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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Not just a novel for kids, 11 Mar 2008
The first thought that comes to mind having read this novel is that it displays many of the strengths of Margaret Gill's Decree of the Amulet. There's the fusion of magic and realism (from Quetzalcoatl to the mobile phone!) and the plot has all the drive and acceleration of a thriller (again with its volcanic, explosive ending). I thought the Preface was an excellent way to begin: it was concise and yet set the pace, which the novel managed to maintain and even increase. The plot impacts on the reader in the first chapter with all the force of a message attached to a brick!
In this novel it's possible to see Margaret Gill developing a personal style through certain dominant devices which, as I think , reflect many of the key devices of short story writing for young people. It has a young reluctant protagonist (I liked the fact that in The Return we have a plucky heroine who reflects something of the interests, confusion and conflicts of adolescence); and again we have the role of mystery and attraction which help to carry the plot. Again, I think the novel effectively unites the folkloric tale, with its emphasis on magic and the supernatural, and the worldly (I like the way the protagonist's name, Meg Ballantyne, brings both her and the reader back to the world of the everyday) and provides interest through the remoteness of the location. I see other conventions that connect this novel with Decree: there are mysterious guardian-helpers, the journeys, a strong sense of adventure, the traps, the escape, the dark powers which threaten the (relatively) peaceful order of things - again a rich narrative texture in a concise form. I also like the way each chapter is moulded round a dramatic event - I thought the work quite theatrical or filmic, in this respect (I think it could easily be adapted to film).
The author also manages to work into the structure some references to environmental issues but, like in Decree, without becoming moralistic. I thought that this novel managed to convey a sense of humour through Meg - I enjoyed some of her descriptive turns like describing her mother like a `demented turbo engine' and the irreverent Almighty as `a powerful chap to have on your side, delivering plagues of frogs and boils on your enemies'. In this respect, I think the novel manages to enrich the characterization. Thus, if you enjoyed Decree, you will definitely enjoy this novel - and you don't need to be a child to do so!
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