Tilly Greenway and the Secrets of the Ancient Keys, Book One, Watchers

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Then in a series of events meant things had to be put on hold.

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These included health issues for the main editor at Katy Press and the terminal illness of my father, who passed away early last year. I returned to the UK to be closer to my parents and family and my focus moved away from the books.

We are very sorry to hear about your father. It must have been a difficult time for you. Yes, losing a parent creates many challenges — both foreseen and not so — and moving country, along with setting up new work was certainly an upheaval. During this period I also suffered a debilitating episode during which I went temporarily blind followed by a period of several months not having full coordination either physically or mentally and then two years of frequent, severe migraine attacks. Am all fine now, but it was only midway through when I finally felt ready to return my attention to the Tilly Greenway stories.

I should probably have let readers know before now, but somehow the timing has not been right. I wanted to be able to be fully engaged again, to reply to messages and emails — and of course to be able to make school visits, do book-signings etc. All in all, things simply took the time they did.

What led to your decision? Well…there was the whole ISIS issue another example of strange synchronicity between fiction and reality that did not help!

Tilly Greenway & the Secrets of the Ancient Keys book series

For those of you who read the original version of Watchers , you will know in the story there is a secret society that runs the world from behind the scenes. I called that society ISIS.

This was a deliberate choice. The name is an acronym for the Inner Sanctum of the Inner Sanctum, but I chose it more specifically because of the resonance with the Egyptian goddess, the first well-known mother-with-child archetype. In this case, they were using the name deliberately to corrupt it. So there was some historical basis for using it in the stories. However, events in the world overtook me. On my return to the UK I realised that the only resonance the name has for people now is its association with the terrorist activities that have become an increasing part of our world.

This itself was another irony, given that in the books the Director of Terror — a woman responsible for increasing terror rather than helping to diffuse it — was a part of the secret shadow-government who carried that name! Obviously, with all the horrific things that have been happening in the world, this had to be changed and I apologise to anyone who has read the original version in recent times.

No offence was intended by the use of the name. Indeed, when I drew up plans for the books back in , the only meaning of the word ISIS was the goddess herself and there was no way of knowing how that particular name was to become so high-profile and why. This year, therefore, before releasing The Hidden Hand , the old copies of Watchers had to be pulped and a new version produced. This has now been completed.

I love the new cover. It is more in keeping with how book-covers in general have evolved over the six years since Watchers was first published and suits the story perfectly. I love the single eye reminiscent of the Eye of Horus!

The cover of Book2 is also wonderful — as are the new in-text illustrations by fabulous artist Meraylah Allwood! Apart from the obvious stereotypes, there is little differentiation between the voices of most of the human characters. The dragons speak in an infantile way that I found silly for such supposedly ancient and noble creatures I also found it strange that they woke up after several thousand years speaking perfect modern English. Another thing that irked somewhat me came near the end of the book, when Tilly is looking for the red key in the Chalice Well Garden.

Tilly Greenway and the Secrets of the Ancient Keys, Book One, Watchers

She has been given a riddle to help her find it: And as she walks through the garden, oh look! I found this rather unsubtle. I liked the idea of magical creatures living unseen in modern-day Britain, and I liked the way that famous landmarks Avebury, Silbury Hill, etc. I must also give the author credit for making me want to go to Glastonbury again and visit the Chalice Well Gardens, as they do sound lovely.

Ultimately, while I liked some of the concepts in 'Watchers', the writing let it down for me I have tried not to be too harsh on this book, as dragons and unicorns are not my cup of tea, but there is no excuse for bad writing and I am unlikely to want to read the rest of this series. I really enjoyed reading this book.

It's about a young girl, Tilly Greenaway who together with her brother wants to save the world from a organisation called ISIS, who has sinister plans. Only a organisation called the Guardians can stop them. But they need Tilly's and her stepbrothers help.

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The children meet dragons, old gods and other beings on their enthralling quest. The author does know a lot about the myth and the sacred sites in the UK. So when reading it you learn a lot, too. The descript I really enjoyed reading this book. The descriptions of the sacred sites make you want to visit them again. The book is full of philosophical insights but never gets boring.

I can recommend this book for young adults as well as for adults. It really is a wonderful fantasy book on a quest which in my opinion can be compared to the great sagas like Lord of the Rings. Unfortunately I finished it very quickly and now I'm waiting impatiently for the sequel. I bought the UK version while on a trip across the pond I think kids in 3rd-6th grade would especially enjoy the book. It incorporates interesting concepts and theories and definitely pushes the theme of listening to your heart and instincts. I'm hopeful that the series will stay strong and grow developmentally with the characters and audience much as the Harry Potter series did.

I would definitely encourage people who enjoy sci-fi, fant I bought the UK version while on a trip across the pond I would definitely encourage people who enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, and YA books to get their hands on a copy of Watchers Throw together a vast underground conspiracy, a bit of mythology, a feeling like War of the Worlds, a fast pace and a dragon or two you get a book like this one.

The vast underground conspiracy reminds me of the one in Windmills of the Gods by Sydney Sheldon. Boy that gives my age away doesn't it? Though the description states that this is a YA book but I'm really enjoying it. The characters were memorable.

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Tilly and Zach have to evade some pretty nasty villains and protect some creatures long to have been thought extinct. The mythology, the conspiracy theories, the adventure is all thrilling. Fantasy in a modern setting is always so much fun and the imagery is breathtaking! I can't wait until the next book comes out!

I love the dragons and references to all the ancient, sacred sites in England and Wales, many of which I have visited myself and know them to be special places. I cant wait for the next installment and will be recommending the Tilly Greenway books to everyone! The author is my best friends dad, so was really excited to read it- loved the story plot and the characters. Katy Press rated it it was amazing Dec 11, April rated it liked it Jul 10, Helena rated it it was amazing Nov 27, Jon rated it it was amazing Jan 25, Rebecca Stacey rated it it was amazing Jul 14, Linda Richards rated it it was amazing Oct 24, Eilish rated it it was amazing Apr 29, Shaz rated it it was amazing Oct 25, Joanne Rolston rated it liked it Nov 26, Makasi rated it it was amazing May 12, Laura rated it really liked it Jul 01, Richard rated it it was amazing Jan 06, Astraea Sage rated it really liked it Jul 24, Toni rated it did not like it Mar 23, Victoria rated it it was amazing Apr 18, Janine Smith rated it liked it Jun 18, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

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