2,498 bytes added
, 07:43, 21 July 2014
{{infobox
|title=Wild Boy and the Black Terror
|author=Rob Lloyd Jones
|reviewer=Robert James
|genre=Confident Readers
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1406341409
|pages=336
|publisher=Walker
|date=July 2014
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1406341401</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1406341401</amazonus>
|website=www.roblloydjones.com
|video=
|summary=Superb follow-up to the brilliant ''Wild Boy'' continues to be an exhilarating read with great characters.
}}
(Warning: slight spoilers for [[Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones|Wild Boy]], first in this series, below.)
In Victorian London, the city has been plunged into shock and confusion by a poisoner who strikes without trace, driving victims insane before killing them. Wild Boy and Clarissa, still hated and feared by much of the population, must try to avoid detection as they aim to solve the case and free the capital from the terror.
I think there's lots of strong points to the Wild Boy series so far, with perhaps the most impressive being the villains, who continue to be well-rounded with realistic and believable motivations. I also really like the dynamic between Clarissa and Wild Boy, which went from dislike of each other to a wary respect in book one, and has another substantial change here. In addition, Wild Boy's sleuthing skills are fantastic - this is definitely a series to read if you're missing ''Sherlock''. (And, really, is there anyone out there who isn't missing ''Sherlock''?) They're a wonderful pairing and you'll definitely be cheering them on as they try to solve this most mysterious crime.
In addition, it’s very well-paced and Lloyd Jones has an engaging writing style which draws you into the action, while his descriptions of Victorian London are excellent. As in the first, the author gives us a really satisfying ending which nevertheless leaves us eager to read more about our heroes. In addition, as they did with the original book, Walker have done a spectacularly good job of publishing this – from the beautiful front and back covers right down to the fonts used for notes, signs and messages in the text; all of it looks utterly gorgeous.
Highly recommended as one of my favourite ongoing series; I can’t wait to read more about this brilliant pairing! I'm not sure how many more we're getting, but hopefully there's a lot to come from Rob Lloyd Jones.
I think fans of Wild Boy's adventures would really love [[Poison Boy by Fletcher Moss]].
{{amazontext|amazon=1406341401}}
{{commenthead}}