Description
Jake's father disappears while working on mysterious experiments with the obsessive, reclusive Oberon Venn. Jake is convinced Venn has murdered him. But the truth he finds at the snow-bound Wintercombe Abbey is far stranger ...
The experiments concerned a black mirror, which is a portal to both the past and the future. Venn is not alone in wanting to use its powers. Strangers begin gathering in and around Venn's estate: Sarah - a runaway, who appears out of nowhere and is clearly not what she says, Maskelyne - who claims the mirror was stolen from him in some past century. There are others, a product of the mirror's power to twist time. And a tribe of elemental beings surround this isolated estate, fey, cold, untrustworthy, and filled with hate for humans. But of them all, Jake is hell-bent on using the mirror to get to the truth. Whatever the cost, he must learn what really happened to his father.
Time travel and the faery world collide in the first book in a stunning new sequence from the bestselling author of INCARCERON - for which film rights have been sold to the producer of THE GOLDEN COMPASS.
About the Author
Catherine Fisher is an award-winning fantasy writer and author of the New York Times bestseller INCARCERON. THE ORACLE was shortlisted for the Whitbread Award 2003, THE CONJUROR'S GAME for the Smarties Award, THE SNOW-WALKER'S SON for the WH Smith Mind Boggling Award, THE CANDLE MAN won the Tir-Na-n`Og Award, and CORBENIC was shortlisted. Author of many books for children and two volumes of award-winning poetry, she is particularly well-known in Wales and has been named as the first Welsh Young People's Laureate.
Reviews
Catherine Fisher, author of the brilliant Incarceron and Sapphique books, embarks on an ambitious new series...a riveting read where nothing is quite what it seems * welovethisbook.com *
A genre buster...a great set-up for what promises to be a fantastic fantasy series * The Bookbag *
A riveting read that will leave you impatient for the next instalment * Peters Gazette *
A tale that effortlessly combines a number of narratives, voices, and modes of storytelling...moves at breakneck pace and constantly springs surprises * Books for Keeps *
[A] time travelling, historical, supernatural thriller, with replicants, fairies, crazed scientists, changelings, wolves, genies and Dickensian waifs...Don't ask, just enjoy. * Financial Times *
Time travel and the faery world collide in the first book in a stunning new sequence from the best-selling author * Western Mail (Cardiff) *
Dark and scary with a fast moving narrative and imaginative characters...an intricate plot...a real page turner for teenagers * Carousel *
Clever, complex and sophisticated...Fisher not only interweaves strands of dystopian Science fiction with fairy tale, but expertly crafts a story of loss with the bittersweet and tantalising prospect of time travel fixing everything...The book is a tangled web and Fisher jumps from scene to scene with cliff hanger moments urging the reader to unlock her puzzle...With a movie of her acclaimed novel Incarceron soon to be released, Fisher is definitely an author to watch * School Librarian *
Fisher's universe is wholly envisaged...bleak, brittle and brilliant * Literary Review *
A new novel by catherine Fisher, poet and prize-winning novelist, is always a treat...The Obsidian
Mirror is both thriller and Science fiction and -- being written in Fisher's acid prose -- is equally satisfying to fans of both genres
This book is beautifully written and keeps you wanting more. It's fantasy with a thrill of adventure, and is one of those books that you just can't put down -- Charlotte Doga, Queensferry High School * Teen Titles *
Extremely exciting and interesting, and it keeps you on your toes throughout the book -- E Lecomber, aged 13 * Scottish Daily record *
A well-plotted, gripping fantasy adventure with a touch of wild magic * Book Trust *
One of the most engrossing fantasy thrillers of last year * The Daily Telegraph *
PRAISE FOR INCARCERON AND SAPPHIQUE:
'... displays all of her usual strenth of imagination ... she is simply too good to miss.'
