Book Reviews

First Wolf

Shelly-G – See all my reviews

This review is from: First Wolf (Paperback)

I love Carole Anne Carr’s books. This was the first one to be published and I still think the best (although Candle Dark and Thin Time are both great reads!). As soon as I had read the first couple of pages I was hooked and truly could not put it down. I know it is aimed at a younger audience (I am in my thirties I will say no more!), but it reminded me of books I had read over and over in my youth such as ‘I am David’ by Anne Holm and ‘The Silver Sword’ by Ian Serrailier. As with all of Carole’s books the story is engaging and all the way through you are rooting for the hero. There is enough tension which makes you want to turn to the next page and the next! The characters and backdrops are very real, with enough narrative for you to picture it without wading through lots of descriptive text. It is obvious that Carole has fully researched the period and thoroughly immerses herself in it to enable you to do the same. An amazing author – I cannot wait for the second book in the series!

Review from Dr. Paddy Kennington, [Professor, Georgia Tech. Atlanta]

In a world and time more like our own than we would admit, Carole Anne Carr creates a story woven with child-understanding, Anglo-Saxon history, and mythical allusions. While full of adventure, action, and mystery, this hero-tale is anchored in a young boy’s rite of passage that involves the killing of his first wolf and his survival in the destructive adult world in which he lives. More evident in our early history, than in our present time of science and technology, are the boy’s otherworldly helpers who are everywhere around him, and central to this story is Toland’s dedication to fulfilling his promise to the monks of Lindisfarne, despite the threats to his life that this single-minded focus brings. From the beginning, the story holds readers both young and old and does not fail to surprise throughout. Left wanting more of this boy-man’s life, I would pose that readers will not let Carole rest until she returns to this period of history. Attempting to describe the lives of those who lived in Northumbria in the Dark Ages presents her with many difficulties, but in our return to the 8th century we are given glimpses of beliefs that have been passed down to us through the ages and that we still hold more deeply than we ever recognise.

Paddy Kennington, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, EMDR Level II

Book Review of First Wolf by Shropshire Star reporter Sophie Bignall

This is a brilliant book from a former Shropshire primary school teacher, traveller, poet, actor and artist. And now Carole Anne Carr from Ludlow can definitely add children’s novelist to her list of many talents. In her first book, aimed at 10 to 12 year olds, she uses her expertise and life experiences, woven together with a brilliant imagination to create First Wolf. Youngsters will be plunged into a brilliant vibrant adventure with just enough energy and realism to keep them on the edge of their seats without being too heavy or too grown-up to cope with. Together with Carole’s Anglo-Saxon hero Toland, young readers will be transported on a journey to an incredible world. And along the way, they learn about truth, honesty, and friendship. and of course, that good always triumphs over evil. I enjoyed this book, it has a proper plot, unlike some publications for pre-teens, and reading it holds so many benefits for young bookworms.

Little Boy Good-For-Nothing and the Shongololo

Book Review of ~Little Boy Good-for-Nothing and the Chongololo’ by Goodreads critic.

Brave Little Boy Good-For-Nothing must go to the rain-keeper’s hut to bring back the rain-cloud and save his village from drought. Fierce crocodiles guard the rain-cloud, but with the help of his friend the Shongololo, the lion and the moon-moths, he rescues the animals that go bump in the night, sets free the moon, and becomes Little Boy Good-For-Something.
This short story for 5 to 7 year olds, has charming and colourful illustrations by the author and the children of an Infants School with whom she worked. The atmosphere and characters of the African village are captured in the bright colours of the illustrations.
The story is one of the triumph of a small child over seemingly insurmountable odds, with the help of the animals who could have been his enemies, but rewarded his kindness and good nature. From being thought worthless by most, he has earned his proper place and respect in his village – the place his granny always knew he deserved.
In this tale children can become acquainted with the flora and fauna and social norms of an African village and the children who drew the pictures have also shown imagination and accuracy in their depiction of the many animals Dakarai encounters.

Candle Dark
Book One – Ironbridge Gorge Series

A Book Review by Sophie Corness

Want to find a brilliant children’s book which will encourage them to read while offering historical accuracy? Check out this latest novel. In ‘Candle Dark’, published and written by Shropshire-based author Carole Anne Carr, she has once again used her wealth of experience as a primary school teacher to create a world set against a backdrop of what life was really like for children working in coal mines in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire during the 18th century. This book highlights the hardships of life down the mines for youngsters as it follows the book’s hero, Joshua, on an exciting adventure. Carole has written a novel that will not only engage children but also encourage them to read for pleasure. This publication can be enjoyed by youngsters and adults alike, and offers a valuable teaching tool for those keen to learn more about life in Ironbridge at that time. I really enjoyed this, it is superbly written and it proved to be very difficult to put it down! Although the characters and events are imaginary, Carole has portrayed the working conditions and the life of the family living in the Gorge at a time of rapid industrial growth, and as well as being an exciting read, is a wonderful teaching tool for Key Stage 2. The author is at present writing a sequel to Candle Dark, entitled River Dark, which has the River Severn and the trows as an integral part of the story.

Thin Time
Book One – Task Bearer Series

Review of Thin Time from a girl in Scotland, Annette: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book and felt it a real honour that you considered me intelligent enough to proof read your wonderful work. Apart from the comedy, I loved the imagery. I felt I knew every character, human and non-human as they were so beautifully described. I also loved that I cared about them all, even the evil Niddhogg when you realised that he was just lonely! I especially loved the whole exciting and interesting story about what Thin Time was, really clever! Maybe it’s just because it’s your most recent book, but I think it’s your most beautifully written book to date.

Review of Thin Time (Task Bearer Series) (Paperback) by Sophie Bignall