Review - Gargantis by Thomas Taylor

 Review - Gargantis by Thomas Taylor

There's a storm raging in Eerie-on-Sea. Has the mighty Gargantis come back from the deep...?

When an ancient bottle is found washed up on the beach after a ferocious electrical storm, all the residents of Eerie-on-Sea seem to want it ... but should they in fact fear it? Legend has it that the bottle contains an extraordinary secret that spells doom for the whole of Eerie-on-Sea. Could it be true that the vast sea creature Gargantis has awoken from her slumbers, and is causing the large cracks that are appearing all across the town? Finding themselves entrusted with the bottle, Herbie and Violet discover they will need to ride the terrible storm and pacify the creature if they want to save Eerie-on-Sea from sliding into the ocean and being lost for ever.

It's so wonderful to head back to Eerie-on-Sea for another mysterious adventure! Gargantis is the sequel to the thrilling Malamander, and is another exceptionally good seaside mystery.

Herbert Lemon has a new case in his role as Lost and Founder, and it might be his toughest one yet! From the very beginning, this is dark and scary and foreboding, so much foreboding! 

One of the things I loved about this novel was how well it threw different elements of Eerie-on-Sea against each other, with different factions all claiming ownership of a mysterious bottle, and poor Herbert caught in the middle.  Of course, he has Violet stuck there right along side him, and I love how we see her own character grow and develop from book one. Her work in the book depository has given her knowledge of all sorts of myths and legends about Eerie-on-Sea that just might come in handy.!

There's a lot of depth to this novel, with it hard to tell at times who is in the right and who's clearly not, apart from our young heroes. I think I was left doubting just about everyone at some point, apart from Herbert and Violet. This is kept up throughout the book, with some startling revelations making us reassess any assumptions we might make and question everyone's motivations. 

It's also incredibly atmospheric. Eerie-on-Sea really does feel almost real, this storm swept little seaside town is as much a character as anyone else in the book. 

A thrilling, complex adventure novel, with two lovable young heroes and a whole host of fascinating characters.

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

Gargantis by Thomas Taylor is out now, published by Walker Books. 
I was given a review copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.