Skip to main content

Book Review: The Hanged Man Rises by Sarah Naughton

The Hanged Man RisesTitle: The Hanged Man Rises
Author: Sarah Naughton
Series: Standalone
Pages: 234
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books
Date of Publication: 28th February 2013
Source: Publisher*
Synopsis from Goodreads: When their parents are killed in a fire, Titus Adams and his little sister Hannah are left to fend for themselves in the cruel and squalid slums of Victorian London. Taking shelter with his friend and saviour, Inspector Pilbury, Titus should feel safe. But though the inspector has just caught and hung a notorious child-murderer, the murders haven't stopped. Now everyone is a suspect, even the inspector himself, and unless Titus can find a way to end the killings, he will lose all that is dear to him.
For this evil cannot be contained, even by death.


My Thoughts:
I haven't read a historical book for a while, so I was really excited to get started with The Hanged Man Rises, and it was great to read something different. It was a quick, fun read that I would definitely recommend!

The book is set in Victorian London, and I really enjoyed reading about lots of the different aspects of it. There was Titus, Stitcher and Charly, who were street urchins, and then all the inspectors and policemen at the police station, and also Lilly Kent, a medium. They all had very different roles and lifestyles but were all really interesting to read about and I haven't really done very much at school about the Victorians ever really so it was awesome to get to learn a little bit about how they would have lived, even if it was through fiction.

The plot was really great. Although at only 234 pages the book was very short, at no point did the book feel rushed or empty, like not a lot happened. There were plenty of twists and unexpected turns of events that kept me guessing, and while it was a little predictable, it didn't matter because the writing was really good and it kept the story interesting. The Hanged Man Rises also has a supernatural element which I wasn't expecting but really liked. It was written into the plot extremely well and even though I don't believe in ghosts or witchcraft or anything like that, I didn't have a problem investing myself in the story and there were even times when it got a little bit creepy.

I liked the characters too. While I think a couple of them could have been fleshed out a little more, I think that the main characters in the book were very strong. I really liked Titus- I thought his fierce loyalty and care for his sister was admirable, and I loved his determination to find whoever was killing the children, despite only being a child himself. Stitcher, Inspector Pilbury and the creepy old lady whose name I have forgotten (I'm sorry!) were all super awesome as well.

While probably more suited to the younger reader, The Hanged Man Rises would be great for all fans of historical young adult fiction, and especially if you like it with a little supernatural twist. It's great if you're looking for something a little bit different that's quick and easy to read and I would definitely recommend it!

*Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. In no way has this affected my opinion of the novel. 

Also, remember to check out this guest post from the author, where she talks about ghosts! It's really good, I promise! :)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood

Hello all! Hope you're all enjoying the summer! I'm currently on holiday in a huge castle in the South of France and enjoying relaxing, playing games, and of course reading a lot!  Today's post is a review of a dreamy summer romance that's perfect for your holiday TBRs! Title:  A Sky Painted Gold Author:  Laura Wood Series:   n/a Pages:   356 Publisher:  Scholastic Date of Publication:  5th July, 2018 Source:  Publisher for review* Synopsis from Goodreads: Growing up in her sleepy Cornish village dreaming of being a writer, sixteen-year-old Lou has always wondered about the grand Cardew house which has stood empty for years. And when the owners arrive for the summer - a handsome, dashing brother and sister - Lou is quite swept off her feet and into a world of moonlit cocktail parties and glamour beyond her wildest dreams. But, as she grows closer to the Cardews, is she abandoning her own ambitions... And is there something darker lurking at the

Book Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went Author: Gayle Forman Series: If I Stay #2 Pages: 260 Publisher: Random House Date of UK Publication: April 28th 2011 Source: Borrowed from friend Synopsis from Goodreads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future and each other. Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance. My Thoughts: Where She Went continues the story from If I

REVIEW: Floored by Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood

Good morning! Hope you're having a good week! Today I have a review for one of the biggest titles at YALC this year. Title:  Floored Author:  Sara Barnard, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Non Pratt, Melinda Salisbury, Lisa Williamson, and Eleanor Wood Series:  n/a Pages:   320 Publisher:  Macmillan Date of Publication:  12th July, 2018 Synopsis from Goodreads: When they got in the lift, they were strangers (though didn't that guy used to be on TV?): Sasha, who is desperately trying to deliver a parcel; Hugo, who knows he's the best-looking guy in the lift and is eyeing up Velvet, who knows what that look means when you hear her name and it doesn't match the way she looks, or the way she talks; Dawson, who was on TV, but isn't as good-looking as he was a few years ago and is desperately hoping no one recognizes him; Kaitlyn, who's losing her sight but won't admit it, and who used to have a poster of Dawson on her bedroom wall, and Joe, who shoul