Matt Griffin A Cage of Roots (The Ayla Trilogy, Book 1)

A compelling adventure full of danger, betrayal and magic as three friends battle to save their friend Ayla from a terrible fate.... the dark edge to the story is quite masterfully done - even for the adult reader, there is a hint of the macabre! The supernatural element to this story was well presented; it was both intriguing and engaging. This story is also really well written from start to finish, and has an originality that sets it apart from the other fantasy stories- particularly with its links to Irish mythology and its links to contemporary Ireland

mightily impressive

Matt Griffin's fantasy creation ... lies at the very darkest edge of fairy tale ... It is a place not of nursery story but of nightmare, not of Tir Na Nog, but of an 'other' magical pre Ireland where life literally withers away after forbidden return. Yet his creation and his narrative are all the more resonant and potent, and indeed all the more terrifying, for their link to the tropes and archetypes of ancient tales. One of the particular strengths of Matt Griffin's narrative is placing within this dark fairy tale context a quartet of young protagonists who are fully contemporary in their language and outlook. They are every inch kids of today, clever, lippy, streetwise. These are certainly no Pevensie children, stumbling with wide eyed wonder into Narnia ... [A] Cage of Roots [is] a gripping and powerful read, a potent and imaginative refreshing of many of the tropes and themes of great children's fantasy - with more than a touch of darkness thrillingly added. And of course that wonderful whack of Irishness. Matt Griffin uses very effectively ... some of the classic fiction techniques: starting in mid action, interweaving split narratives. It is most skillful writing in any terms - and, as an authorial debut, exceptional. His already much admired artist's imagination, together with its expertly crafted realisation, clearly transfers readily into his writing. Often in trilogies/quartets, second books can drop off a little in quality. But not so here. Storm Weaver, as much a continuation as a sequel, fully maintains the momentum and visceral excitement of the first book ... From the ending, it is clear that this sequence is not yet complete - a cause for eager, indeed impatient, anticipation. Assuming that any forthcoming completion will be as good as the first books (and there is every encouragement here to think so) then this will be a very fine and important addition to the cannon of quality children's fantasy literature. Matt Griffin provides his own art work and the simple but darkly elegant covers and strong, menacing illustrations make these books stunning packages in their own right as well complementing the text superbly. It is a shame there are, at present, no hardback editions to collect for posterity, but surely this sequence will soon get the US publication it well merits, and hopefully then

5 stars ... this story is really good ... this book would be good for both girls and boys ... I liked the way the book swaps from one character to the next and it is very exciting, you don't want to put the book down because you want to know what is happening. Will be recommending this book to my class

an original and engaging fantasy ... gorgeously, eerily illustrated by the author, A Cage of Roots is equal parts compelling, enchanting and unsettling

full of magic and mystery, deeply rooted in Irish mythology and legends ... an astonishing debut ... a dark, deep tale of destiny and loyalty of heroic proportion, a strong recommendation for fantasy readers; this will keep you on the edge of your seat. (I do not recommend this as a bedtime read!) Stunning