The Midnight Guardians

Ross Montgomery author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:5th Nov '20

£7.99

Available for immediate dispatch.

The Midnight Guardians cover

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...

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 *
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 timeless story-telling with a magical heart; a tale of enchantment and friendship in the cold of adversity; has all the charm of the The Box of Delights, all the magic and fellowship of The Lord of the Rings, all the warmth of a timeless story, told between friends round a winter fire. It’s also brilliantly inventive — funny where it needs to be, and true in the way all good stories are. * Thomas Taylor *
A real triumph of the imagination, bleeding the appeal of a classic adventure with Montgomery’s heart and humour. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *

Imagine a delicious milkshake made with the blended ingredients of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lord of the Rings, Five Children on the Western Front, and a special pinch of additional magic. There you have The Midnight Guardians. Drily humorous at times, utterly terrifying at others, this tale will whisk you away to another time that is both instantly recognisable and completely alien.

The Midnight Guardians is a classic in the making, and I loved every second of it.

* The School Librarian *

  • Short-listed for Costa Book Award 2021 (UK)

ISBN: 9781406391183

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 28mm

Weight: 357g

400 pages