THE MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS BY ROSS MONTGOMERY

The Midnight Guardians is a great adventure story in the wonderful tradition of good versus evil. Col has been evacuated to the North of England, away from the blitz bombing of London. World War II is in its early stages but still threatens to destroy the only person he has left. Col’s sister Rose is in London working with the emergency services and since their father died, she is the one who knows him best. Col is staying with his Aunt Claire but she is always tired and cranky and when Rose’s plan to visit him for Christmas comes to nothing, Col is devastated. He runs away to the cottage they used to live in with their father, and it is there that things start to get strange.

When he was young, Col had invented some imaginary friends who he would have the most exciting adventures with. The was the King of Rogues, a miniature, amour clad, sword wielding soldier, Mr Noakes, a badger dressed in a waistcoat and an amazing six-foot-tall tiger called Pendlebury. Together they were the Guardians, whose sole aim in life was to protect and help him. As he grew older they were left behind at the cottage and in their own world. A place that was now suffering the same terror that England and the rest of the world were facing. The Midwinter King was gathering strength and was overtaking the land bringing darkness and misery. He was in a fierce battle with the Green Man who represented warmth, growth and renewal. The Midwinter King was determined to take over his world and was searching for the Green Man in order to finally destroy him.

Col not only had to get to London to save his sister from a deadly bombing raid, he had to find and protect the Green Man. While travelling to London, Col and his Guardians come across Ruth, a refugee from Nazi Germany. She too, needs to get to London in order to trace her parents. Together they must fight off the evil creatures sent to kill them and kidnap back the Guardians.

Ross Montgomery’s novel is a joy to read. Readers are immediately drawn to Col and his circumstances. The Guardians are a wonderful trio of squabbling comrades who are loyal and steadfast. All the characters are beautifully portrayed and the humour that runs through the book manages to soften the horror of war. As a parallel story of two worlds fighting against evil forces it works beautifully.

For Ages: 9 - 13 years

Number of Pages: 387 plus historical notes

Published: September 2020

Themes: Family, loyalty and resilience.

Rating: 4/5