“Johnstone effortlessly conjures up elaborate worlds rich in both magic and fantasy. The Mirror Chronicles has an enchanting quality that is capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Chronicles of Narnia and His Dark Materials … This highly-charged adventure is a delightful page-turner for both children and adults alike.”
CIRCLES OF STONE: “This is classic fantasy stuff, really well done, and fans of Tolkien or Garth Nix will find much to love.” – Andrea Reece
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: LoveReading4Kids Book of the Year 2013.”Debut-author Ian Johnstone offers his readers an enormous and richly created world to explore in this elaborately constructed fantasy.” – Julia Eccleshare
LoveReading4Kids
“I became totally immersed in an amazing world of painted words … breathtaking and an absolute joy to read… A book that you will reflect on for the rest of your life. Just like when you first read the Hobbit or Sabriel or took your first stroll along the story path of Terry Pratchett… Fantastically exciting… Quite simply… Possibly the best book that I have read – or will read – this year.”
Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books
CIRCLES OF STONE: “Part two of an epic quest to save two worlds: thrilling, beautifully written…a huge, exciting book, full of engrossing ideas about freedom, justice and relationships, and many a young reader will love the chance to really delve deeply into such a well-constructed, highly original fantasy.”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “Dramatic and with perils that are both real and colourfully described. Highly recommended.”
The Bookbag
CIRCLES OF STONE: “…vividly imagined…skilfully crafted…masterly…a book to excite and engage children, but also one to make them think; to imagine but also to reflect. The Mirror Chronicles now needs only a completion which maintains the qualities demonstrated in its first two parts for the whole to become one of the great works of children’s fiction.”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “Outstanding … Epic stuff. This is certainly the best ‘classic’ fantasy I have come across so far from the last 14 years … Could well prove to be one of the greats of any period.”
Magic Fiction Since Potter
“Not since Harry Potter have I devoured a fantasy world as much as this. Just from this, his debut novel, I can tell Ian Johnstone will sit high up on the fantasy author list at some point soon, I’m certain of it.”
Readaraptor
“… [a] vivid fantasy world where danger lurks at every turn and the plot twists on every page. It bears all the hallmarks of the genre, including powerful magic, baffling prophecies, breathless chases, heroic battles, evil adversaries, a thundering climax and a quest that seems impossible to fulfill. There are… undertones of bigger themes, but this is a wonderful piece of fantasy that will enthrall readers in the twelve plus age group.”
Reading Time, Children’s Book Council of Australia
“…vivid, inventive and totally engrossing…”
Bart’s Bookshelf
CIRCLES OF STONE: “…mesmerizing… full of conviction… powerful… A breathtaking classic fantasy series…”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “Looking for a spellbinding fantasy novel which will really get you hooked? Then try this epic fantasy – a totally immersive book for all fans of the genre… Dramatic and compelling, this beautifully written book takes you right out of this world – and when you come back to earth, you will anxiously await the sequel.”
Parents in Touch
CIRCLES OF STONE: “Ian’s amazing fantasy world shows that Oxford really is THE city for amazing fantasy authors. Name any top selling fantasy series of the last couple of centuries and you’ll soon be adding The Mirror Chronicles to the list along with greats by Pullman, Tolkein and Lewis. Fantastic stuff!”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “Book one gets off to a cracking start at a blistering pace and is going to be an absolute winner for ages 10 upwards.”
Read it Daddy
“…loved every moment of it… middle grade fantasy at its very best.”
Darren Hartwell, BookZone4Boys
“Fast paced from the off, the story has action throughout with chases across both realms, and monsters created with such penmanship that they leap out the page at the reader… Young fantasy readers are going to love this series…”
Our Book Reviews Online
CIRCLES OF STONE: “Epic…absolutely compelling…There is a richness to this book that reminded me why I fell in love with the fantasy genre. If you are a fan of the genre, this book – this series – really should be a must read.”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “Johnstone is a brilliant storyteller…. I was left guessing all the way through… The Bell Between Worlds is a fantastic introduction to Ian Johnstone’s The Mirror Chronicles.”
The Flutterby Room
“This is a beautifully written book featuring a vividly imagined alternative world. The author does a great job of bringing the fantasy world to life and creating a new vision of magic and wonder… A must-read for fans of jaw-dropping fantasy.”
From the Writer’s Nest
CIRCLES OF STONE: “… exciting… epic… imagined on a cinematic scale… moments of beauty, friendship and humour… will keep the right sort of fantasy/SF reader happy for hours.”
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “…involving and immersive… striking locations, mysterious forms of magic and some extraordinary mentors… exciting, full-on big-scale immersive fantasy…”
Serendipity Reviews
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “haunting and imaginative…unique and original”
IHeartReading.net
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS: “…one of the most eloquently written novels I have ever read… if you’re looking for an author like Terry Pratchett or JK Rowling, look no further – the plot, language, characters and events in this are at least equivalent. A breathtaking, epic adventure that is a pleasure to journey through…”
Splashes Into Books
“The Bell Between Worlds was a surprising, promising and exciting debut from author Ian Johnstone and I am already eager to get my hands on the sequel… The Mirror Chronicles promises to be an addictive and compelling series for the young and young at heart!”
Lunar Rainbows
“A parallel world in which science and magic are delightfully mashed up has “will appeal to Harry Potter fans” stamped all over it. This is a promising trilogy opener with an underbelly of realism to give it punch.”
The Big Issue
“This book is pitched as an epic fantasy, and it really is… truly the beginning of what promises to be a great fantasy series for kids, but also enjoyable for teens and adults.”
Kat’s Book Buzz
“…a thrilling adventure that is guaranteed to keep readers utterly enthralled.”
Dubray Books
“I fell in love with fantasy when I read The Lord of the Rings as a teenager, and this book has made me remember why… a truly wonderful debut novel.”
Lamont Books
“The world building is stunning and unforgettable. I am in love with the concept of the mirrored worlds – our world of science, and the Other, a world of magic – as well as all of the fantastical elements such as the Passing Bell. The world of The Mirror Chronicles quickly became one of my favourite fantasy settings – and considering I decided this halfway in, and this is only book one, I guess that shows how much I loved it.”
IAN JOHNSTONE 