Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing idea well handled, 18 Feb 2005
The basic concept of 'The Dreamwalker's Child' is original: that a race of tiny people who fly insects like aircraft live in a world parallel to our own. They can enter our world through a portal, and their role is to maintain the harmony of nature on earth. Their own kingdom is divided - and a rebellious faction plans to spread a deadly virus on earth (via piloted mosquitoes), with the intent of wiping out all human life. However, an ancient prophecy foretells that a 'Dreamwalker's Child' will have a significant effect on the outcome of events. When young Sam is involved in a near-fatal accident, he finds himself transported to this parallel world, and it appears that he is destined to fulfil prophecy. In an attempt to thwart matters he is swiftly caught and imprisoned, however, the daring young aviatrix, Skipper, sets out on a dangerous mission to rescue him.Mr Voake's writing is very contemporary, and proves that not all teachers are stuck in the dreaded high-school-English-composition mode that most feel obliged to write in. The pacing is swift and the dialogue convincing. The lead characters have real depth - especially Skipper, a wonderful creation; brave, loyal and full of boundless optimism and life. I will probably never look at insects in the same light again!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great children's fiction, 19 May 2007
When I looked at the brief summary on the back of this book, I admit that I was a little skeptical. The children's fiction market is currently saturated with fantasy books all vying to be the Next Big Thing, and so many of these are similar and distinctly average. I was, though, very pleasantly surprised.
The Dreamwalker's Child is raised above the level of the standard children's fantasy fiction by being not only exceptionally entertaining and light, but also containing much excellent characterisation and a real emotional depth, which isn't found often enough in children's fiction. The friendship between the two main characters is beautifully drawn, and is amusing and poignant by turns, but Voake has a very light touch; the deeper elements of the story are not heavy-handed at all. It all fits together beautifully.
At times, the plot felt a little rushed, but on the whole, I think that this is a very good book to give to children of the Harry Potter generation.
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2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
To talk about books, reading and stuff!, 18 Jul 2005
Mr Voake visited our Son's school a few weeks ago to, as our ten year old put it "a teacher came to talk about books, reading and stuff". That was that, a comment placed at the end of the routine reply to his parents daily, "and what did you do at school today?" routine question.
What we didn't anticipate was the question put to us over the breakfast table the following morning. "Dad?". Mum looks at me, because it is usually 'Mum!', this was going to be good. "You know my Birthday money, can I buy that book with it?" The book turns out to be 'The Dreamwalker's Child' by Steve Voake. This man has achieved, what we thought was virtually the impossible, he has stimulated an interest in reading in our son. Like so many boys it has been difficult to interest him in reading. There are not many contemporary authors writing good interesting stories for boys. Mr. Voake is better than any reading scheme will ever be and I know someone who is looking forward to book number two.
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