The Elemental Detectives
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By Patrice Lawrence
avg rating
8 reviews
""A beautifully written book, bristling with magic … I loved it."" Cressida Cowell, Children’s Laureate & author of How to Train Your Dragon A stunningly imagined, action-packed fantasy adventure for fans of Nevermoor, Neverwhere and Mortal Engines, from bestselling and award-winning author Patrice Lawrence. Step into a London lit up by the Elemental spirits: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs. But humans have been causing chaos for centuries, trampling through the landscape trailing noise, mess and pollution. What if the Elements could slow down this new world… or stop it all together? The revenge-fuelled Shepherdess, who moves between the everyday and the supernatural London worlds, is the perfect weapon. She brings a sleeping sickness down on the city with the destruction of society in her sights. Marisee and Robert are the Elemental Detectives chasing the clues to avoid catastrophe: they must face the ghosts of Hyde Park, the monstrous coiled snake of the Serpentine, and a whole host of other fantastical creatures in their mission to stop the Shepherdess and prevent London slumbering for all eternity… Big, bold, future classic storytelling for a new generation. A London where magic sparks just beneath the surface – this book is set to ignite young imaginations. The page-turning, empowering, heart-racing first book in a major new series. More praise for Elemental Detectives: ""Breathtaking, captivating, and magical. … I really couldn’t put it down"" Reya, The Week Junior’s Summer of Reading 2023 ""I loved reading about a re-imagining of London with so much invention and energy. The world-building is well…out of this world. Patrice Lawrence is amongst the greatest voices for young people writing today. I’m honoured to be a peer of hers."" - Alex Wheatle, author of Cane Warriors ""BRILLIANT… history and fantasy woven magnificently into a thrilling, magical adventure"" – Sophie Anderson, author of The House with the Chicken Legs ""A fantastic adventure, packed with rich world building and stunning elemental magic."" – Peter Bunzl, author of Cogheart ""Wow – The Elemental Detectives is a cracking fantasy. Clever, inventive, and pacy, with wonderfully drawn characters and a breathless plot. I want to read more!"" – Bali Rai, author of Mohinder’s War ""The Elemental Detectives is a rip roaring magical adventure… Patrice Lawrence has done a marvellous job of building an imaginative and creative mythology which lurks just under the city streets."" Catherine Johnson, author of Freedom ""The Elemental Detectives is a richly imagined, inventive and immersive fantasy adventure."" – L. Norry, author of Son of the Circus Tweet
Reviews
It was a good book and I liked the plot but Amari and the great game was my favourite.
The Elemental spirits of water - Chads, fire - Dragons, air - Fumis and earth -Magogs have lived peacefully alongside humans for hundreds of years, but now as a sleeping sickness is sweeping across London something is terribly wrong.
12 year old Marisee is the granddaughter of the Keeper of the Wells where she regularly talks to the watery Chads, but she has disappeared leaving Marisee searching for her. During this search Marisee is attacked by some sleepers and 12 year old Robert Strong, a slave taken from his family in Barbados, comes to her rescue.
Based in London in 1764 The Elemental Detectives takes us back in time to a world of slavery, poverty, race and social class inequality. The descriptions of the sights and smells in the London streets and waterways of the time bring the narrative to life and the mixing of historical accuracy and fantasy is exquisite. There is so much history that could be explored alongside reading this book!
The characters of Marisee and Robert are well written, relatable and believable and as their relationship unfolds through the pages I felt myself rooting for them yet wanting Marisee to be more cautious and less trusting. Other characters include some gruesome ghosts, scary monsters, a terrifying villain The Shepherdess and the four elemental spirits, together they interweave to bring a thoroughly enjoyable, fast moving, exciting, action packed adventure.
I like this book because two people named Marisee and Robert have to protect london from anything or else it get destroyed. They have to face creatures like a snake of the Serpentine and even ghosts in hyde park.
I enjoyed the story about the elements and healing water however I didn’t feel to pick it up and keep on reading.
A wonderful blend of historical London, black history and magical fantasy.
This was a well-written story and I really enjoyed it! Set in 18th century London, the 4 elemental groups work to keep the city clean and safe but humans make this very difficult. Something untoward is stirring and animals and people seem to be falling into an unnatural sleep. Marisse and Robert, who are both black characters, work together, with the help of some of the elementals to stop the dark force. The story ends as if there will be a sequel. A complex story aimed at 9+
The book was beautifully written but I found the concept overcomplicated. I absolutely loved the thoroughness of research though and really felt immersed in 18th century London!
marsiee
