The Blackthorn Key

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun, exciting adventure about a young apprentice trying to solve a dangerous mystery in the world of London apothecaries in during the Restoration. I enjoyed it a great deal.
Christopher is forces to fight for his survival when his way of life and the life of his Master is threatened by a sinister cult. He must take what he's learned during his apprenticeship and use his skills, training, and intellect to find the people who are threatening apothecaries all over London, before they, in their frightening lust for power, get their hands on Christopher.
I felt Christopher was a well-written protagonist. He had just enough recklessness to be a believable 14-year old. The clues he had to follow and puzzles he had to solve were interesting and intriguing, and the information about old formulas and recipes for remedies added a fun touch to the story. It was a bit gruesome in some places, but that made the world that Christopher lived in more realistic.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone 10 and up who enjoys puzzles, science, mysteries, and history.


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