Fourteen year-old Ark has the squittiest job on Arborium, the last forested island in the future. A poor plumber's boy, he unblocks toilets in the city where he lives \- a breath-taking, mile-high world carved out of the vast upper branches of a giant canopy of trees. Protected by a poisonous shield, he believes his forest kingdom to be the safest place on earth. But while at work, he over hears a plot between a powerful councillor of the island and a secret spy from Maw, a superpower of glass and steel, that intends robbing Arborium of its wood, a natural resource now more precious than gold Ark is plunged into danger and soon he finds himself on the run, fighting for his life. Together with new found friends, he must travel from the highest tree-tops to the darkest roots of Ravenwood to save his home and his people.
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A powerful fantasy adventure fuelled by an eerie magic written by a dramatic storyteller. Magic, mystery and adventure are tightly fused in this thrilling and original drama. It's lyrical and thought-provoking, whilst being hugely enjoyable. --Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids
This fantasy adventure has a wonderfully original setting... It's humorously told at a cracking pace, exploring deeper themes of ecology, conservation and power. --The Bookseller
An action-packed adventure story set in the branches of giant trees; a meticulously imagined civilisation with its own religion and myths; political treachery and intrigue; heroism, and battles to the death. No wonder then that it is being described as an epic. --Andrea Reece, Books for Keeps
This fantasy adventure has a wonderfully original setting... It's humorously told at a cracking pace, exploring deeper themes of ecology, conservation and power. --The Bookseller
An action-packed adventure story set in the branches of giant trees; a meticulously imagined civilisation with its own religion and myths; political treachery and intrigue; heroism, and battles to the death. No wonder then that it is being described as an epic. --Andrea Reece, Books for Keeps
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Carmen
Format:Paperback
I really wish I could have sat down and immersed myself in this story, really snuggled down and read it in a couple of sittings. Circumstances dictated that it was read in snatches here and there - I still loved it, loved the island of Arborium, could really visualise these huge towering trees. I love how the animals had evolved too, becoming huge almighty beasts in some cases.
There were two stars of the story for me. Firstly were the ravens, evolved into huge formidable beasts and revered as sacred among the tree dwellers. "Out of the shadows of the under-forest, a darker shadow blotted out his vision. As he shrank down instinctively, he forced himself to look up and saw the huge, dark eyes swallowing him, the claws - each the size of a sword - advancing to rip him up for supper, and the vast wings about to settle and draw a cloak over all his days." Secondly, the forest and all its walkways, structures, palace, fields, the hidden tunnels to the roots below, the lift that flings people back skywards... it takes on a whole persona of its own. This is one of those books that you really hope gets picked up for a movie - I think Arborium and in particular the scenes in the Ravenwood and down in the depths of the roots of the trees would look fantastic on the big screen, it was so richly described, I'd love to see if how I envisioned it would be the same on screen.
All in all, loved this one and will definitely read again when I do get some time to sit and read it in a oner. I think I will forever more be using the term "Buddy Holly" when things go slightly awry!
There were two stars of the story for me. Firstly were the ravens, evolved into huge formidable beasts and revered as sacred among the tree dwellers. "Out of the shadows of the under-forest, a darker shadow blotted out his vision. As he shrank down instinctively, he forced himself to look up and saw the huge, dark eyes swallowing him, the claws - each the size of a sword - advancing to rip him up for supper, and the vast wings about to settle and draw a cloak over all his days." Secondly, the forest and all its walkways, structures, palace, fields, the hidden tunnels to the roots below, the lift that flings people back skywards... it takes on a whole persona of its own. This is one of those books that you really hope gets picked up for a movie - I think Arborium and in particular the scenes in the Ravenwood and down in the depths of the roots of the trees would look fantastic on the big screen, it was so richly described, I'd love to see if how I envisioned it would be the same on screen.
