This book was a fantastic way to get back into MG literature. The reason I love children’s literature is the fact that it touches on mature themes in a way that children can access and understand.

I believe this is the first book I’ve read that mentioned children/young people and how they felt during the pandemic.

I hope it gets the recognition it deserves as I do feel it will allow young readers to reflect and comprehend what has happened in their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing to read an advanced copy of this book by Matthew Fox.

This is a beautifully written book about with a unique take on death and what comes after. It is the first but I have read for children set post pandemic. The references to COVID 29, the lockdowns and life during the pandemic generally make the book super relatable to the current target audience and will ensure that future generations understand what life in lockdown was like for children in the UK. I also love he references to Greek mythology spread throughout the book. This would make the perfect book to read with my class during our topic on Ancient Greece.

“Books unlock all secrets in the end.”
 
🌱Oh my gosh, I don't know if I'm even ready to write about this book yet. Are my thoughts and feelings ripe enough to transcribe into a review that's not going to be just a great big gush of heartfelt pain and…. Yikes I can feel the emotions in my heart already! I'm going to go and make a coffee, find some chocolate, then I'll try to tell you why 'The Lovely Dark' by the award-winning 'Sky Over Rebecca' author, Matthew Fox, has to be one of the best Children's middle grade fiction books of 2023. BRB.
 
🌱Is it possible to live and not feel alive at the same time? Is it possible to die and not be dead? What of the afterlife, do we get to be with the ones we love? Are there rules? Is anyone in charge? What happens to time and purpose? What about angels? Do ones that have passed on watch over us in the living?
 
“These are deep philosophical questions that have been contemplated by thinkers, theologians, and philosophers throughout history. There are no definitive answers to these questions, as they often delve into matters of personal belief, spirituality, and metaphysics. Different cultures, religions, and individuals may have varying perspectives on these matters.” - AI (I was curious what 'it' would think)
 
🌱I guess I'm a bit of “…thinkers, theologians, and philosophers…” then, and so must be 'The Lovely Dark' author, Matthew Fox.
 
🌱This story harks back to a tricky time, a very uncomfortable and possibly more triggering time for some than others… the COVID-19 pandemic. You'll not be thinking about it through most of your reading, I assure you, however, the author has woven in the recent pandemic, an era that children reading this story will themselves recall in their living history. Some children reading this book may have had experienced a much-loved grandparent dying alone in hospital during the height of the pandemic, their family unable to see them due to social distancing rules, the grief and anger, the bravery of the dying elderly relative and the NHS staff, the sorrow of never having been able to say heartfelt goodbyes. This is what happened to Ellie's family and to her grandmother.
 
🌱Ellie has questions. She has questions about death and depending on who she asks, she gets a different answer. Then one evening the doorbell rings and in gusts Elle's grandma, except she's dead, she's a ghost, then as quickly as she arrives and tells her she loves her, she leaves; Ellie doesn't get a chance to tell her she loves her too. It's all rather unsettling and confusing. Ellie is also in the category of “…thinkers, theologians, and philosophers…”, except she definitely isn't a theologian. She doesn't believe in God or religion, but she does have an amazing imagination.
 
🌱A bespectacled Justin moves in over the road. It's still the pandemic. There are some social distancing precautions in place and they share a love of the same kind of books. They quickly become the very best of friends, inseparable. This is where the book starts to get VERY interesting… we're only on Chapter 3 of 67!
 
🌱By the end of Chapter 13 it's all going to go terribly wrong. (It actually goes wrong in Chapter 14, so please, if you're superstitious, don't worry!) Justin and Ellie take a trip to visit a Roman mosaic archeological site deep in the London Underground. Inspired by what they see at the site, Justin talks of the Ancient Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, of their everlasting love, sacrifice, and a fateful deal with the underworld. Ellie interjects. Orpheus's heroism is incomparable to the heroism and bravery of the nurses and doctors caring for those dying alone from COVID-19. Just as they pause their conversation, they notice they're all alone, and droplet of water falls down from high above onto the mosaic…
 
🌱What happens next is impossible to convey to you without robbing you of your own journey in 'The Lovely Dark'. You will love the never-give-up courage of our two protagonists, the ever so clever hints and clues that sometimes will evade, the masterfulness of such an otherworldly plot from this award-winning author. I adored the use of Walkmans and cassettes in the story, so nostalgic for the adult readers, and utter genius. Will you manage to solve this puzzle before the last chapter?  If you're reading this as a class book, in a book club, or with a child at home, you'll have them on the edge of their seats. You'll all be second guessing yourselves every few chapters.

