The Midnight Guardians
Ross Montgomery
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
- Fantasy Worlds - awesome adventures of magic and mystery
- History Time - blasts from the past
Average rating
Discover a world of magical storytelling with Ross Montgomery. SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH HIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH TOPPSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH “One of our finest children’s writers.” Phil Earle “A master storyteller.” Aisling Fowler “Another absolute triumph from one of my favourite children’s authors.” Catherine Doyle 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. PRAISE FOR THE MIDNIGHT GUARDIANS ""Montgomery's latest is an enthralling, Narnia-flavoured novel with the folkloric feel of a Christmas classic."" Guardian ""Beautifully drawn fantasy characters ... a story of hope and love underpinned by witty humour.” Daily Mail ""A magical slice of historical fantasy fiction.” i Newspaper ""This lovely adventure story has the feel of a classic children's book."" Book of the Week, The Week Junior “Ross Montgomery’s beautiful writing and epic storytelling weave together a magical adventure set against the backdrop of World War Two.” WRD Magazine ""Spectacular. A story of real and rare power - The Midnight Guardians is one of the best books I've read in years."" Kiran Millwood Hargrave ""The Midnight Guardians is torch-under-the-duvet, can't-stop-reading magic. British folklore rebooted … in an edge-of-your-seat, heart-filled search for hope in the darkest hour."" Piers Torday ""Embark on a mythic, comic, classic adventure with the finest fellowship since Frodo set a hairy foot beyond the Shire.” David Solomons “Glorious! I think this is Ross Montgomery’s best book yet: an adventure across WWII wintry Britain with a Kindertransportee, a boy dressed in shorts and his three imaginary friends. A joy of a joy of a thing.” Katherine Rundell ""A gem of book, jam-packed with heart and humour and one utterly unique set of friends."" Peter Bunzl “Pure magic. Storytelling at its very best.” Abi Elphinstone ""Brilliant! The Midnight Guardians is the perfect blend of humour, adventure and emotion. Simply beautiful."" Lisa Thompson ""Funny, thrilling, moving ... everything that is brilliant about children's literature. A triumph."" Sophie Anderson “Brimming with imagination and warmth, and powered by the strongest magic of all - hope. Fantastic from first page to last.” Catherine Doyle ""Beautiful. A magical, big-hearted adventure full of wit and warmth. One of the best children's books I've read for ages."" Anna James “A tale of enchantment and friendship … all the warmth of a timeless story, told between friends round a winter fire … funny and true in the way all good stories are.” Thomas Taylor “The adventure whisks you through wartime trouble and mythical danger like riding a giant tiger through falling snow … A magical story.” Jack Noel “With the spirit of Narnia, but a heart of its own. The Midnight Guardians is totally enchanting. I gobbled up every word.” Aisha Bushby ""I inhaled this wonderful book in one sitting ... humour, beautiful writing, heartbreak, hope, and a fat badger in a waistcoat. I'll be recommending it to everyone."" Katya Balen ""A real triumph of the imagination, blending the appeal of a classic adventure with Montgomery's heart and humour, and a hint of Narnia."" Editor's Choice, The Bookseller
Reviews
I liked Pendlebury the best because she is so brave and she knows how to sort out arguments between Mr Noakes and the King of Rouges
Doctor Harmonica Bobble-hat 15.12.2024
That is definitely one of my favourite books! I also love how it's set in the 2nd world war
Duchess Iguana Mittens 26.08.2024
This book delved into the inner turmoil of a hero on an adventure to doom . The antagonist of the story is the Midwinter King a man pushed by vengeance and power and this desire to overthrow his only opposition drives him to the point of weakening himself just to make an example out of the heroes . The hero is an unlikely boy who just wishes to return back to his family , the only family he has left . Col is a boy who pushes away everything to find his sister who he believes is in great danger and with the undying help of his guardians who each have a story ark he is able to save her . Storylines connect and we see all of it culminate into what I would describe as my favourite final fight . The final fight shows Midwinter King who is defeated and weak but clinging onto life itself using Col's greatest fears to stop him like he did at the start of the book however this time Col's will power is stronger so he is fully defeated and left to roam the world without powers . Col and his sister get a happy ending and a girl he met who was a German jew is adopted by his family back up north . I would recommend this book for someone wanting to read more intense books that still appeal as children's books . I loved this book and it is currently my favourite book . This book interested me because I wanted to increase my vocabulary and the more emotional books I read and this book did exactly that . Overall I just loved this book .
