By Piu DasGupta (author)
"Non-stop mystery and adventure, enhanced with a touch of magic"
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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May 2024 Debut of the Month
Zélie Dutta can beat her father at chess, has crushed the head of a poisonous snake with her naked heel, can fart with her armpit and curse in three languages. She is magnificent inside and out! Which is just as well, because she needs all her capabilities and more in this thrilling magical adventure, set in fin de siècle Paris.
Where is the mysterious, powerful Snakestone, and why are so many bad people hunting it? Where is Zélie’s father and is his disappearance connected to the Snakestone? Helped by her friends Jules, a sewer sweeper, and the performers at the Cirque Fantastique, Zélie sets out to find the answers, putting herself in real danger as she does.
Piu Dasgupta’s magical adventure story is a non-stop scramble through sewers, over rooftops, across train lines as Zélie – just – stays ahead of her enemies. We are never quite sure what’s going to happen next, and her adventures make for thrilling reading, with Zélie a dashing protagonist. If you love mystery and adventure, enhanced with a touch of magic, this is for you!
Murky and menacing magic fills the streets of nineteenth century Paris in this thrilling and fantastical adventure.
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She has beaten her own father five times at chess (the last time he cheated).
She has crushed the head of a poisonous cobra with her naked heel AND she can lick her elbow.
There’s nothing that she can’t handle . . . or at least that’s what she thinks. But when her father goes missing and a sinister secret society seems to be to blame, she’s forced to look for help in the most unlikely of places . .
Swept up in a slew of crimes that stretch from the jungles of Calcutta to the sewers of Paris, Zélie and her new friend Jules begin a desperate hunt for the magical Snakestone at the heart of the conspiracy. Can they solve the ancient riddles and mysteries concealed in the miles of murky tunnels that twist beneath the ancient city above?
Zélie is often accused of being a witch, but she doesn't believe in magic. Until Jules climbs up from the reeking Parisian sewer and hands Zélie the golden locket he discovered there. The locket once held the magical Snakestone, and Zélie knows that if she can find the stone, she might also find her missing father.
But a dangerous secret society are equally desperate to get their hands on the Snakestone and its powers. With their lives under threat, Zélie and Jules embark on a desperate hunt for the treasure, facing strange riddles, a mysterious circus, and the miles of murky tunnels that twist beneath the ancient city above...
Tingling with magic and steeped in legends from colonial India, Secrets of the Snakestone draws readers into the underbelly of nineteenth century Paris for a menacing adventure from a thrillingly imaginative new voice.
Perfect for fans of Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, Abi Elphinstone and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
Piu DasGupta was born in Calcutta, India and grew up in India and the UK. She studied English at Oxford University and subsequently worked in several serious professions and places before following a long-nurtured dream to be a writer in a garret in Paris. She now lives in Paris although not (thankfully) in a garret, with her family, two cats, and numerous pigeons who flap to the kitchen windowsill for regular snacks. When she finally grows up, she hopes to fulfil her ultimate fantasy and run away to join the circus.
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Transporting readers to the enchanting streets and hidden depths of nineteenth-century Paris, Secrets of the Snakestone is a tale of mystery and intrigue.
Secrets of the Snakestone transports readers to the enchanting streets and hidden depths of nineteenth-century Paris, where young Zélie finds herself embroiled in a riveting tale of mystery and intrigue. Sent from her home in India to work as a maid in Paris, Zélie's life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious boy emerges from the sewers clutching a locket belonging to her father. Together, they delve into a world of dark secrets, cursed stones, and colourful circus performers, accompanied by an adorable baby sloth!
Zélie shines as a fearless and spirited protagonist, complemented by the cautious and thoughtful Jules. Her inner pep talks add a delightful depth to her character, especially during moments of uncertainty. Despite its historical backdrop, the story maintains a modern pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with fast-paced action and intrigue.... Read Full Review
This fantastic tale is a must read for all those who are a fan of riddles and mysteries.
Secrets of the Snakestone is an amazing book that follows Zélie and Jules on a fantastic journey. When Zélie receives a locket that used to hold the Snakestone, adventure calls. She needs to find her father before the Brotherhood of Blood get their hands on the Snakestone. This fantastic tale is a must read for all those who are a fan of riddles and mysteries. The book was thrilling all the way through – from the very first page, to the epic ending. The chapter illustrations are beautiful, and always have me staring at them for ages. The book is the perfect entertainment for rainy evenings, because it takes you to another world! It has an enchanting plot, and the characters are so interesting!... Read Full Review
Murky and menacing magic fills the streets of nineteenth century Paris in this thrilling and fantastical adventure. Meet Zélie Dutta.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Secrets of the Snakestone and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Secrets of the Snakestone features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Historical Fiction, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Secrets of the Snakestone was written by Piu DasGupta and published by Nosy Crow Ltd
Secrets of the Snakestone has 275 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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