The midnight guardians

A young boy evacuee from the London blitz desperately fights the evil plans of the Midwinter King, helped only by the imaginary friends of his childhood, suddenly real.


Sometimes at the darkest hour, hope shines the brightest...

When Col's childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians - a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight - Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.

But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.

NOTE : There is spot-foiling on the front cover.

Takes a leap to accept the premise but the pages turn quickly and the mix of magical realism and WW2 tension works well. Gripping, unusual adventure with strong themes of self-belief, courage and the bonds of family and friendship.