This review comes to you from a slightly more educated point of view. Why? Because I have done extensive research (one Google search, but no! That counts!) into the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice which this book was basically a rewrite of. I actually really enjoyed it. That surprises me.
Ella Grey is determined to convince Claire that she is in proper love (not puppy love) with Orpheus, the lyre player who's just arrived in Newcastle. She's going all the way with Orpheus, including having a fake marriage with him on the shore in Northumberland. Disaster may strike, and it may end up being Claire's fault.
I like starting with the negatives, and I bring you next to no editorial or print notes because I read a proof copy of this book, so if I commented on that I'd be wasting my breath and your time. Side-note for you: my only editorial note is that I do not like the black pages that you find after the disaster strike. The book has now been released, but if they printed it with that, I would be incredibly disappointed.
I detected a hint here and there of The Fault In Our Stars, however I can't really criticise it for that because the main plot of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice is pretty much the love and tragedy. Is that a bad thing? No. I love The Fault In Our Stars, so take what you will from that.
I can't help but wonder as well whether the fact that we have a modern Newcastle lyre player is a bit beyond reality. After some more extensive research (see above), the only real famous lyre player from reality is Maximus Pettulian, and he plotted to kill Emperor Nero so not even remotely recent.
And I apologise for the fact that this is a bit vague as a result of keeping spoilers at bay, but when the story starts with Ella after the story's beginning, then something happens to Ella, the storyline went a bit over the place.
That said, the fact you had these history twists in the plot added a small element of spice to it, and the way that the characters were portrayed and their dialect represented was pretty much on par with what I understand is the Newcastle style of living.
I really liked this book actually. Despite my negative pointers, it opens your eyes to the myths of the past, like Orpheus and Eurydice. I would certainly be willing to read another rewrite of a myth should David Almond write another.
Great work.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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