Everybody's talking about Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the bestselling author of The Shadow of the Wind, and The Angel's Game, who returns with The Prince of Mist. This very scary ghost story stayed at the top of the Spanish book charts for two years and is now translated into English for the first time. The haunting tale is aimed at readers of all ages, so is one to share with the whole family. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING - June 2010 In this page-turner, a young hero finds himself in a house haunted by secrets he is fated to uncover - but at what cost? Magical, and even though I'm a grown-up, SCARY! -- Lauren Laverne GRAZIA MAGAZINE nine-year-old Max Carver sets out to rescue his nearest and dearest from the malevolent character who embroils his victims in sinister pacts. SFX MAGAZINE The first book from the Shadow of the Wind author - published in English at last - is an atmospheric thriller following a young hero as he explores his new house in the country. Described as a cross between Stephen King and Neil Gaiman, it proves young adult fiction can be as gripping as the adult version. TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLMENT Addictive page-turner with things that go bump in the night ESSENTIALS MAGAZINE Zafon mixes youthful romance, devilish pacts, salty seadogs, scary clowns and haunted shipwrecks with a generous hand, and you might not want to go diving again after reading this. -- Suzi Feay FINANCIAL TIMES Utterly gripping, this is a deliciously haunting and chilling tale of dark magic and treachery which reaches out across time threatening all who cross its path. LOVEREADING4KIDS.CO.UK Readers of all ages will find mystery, thrills, and nail-biting suspense - it has the force of Stephen King spiced with the subtlety of Neil Gaiman -- John Lloyd, Waterstones Bath WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY A brilliant old-time ghost story for an audience probably new to such dazzling characterisation and spookiness... This is a first-time published author in complete control of his story. I didn't read this book - instead I swept over the incredibly visual film it mentally played in my head for three absorbing hours. It's a breathless rush of spookiness, with a firm punch to pack, as it evokes a dangerous, ethereal world, and does so almost perfectly. The Bookbag it certainly delivers as a horror novel. I was positively terrified reading it and nearly lost my mind in terror at least twice... Zafon is a writer of atmosphere and he is capable of infusing the smallest sequence with an incredible sense of mystique and ambience... A beautifully written horror novel which effectively scares and engages the reader. It may have been Carlos Ruiz Zafon's first novel but it certainly does not read like one. The Booksmugglers.com I was engrossed in every page, and turned each one wanting more and more. The books charm comes from the way in which you are drawn into the story and through the characters journey of discovery, which was breathtaking and one that I will be revisiting. MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS BLOG The ending of the book delivers an almighty punch - drawing together the emotional characters, thrilling suspense and chilling experiences. It whips up a storm that leaves the reader thinking: that was one of the best books that I have read this year. It has everything I like in a book and much, much more. I look forward to reading more from Carlos Ruiz Zafon very soon. MR RIPLEY'S ENCHANTED BOOKS BLOG The steps into the tension are nail biting, increasingly creepy and often unsettling. This is when the reader needs to step back and admire Zafron's craft. The building of the disturbing atmosphere evokes a speeding up of the reading, the pace is relentless and language choices are perfect. 'The Prince Of Mist' will grab your imagination and pull you in. Caroline Smailes (blog) Zafon is certainly an expert at cranking up the suspense and making the unimaginable seem quite feasible thanks to his fast paced storytelling and vivid descriptions. LOVELY TREEZ READS BLOG The Prince of Mist is a fun, fast moving book and a brilliant read. It is exactly the kind of book that I like to read- full of mystery...All in all, this book was probably one of the best books I have ever read and I would definitely reccommend it to anyone who likes mystery stories with a slight twist. -- Ella, age 12 the quality of Carlos' writing is timeless and totally captivating for both readers young in years and young at heart. An absolute delight. -- Jo Williams FEDERATION OF CHILDREN'S BOOK GROUPS 'there are some genuinely, deliciously scary sequences that will thrill young readers, particularly if they, like me, have a thing about clowns. And by 'thing about', I mean, 'terrified hatred of'.' -- Patrick Ness THE GUARDIAN