This book was heartfelt, emotional, current and impactful. I do think some of our more sensitive young readers may struggle a little with the storyline however I think it would be a great addition to the Library.

I really felt for Ellie and Justin as they dealt with the aftermath of the pandemic and the author made it feel as if we were going along the journey with them.

Well don't come here expecting a plot summary, for I didn't have the liberty of one when I started reading this. And the dizzying feeling of not knowing what this would do and where it would go, at any time, was the whole reason for it being here. What else was noticeable? The dialogue for one, snappy and efficient – but not Aaron Sorkin snappy and efficient, just how people actually talk instead. The counter-argument to that is the amount of needless and overly-plain "he said she said" interjections. The chapters also could barely be shorter, mind – breezing us through no end of them in record time.

All told this is a book that could have been cloying, trite, mawkish, pretentious, too weird, or any number of things, and is none of those. Some of the beats and elements are a touch predictable, but that only if you force yourself away from the world on these pages (which is not easily done) and set to analysing things. Some people will find this rather awkward to get through – this hits some incredibly emotional beats later on, but for the brave, this deliberately unsettling, powerfully inventive and completely gripping read will be well worth the time. Certainly you will never look at a Walkman again...

Last year I read Sky Over Rebecca by this author, and not gonna lie I was first drawn to it by the mention of my name... and the stunning cover. So when I stopped this gorgeous cover I knew I had to have it.

Eleanor and her friend Justin love mythology, and are visiting a local exhibition when tragedy strikes. They find themselves in the Underworld, a place they were learning about but didn't expect to find themselves in. In their journey, Eleanor finds herself in Eventide House, a place for kids to learn in the Underworld... but something doesn't feel right... and where is Justin....

Just like the precious book, my heart strings were well and truly tugged, definitely a tear (or 50) shed.

Based on both these books, I would not hesitate to pick up the next installment from Matthew!

Thanks to NetGalley, Hachette and Hodder Children's books for the chance to read this one

I receive this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Wow! This book is so unique and emotional. I haven’t read many books yet that mention or are set after the pandemic which was interesting but also a reminder of it really happened because it doesn’t feel real now.

This story follows Ellie who has recently died in an accident when she and her friend Justin went to visit a mosaic that was unveiled in London.

When her and Justin die they find themself picking up some Walkmans and following some instructions on a tape. At one point they are forced to split on a forked path. Eleanor finds herself at Eventide School… where children appear to be in an ‘afterlife’, but not everything is as it seems. And as Eleanor tries to find her way back to her friend, she meets a new friend Ash…

This book is brilliantly executed and the literary references that mirror the storyline work so well. It was spooky, but emotional and I honestly now want to hear more from the story and where it left off. It’s such a beautiful way to talk about death and what happens after but with an exciting and sometimes spooky adventure. A really quick read and I didn’t want to put it down.

The Lovely Dark is just what it says on the label - a little bit dark and a whole lot of lovely!
Eleanor and Justin, best friends, are killed in a freak accident in a disused tube station. What follows is a thoughtful exploration of what happens to children in the after-life. fox builds a lovely (after) world where friends look out for each other and curiosity is left intact.
However, when Eleanor and Justin are separated physically their friendship endures as they uncover how they might be rejoined and so sets off Eleanor's quest to find her friend.
The children's characters are beautifully rendered with requisite quest, mystery and curiosity motifs proliferating the story. What could be quite maudlin, the death of children and the subsequent grief of parents, is rather painted with careful, thoughtful brushstrokes. While the parental grief is observed what is more important is the enormous bond that Eleanor and Justin have; the loyalty they have for each other is gorgeous. And though this parent wept in parts, the story is beautiful.
Younger KS3 readers might need some help with the more tragic elements of the story; however, some consolation might be felt by those bereaved, especially given its background of the recent Covid-19 pandemic and the losses faced by the family prior to the children's accident.
It's a lovely, lovely story - one that will stay with me for a very long time.

