Bone Quill (Hollow Earth #2) by John & Carole E. Barrowman ~ A Review
Bone Quill (Hollow Earth #2) by John & Carole E. Barrowman 
Published: Buster Books, 7th February 2013
Length: 329 pages (paperback edition)
Where Did I Get It? Borrowed a copy from Liberty
Summary (from Goodreads):
12-year-old twins Matt and Emily Calder are Animare: they can bring art to life and enter paintings at will. They must do everything in their power to prevent a breach in Hollow Earth: a supernatural place that holds all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined. The Hollow Earth Society are getting closer to finding the key that will release the beasts: an ancient bone quill whose powers can be only be used by a powerful Animare. The quill has been lost for centuries, but important clues to its whereabouts lie somewhere on the island of Era Mina – as does the entrance to Hollow Earth itself. Matt and Em must find the quill and protect it through their drawings, through certain famous paintings and, ultimately, deep into the mists of time itself. But their lives in the relative safety of Auchinmurn Abbey are thrown into confusion with the arrival of a newcomer who threatens to ruin everything they have worked for. All too soon, the twins are forced to make a terrible choice: save their father, or save the world.
Opening Line:
The battle for control of the Calder twins’ imaginations began on the afternoon of their third birthday.
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My Review:
I confess that I only bought the first book in this series to fuel my John Barrowman obsession and didn’t really have very high expectations of it. Then I read it and loved every second and desperately wanted book two already.
Luckily for me, Liberty recieved Bone Quill for review (having borrowed my copy of Hollow Earth and loving it, too) so I didn’t have to wait long before I could borrow it.
I raced through Bone Quill because it was fast-paced and gripping, the story carying on from where it left off at an unrelenting speed.
There was the all the previous excitement of the Animare with added time-travel and the complications that brings to any story.
The two storylines of past and present, previously not directly connected, suddenly become intertwined and the peril notches up several levels. Matt and Emily suddenly find themselves having to choose between their family and the world – a choice no 12 year olds should have to make – and they hit all of the obstacles you would expect, plus a couple of extras (such as flaming Hellhounds).
The world of the Hollow Earth series is beautifully crafted, rich and well-thought out and so carefully described that it is very easy to lose yourself in it and really feel like you are there with the characters. Everything is covered, not just the sights but the smells and sensations – the world-building is one of my favourite things about this series because it is so thorough.
If you liked Hollow Earth then you will love Bone Quill, no second book syndrome here!
My Rating: 5/5*
