The Queen's Poisoner (The Kingfountain Series #1) by Jeff Wheeler

To survive as a hostage in the court of Kingfountain, eight-year-old Owen Kiskaddon must find help among the adults from the king’s chilling inner chambers to the warm and inviting kitchen.

As Owen wanders the secret passages of the labyrinthine castle he learns to recognize the magic of the fountain that is bubbling through him, he gathers allies and avoids enemies among a cast of well-developed characters including the mysterious Queen’s Poisoner who dwells in secrecy.  

Wheeler’s understanding and ability to express the emotions of his young hero creates a political drama that will draw in readers of all ages.

Based on the War of the Roses, but don’t expect Game of Thrones or Shakespeare’s Richard III. Thought-provoking and moving, this well-paced mystery within a clean fantasy is constructed in the often hard-to-maintain third-person point of view. 

Wheeler’s writing style is straightforward – no long, flowery descriptions nor much internal dialogue. While the sentences and chapters are short, they keep the plot moving, the protagonists and antagonists creating intrigue, and the reader up late at night.

Intrusion by Rosalind Minett.

WWII, Two boys, A fateful rivalry 

A Relative Invasion Series Book 1

5 stars                     Ages 8-14

 “1937, South London. With the threat of war in Europe. Billy’s war begins when he meets his cousin, Kenneth, a devious psychological bully. With the same emotions that brought Hitler to power - envy of strength, and desire for new territory - Kenneth's invasion [of Billy’s toy box, bedroom, and life] begins.”

Intrusion is dedicated to all those who suffered the emotional effects of World War II. Minett explores the beginning of World War II through its impact on women and children who go into the countryside to live with unknown families, wealthy and poor. And to those who stay in London where schools are combined, and lines between wealthy and poor are blurred. London becomes a place where Kenneth steals Billy's toys and friends. A place where bombs destroy neighborhoods and create devastation and fear.

The characters are rich, the plot, while a well-researched piece of history, centers on the impact of these moments of history on families, parents, and children. Eloquently written, Intrusion is a chronological history covering WWII from 1937-1940 through slices of life as Billy at five years of age is sent away and housed separately from his mother and younger sister, while Kenneth stays to steal his toys and friends.

Billy returns to live with his family as waves of German bombers fly up the Thames. When Billy is eight, both he and Kenneth are evacuated to the countryside. Intrusion follows Billy, from innocent pretend with his hobby horse to using a gas mask and early maturity gained in a wartime of adult fear, hatred, and tension.

While certainly a wonderful classroom read for elementary or middle school classrooms where curriculum focuses on World War II, this is also a great read for children and tweens interested in this time. Easy paced and easily readable but honest and observant of times and people.

Intrusion is the first of three novels that follow Billy and Kenneth through the war (Infiltration)and into adolescence (Impact) set in World War II but follows their story of inner conflict.

Rosalind Minett (writing name) is a British writer and chartered psychologist with a background in theater. As such she has interpreted, worked with and created a wealth of characters with rich internal lives. Minett blogs at http://characterfulwriter.com covering diverse themes related to writing. She writes in other genres including mysteries and short stories.

Awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion.

I received a copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

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