I wish I had stories like this when I was young, not that I didn’t have great books when I was young I’m just jealous of children that get to read this now, how much it will stay with them and inspire them, shape them and go with them on their journeys in life. I didn’t cry reading this, no, I sobbed to rivers and lakes, Justin and Eleanor were everything. How Justin, saved her, how he never quit, never stopped until she was safe. The emphasis on the love and beauty of friendship that pure simple thing it’s just so beautiful. I think I need to go and lie down now to get over this, because this book has affected me in ways that most adult stories don’t. Children’s books are so underrated. In fact, we shouldn’t just be calling them children’s books they are literature, they are future classics or at least the lovely dark is. This is my first read by Matthew Fox and I’m now off to look at his back catalogue and probably devastate myself even more. I can’t emphasise how wonderful the story, this literature, this artwork is, and I can’t recommend enough

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thought The Sky Over Rebecca emotionally ruined me by The Lovely Dark has me unable to stop crying. This book is a devastating, wonderful, emotional masterpiece.

I loved the use of stories in stories. How Sleeping Beauty was the book in the library that meant Eleanor and Ash were able to wake up. How the story of Orpheus was paralleled and changed so Justin could save Eleanor. That just absolutely broke me that did. Just the pure, sheer love of that friendship. The fact that Justine never stopped saving her - he pushed her to safety when the mosaic was flooding, he made the deal to not see his family so that she could live again. Pure agony to read because that's just so beautiful.

I loved the way the story twisted, the sinister mystery of Eventide House and the figures within it. The way it was just a representation of the coma ward. I was wondering why the kids were getting coffee so much and the fact that's that because their loved ones were drinking coffee as they watched over them!!! Pure pain. But in the good way.

Just, I can't recommend this book enough. This is definitely going to be one that will stick with some kids out there and fundamentally impact them. I know it would've if I'd read it as a kid. Even now, it's going to stick with me. I honestly can't wait for more from Matthew Fox, even though I know it's likely I'll just be emotionally devastated by his writing get again.

Aimed at readers 9 years and up, the story follows Ellie and her friend Justin on a breathtakingly emotional journey through the afterlife which left me in tears. With gentle discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of loved ones this book was extremely relatable and relevant, the story is beautiful and the worlds created within it so rich and immersive that any reader will be transported into them, even old ones like me!

I loved that the characters were so intertwined and the story heavily featured Greek mythology which I know younger readers will enjoy. With adventure and mystery this book really had it all and was the kind of story you don't want to end because you have become so invested in the characters and their lives .. but as with all things, including life, it does end .. .

Huge thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Hodder Children's Books, for my early copy.

This short unassuming book entertained me, broke me and held me.

The blurb tells us this story may get emotional, it very openly warns us that our lead character; 12 year old Eleanor is exploring the Underworld after she dies in an accident.

We are gifted a supernatural, mystery where Eleanor tries to figure out what is going on in this post life world. I love the fact that even by the time we get to the end and the mystery is solved, there are many threads left untied. We get the core of the story, but are allowed the chance to consider and contemplate what different elements meant along the way.

I cried, I love a book that makes me cry, it means they've hooked me.

This book may be too much for some children, BUT I know 9 year old me would have lapped this story up. I appreciate authors who don't dampen down their message and remember children are capable of very difficult, deep thinking and should be given the opportunity to explore all parts of life in an appropriate way. I think The Lovely Dark did this well.

As well as TW: Death, I would also say that Covid/the pandemic is an important element of the story, albeit reasonably small.

I can't wait to read more by Matthew Fox and hope you consider picking this one up, for yourself or others, if you haven't already.

What a fantastic book. Two true friends, whilst on a trip to see Roman Remains in London, suffer a catastrophic event which changes their lives.
Exploration, Survival and loyalty are key themes in this brilliantly moving tale.
I absolutely loved it.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review

Wow! Just Wow!
Not sure how to write a review at all. This book has 67 chapters - they are very short!

Do you know the story of Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice? No? Neither did I.

In this story we first meet 12 year old Eleanor Newton during lockdown, her Gran has just died in hospital and they weren't allowed to visit or see her. Then Justin's family move in over the road, and the two bond over a love of books. But just a day later she's in the house alone when she sees Nan's ghost - in fact Nan rings the bell and comes in - then looks at her watch and says she's early and Eleanor is to forget she saw her at all!

One day when on the train home Justin sees something odd - a girl that looks excatly like Eleanor on the train next to them! But she has a watch - so not quite the same - except Eleanor knows that's Nan's watch and it's in her box at home. Her Grandmother had told her about an Irish folktale called a "fetch". She feels ill and they have to leave the train.

