Blog Tour: The Whistlers in the Dark

This week I am thrilled to be part of The Write Reads blog tour with The Whistlers in the Dark by Victoria Williamson.

Scotland, 158 AD, is a divided country.

On one side of the Antonine Wall, thirteen-year-old Felix is trying to become a good Roman soldier like his father. On the other, twelve-year old Jinny is vowing revenge on the ‘metal men’ who have invaded her Damnonii tribe’s homeland. At the Damnonii’s sacred circle of standing stones, her planned attack on Felix goes badly wrong, awakening a legend that threatens to bring fire and destruction down on them all.

Can Jinny and Felix overcome their differences and soothe the stones back to sleep before it’s too late?

The Whistlers in the Dark is an historical fantasy for Middle Grade readers. Set at the Roman fort in the author’s hometown of Kirkintilloch, and based on the historical records of the Antonine wall and the tribes of Central Scotland, it tells the story of friendship overcoming the desire for revenge and leading to forgiveness.

My Review:

Even though clearly described as ‘Historical Fantasy’, for some reason, I got it into my head that The Whistlers in the Dark was horror (I think it was the mention of the Standing Stones waking that made me think that). Although the speculative element is quite light, I really enjoyed this story of friendship across a great divide in 2nd century Scotland.

The story is told through alternative viewpoints of Jinny, a twelve year old Scottish lass who resents (with good reason) the presence of the Roman fort and the soldiers who claim lordship over the land, and Felix, the thirteen-year-old son of the commander of the Roman camp. I loved Jinny. She’s fiery and passionate, and her impulsiveness and impetuous nature gets her into trouble all the time. After a humiliating punishment by her tribe which she blames squarely on Felix, she is determined to get her revenge. I loved her fiery brooding nature. Her voice is so strong that I even found myself mimicking her speech patterns after reading her chapters (my family were not impressed!).

Felix makes a nice contrast, with his calmer nature, but Felix has problems of a different nature. Born of a union between a Roman commander and a local Scottish woman, he is despised by both sides, especially as his father is missing, presumed dead, and others want to take his place as leader. Felix’s difficulties are portrayed well, and I enjoyed the time spent in the fort.

I loved the setting for this story – second century Scotland – and the fact that is loosely based on history. I’m not sure how accurate it really is (or if there is any way of finding out without a time-travelling device) but the author made it convincing enough for me!

Overall I found this a gripping, well-paced fun read with great themes of overcoming anger and learning forgiveness, as well as friendship and loyalty. I loved the historic setting, and the sinister standing stones added a lot of atmosphere!

There is a dog in this story so TOTP and his friends are back (posed for the story with their own felled tree and standing stones).

TOTP: I loved this story, especially the parts where Raggy featured but these were by far too few. Knitted Jewel?

Knitted Jewel: What is it with this author and her need to murder dogs in her stories?

Knitted Firestone: She obviously is one of those two legs threatened by the superior canine species.

Knitted TOTP: I loved Raggy, what a wonderful dog! But I wish you had let me wear my Toothless outfit today. That would scare those Romans off.

TOTP: I think you look scary enough to do that yourself. So we dogs (of the fleshy and knitted kind) have decided that it is time to call upon this author to stop her one-book-at-a-time slaughter of dogs. These dogs may be fictitious but they are real to us, the readers. So if you care for dogs, please sign our petition In Honour of Twister and Raggy. Thank you.

[Knitted Firestone in an aside to Knitted Jewel: Do you think we can trust those CKCs to get the petition right?

Knitted Jewel: Of course. They are DOGS!]

(Note: Don’t worry, the dogs are joking about the petition! If you click on the link, you’ll see what they really think!)

I didn’t mention them earlier, but I loved Bram and Raggy too!

The Whistlers in the Dark will be published on 21st September so be sure to check it out! Thanks to Neem Tree Press and The Write Reads for having me on the tour.

In case you missed it, here is last week’s review of War of the Wind also by Victoria Williamson.

About the Author:

After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.

Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind. She has won the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, The YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023, and has been shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023, The Leeds Book Awards 2023, the Red Book Award 2023, the James Reckitt Hull Book Awards 2021, The Trinity School Book Awards 2021, and longlisted for the ABA South Coast Book Awards 2023, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020, and the Branford Boase Award 2019.

Her latest novel, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, is a middle grade fantasy inspired by classic folklore. Twenty percent of the author royalties for this book are donated to CharChar Literacy, an organisation working to improve children’s literacy levels in Malawi.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com