The Train of Dark Wonders

by Alex Bell

Overview

Jump aboard for a journey to strange and spectacular lands...

The magical must-read middle-grade novel from the bestselling author of THE POLAR BEAR EXPLORERS’ CLUB and FROZEN CHARLOTTE.

Bess has always loved her grandfather’s collection of curiosities. So she’s delighted when she’s handed the keys to his Odditorium. But unless she finds a way to draw in the crowds, she’ll have to close its doors for good.

When a mysterious train pulls into town, bound for The Land of Halloween Sweets, Bess hatches a plan and sneaks onboard. She is soon discovered by Beau the puppeteer, Louie the violinist and Maria the fire witch. Eager to join their adventure, Bess sets out to search for the rarest sweet of all – the ghostly gobstopper.

But the land is ruled by the fearsome Candymaker. And beneath the sugary surface, things are more dangerous than they first appear...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861545988
Publisher:	Oneworld Publications
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Series:	A Train of Dark Wonders adventure
Edition description:	US EDITION
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	829,849
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.80(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 18 Years

About the Author

Alex Bell has written multiple books for both adults and young people, including Frozen Charlotte, a Zoella Book Club pick, and The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club. After training as a lawyer, she now works at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Alex lives in Hampshire with her husband, sons and demanding Siamese cat.

Editorial Reviews

05/06/2024

The late Henry “Pops” Harper’s Odditorium sticks out among the rose gardens in the sedate British village of Roseville. Only Pops’s plucky 11-year-old granddaughter Bess, who reads as white, appreciates the strange house and its quirky contents, which include a vicious doll, an albino alligator, and whispering flowers collected during Pops’s mysterious adventures. As the Odditorium’s new proprietor, Bess must find a way to raise money to keep the establishment open and procure magic beans to feed the ravenous flowers overtaking the building. Clues left by Pops lead Bess to an underground railway and a wondrous train, where Bess befriends a magical puppeteer, a violin-playing werewolf, and a sorceress. Traveling to the terrifying Candymaker’s Land of Halloween Sweets, Bess, like Dorothy in Oz, joins her trio of newfound friends to procure a ghostly gobstopper in the Candymaker’s dangerous domain. In helping her companions, Bess uncovers startling family secrets—and a way to save her beloved Odditorium. Abundant extraneous fantastical features occasionally overwhelm the delightfully twee plot. Nevertheless, the courageous, overlarge band of singularly gifted characters—particularly loyal Bess—will no doubt endear themselves to readers and have them anticipating the next installment of this topsy-turvy series opener by Bell (the Polar Bear Explorers’ Club series). Ages 8–up. Agent: Therese Coen, Susanna Lea Associates. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

'Stuffed with imagination, dusted with fun, and glazed with thrills and spills, this magical sweet is one you won't want to miss.' Sinéad O'Hart, author of The Eye of the North

'Darkly delectable and bursting with imagination, colour and creepy critters, Alex Bell's fairytale caper on rails is an absolute treat. Hop on board with hero Bess and friends for an unforgettable journey between worlds!' Alex Foulkes, author of Rules for Vampires series

'A story to be savoured as much as any Halloween treat... sharp and fizzing, with a warm, sweet centre.' Jodie Garnish, author of The Spectaculars

‘A magical and thrilling story.’ One of National Book Tokens' 23 new children’s books to read in 2023

'Alex Bell offers an exciting new entrant to the fantasy engine shed... The Train of Dark Wonders has a great deal to offer a young enthusiastic reader... Characterisation is particularly clever.' School Librarian

‘In this charming fantasy adventure, Bess takes a ride to the Land of Halloween Sweets on a remarkable train... She also learns important lessons about self- acceptance, friendship and being happy with who you are.’ BookTrust

'This is a definite page-turner, and this reviewer is looking forward to the next one.’ Books for Keeps

From the Publisher