'... stands out above all others. Its imaginative scale and gobsmacking finale make it one of the best fantasy novels written for a long time.' * Times, Amanda Craig *
'one of today's best fantasy writers ... a deliciously dark and scary ride.' * Independent *
'... imaginative, rich in texture and vividly realised. Catherine Fisher writes with consummate skill and depth of feeling.' * The Bookseller *
'One of this year's most striking fantasy novels' * Amanda Craig, The Times *
PRAISE FOR THE ORACLE SEQUENCE:
'... a rich, resonant conclusion to the series.'
'Vivid, complicated, and thoroughly engrossing, this fast paced adventure keeps readers avidly turning pages until the majestic conclusion.' * Horn Book Review May/June 06 *
... an intoxicating world reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Highly recommended. * The Bookseller *
suspense is constantly built ... rattles along at a dizzying pace ... next volume please. * School Librarian *
A crisp, quick-moving narrative and fully fleshed out characters will keep readers hooked * Publisher's Weekly *
A powerful and very exciting adventure story. * School Library Journal *
'... one of the most skilled and original writers currently working in young adult fantasy' * New Welsh Review *
'Beautifully imagined and realised, this novel of future regression is rich with strong characters, big issues and a compelling plot. It is a barnstorming piece of serious fantasy that doesn't put a foot wrong.' * The Bookbag *
'Catherine Fisher is an artist with words ... An engrossing, intricate story of an extraordinary journey undertaken by ricjly imaginative characters' * Carousel *
'a deliciously dark and scary ride.' * Nicholas Tucker, The Independent *
'a deep and sophisticated adventure story' * Write Away *
'... wholly engaging and rushes along as a breathless and nail-biting pace ... a gripping read that should enthral both young and old fans' * Buzz *
'the most cleverly comples and fascinating novel for teenagers I have read since His Dark Materials.' * School Librarian *
A sophisticated and beautifully written novel with a brilliant climax. * School Librarian *
A genre buster... a great set up for what promises to be a fantastic series. * Bookbag *
A riveting read that will leave you impatient for the next installment. * Peters Gazette *
Time-travelling, historical, supernatural sci-fi thriller, with its replicants, fairies, crazed scientists, changelings, wolves, genies and Dickensian waifs. Don't ask, just enjoy. * Financial Times *
Author of the brilliant Incarceron and Sapphique books embarks on an ambitious new series with The Obsidian Mirror. * We Love This Book *
Time travel and the faery world collide in the first book in a stunning new sequence from the best-selling author. * Western Mail *
A new novel by Catherine Fisher, poet and prize-winning novelist, is always a treat. The Obsidian Mirror is both thriller and science fiction and - being written in Fisher's acid prose - is equally satisfying to fans of both genres. * The Times *
Another fascinating hero can be found in Catherine Fisher's The Obsidian Mirror. Fisher's universe is wholly envisaged. This is bleak, brittle and brilliant. * Literary Review *
Dark and scary with a fast moving narrative and imaginative characters. An intricate plot... a real page turner for teenagers. * Carousel *
Clever, complex and sophisticated. Fisher not only interweaves strands of dystopian Science Fiction with fairy tale fantasy but expertly crafts a story of loss with bittersweet and tantalising prospect of time travel fixing everything. The book is a tangled web and Fisher jumps from scene to scene with cliff hanger moments urging the reader to unlock her puzzle. * School Librarian *
Extremely exciting and interesting, and it keeps you on your toes throughout the book. * Scottish Daily Record *
This book is beautifully written and keeps you wanting more. It's fantasy with a thrill of adventure, and is one of those books that you just can't put down. * Teen Titles *
A well-plotted, gripping fantasy adventure with a touch of wild magic. * Booktrust *
One of the most engrossing fantasy thrillers of last year. * The Daily Telegraph *
Book Information
ISBN 9780340970089
Author Catherine Fisher
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Hodder Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Series Shakespeare Quartet
Weight(grams) 352g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 32mm
