Secret Guardians by Lian Tanner
The Rogues book 2. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760293536
(Age: 9-13) Recommended. Themes: Good and Evil, Witches and
Warlocks, Fantasy. Lian Tanner's exciting fantasy adventure series
continues with Secret Guardians. She builds a world where
evil forces are ever present, danger lurks in the forest and magical
talents are needed to traverse the difficult times ahead. Her
detailed narrative takes us into challenging places with child
slaves imprisoned in the salt mines and the Stronghold, a fortress
where the malevolent Harshman draws strength from the blood of his
felled victims.
This second novel takes place immediately after a magical escape
from the Stronghold. Disguised as a travelling troupe of actors,
Lord Rump, granddaughter Duckling, Pummel the farm boy and Arms
Mistress Krieg have fled with one-legged Otte the real heir of the
kingdom. Pummel and Duckling are learning to use their magical
gifts, the power of the wind and the raashk, the secret cover of
invisibility. Old Lady Skint and her henchman are on their trail
determined to capture them and claim the reward for the return of
the Young Margrave. They trade in human flesh, selling children and
adults to work in the salt mines,
The oppressive conditions the children are forced to endure, hard
labour, little food or water, even sleeping underground is
confronting. Duckling, Pummel and Otte learn to rely on each other
and help the others. Sooli a SAAF girl, leads and protects the
youngsters, she too has magical powers and is quietly plotting an
escape. Plots and subplots, tests and trials, friends choosing their
own paths, ghosts in the hidden tunnels and dreams foretelling the
future heighten the tension and drive the pace. For comic relief,
Frow Cat and Otte's talking chicken assist with their plans and help
with their plans.
Secret Guardians delivers strong and quirky characters,
learning to make their way in this magical world. Tanner's junior
novel is suited to confident readers who will discover how the fight
of good and evil occurs in this magical kingdom.
Rhyllis Bignell
