When Arthur and Rose were little, they were heroes in the Land of Roar, an imaginary world that they found by climbing through the folding bed in their grandad’s attic. Roar was filled with things they loved – dragons, mermaids, ninja wizards and adventure – as well as things that scared them (including a very creepy scarecrow. . .)
Now the twins are eleven, Roar is just a memory. But when they help Grandad clean out the attic, Arthur is horrified as Grandad is pulled into the folding bed and vanishes. Is he playing a joke? Or is Roar . . . real?
Ah, the creeping, crushing feeling of feeling like your friends are growing up without you. Remember that? Jenny McLachlan amps that up by making Arthur, our protagonist, face the maturation of his twin sister, Rose. Arthur has to navigate the hurt that comes from being inseparable to Rose ditching him for her friends at every chance.
When the twins stay with their grandfather for the summer, he asks them to help him clear out the attic. This brings up some nostalgic memories about the imaginary land, Roar, that Arthur and Rose discovered by climbing through the folding bed in their grandad’s attic. Of course, when grandpa gets eaten by the bed, they are forced to confront the idea that maybe Roar wasn't so imaginary.
I loved the sibling dynamics at play. I was rooting for Arthur at every step of the way and experienced the utmost satisfaction when Rose finally got on board the Roar train.
Final Word
This is a book about the magic of imagination, the uncertainty of growing up and the special bond that siblings have. It's also about magic and magical creatures. never forget that.
Verdict
This is perfect reading for adventurous children looking for a world filled with ninjas, dragons, creepies and adventure! it's a fantastic start to the series.