Little White Hands by Mark Cushen is the first book I picked up from my fourth batch of books.   My update post will be up soon but I want to post all three reviews first.  My reviews so far are linked below and you can find feedback from my first, second and third batch of books here, here and here and further information on SPFBO here.

I found Little White Hands to be an entertaining story, very easy to read and well paced. I would suggest that this is aimed at a younger audience (maybe MG even- but I’m sure the author will let me know if that’s completely off kilter) but even with this in mind I think this is a book that adults would happily get along with and it would make a lovely book to read to/with children.

The story revolves around a young kitchen boy called Garlan who dreams of one day becoming a knight.  Garlan becomes involved in an adventure that takes him across land and sea in order to prevent the threat of perpetual war sweeping across the land.

The story takes place in a kingdom known as Faeland and Garlan’s adventures take him into all manner of settings with unusual critters aplenty.  This has a coming of age feel and I think will appeal to readers of fantasy who enjoy The Hobbit/The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Arthurian style stories. There are echoes of all of these books throughout, particularly with the ‘winter’ aspects of the story and the young protagonist gave me Frodo vibes – that being said, I want to be absolutely clear that this book stands on it’s own two feet quite comfortably.

I enjoyed the writing and the set up.  The descriptions are enough to give a good feeling for the place without being overly cumbersome.  I liked the main character but probably enjoyed his companion, Oldface, even more – a strange floating piece of wood that is enchanted?  Perhaps not the right word but I think if I over elaborate it will spoil the eventual reveal – but this unusual companion acts essentially as a guide for Garlan.  On top of that I think the story was well thought out, there’s a backstory here regarding the four seasons and a falling out many years ago involving winter.  I don’t want to go too deeply into the plot as I think it would be easy to spoil certain aspects that are best discovered as you go along.

In terms of criticisms. Not too much to be honest.  I think the story might have more ‘all round’ appeal if it had more of a female presence (so,maybe if Oldface had been female for example). I also think a little adult style humour thrown in (not inappropriate for children but that adults will understand and enjoy) although this is just a personal preference.

Overall though, this was an easy and enjoyable read that I practically read in one sitting.

I received a copy courtesy of the author for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

1. Deathborn by CE Page
2. Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned by Ashley Capes
3. Stranded by Rosalind Tate
4. One of Us by ML Roberts
5. Berserker by Dimitrios Gkirgkiris
6. Stone Magus by Stephanie C Marks
7. Book of Secrets by Claudia Blood
8. Dragonbirth by Raina Nightingale
9. Carrion by Alyson Tait
10. Iarraindorn by Phil Dickens
11. Rising Shadows (The Pillar of Creation, #1) by Phillip Blackwater
12. By the Pact by Joanna Maciejewska