The Children of The King    by Sonya Hartnett Order:  USA  Can Candlewick, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, CD, e-Book     Reviewed by Jessica Maguire World War II is underway and London is subjected to blackouts and air raids. France has fallen and Londoners know it is just a matter of time before they are bombed themselves. The lucky ones are able to relocate to the English countryside for safety's sake. Cecily, her brother Jeremy, and their mother are lucky. They are going to stay with Uncle Peregrine at Heron Hall. Along the way Cecily convinces her mother to take in May, a young girl sent by herself to the countryside, her father fighting in the war and her mother working in London sewing parachutes. While at Heron Hall, Uncle Peregrine tells the girls and Jeremy a story of Snow Castle, now nothing but ruins on Heron Hall's land. The girls are intrigued by the story and by the strange boys they meet at the ruins of Snow Castle, whom they soon realize are ghosts! Although I really enjoyed the setting of the story along with the story of Snow Castle, I must admit that I found the protagonist an annoying, spoiled brat. Cecily, coming from wealth, treats May as though she is a simpleton and acts as though she is much better than May is. Cecily is used to fine surroundings and getting her way and that shows in her character. Despite the annoying, spoiled Cecily, this chapter novel is still a good read for readers ages ten and up. Uncle Peregrine's story of the medieval castle within the story of the novel (a story in a story, a nod to Shakespeare perhaps?) adds to the drama of the plot and holds the reader's interest. You will be transported to another time in another place as you get lost in the pages of this book. Happy reading! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews