Award-winning Sally Gardner tells a gripping, bloody and bold story drawing on the traditions of fairy stories of all kinds and especially Hans Christian Andersen’s The Tinder Box. Tinder tells how a young and romantic soldier finds true love by overcoming every kind of magic and trickery in the world through a mixture of bravery and cunning while also trying to hold fast to goodness and truth. Behind him and almost all he meets lie the horrors and the excitement of serving as a soldier; all of them long for a peaceful life they cannot resist the heady excitement of living with danger an urge that leads them all into violence with all the terrible attendant consequences.
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Tinder a small number of readers were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here's a taster....'one of the best books I have read in a while...Filled with dramatic plot twists and unexpected revelations this book will keep you engaged and up all night wanting to read more.'
Otto Hundebiss is tired of war, but when he defies Death he walks a dangerous path. A half beast half man gives him shoes and dice which will lead him deep into a web of dark magic and mystery. He meets the beautiful Safire - pure of heart and spirit, the scheming Mistress Jabber and the terrifying Lady of the Nail. He learns the powers of the tinderbox and the wolves whose master he becomes. But will all the riches in the world bring him the thing he most desires? Fairy tales are often the cruellest stories of all; in this exquisite novel Sally Gardner writes about great love and great loss.
The cover, featuring a werewolf, is designed by award-winning illustrator, David Roberts who has also worked with Sally Gardner on her younger fairy detective series; Wings & Co.
Sally Gardner has commented “covers are so important they need to grab you immediately. David Roberts has done just that with Tinder. I am thrilled and think this looks superb.”
A small number of readers were lucky enough to be invited to review Tinder. Read their reviews below.
Aimee Sweet, age 13 - 'Wow! The pictures are enchanting (I would actually be satisfied if I just had the pictures, that’s how good they are) and the plot is amazing.... Definitely a five star.' Click Here to read the full review
Juliana Christianson, age 14 - 'one of the best books I have read in a while...Filled with dramatic plot twists and unexpected revelations this book will keep you engaged and up all night wanting to read more.' Click Here to read the full review.
Josh Hall, age 13 - 'An unusual tale of war and love...well written and a good storyline, I found the story a little strange and hard to follow at times.' Click Here to read the full review.
Author
About Sally Gardner
Sally Gardner gained a first class degree at a leading London art college and became a successful theatre costume designer before illustrating and writing books. Her debut novel, I, Coriander won the Nestle Gold Award and she is also a Costa and Carnegie prize-winner. Her books have been translated all over the world and have sold over two million copies. Find Sally online at sallygardner.co.uk, or on Twitter @TheSallyGardner.
Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West ('The Wire') has bought the film rights to both titles.
Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who Could Fly, which are also available as audio books.
She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes.
The Double Shadow is published in November 2011.
Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for Dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it's not a disability, but a gift.
If you'd love to know more about Sally, click here to download a more detailed biography and Q&A.
To see a video of Sally talking about her book Fairy Shopping - CLICK HERE
Or watch a video of her talking about The Silver Blade:
