McCullough's expert command of the historical facts from a broad range of ancient and contemporary sources makes this the kind of novel that tests and expands even an expert's knowledge of Roman history

This is a marvellous, sweeping story with all the familiar characters - Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Brutus et al - which brings the periods vividly alive, and retells a vital period in world history in a splendidly accessible way

[A] swiftly moving story ... packed full of political intrigue, romance, drama, and war

Like those of Dickens and Wilkie Collins, Armistead Maupin's novels have all appeared originally as serials...it is the strength of this approach, with its fantastic adventures and astonishingly contrived coincidences, that makes these novels charming and compelling

May well be the funniest series of novels currently in progress... Maupin's ear for dialogue is as acute as his feeling for characterisation, and the net result is as engaging a read as you are likely to encounter in many moons

Silver provides a fitting sequel to Treasure Island, certainly, but also stands in its own right as a companion volume to a literary classic

Elegant, affectionate homage to Robert Louis Stevenson … A piece of writing born of genuine love and respect for the original

His voice is unlike any other

Motion's book is sensitive and porous. It fits seamlessly into the groove left by its parent, and yet is also something that is languidly original. The potency of the story must win out: Treasure Island is 'accursed', and young Jim, too, must suffer hardship and loss. Though the book ends with a powerful affirmation, there is much uncertainty that points to more. For which I, for one, fervently hope

Motion is a beautiful lyricist unpretentiously and precisely describing those things worth having even as he casts unsettling shadows across them

The thrilling follow-up to Treasure Island, as told by one of England's greatest contemporary writers...Silver is a worthy sequel to Treasure Island and a work of extraordinary authenticity

Like Stevenson, Motion has achieved that very difficult thing: a children’s novel that works even better for adults. Look to your laurels, Rowling

A solid adventure yarn, full of ghostly echoes of Stevenson, with a denser tropical atmosphere and an even more palpable sense of evil

There are sequels and prequels aplenty, but this follow-up to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure island by the former Poet Laureate reeks of authenticity, cunning, intrigue, suspense and adventure.It’s brilliant, and for all ages

He reinvents Stevenson’s world to reveal its dark underside, illuminating both its mysterious beauty and its grim immortality.Silver provides a fitting sequel to Treasure Island, certainly, but also stands in its own right as a companion volume to a literary classic.

Silver is a deeply pleasing and convivial book… As with Treasure Island, Silver is left open to the possibility of its own sequel, and surely no one would wish Motion to swallow the anchor. All aboard! All aboard! All aboard that's coming aboard.

Silver…captures something of the old magic. The thrilling flight across moor and heather that Henry James admired in Kidnapped.... finds expression in Silver’s action scenes set amid Caribbean waters.

Beautifully written and genuinely exciting... Motion’s novel stays true to Stevenson’s original... Outstanding.

Silver’s plot twists and turns and introduces elements beyond even Stevenson’s imagination. The result is a fascinating and richly coloured novel that can be read by children with an appetite for adventure and adults who will relish reliving the glory days of youth.

Elegant, affectionate homage to Robert Louis Stevenson is straight out of this classic adventure-story mould… A piece of writing born of genuine love and respect for the original.

A thrilling follow-up to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island...Silver is a novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. Beautifully written and genuinely exciting...Best of all, Motion’s novel stays true to Stevenson’s original tale while adding an extra dimension.

Elegant, thrilling sequel...The plot is gripping, a mixture of high adventure, low cunning and desperation...Motion’s prose vivid and glowingly poetic, is a brilliant counterpoint to the fascinating action.

This is a pacey tale with an appropriately feisty young heroine for modern readers

Andrew Motion brings lyricism but, more importantly, rollicking adventure to this sequel to Treasure Island