The very next morning Eleanor wakes with flu, she's ill for a week. When she comes round her parents tel her Mum's pregnant and they're having a boy. Eleanor says they should call him Jack after Grandma. Justin helps her catch up and their history is Ancient Greeks and she's missed a school trip to see a Roman mosaic featuring the story of Orpheus. Justin thinks tehy should go. On the way Eleanor sees something else that scares her - a boy the image of Justin - another "fetch". They go down underground to get to the mosiac....then something terrible happens. They die, the fetch has done it's job. But Justin believed that he could look after Eleanor that he could retrieve her from the other side of the river and could do what Orpheus failed at. The children arrive at a crossroads and have to travel on different roads. Eleanor finds herself at Eventide House - a sort of half way house. But she can't find Justin, and he doesn't go back to their meeting place. At Eventide she meets Ash, who is hiding in the library. She wants to go back; to see her brother even if it has to be as a ghost.
Then she finds a tape, Justin's voice tells her what to do, he tells her how to get home, he tells her that it is 6 months on.
He asks her to describe what she can see at his house and says he can't look at them, she doesn't understand why. He promised he would meet her. She goes to the hospital and sees her mum, her newborn brother, her dad. Then Dad goes to a different ward... there are children from Eventide House. How are they here?

This is just outstanding! I loved every bit, it was impossible to put down even when I wanted to cry. Parts made me gasp with horror. Others made me sad. But all of it together is amazing.

TA, ESCP.

Into the Dark is one of those books that don't come along very often but when they do you know they will stay with you for a long time. The book explores tricky and current issues of death and mortality after the pandemic. It is incredibly delicate and touching in how it does so. I would have really benefitted from reading a book like this when I was a child, dealing with grief. The story focuses around Ellie and Justin as they make a journey into a dreamlike, halfway step into the afterlife. The book delves into Greek mythology and is a beautiful book for children to read from year 5 upwards. I must also add that this is a very uplifting and heart-warming book. To achieve that, along with the other themes of the book is no mean feat. Brilliant book.

A really good storyline that explores an often difficult concept, especially for children. I particularly liked the links with recent events such as COVID which children can relate to. A brilliant book that I will recommend to our local school library service and school library :)

This book had me gripped, firstly due to the mix of the modern world and Ancient Greek myths, but also because of the mysteries that fill this story. I don't want to say too much about the storyline because I don't want to give away the ending. Needless to say, the book is a sad one, that involves death throughout so would need to be used or recommended thoughtfully in the classroom. However, it is also moving and very well written. Though the events in the story, Ellie learns to process the grief of losing a loved one due to the pandemic. She also has to overcome her own life changing event. This book is definitely one to make you think and could be a very helpful conversation starter, if used at the right time, to help others think about their own journey with loss.

The Lovely Dark follows Ellie and Justin as they negotiate a strange new world alone. As they do so they evaluate their ties to their loved ones, one another, and themselves. It's a brave children's novel which examines the issue of mortality in the aftermath of the pandemic. The author's writing style is so accessible and this is a real page-turner with plenty of mysteries to solve. The story packs a real punch and the bittersweet ending will stay with readers for a long time after the final page is turned.

Engaging, sensitive, and poignant, whilst still being a compelling read.
Beautiful book for kids, but the language did feel a little stilted at times - possibly a little overly simplistic and repetitive. Would have loved to have seen slightly more intricate language and descriptions used, to stretch and grow readers alongside the themes covered here - but obviously it's a balancing act.

Dying in an accident is only the beginning of the journey for 12-year-old Eleanor Newton. A mysterious boatman takes her to the other world and she starts her "afterlife" at Eventide House. Days at that boarding school of sorts seems to always be sunny and warm but very strange things have also been happening and Ellie knows something is wrong. She wants only one things: to get back to the world of The Living and meet her new baby brother. Can she really find a way to make the journey back?

I really loved this story. For one thing, it's the first children's book I've read that talks about the Covid pandemic and the loss and pain so many children have gone through: loosing a family member and not being able to say goodbye. The pandemic has been a huge part of so many children's lives and I'm glad to see it being acknowledged in a book like The Lovely Dark. I think that many adults, many writers, would like to forget about it but I don't think we can pretend that it never happened (thinking of my 11 year-old - this was more than a quarter of her life. Trying to bury this part of our lives feels like trying to bury part of "her" life).
Besides this, The Lovely Dark is a wonderfully poetic, tender, and also exciting, imaginary glimpse into the afterlife. The characters are engaging and the story grips you from the start. A great, original and emotional read.