By Alexander Armstrong (author) Part of the Evenfall series
"Laced with folk magic, folk music, and themes of friendship through a classic good-versus-evil storyline, this second Evenfall adventure is a rollicking fantastical thriller."
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February 2026 Book of the Month
Reluctant hero Sam is back for his second high-octane Evenfall adventure in The Tempest Stone - a thrilling cat-and-mouse mission that melds all the appeal of a classic quest with Alexander Armstrong’s distinctive voice, relatable characters and an intriguing secret society set-up. Think Da Vinci Code meets northeast English folk magic.
As the designated Tempest, Sam is “supposed to look after the Linnets: a massive global network of people who keep the world on an even keel. The whole WORLD. Headed up by five families called the Evening, this enormous magical organisation is constantly communicating through stories, or singing, or laughing”.
In the course of winning his first battle, Sam “lost part of my family and the Evening’s strongest weapons”, which meant that first battle was “barely the beginning”, with The Tempest Stone seeing Sam forced to take down a man who possesses the power to cut through time portals in an adventure that mixes haunting ancient magic with modern-day elements and primal survival instincts.
Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Tempest Stone holds much appeal for fans of twisting fantastical epics, grown-ups included.
Evenfall: The Golden Linnet was the number one bestselling children's debut fiction book and the number one bestselling children's hardback fiction book!
Read the full description
13-year-old Sam is now the Tempest - head of the secret, ancient Order of the Evening that protects the world from evil. But his work has just begun …
Sam's nemesis - a madman with the terrifying power to slice through portals of time - is on a mission to destroy the world and Sam and his friends are the only ones can who stop him. This deadly game of cat-and-mouse will take them to the very ends of the earth. And not everyone will survive …
“I longed to have a really good adventure book as a child – something that was gripping. Evenfall has some funny moments, some character comedy, but it’s first and foremost a thriller for children. It’s quite high adrenaline, quite dark. When I say I’m writing a book for middle-grade readers, I’m also writing a book that I want to read, in which I would absolutely want to turn the next page.
It’s a book I hope grown ups reading would want to know every bit as much what’s going to happen next as the children they’re reading to.” – Alexander Armstrong
Praise for the Evenfall series :
'A Da Vinci Code for kids' - Richard Osman, bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club
'A wild-winged adventure that soars effortlessly to the greatest heights of fantasy!' - Ben Miller, bestselling author of The Day I Fell into a Fairytale
'Fast-paced, filmic and folkloric … a thrilling epic of good against evil' Ross Montgomery, bestselling author of I Am Rebel
'A fantastic action-packed adventure, with a highly original and intriguing mythology. Exploring themes of friendship, storytelling and music, Sam and his friends will take you on a journey you'll never forget. Utterly absorbing.' - M. G. Leonard, bestselling author of Beetleboy and the Adventures on Trains series .
"An exciting new adventure with a comfortingly classic feel, you'll be enthralled, entertained and enchanted." - Maz Evans - bestselling author of Who Let the Gods Out?
"A fast-paced adventure that will delight young readers after twists, turns and thrills.' - Anna James - New York Times bestselling author
Growing up in the North East of England and now himself the father of four boys, Alexander Armstrong knows all about the power and the joy of sharing stories.
His debut novel for children, Evenfall: The Golden Linnet , is inspired by his childhood and the mystical history of the ancient North. It’s a story that has lived in his head (rent free, Alexander points out) for many years. He is delighted finally to share it with you. And to get the room back.
Alexander has been lucky enough to be part of some of the most successful programmes of recent times from Armstrong and Miller to Have I Got News for You via Classic FM, Doctor Who, Hey Duggee, Horrible Histories, Pointless and Danger Mouse.
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone. Head over there and check it out now.
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I found this book deeply engrossing - each chapter leaving me on a cliffhanger. Each chapter follows a different characters journey culminating in a perfect ending.
This book plunged me into 14th century France with the swish of the tempest blade and I stared in horror at the gruesome sight of lifeless bodies surrounding me, my heart thumped with anticipation as we revealed the hidden palace of innumerable wonders and I felt the corrupting glow of satisfaction as I looked through the window into the darkness of power.
I found Sam over-reliant on his powers and the fact that he lost faith when the villain was a step ahead made him slightly idiotic. He was quite cowardly, easily swayed by words and taking bait when it's obvious it’s a trap. He was the unlikely hero as he wasn’t one to want to save the world, and only thought about himself the whole time. His friends were the same, passive, anxious and worried yet with an occasional good idea.... Read Full Review
Georgie is planning to release a virus to kill everyone. Sam and The Order of the Evening must find the Tempest Stone to stop him... A brilliant sequel and an un-put-downable read.
13 year old Sam is the leader of the Order of the Evening.... Read Full Review
I was so riveted - so desperate to know - that I read it in just a day! It is an incredible story. I truly loved and adored it!
I enjoyed this book because it was tense and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked how it was written as it contained lots of adventure and excitement. I also liked how Alexander Armstrong left the reader asking themselves a question at the end of each chapter, which makes it so intriguing. I was so riveted - so desperate to know - that I read it in just a day!
The only bit about it that I would change is that I think that he should add a bit more background information about Sam and his friends' previous adventure, to enable readers like me (who haven't yet read the previous book) to understand the storyline and some of the scenes fully. That is the reason I scored this book only four out five.... Read Full Review
Evenfall: The Golden Linnet was the number one bestselling children's debut fiction book and the number one bestselling children's hardback fiction book! 13-year-old Sam is now the Tempest - head of the secret, ancient Order of the Evening that protects the world from evil. But his work has just begun … Sam's nemesis - a madman with the terrifying power to slice through portals of time - is on a mission to destroy the world and Sam and his friends are the only ones can who stop him.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Evenfall: The Tempest Stone and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Evenfall: The Tempest Stone features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Stories about Family and Friends, Fantasy / Magical, Thrillers, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Mythic fantasy / Mythic fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fantasy, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Evenfall: The Tempest Stone was written by Alexander Armstrong and published by Farshore an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Evenfall: The Tempest Stone has 314 pages
Yes it is part of Evenfall series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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