Vashti Hardy’s debut novel Brightstorm deserves to be spoken of in the same breaths as Pullman’s Northern Lights. Indeed the similarities are clear to see, frozen landscapes, animals that are drawn to human souls, flying ships and most importantly a fantastic array of detailed and complex characters.
This is without doubt one of the best books I have read of the last few years. Hardy has moulded a pseudo-real Earth into her own world with place names and phrases that are similar enough to our own to make it seem real but not so similar that it removes the mysticism. Cultures are created, emotions are shared and though an oft used cliche; it really is a total page turner that screams out for many more books in the series. Which I have no doubt there will be.
Our young heroes, Arthur and Maudie, are left lost and alone upon the death of their father and are suddenly thrown into a world of despair. However, as you may have guessed, they are not destined for Dickensian destitution forever despite being condemned to live in ‘the slumps’.
They long for more and for answers and the story wastes no time getting them there, the main events kicking off within the opening few chapters. This is a book that will be read for many years and although there were a couple of bits that confused me somewhat, the relevance of a lucky spoon anyone? I adored the smooth story telling, the ease of adventure and the wonderful worlds that Hardy has created.
Believe the hype. Read this book.
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