"Packed full of incident, character and atmosphere. It's almost a thriller and it's definitely a love story. Possibly the best in the Palliser's series though The Duke's Children is pretty good too."
"A great Christmas read. Long, full of time and place and atmosphere. You know the tale but not all the other wonderful detail. A world you can disappear into."
"Nothing compares to the opening chapters in either adult or children's literature. The description of the winter landscape is unequalled. An magic adventure story, better than Harry P."
"If you think it's cold this Christmas just read what these poor sods went through. Ripping yarns in the name of science with high stakes and death just round the corner. Great adventure read."
"Almost any E.Nesbit will do it for me at Christmas but this is a good place to start. There are several more in this series. Then her incomparable The Railway Children."
"This is another great favourite for me. Again very atmospheric and fast paced adventure story. Fabulous descriptions of the sea. The first spy thriller too."
