Humour is hard to write well, but throw in human relationships, a mystery and some old-fashioned detective work, and the writer could be excused for losing their way. Somehow, Tanner holds it all together nicely, while leaving the reader in tears of laughter.
Allen & Unwin
The Rogues Trilogy #1
Accidental Heroes
In the city of Berren, strange things happen. People disappear, trees sprout overnight. But no one believes in magic. No, to believe in magic would be disloyal…
The devious Lord Rump and his granddaughter, Duckling, need a disposable boy, and Pummel, a farm boy looking for work in the city, fits the bill perfectly. Duckling is happy to tangle him in her grandpa’s web, as long as Grandpa keeps his promise – that this is his very last Scheme.
Lord Rump’s machinations take both children into the Strong-hold of Berren – where time has stopped and no one can leave – and before long they are entwined in a plot to kill the heir to the Faithful Throne.
If they want to protect the Young Margrave, and save themselves from an awful death, Duckling and Pummel must learn to use the magic that no one else believes in.
'The first in a new series by the bestselling author of ‘The Keepers’ series, this book has all the key ingredients of another spellbinding adventure … a wonderfully gripping tale with believable characters and interesting, if not subtle, twists. Be warned: it is not for the very young or faint-hearted. There are some truly terrifying scenes of the Wild Hunt and not a small amount of bloodthirstiness.'
Helene Ephraim, Australian Bookseller & Publisher, 2017
Allen & Unwin
The Rogues #2
Secret Guardians
Duckling and Pummel are trying to take the Young Margrave to a place of safety, far away from the dreadful Harshman. But they have enemies they don’t know about, and all too soon they find themselves captured and taken to the salt mines, where slaves work night and day until they die.
Their witchery should save them – but their witchery has gone, vanished. How will they get it back? Is the girl Sooli their friend or their enemy? And why is Otte’s chicken behaving so strangely?
'Plots and subplots, tests and trials, friends choosing their own paths, ghosts in the hidden tunnels and dreams foretelling the future heighten the tension and drive the pace. For comic relief, Frow Cat and Otte's talking chicken help with their plans. "Secret Guardians" delivers strong and quirky characters, learning to make their way in this magical world. Tanner's junior novel is suited to confident readers who will discover how the fight of good and evil occurs in this magical kingdom."
Rhyllis Bignell, ReadPlus
The Rogues #3
Haunted Warriors
The Harshman brought his fist down on the arm of the Faithful Throne, and roared to the sleeping people, ‘I … Am … Margrave … Now.’
Having escaped the salt mines, Duckling, Pummel, Sooli and Otte return to the Strong-hold to find out who is responsible for raising the murderous Harshman. But with Grafine von Eisen ruling as Regent, all that awaits them is the dungeon and the executioner’s axe.
The children must hide in the Strong-hold’s stone walls, while Sooli walks the path of death, searching desperately for clues. And when the Harshman arrives, turning friends and allies against each other, time is running out.
With no one on their side but a cat, a ghost, and a chicken who has forgotten her true identity, the children must use all their wits – and all their magic – to defeat the Harshman before he becomes unstoppable.
'The Rogues trilogy by Lian Tanner is showing all the signs of being as popular as her previous trilogy, The Keepers, and is rarely on the shelves in the school library. The melding of high risk adventure and magic works brilliantly in the hands of a skilled writer, such as Tanner, and readers from 9+ will fall into the world she has created.'
Megan Daley, Children's Books Daily
'Haunted Warriors is a classic tale of the fight between good and evil in the fantasy genre. Sacrifice, togetherness, protectiveness, courage and most of all the power of the bonds of love overwhelm evil in the end. The reader is exposed to the concepts of " . . . love and friendship and comfort-in-times-of-trouble . . . " versus ". . .graves and rotten fruit, and murder and loss and dispossession . . . " and is granted a window into what the misuse of power can look like. Action-packed and magical, this book (and the highly acclaimed series) is highly recommended for 9-13 year olds.'
Wendy Jeffery, ReadPlus
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