BOOK REVIEW: The Devil and His Boy by Anthony Horowitz

History has turned into something amusing, finally!

Situated in 16^th century Tudor, London, this story is about a boy named Tom Falconer who grew in an inn in Framlingham. He claims to be an orphan, only living as a servant. Yet, as the story advances, it revealed that he is Queen Elizabeth’s grandchild to Thomas Seymour, his Protector (or knight).

Thrilling and fast-paced, it became a ticking-clock scenario: while being hunted by Ratsey, he has to race against time to save the Queen from an assassination plot.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest”. I know it rings true because I am still enthralled to flip it every time—and I am 23 years old! The Devil and his boy is an amusing read across all ages because the vocabulary is so simplistic yet profound.

If it were like a graphic novel, it will be Oliver Twist that portrays the slum Victorian era: desecrate yet equally poetic and worth reading.

Horowitz’ characters in the story are also well-researched because they had existed in real life—Shakespeare, Moll Cutpurse, John Dee, and others. The author is talented in storytelling by making the lives of these people more colourful and interesting.

Considering this is a children’s book, just like John Green’s Looking for Alaska, it can be a home reading assignment (god I miss those days in the early 2000’s!) and/or as a book club discussion. It is a good two-hour read short novel for thrill-seekers.