The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

Historical Fiction, Adventure

Age 11-14

Grade 6-9

371 pages, hardcover

c. 2015

          Picture the opening scene of The Blackstone Key. Christopher Rowe, apprentice apothecary to Master Benedict Blackstone, and his best friend Tom decide to build cannon in the shop while the master is out. It is illegal for an apprentice to make gun powder but Christopher has just decoded this recipe of his master. Things don’t go as expected and upon returning to the shop Master Blackthorn is looking at his large stuffed black bear which has been shot in the crotch, his straw guts spilling out.

      Although the book starts out with a humorous tone the story quickly turns serious. Apothecaeies are being murdered after being tortured. There is a secret cult that is looking for a recipe that will give them unearthly power and after Master Benedict is murdered Christopher realizes his own life is in danger. It is unclear who the real enemies are. Christopher must rely on his ability to decode mysterious puzzles his master has left him and the undying loyalty of his friend Tom to stay alive long enough to uncover who is behind the brutal murders.

            Set in London in the 1650’s this is a book of rich historical detail and well developed characters. Christopher is fearless when it comes to trying anything. This makes him a good apothecary and also gets him into a lot of trouble. But his courage and daring also helps him track down the people who killed his beloved master. When faced with a decision of great consequence his moral code helps him make a good choice. Master Blackthorn is a kind, generous master, unlike most others of the time. He is a lover of knowledge and truth and has a burning desire to help and heal others. Tom shows an amazing loyalty to his friend Christopher and reminds me of Sam’s relationship to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. There is much action, adventure, mystery, science, history and humor. The codes and puzzles that Christopher must solve involve astronomy, botany and especially chemistry. It is possible for the reader to solve these puzzles as the narrative provides the codes to uncover the mystery before you turn the page.

                There is a fair amount of violence in the descriptions of the murders and assaults that take place but they are appropriate for the time period. The actual murders happen off scene. There is also much sound wisdom offered in the book. One of the first lessons Master Blackthorn teaches Christopher is that some of the ingredients they use in small doses can heal and in larger doses can kill. He says, “It is never the tool that decides. It's the hands-and the heart-of the one who wields it.” Lord Ashcombe, the King’s Warden, remarks to 

Christopher about the way he tricked the leader of the cult, “You used his nature against him.”

            While I still like The Ascendancy Series very much, see blog posts May 5, July 4, Aug 1,  The Blackstone Mystery Series is now my favorite book series. There are three additional books in the series. Watch for future blogs.

Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Science Fiction, Adventure

Age 10-13

Grade 5-8

 313 pages, hardcover,

 c. 2009

            Sent is the 2^nd book in the Missing series. Found, the 1^st book,  sets up the situation of the missing children of history that have been kidnapped by some time agents from the future Their plan was to sell these famous children to parents in the future. Another group of time agents are trying to stop them and send these children back to their proper time in history. This will restore time and prevent “ripples” that could alter the present and the future.

            The following books in the series deal with different “missing” children. At the end of each book there is an author’s note in which Haddix gives the actual historical background of the events described. Each event has unresolved questions and Haddix does an excellent job of mixing the historical facts with the fiction. Each of the historical events is interesting in themselves and I think many of the readers will be prompted to do some research themselves.

            In Sent, Chip, who is really Edward V, rightful king of England and Alex, who is really Richard, Duke of York, his younger brother, along with Jonas and Katherine are sent back to the 15^th century. They have been promised by JB, time traveler, that if they can “fix time” he will allow them all to return to the 21^st century. However, according to “history” Edward and Richard died in the Tower of London and their uncle, Richard III became king of England. What really happened is that the boys vanished in 1483. Workmen renovating the Tower of London in 1674 found skeletons that were assumed to be the boys but in 1933 when scientists were given permission to study the skeletons they couldn’t tell if the bones were male or female.

            Jonas and Katherine manage to save Chip and Alex from being murdered in their sleep and with help from JB and another disguised time traveler also save them from being killed at the Battle of Bosworth. There are ghostly versions of the missing children called “tracers” which are only visible to the time travelers. They show what exactly happened in history. When the missing children merge with their tracers they become visible to those in that world. While they are merged they gain the historic figures memories and beliefs but are also able to maintain their own memories. They can separate from their tracers whenever they want but the longer they stay connected the more they become that historical person. Thus there were times when Chip was determined to fight his uncle and regain his crown.

            Alex, in the 21^st century,  is described as an agnostic but when he is merged with his tracer he expresses the Christian beliefs of Richard. Once back in the 21th century he has an interesting exchange with JB. "You believe in God?" Alex asked JB incredulously. "But you know how to travel through time. You're a scientist." He hesitated. "Aren't you?"
JB rolled his eyes.
"It amazes me how people of your time set up such a dichotomy between science and religion. Fortunately, that only lasts for another... well I can't tell you that ... But I assure you, the more I travel through time, the more I witness, the more I realize that there are things that are both strange and wonderful, far beyond human comprehension."