The Shadows of Rookhaven

Set in an alternative London after the Blitz, Rookhaven is a strange house: within its walls, usually protected from the ordinary world by a magical glamour, live a cast of creatures we might consider monsters. However, Mirabelle and her family – who are all part human, part monster – may be different from everyone else, but it’s clear from the start that they are the ones we’re rooting for.

When members of Mirabelle’s extended family make their way to Rookhaven for a special event called The Great Configuration, an intruder makes his way with them: Billy, an outcast, who is a monster of another kind, and who can make himself look just like everyone else if he wants to. Will Billy manage to take what the dubious Mr Courtney wants him to, in order to save his sister Meg?

The sequel to Padraig Kenny’s The Monsters of Rookhaven, this gothic glory of a novel for older readers is as thoughtful and exciting as the first. Perfect for Neil Gaiman fans, the Addams Family vibe is completely charming and though there are some scary moments, it’s still an exciting and immersive read.