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  • Published: 14 April 2011
  • ISBN: 9781446452011
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 432

The Emerald Atlas:The Books of Beginning 1




The first thrilling book in the most exciting children's fantasy series since Harry Potter.

The first thrilling book in the most exciting children's fantasy series since Harry Potter.

They were taken from their beds one frozen night, when the world was covered in snow. The silhouette of a tall, thin man has haunted Kate ever since.

Ten years on, Kate, Michael and Emma have grown up in a string of miserable orphanages, and all memories of their parents have faded to a blur. Arriving at Cambridge Falls, the children quickly realise there is something different about this place - and Kate feels sure she has seen the dark, crooked house before.

As they explore, they discover an old, empty leather book. The moment they touch it, an ancient magical prophecy is set irrevocably in motion, and the children are thrown into a dangerous alternate reality of dark enchantments and terrifying monsters. Only they can prevent the terrible event that will ruin Cambridge Falls - and stop the world from falling into complete devastation.

  • Published: 14 April 2011
  • ISBN: 9781446452011
  • Imprint: Penguin eBooks
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 432

About the author

John Stephens

John Stephens received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia in 1998. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he has worked as a writer-producer on Gilmore Girls and The O.C. He was most recently executive producer on Seasons 2 and 3 of Gossip Girl and has also directed episodes of The O.C. and Gossip Girl. John Stephens is taking leave from his television career to pursue his passion for writing for children.

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Praise for The Emerald Atlas:The Books of Beginning 1

The Emerald Atlas is a fantastic start of a series. Plenty of questions are yet to be answered and I look forward to the sequel

My Favourite Books

A magical, roller-coaster of a read

Vanessa Lewis, The Bookseller

A wonderful story you can easily lose yourself in

Notes of Life

Ambitious, entertaining, magical and whimsical, this marks a strong beginning to a new trilogy, invoking just a little Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events along the way

Realms of Fantasy magazine, USA

Dark magic aplenty

Fiona Noble, The Bookseller

First-rate fantasy

Armadillo

It is a fantastical adventure that will appeal to those people who loved Harry Potter, Narnia and Lord of the Rings, with an epic tale, lovable characters and an engaging and fast paced storyline

Overflowing Library

It's bright and energetic and has some exciting set pieces

Patrick Ness, Guardian

Stephens spins a tightly paced, engaging yarn

The New York Times

Stephens' top-notch time-travel thriller has a quirky mixed bag of heroes and villains, a clever and compelling plotline and graphic action sequences that just cry out for the big screen treatment

Pam Norfolk, Lytham St Annes Express

The book is reminiscent in some ways of C S Lewis and J R Rowling and the excitement and gripping writing will ensure readers are immersed in the story. The book leaves issues undecided and the reader wanting more

Parents in Touch

The Emerald Atlas kind of encompasses all my firm favourites, His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Narnia and of course Harry Potter. It was a thrill to read

Askew's Library Service

The writing is perfectly judged . . . John Stephens knows how to make things visual, and it's accessible but not too simplistic. Junior fantasy fans are going to love this book

Jill Murphy, TheBookbag.co.uk

With exceptional skill, Mr. Stephens weaves the resulting pathos into the children's characters and into their sibling relationship

Meghan Cox Gurdon, Wall Street Journal