Synopsis:
Col hasn’t played with is imaginary friends since his father died. The last thing Col expects is to hear their voices calling to him. He travels to the cottage that once belonged to his father, the cottage where he and his sister would have spent Christmas together if she hadn’t remained in London, and gets the shock of his life. Mr Noakes, The King of Rogues, and Pendlebury have come to life – a bager, a knight, and a tiger – and they need Col’s help.
Every year a battle plays out between the Green Man and the Midwinter King to keep the balance of light and dark in the world. This year, with so much darkness in the world due to the war, the Midwinter King has grown stronger and his visions of the future predict a terrible event. A terrible bombing raid will happen in six days and London will burn to the ground. The Midwinter King will gain the power he needs to finish the Green Man for good.
Col’s friends have come to help him rescue his sister. Together with a girl called Ruth who they meet along the way they set out for London. They have six days – or Rose will be lost forever.
Review:
Imaginary friends remind us of the courage, creativity and empathy children hold. Mr Noakes, Pendlebury and The King of Rogues are no exception and this story is the ultimate read for anyone who is finding 2020 too dark and needs reminding of their heart.
Col’s character will be entirely relatable to children during these difficult times. He knows that terrible things happen in war, and he’s suffered losses of his own, but he is also fed up. He doesn’t like living with Aunt Claire, who is overbearing and not especially warm. The sweets are rubbish, even the weather is miserable with thick fogs and freezing nights, and to top it off his sister chooses to remain in London over Christmas. Col lives at a time when not talking about concerns was seen as a virtue and some young readers will heavily relate to the way Col’s problems have built up and become too much.
Ruth is a German refugee whose experience of evacuation has been far from happy. She’s got her own reasons for wanting to be in London but she doesn’t reveal her secrets easily. Col has to work for Ruth’s trust but she is there solidly to help get them to London on time.
The three imaginary friends have wonderful contrasting personalities. Mr Noakes is a bumbling, affable creature. The King of Rogues is vociferous and opinionated. Pendlebury is motherly but a little too sensitive. They show that in spite of differences we can work together towards common goals and they all care very deeply about sparing Col from further grief.
The interaction between Col and his imaginary friends is beautiful. Col is at that awkward age where he still wants to play but feels self-conscious doing so. There is a particularly touching moment when he asks not to be called Master anymore. He’s not fully invested in the old games. While two of his friends look affronted, tiger Pendlebury is both hurt and terribly proud all at the same time. She knows Col must grow up – and she’s there to support him.
This is assured and skilful storytelling that left me turning the pages without thinking of putting the book down. The way in which ideas are woven together is masterful and I love how events from history, legend, and three beautiful imaginary friends are put together to create such a beautiful story. This really is an antidote if not to the virus then to the feeling that so many of us have had that we are simply not brave enough to face 2020 and what lies beyond. A delightful story that reads like a classic.
- The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery is available now from Walker Books. RRP. £7.99 (Review written as part of a promotional blog tour)
