In Memory of Nigel McDowell
For Top Ten Tuesday this week I was going to share with you all ten books that I felt deserved more love. But in the end I ran out of time and didn’t get the post up. I was then going to just put it up today but then on Wednesday I found out that one of the authors on the list, the very talented Nigel McDowell, had sadly passed away. And thus I decided to change the post to highlight the two books he wrote because they still deserve so much love than they already have.
Personally, I have only read The Black North, but I absolutely devoured it and I am certain that Tall Tales from Pitch End is just as good – and I will be making sure I read it soon.
Here’s a little more information about both of the books:
The Divided Isle, once a place of peace and tranquillity, has been ravaged by war. Twins Oona and Morris live with their grandmother in a stone cottage in the quiet southern county of Drumbroken, but the threat of the Invaders of the Black North – the ravaged northern part of the island – is coming ever closer. When Morris, fighting against the Invaders, is kidnapped by one of the evil Briar Witches, Oona must journey to the unknown realms of the Black North in search of her brother.
She is accompanied only by Merrigutt, a jackdaw with mysterious transformative powers, and a treasured secret possession: a small stone in the shape of a plum, but a stone that reveals truths and nightmares, and which the Invaders and their ruler, the King of the North, seek more than anything. Oona must keep the stone safe at all costs, and find her brother, before the King of the North extends his evil hold over the whole island and destroys it forever.
Ruled by the Elders, policed by an unforgiving battalion of Enforcers and watched by hundreds of clockwork Sentries, Pitch End is a town where everybody knows their place.
Soon-to-be fifteen-year-old Bruno Atlas still mourns the death of his Rebel father ten years ago, and treasures the book of stories he secretly uncovered: the Tall Tales from Pitch End. After discovering a chilling plot planned by the Elders, Bruno flees, escaping to the mountains where a bunch of disparate young Rebels are planning a final attack on Pitch End.
With secrets and betrayal lying around every corner, Bruno will find himself fighting not only for his life, but the life of the town.
Nigel was more than just talented, however. Nigel was also a lovely ad kind person who will definitely be missed. He actually did an interview with me for this blog which can be found here. I loved conversing with him for the interview, it just showed to me how wonderful a person he was.
Thus I decided to find some of the other blogs he visited too. Below is a list to all of the links I could find. If you want to know more about him and his work, please do have a look through.
Hot Key Books Author Bio
Nigel’s Website
Q & A for Love Reading 4 Kids
Guest Post for Culture Northern Ireland
Writing Advice on Hot Key Books
Q & A for Tatum Flynn
Q & A for Bibliomaniac
Lastly I want to end this post by saying that I am very sad and sorry to hear about Nigel passing. My thoughts got to his friends and family during this tough time. I am very glad that I got a chance to speak with him, even if it was only briefly. I’ll always remember him and his incredible imagination and strength.
R.I.P. Nigel.
