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I have recently finished ‘Lincoln Lightfoot and the Eccentrifuge’ book. It is delightfully unusual and quirky. I enjoyed being transported into the 19th Century. One of my favourite people apart from Lincoln was Pheby, who is attractively feisty. I finished the book about a week ago and both characters have stayed with me, wondering how their lifes might have continued.
I have to write as I have just finished your book and want to congratulate you. I got into the book very easily, which I don’t always with novels. I also got attached to the characters easily… it is a fascinating story and I can’t begin to imagine the huge amount of research you must have put into it, both from the boat journey at the start and right through the experiences in America. I was constantly concerned for Napoleon, loveable animals tend to have unhappy endings in a lot of books, so I was relieved that he survived.
I couldn’t help but think of Nell as Tatum O’Neal in Paper Moon. Do you have a cast lined up for the film?!… I hope it is a huge success, it deserves to be.
Lincoln Lightfoot offered a well-needed escape from a dreary gray winter amidst lockdown. Beautifully written, I loved the humor and use of language. The novel transported me right into America in the nineteenth century, making me forget it was written in the present day.
I liked the characters – Lincoln Lightfoot the swindler and opportunist – who gradually face change. As well as some other fantastic guest characters like little Nell, an astute orphan with sassy dialogue and feisty Pheby, Lincoln’s love interest who makes him want to become a better man. I usually get annoyed with how men write female characters, but P.S. Lightfoot knows his women. I also loved the portrayal of the historic figure – showman and dreamer P.T Barnum. He’s the one who gives Lincoln his well-needed break.
Delightful. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Well, what can I say – finished book at weekend and absolutely loved it. One question – when’s the sequel?
Loved this book. Very engaging and hard to put down, atmospheric and exciting, and with a pleasing quirkiness. And just as you thought you knew what would happen next, it didn’t. When is the next one, please?
I’ve just read the last page. I’ve loved it! I mean the whole book, not only the last page 😉 I really got into these phases, when I just forgot everything else and kept reading, because the story just got me. And it was funny! Which is exactly what I needed in the gloomy Berlin winter (with the extra portion of corona gloominess).
Apart from the strong, engaging storyline and well-observed characters there are numerous turns of phrase and semi-asides that made me think about life. Needed a few googles for some of the words and phrases, both expanding my vocab (usually a good sign to me) and showing the author had well-researched mannerisms, terms, and phrases popular in and appropriate to the period.
Be a good book for hunkering down in winter or as a holiday book at the villa/beach.
That young whippersnapper Lincoln Lightfoot fell to hand and has duly swept me off my feet! Superbly researched and delightfully characterised – Fong, Little Nell, Phebey, Doc and all – I am deeply in and making the most of an off-colour day to go in search of Phebes and Nell in Washington in the company of old Kirk and Mr L. Thank you!
Wow. A unique and breathtakingly beautiful tale.
Arkyn’s heartwarming relationship with the young norwolf, based on his ability to ‘talk in his thoughts’ to the creature, frequently gave me goosebumps and, on more than one occasion, moved me to tears… As an adult, I appreciate the nod to mindfulness that lies at the heart of Arkyn’s newfound skill, and, for the young reader, these poignant moments will provide a comforting and contrasting stillness to an otherwise fast-paced and thrilling adventure story.
Having finished, I feel that I have had to say goodbye to a very dear friend whom I just can’t wait to see again in the next book. I guess I should pass this one on to my daughter now! Thank you Ian.
‘Cry of the Norwolf’ by Ian Young is an interesting adventure series that I think will have wide appeal among middle grade readers. Arkyn, a ten year old boy has his world transformed when he stumbles across an injured norwolf pup, a predator that’s the stuff of fear and folklore. Arkyn’s path will change forever if he chooses to help the injured animal instead of killing it.
A new fantasy series that is set in a more primitive world than our own, I found ‘Cry of the Norwolf’ really easy to follow and I thought that the story flowed well. The plotline moves quickly which I think will keep readers entertained and eager to know what comes next in the book and in later books in the series.
The black and white illustrations at the start of each chapter are clean and detailed. As a personal preference I would have considered having more chapters to include more of these header illustrations instead of the asterisk dividers. However, the more flowing structure of the book does add to its fast pace and encourages the reader to keep going and see what happens next.
‘Cry of the Norwolf’ is a really entertaining read that I think would have broad appeal, especially to readers of Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother series.
Thank you to Love Reading for their review of our book. lovereading.co.uk