I have some very talented friends. Now I think it's in the spirit of Marmalade to share this. Partly because one of them has written a book, I've written a review, and there doesn't seem to be an appropriate platform to post the review while the book is not yet available. (You'll also notice that I still feature in these plugs so I won't pretend that it's a matter devoid of self interest... it's probably mostly self interest).
The book is Billy Christmas by Mark A. Pritchard.
Here's the review:
Billy Christmas is a young man in his early teens who
carries the weight of troubles beyond his years whilst juggling an increasingly
extraordinary, even life threatening, adventure to try and find his missing
father. The characterisation of Billy is perhaps what makes this first novel. His warm and well-meaning nature keeps us
rooting for him as events never quite seem to go his way, and we experience the
familiar injustice of why some people always seem to have to learn the hard
way. All the while, we are conscious of the awkwardness of adolescence with all
the clumsiness of lanky limbs and a school boy existence booby trapped with opportunities
for social humiliation. The story has the makings of your typical teenage
novel: Billy’s secret crush on his best friend Katherine, run-ins with the
school bully. Only that’s only the start of Billy’s story...
Billy’s father has been missing for almost a year, having
disappeared on Christmas day, and Billy has been valiantly holding things
together for his mother, who sank in to a deep depression following her
husband’s disappearance. Things start to take an interesting turn when Billy
brings home what turns out to be quite an extraordinary Christmas tree,
complete with an unusual set of decorations.
Think a talking tree is strange? Christmas decorations that come to
life? That’s only the beginning of a series of weird and wonderful adventures as
we a thrust in to a deeply magical and darkly dangerous world which as Billy
discovers, was right under his nose all along. So what’s that got to do with
Billy’s father? Billy’s got to work that
one out for himself if he, and those closest to him, can survive the challenges
he’s got to overcome to find out.
Billy Christmas is an enjoyable read that will keep you
guessing until the final pages. We are somewhat thrown straight in to the story
with little scene setting and, when thrust in to some of the action later on,
this absence of introduction to a wintry Marlowe, which is so central to the
story, is often felt. As a reader, we can sometimes feel that we’ve missed
something by not being able to visualise the Marlowe scenes that are so
familiar to Billy. There is a sense that a huge amount has been crammed in to
this story, which makes for some inconsistent attention to detail which speeds
and slows the pace.
The characters, however, whether human, animal, or event
plant, come to life through deft descriptions that allow us to see their
mannerisms and expressions. My personal favourite was a mischievous little
sprig of mistletoe, which is in an excellent example of the subtle comic
elements that are woven around the action.
This book is a carefully intertwined exploration of both the
fantastical and the soberingly real, wintry bite of life. We see relationships strained and tested,
weaknesses, fears and failings exposed, all within a whirlwind magical adventure
that will keep all ages gripped in the cold evenings this winter, and perhaps giving their Christmas trees
the odd second glance in the dead of night...
That's www.billychristmas.com and it's out this month, I believe.
( I don't know why the word 'giving' looks different, it just does)
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Secondly, a quick mention of a very innovative project by the great trio: Action Dan, Science Brian and Producer Dan:
"Action Science Theatre is a podcast that mixes action, science,
comedy and silly voices to create a welcome distraction from real life
for 20 – 30 mins, and who knows, you might even learn some science.
Maybe."
I appear in episode 3, had a great time recording and was very impressed by all the skill, effort and talent that goes in.
It's already attracted the attention of a Minnesota radio station (I am proud to say that I got to share in the celebration with a Minnesota-shaped cake made by Producer Dan).
