Secrets of the Snakestone

Secrets of the snakestone is a historical tale with fantasy elements set in victorian France and aimed at Middle grade children.

It tells the tale of Zélie who an Indian girl who has been brought over to be the housemaid of a rich and rather horrible woman. Its a tale of magic, friendship, family and betrayal with hints at social injustice. it's a wonderful book with the odd joke that would appeal to the younger readers. Would like to see more from this author

I really enjoyed Piu DasGupta’s Secrets if the Snakestone. It’s a total gallop from start to finish both above and below the streets of Paris.

A brilliant setting for a novel in both time and place. Paris, at the end of the nineteenth century, was a place of innovation and the creation of new social spaces- leading to new levels of decadence (in the pursuit of beauty and culture, of course…). For settings, we are spoiled: the iconic Rue Morgue, the Opéra, the circus, the railway are but some of the places we visit… above ground!

Many of these spaces remained a preserve of the rich until industrialisation eventually led to some social levelling. Our heroes belong at the other end of the social order. Zélie thrust by circumstance from her home in India into the service of the formidable Madame Malaise. Jules, a ‘sewer boy’ who does not realise the turns his life is about to take when he finds a curious golden locket under the Parisian streets.

Zélie provides a fascinating lens through which to view the city, also highlighting the trappings of colonialism which are everywhere- in physical form and exposed in the mindset of the more villainous characters.

Zélie is a fantastic lead: she is courageous in many ways, big and small. Whenever societal expectations or negative feelings are becoming a barrier, she lists off affirmations, which propel her forward and reveal more about her character and past adventures! It’s clearly not only in Paris that she’s found character and courage in spades! Jules, for his part, is the perfect foil to Zélie’s impulsivity while proving himself quite the young adventurer too.

From a Y6 teacher’s POV, I loved the signature use of simile- lots of which made me laugh. I enjoyed the peppering of French language and cultural allusions. I admired the way readers were nudged to understand the crimes of colonisers- (and of their beneficiaries in succeeding generations) helping children to come to some conclusions about European history.

Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the eARC. Publication date: 14th March, 2024.

Edge of seat adventure with a plucky and ingenious heroine in the sewers of Paris. The Secrets of the Snakestone is a rollicking read with so much packed into it it's a wonder the spine of the book doesn't burst! Zelie is a fantastic protagonist - resourceful and brave and determined to track down the mysterious, and dangerous, Snakestone in order to save her beloved father. Set in the streets (and under the streets) of 19th Century Paris, the story takes in dastardly secret societies, the world of the circus, colonialisation, racism and class struggle in an adventure which still manages to often be humorous, thanks to Piu Das Gupta's skill as a storyteller. A magnificent achievement in storytelling and a feast for the imagination.

When Zélie is sent to France to work, her unusual appearance gets her branded as a witch. Zélie doesn't believe in magic but knowing the power of a good story, she handles the taunts by modelling herself on her favourite book hero - the daring Count Rudolph.

Zélie's courage and skills are quickly put to the test when she finds the locket of her dear father who is supposed to be on the other side of the world. How did the locket end up in a Parisian sewer? Who are the shadowy people desperate to get their hands on it - and why?

Secrets of the Snakestone is a thrilling tale set between murky underground tunnels, an exotic circus and the dangerous realms of a secret society. It sparkles with adventure and will keep you hanging on until the last page. Just brilliant!

Loved this magical adventure steam-punky book inspired by Indian colonial lore! Zélie is a kick-butt main character whom I'd follow anywhere – the list of cool things she can do actually made me lol in amazement. I especially loved her clever, action-packed quest through murky, underground Paris, solving riddles and exploring a weird circus while tracking down a famous cursed jewel to save her dad. And the stunning descriptions of Zélie's home in Calcutta simply took my breath away. This book is GREAT for kids looking for a cool twist in fantasy – it blends mystery and magic, hilarity and heartache, and in its heart sits coiled the perfectly creepy gem of truth.

Set in Paris in the 19th Century, this rollicking tale based on an old story of a cursed gemstone stolen from India is full of twists and turns.

A long way from home and trying to make the best of living and working as a maid in the home of a haughty benefactor, Zélie makes an unlikely ally in a sewer boy called Jules.

Jules has somehow found Zélie's father's locket in the underground sewer tunnels, despite the man himself being thousands of miles away at home in India.

This discovery sets Zélie and Jules off on an adventure to work out what has happened, with lots of spooky gothic detail along the way. Themes of trust, friendship and self-belief weave through the book too.

This is a story pitched at middle grade - so 8 to 12 years old. I'd exercise caution at the lower end of that band due to the peril and violence, but it's a fantastic book especially if kids or adults alike have a taste for mystery and macabre!

I'm happy to post on Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook, Storygraph etc nearer the publication date.

A gripping, twisty adventure filled with magic and mystery at every turn. I loved the sense of intrigue which built up around the snakestone. The characters were interesting and representative of the time in which the story was set.

Inspired by the same legends that informed Wilkie Collins’s ‘The Moonstone’, ‘Secrets of the Snakestone’ is a thrilling, pitch-perfect middle grade adventure set in the streets and the sewers of Paris at the end of the nineteenth century.

Zélie has been sent away from her family in India to live in Paris and work as a maid. But when a boy appears out of the sewers with a mysterious locket belonging to her father, the two children are swept up in a breathtaking mystery involving a cursed stone, a dark secret society and a vibrant cast of circus performers. There is also, very importantly, a baby sloth.

Zélie is a brilliantly bold and audacious narrator, balanced by the more careful and considered character of Jules. I particularly loved the little pep talks that she gives herself throughout the book, whenever she’s feeling nervous or uncertain.

Though it has a historical setting, this story combines a classic feel with contemporary pacing. The action is fast and furious and I read it in one sitting, engaged all the way though.

I also have to mention the thoroughly eye-catching and enticing cover design – what an absolute triumph! Designed by Elisabetta Barbazza and illustrated by Helen Crawford-White.

This engaging, evocative adventure is perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Katherine Rundell’s ‘Rooftoppers’. I know it’s going to be popular in the library!

Thanks to Netgalley and Nosy Crow for the digital ARC.

This remarkable MG story with that gorgeous cover takes readers to 19th century Paris, as plucky heroine Zélie tries to rescue her father from the clutches of a secret society. Unique and magical!

A jam packed, edge of your seat thrill ride with an energetic main character who you will fall in love with.