This is a fun slice of vintage-seeming fantasy, the sort of thing that needs a winter’s night, a roaring fire and a plate of buttered muffins to do it justice. John and his friends fall from one adventure to another, and for once I felt that this is one fantasy novel that could have done with a bit more length. Reading it is rather akin to dashing though an interesting town at top speed, for all kinds of places and possibilities beckon, but few actually present themselves. This would therefore make an ideal first book in a series, but it seems to be a standalone. If some of the people and places encountered ring bells don’t dismiss the author as being a copycat, wait until the denouement and more than that I cannot say for fear of being a plot spoiler. Female readers might find this novel harks back a bit too much to the Boys’ Own era it portrays, as apart from one rather shadowy token female and some witches, it is a strictly men only sort of adventure. This notwithstanding, it is an entertaining read and at the very least shows a creative use of blueberry muffins, and possibly the best (and shortest) description of the Grand Canyon I’ve encountered.