Search For The Black Mirror - Helena Duggan

Search For The Black Mirror starts where The Light Thieves left off, and Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli are now being hunted as the people responsible for the explosion that has damaged the Tipping Point. The trio are on the run, determined to prove that Howard Hansom is the bad guy.  Whilst staying in the Wilde with Shelli's people, Grian confides in his two friends about the letter and the crystal his grandfather gave him. They need to find Yarrow and the Colour Council who will be able to help in their quest to find the White Rose.  Together, they decide they need to find the three other letters that will help save the sun.  However, with the police hunting for the three friends and their faces now known to the public, their quest is far from easy or safe.  Knowing who to trust is tricky, especially as they are running out of time.

The Light Thieves leaves things on a real cliff hanger so I was very excited when an early copy of Search For The Black Mirror arrived.  I was also pleased that the book begins with a four page 'story so far' map which helped to jog my memory.  

The action gets going quickly and doesn't really let up.  Just when you think the trio are making progress, something else comes along to hamper them, and without the use of technology to help them, you often wonder how they will ever succeed.  The environmental theme is strong in this book with a reminder of the importance of the sun, wildlife and the natural world around us (which seems very timely in the wake of the forest fires that have been devastating parts of the world in the past few weeks).  The reliance on technology is evident at times and Shelli's desperate need to protect nature and animal friends is strong.  It's a message that will resonate with so many readers.

The trio are clearly now firm friends and the trust is clear to see; however, like all friends, things aren't always plain sailing and disagreements rear themselves at different times.  With new characters to meet as well as old ones, there are twists along the way that may surprise and it is difficult to know who Grian, Jeffrey and Shelli can trust.   They know all too well that time is running out and that the fate of the world is in their hands.

Search For The Black Mirror is an exciting read that will keep readers gripped and will leave them wanting more. Publishing on the 3rd August, I am now desperate for the final book in the trilogy to discover how it all ends.