Talina in the Tower by Michelle Lovric

For once I actually get to publish a review of a book on its publication date: Talina in the Tower by Michelle Lovric, is published today.  It's Michelle's third book for children and, I for one, can't wait for the next.

I met Michelle over a year ago at a Ruskin Society lecture given by a mutual friend and I have to say we hit it off immediately. She has a vibrant, bubbly and generous personality which would charm anyone and a considerable intellect. We had a wonderful stroll after the lecture chatting about Venice, Venetian history and writing childrens' books set in Venice and then we parted ways. I think if I'd known then what I know now about Michelle's writing I might have caught a much, much later train.

Talina in the Tower is set in Venice, of course, in the mid nineteenth century.Savage hyena-like creatures threaten the city - the Ravageurs are on the prowl and seizing men, women and children.  On the night of 30 June 1846 Talina's parents disappear and she and her cat, Drusilla, are forced to go and live with her Guardian and his three savage dogs in his lonely tower in the northernmost edge of the city. Here she discovers that she has the ability to change herself into a cat, but changing herself back into a girl isn't quite so easy. As a cat she learns about the Ravageurs and how over the centuries they have become semi magical creatures, visible only to children in the human world, and that they are intent on destroying Venice.  She is determined to save the city - it's time for desperate measures - and her adventures are about to begin.

Venice is conjured up in all her shabby glory: the mould, the shattered stone, the dank alleys, and the looming presence of the lagoon.  This is no coffee-table book image to entice tourists. Michelle spends half her time living in a flat overlooking the Grand Canal. She knows the real city and that knowledge oozes through every page of this book, so that when the city's funeral takes place you react as if one of the characters were being mourned.

But the story isn't just about setting. There is an actioned packed plot, with wonderful characters, fantastical beasts, and a deliciously wry, dry sense of humour threading all the way through. And there are mischief and mayhem, horror and gore, fun and games. I don't think I've enjoyed reading something so much for ages and I just wish I had young enough children to read this out loud to them at bed-time, because it's got exactly the sort of language that makes you want to read it out loud.

Finally, I'd like to say thank you to Orion for producing such a beautiful object. I know Talina is available in e-Book format, but who'd want that when you can hold such a delightful real book in your hands.


I was so pleased to get a chance to review Talina in the Tower and I am even more pleased to annouce that I will also be taking part in the blog tour. Here's the full tour list. Michelle will be here in person on 13th February. I can't wait.

The lovely people at Orion sent me a review copy. But if you want the book for yourself please buy it via the link below and then Amazon will send small contribution to the maintenance of this blog.