Baron Race-car Borchester-Smythe 19.08.2024
I feel amazed that the authors can make the readers feel as though they are the character in the book, as that is what Ross Montgomery made me feel like when I read hi book.
Judge Lacey Postage-Stamp 16.08.2024
I loved it because it was set in World War 2, but with fantasy characters in the mix. It was interesting ( but devastating ) to know what people went through, and how dangerous it was. I have imaginary friends of my own; I hope they come to life like Col's did! I would reccomend this book to those who like books that are both fact and fiction.
Director Iggy Armadillo 21.01.2024
Great book, and I really liked the beginning and ending.
Sergeant Ice-T Quagmire 03.09.2023
This book was quite a good book with some very funny characters, Creepy moments, adventure and sadness all rolled into one. My favorite character is Ida because she will help anyone and even when the incredible happens she is always looking out for others. I would reccomend this book to someone looking for adventure.
Senorita Tulip Possum 23.08.2023
Really enjoyed this. The boy in the book never gave up to save his sister. He was really brave.
Doctor Chip Postage-Stamp 15.08.2023
I liked this book. It is very gripping. I recommend it 100%.
Senorita Candyfloss Hammersmith 02.08.2023
I thought it was very interesting and a bit mysterious
Corporal Mars Bacon-slicer 25.07.2023
This book has a tiger.
Mademoiselle Jet Jamboree 08.07.2023
Star Reviewer
I thought it was an excellent book at first then it got a bit scary but I will get back to it
Judge Esmerelda Heronimus 02.09.2022
This book is about a boys imaginary friends who need to save the boy's sister from a bomb in London.
Dame Mildred Sudoku 28.08.2022
This is my favourite book because when I started reading it I felt like I didn’t want to stop reading it.
Empress Pixie Sunshine 01.08.2022
This is a gripping story about a boy who had imaginary friends that came to real life to help him save his sister. I didn't want to put it down!
Constable Burp Partridge 30.07.2022
The Midnight Guardians is a such an amazing book. It’s set in WW2 but it’s a fantasy. It’s about a boy and his Guardians on a quest to save his sister. My favourite character was Pendlebury because she’s tough and courageous, but really she’s a softy. I would definitely recommend this book to people who are interested in heartfelt readings, history and fiction. Happy Reading!
Anonymous 09.07.2022
This book was full of suspense. It was my favourite book 📖 ever! The book was about about a boy called Col and his Guardians going to find his sister in burning London . They had to dodge the mean Midwinter King and his scattered armies that were hiding on the way to London. The only way to get to London was to fight them. They finally got to London to find Rose, Col's sister. They finally got home and were safe. I would recommend the book, very much.
Inspector Bruno Pinkerton 15.01.2022
This is a great book. My favourite character was Pendlebury, the tiger, because she was epic! This is a magical mystery book and I didn't want to put it down, it was so exciting. I would definitely recommend this book.
Professor Binky Bookmark 19.09.2021
This book is set during world war 2. It is about a boy called Col, whose three childhood imaginary friends come and they go on a journey to London to save Col’s sister, Rose.
Officer Bunny Colly-Wobbles 10.08.2021
I think it is a adventure book.I like that it is set in WW2. I liked all of the charecters because of there friendship. I would recommend it.
Lord Chesney Chipperfield 05.08.2021
