Changes

There was a light-heartedness to the earlier stories which was both funny and endearing. Poor old Finn was, to put it politely, utterly useless at the job of Hunting the creatures that came through from the other side, and he did more damage to people's cars and washing lines than he ever did to the Legends. At least his dad was always there to get him out of trouble and smooth things over with the irritated townsfolk. But Finn's been through a lot since then, and has learned that making mistakes is not an option: if he doesn't shape up, he and those close to him could die. So this story has a different feel. There are still moments to make you smile (watching the Orthus argue with itself is a delight) but the reader, like Finn, can never forget that he's been (quite unfairly) branded a traitor, and that some of the people who are supposed to help and support him are more dangerous and harmful than the monsters. And then one final person, the one he'd relied on more than any other, turns away from him. It's a balance between gripping, squeal-out-loud scenes of peril, and that drear sense of loneliness so many misunderstood heroes have to face. It's a lot to bear for a lad who's just turned thirteen, and it makes the book unforgettable.