Product Description

Part of a series of novels designed to bridge the gap between children's and adult fiction. The emphasis is on dynamic, imaginative novels with strong characterization and fast moving plots.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #268521 in Books
• Published on: 1995-08-11
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
Robin Jarvis studied graphic design in Newcastle and then worked in television and advertising making model monsters and puppets. He has been a full-time writer and illustrator for some time, and has a large following among children and adults. Robin’s books are consistent best-sellers and he has won several awards for his work. The Dark Portal was runner-up for the Smarties Prize in 1989.

Customer Reviews

Compelling and original follow-up
This sequel to "The Whitby Witches" holds even more excitement, horror and amazing twists as the first book in the series. In truth, it is actually BETTER than the first! After the tragic end of the last book, "A Warlock in Whitby" reacquaints us with the three main characters, and also adds a couple more to the ensemble. There are some amazingly well-written scenes, and Nathaniel Crozier is a truly frightening adversary. Jarvis really knows his stuff!

With twists and turns in the plot (as well as many a tragic and horrifying moment), "A Warlock in Whitby" boasts some original monsters which make sure you're shuddering through-out, a deepening of the Coven conspiracy only hinted at in the first, and an earth-shattering cliff-hanger to top it all off. Truly remarkable. I also recommend "The Whitby Child" which is the final part of the trilogy, and another amazing book in Jarvis' collection.

Better then Deptford Mice?
The Whitby trilogy were the first Jarvis books I read, and I still enjoy re-reading them nearly a decade later. The narrative pace is perfectly judged, with palpitation-inducing action skillfully juxtaposed with more reflective moments.

Readers of The Whitby Witches will doubtless want to read this book (and The Whitby Child) to see whether the aufwader tribe are rescued from extinction, and though that is the main plot thread, the development of the characters is also excellently managed- we see Alice Boston go from a slightly irritating busy-bodyish old lady to a wise and powerful woman who is still capable of evoking pathos.

Anyone who has read the Deptford Mice trilogy will enjoy the Whitby books. I would say that they exhibit a more mature style of writing, and are a little more frightening due to the fact that the protagonists and the embodiments of evil are human rather than the more fantastic talking animals of the other books.

I've not granted the book 5 stars because of a petty dislike of the new cover design, which is far too bright and flashy for my liking, but don't let that put you off.

Enjoy reading them!

Scary
Having defeated Rowena in book one, Jarvis conjures up a new adversary for Alice Boston and children Jennet and Ben in this thrilling and just as scary sequel to the Whitby witches.
Rowena's husband Nathaniel comes to Whitby, called the 'most evil man on earth' and he does live up to his name...
Overall an excellent book for people of all ages.