Synopses & Reviews
The year is 1664 when young Will Godwin comes to London. In order to survive, he becomes an assistant to a wicked alchemist, Elias Theophratus Spittle. On an errand one freezing night, Will finds a mother cat and her three kittens, and brings the family back to his master's lab. Among the bubbling bottles and evil smelling jars of his master's apothecary shop unfolds an extraordinary tale of villainy, sorcery, and murder.
The Deptford Mice trilogy witnessed the harrowing battles between the mice of Deptford and Jupiter, lord of darkness and treacherous disguises. Now, in this gripping prequel, Jupiter's secret history is revealed.
Review
"[A] creepy, atmospheric horror tale....Jarvis delivers a vivid tale of treachery, cruelty, and sorcery, leavened only by Will's innate goodness. It's also a real page-turner, guaranteed to mesmerize readers of the trilogy." Booklist
Review
"The book is filled with adventure, suspense, and a feeling of dread....Jarvis closes with an unexpected cliff-hanger that will have readers craving more books about Jupiter." School Library Journal
Review
"[S]plendidly drawn [villains], displaying all the hues and shades of evil....A crackerjack creepfest." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Each page is filled with suspense and the book is very difficult to put down. This is such a gripping story that young readers will be reading with a flashlight under the covers long after they are suppose to be asleep." Children's Literature
Synopsis
The first of three terrifying prequels to the
Deptford Mice Trilogy reveals a shocking truth: How did Jupiter, the Lord of the sewer rats, come to be the sower of such evil?
It is the winter of 1664 and young Will Godwin, an alchemist's assistant, chances upon a mother cat and her three new-born kittens in a London churchyard. Taking pity on the freezing family, Will carries them back to his master's apothecary shop. And there, among the bubbling bottles and foul-smelling jars in Dr. Spittle's laboratory, unfolds an extraordinary tale of sorcery, villainy, and murder full of all of the intricate twists and turns that Robin Jarvis's many fans have come to expect.
About the Author
Robin Jarvis was born in England, and he studied graphic design in college. He worked in television and advertising before becoming a full-time author and illustrator. His first book, The Dark Portal, was short-listed for the 1989 Smarties Book Prize in England. Mr. Jarvis lives in London.