Written out of a deeply felt world and with a taut, disciplined voice that knows its Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as well as its Harry Potter, Jonathan Stroud's new book is, quite simply, stunning

This is a real treat that will have children of 10 and over seeking out Stroud's other novels

As always, Stroud writes like a dream, passing from instant amusement to a sense of real suspense with apparent ease. Those who eagerly awaited this next novel after his super Bartimaeus trilogy will not be disappointed

It is certainly an action adventure but the great fight scenes are tempered by humour and humanity and for that reason, although an excellent read for boys, it will be read by adventurous girls too

The language is equisite in places and landscape is brilliantly evoked throughout the story

Stroud peppers his story with tales reminiscent of ancient Norse myths, giving this book the feel of an epic saga. Halli is a great lead character . . .

A high adventure with any twists and turns

An entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

Jonathan is already building up a strong fan base among young lovers of fantasy fiction and his latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

While it is a totally new direction and a different type of tale to what pulls you right in, proving that the cream will always rise to the top

This latest novel will certainly not disappoint his young readers

This is an entertaining book full of boyhood adventures, heroes and excitement

An author who can rightly be dubbed a master storyteller . . . Heroes Of The Valley is . . . epic, vibrant and colourful

It is every inch the assured and stunning debut that everyone suggests

Wyld is a languorous writer with great skill in characterisation...will delight

This is a young writer with talent to burn

Told with quiet, characterful poise, the noel succeeds in evoking not only Australia's epic geographical landscape, but its literary terrain too summoning echoes of some of that country's finest writers,

This is a highly accomplished first novel. Evie Wyld is not a show off writer. She has a clean, clear prose style which is exactly right in the service if her story, and the best ear for dialogue in a long time.

Wyld's debut novel dissects the misery that seeps inexorably from one generation to the next

Wyld can write very well, in a vivid descriptive style reminiscent of Tim Winton's.

Wyld's superb skills at portraying a hot, dusty landscape and her psychological insight will pull you inexorably in.

Superb assured first novel about fathers and sons. Pitch-perfect prose

A very impressive first novel. Wise and wry, it uses its Australian bush setting to great effect, Wyld's protagonists fleeing there from wars, both literal and familial. She writes great characters and makes you love them as she nails them.

This is a sad yet beautiful story of fathers and sons, their wars and the things they will never know about each other