All in all, loved this one and will definitely read again when I do get some time to sit and read it in a oner. I think I will forever more be using the term "Buddy Holly" when things go slightly awry!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Alexander
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
I'm going to be honest. I received this under the Vine programme and its the first book that I couldn't finish. Lots of toilet humour and as an adult I can see political humour/references plus pagan references that would likely go over the head of the age group its written for..which I'm guessing 10+. Because I couldn't finish it...bored me...I'm not going to really go in for a full review.
What I did read made me think of the market that it would appeal to, pre-teen and teenage boys/girls who are at that toilet humour stage.
What I did read made me think of the market that it would appeal to, pre-teen and teenage boys/girls who are at that toilet humour stage.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Ren
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
After looking at the cover of this book I was expecting something dark and eerie, but the book is a bit of a mish-mash. The story is quite unique and had a lot of (possibly wasted) potential. The main characters are young (fourteen) and didn't feel particularly fleshed out, the narrative was fairly simple for the most part and felt aimed at a young reader. However some of the content, such as the regular use of the word "Squit" to replace a certain four-letters swear word seemed woefully inappropriate to the intended age range.
The story is set in the last forest island in the world, somewhere in the distant future where a piece of bark is worth more than gold. The first half, or so of the book was filled with an endless array of wood/plant based word puns which became very irritating and juvenile very quickly and would have made me give up reading had it not been on the Vine scheme.
The last quarter of the book did seem to fall into its stride nicely with a more mature tone, less word puns and a more believable hero along with a surprisingly moving ending to the tale. My only wish is that the first three quarters of the book could have been written in the same style.
A good ending, but quite an effort to read that far.
The story is set in the last forest island in the world, somewhere in the distant future where a piece of bark is worth more than gold. The first half, or so of the book was filled with an endless array of wood/plant based word puns which became very irritating and juvenile very quickly and would have made me give up reading had it not been on the Vine scheme.
The last quarter of the book did seem to fall into its stride nicely with a more mature tone, less word puns and a more believable hero along with a surprisingly moving ending to the tale. My only wish is that the first three quarters of the book could have been written in the same style.
A good ending, but quite an effort to read that far.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ravenwood, or Ravenwoodn't?
A huge sprawling world, high in the treetops, put together from ropes and scaffolding. This is Arborium, the home of our hero Ark Malikum. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome read, well worth it!
This book is one of the best reads I have had in a LONG time. It captivated me from the start, and I really am looking forward to the sequel. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ewen Edmunds
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 'Woody-Good' Adventure!
Arborium: a mile-high world carved out in the canopies of gargantuan trees in the future. This beautiful place is built with rope and scaffolding and is home to Ark Malikum - a... Read more
Published 21 months ago by BDMist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Traditional story of good versus evil told in a simple and accesible way for readers of perhaps 12-13ish? Read more
Published 23 months ago by avidreader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original and fun
A really original concept, this book is wonderfully crafted to appeal to most children. It has a wicked element of toilet humour to be enjoyed. Read more
Published on 11 May 2011 by S. Duncan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and fast-paced
Ravenwood is a fast paced, exciting book, full of fun. Neither of us could put it down. It is full of love-able characters, funny jokes and great twists and turns in the story. Read more
Published on 9 May 2011 by womanly states
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pacey eco fantasy adventure
The narrative gallops along from the opening paragraph, at first leaving you a little confused until you sort out who's who - but that doesnt matter, its great not to have it all... Read more
Published on 8 May 2011 by I. Kerry
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Tall Tale of Fantasy Magic!
This year, there has been a distinct lack of magical/fantasy books that have been published. Within the UK, they are especially few and far between - perhaps this genre is now... Read more
Published on 28 April 2011 by Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Pratchett
This book deals with two adolescent boys as they attempt to foil an evil plot against their treetop kingdom. Read more
Published on 28 April 2011 by elmsyrup
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic, geniunely original
It is unusual to read something that is really original in children's literature but Ravenwood ticks all the boxes. Read more
Published on 23 April 2011 by Mrs. J. Jones
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