Book Tamers| book reviews

I don’t normally get fascinated with novels for kids, the Harry Potter type. But this time I made an exception and I’ve read Tunnels, an international bestseller, written by British authors Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.

At first sight, there can be seen a pretty simple course of actions: Will Burrows, a fourteen-year old albino shares a common passion with his father, Dr. Burrows, for archeology and excavations. Soon, Dr. Burrows finds a secret that he’s determined to reveal and his disappearance makes Will follow his dad into the depths where he will find another civilization, completely different than the one he was used to. Thus, a series of secrets that were well guarded will be revealed to Will and to his friend, Chester, his companion in this adventure.

I was barely breathing while reading this book and this is only because of the unexpected events that occur to the two boys. Moreover, the manner this novel was conceived makes every reader to truly live every moment next to the characters. I think the British authors have borrowed a little bit something from Jules Verne’s style, especially when it is about going deep down the ground. No matter what, the novel is appreciated and seems follow Harry Potter, especially that there could be a second part due for 2008 and a screening for 2010.

Curiosity made me look for information concerning Tunnels and I discovered it was promoted by editor Barry Cunningham, i.e. the same person who discovered Harry Potter phenomenon. More than that, Tunnels became the number 1 book in Great Britain and it was translated in 40 languages. Children waited a long time for this novel, but actually adults, who love this kind of literature, were to.

As a whole, I loved the novel’s architecture and I was pleased with the meticulous description of every inch of the underworld. The novel was so well written that at one point, I had the impression of really seeing before me the Eternal City and the Collony. I guess there will be a terrific movie coming up.

More than that, before getting to know so much about Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams’s novel, I was kind of disappointed for the novel doesn’t really end up. But then I found out the reason Will and Chester go to the Underworld without knowing anything about their evolution…the reason is simple: there will be a sequel.

My favorite character is Will. Besides being the most important character in Tunnels, Will suffers an obvious mutation during all the things he’s going through. We can actually say that more he evolves, deeper he can reach in the underworld, as an initiation. While at the beginning of the novel, we are faced to a rather impatient and compulsive young man, by the end he gets more calculated and perseverant.

On the same time, something made me wondering: Chester is at the very beginning a close companion to Will, but after entering the underworld, he becomes only an auxiliary. But no matter what, by the end of the novel, nobody seems to have forgotten him, not Will anyway. They will both leave together, as they did at the beginning of their adventure.

I’m pretty sure everyone will enjoy this novel and that is also because it is easy to follow. And then, who does not get fascinated with secrets and mysteries? Moreover, the idea that there could be a whole different civilization under us leads to deep feelings, similar to those when imagining there is a world above us.

The eternal search of the unknown in the underground created a new character that wins ground against Harry Potter. If you’re sick and tired of big cities and their dust, the noise, the lights and traffic jams, there is for sure a certain calm you will find in this novel. Or is it? Will there be quiet and calm or an awesome ride with the characters through extraordinary events? Thus, I am recommending you an excellent novel- Tunnels, which will keep you fascinated because you will definitely enjoy the two boys’ adventure.

Written by Cristina