Book reviews: Books for boys

The Parliament of Blood by Justin Richards (Faber and Faber, £6.99 PB)

I’m a sucker (pun intended) for vampire stories and this one has pretty much everything any fan of fangs could wish for. A great baddie, an evocative Victorian setting, biting dialogue and a characterful band of heroes all make this a very rewarding reading experience. The opening really gets you hooked in, with an Egyptian mummy rising from the dead.

It’s quite a sophisticated read, with various references to Ancient Egypt and Victorian London. Most competent readers, who love stories with a dash of mystery and adventure, will love getting their teeth into it.

Suitable for: boys; girls; older readers; more able readers.