Rise of the Retics review

Rise of the Retics fizzes with humour and imagination. It tells the story of Tyranna, an orphan with a secret, and is set in a skilfully blended world of late medieval Europe where churches and governments are trying to stamp out the 'retics' - creatures of fable and fantasy, who are actually real and persecuted. They have been driven into a large refugee camp, their city called Rosehaven. Tyranna is rescued (at some cost) from the bad guys and whisked away to her new life in Rosehaven.

The strongest elements of the book are the author's excellent imagination and sense of humour. Don't miss out on reading the footnotes as they come up, they are hilarious. The plot was also strong along with the characterisation. Each character has a unique voice. The story has a positive message about dealing with difference.

On the negative side the editing was below par and could be easily remedied. The pace lagged in places, however, the sheer strength of the author's imagination I believe carries this story through. Thoroughly enjoyable and well recommended reading for the younger set, with a few scenes that keep the book at the YA (not middle grades) level.