The idea for
Blackmore's Treasure, a novel aimed at children and young adults,
came about when the author's granddaughter told him that she thought
the civil war was boring. The main character of the book is a
thirteen year old boy called Tobias Allinson, who is visiting his
grandparents at their farm. In this time slip adventure, Tobias has
an accident one night after a big storm and is transported back to
the 17th century, around the time of the Battle of Naseby.
When he awakes, he is
Captain Tobias Allinson and the year is 1645. Cromwell is preparing
his army for the Battle of Naseby, but before the war is decided,
Tobias meets a man called Sergeant Blackmore who, at first, seems
like he will be nothing but trouble. It soon turns out that there is
more to him than meets the eye, including a hoard of treasure which
is thought to be very close to home for Tobias. Can Tobias find the
treasure that people have searched for for generations?
I reviewed a first
edition copy of the book in which there were a number of typos, but I
understand that these have been corrected in the second edition. And
that is the only remotely negative thing I have to say about this
book! The time slip was written very well, and I really felt Tobias'
confusion when he first went back in time, when his modern brain held
on for a few seconds before he became wholly Captain Tobias Allinson.
In my opinion one of
the best parts of the novel was the characterisation, and I also loved the
dialogue between the characters. There were a number of colourful
characters, Sergeant Blackmore being one of them, and the dialogue
was so well written that I could practically hear
the characters speaking it. I enjoyed this story immensely, from
start to finish. It was engaging and interesting, and above all,
educational. I love the inspiration behind this book, and in my
opinion this story shows just how fun history can be!
(Free review copy received.)
