears and worries displays lots of courage and bravery.
I love the writing style of Jenny Moore and Emba Oak follows the same engaging style, great adventure intertwined with plenty of humour to make the story interesting and funny despite the darkness of the tale.
Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows is a fast-paced story of self-discovery, friendship, loyalty and an adventure rescue mission that is fun to read (make sure you pay attention to the chapter headings, they are great at introducing what is going to happen in that chapter).
An excellent start to a new series featuring Emba Oak, and readers will love it!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback)
For more information, visit maverickbooks.co.uk. Available to buy from Amazon here.
