HOLLOW EARTH
Lots of twins have a special connection - being able to finish each other's sentences; sensing what the other is thinking; perhaps even knowing when the other is in trouble or in pain - but for 12-year-old twins, Matt and Emily Calder, the connection is beyond special. Together, the twins have extraordinary powers - they are able to bring art to life, or enter paintings at will. Their abilities are sought by villains trying to access the terrors of Hollow Earth - a place where all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined lie trapped for eternity.
The twins flee with their mother to the security of an island, off the west coast of Scotland, where their grandfather has certain protective powers of his own. But too much is at stake, and the twins aren't safe there either. The villains will stop at nothing to find Hollow Earth and harness the powers within...
John and Carole E Barrowman's first novel for young adults was published by Buster Books on 2 February 2012 and is available from all good bookstores and online retailers. On 6 February, Hollow Earth topped Amazon's chart of Children's Sci-fi and Fantasy novels.
John has recorded an audiobook version of the novel for AudioGO (UK) which will be released on download on 2 May 2012 and on CD (in libraries) from 2 July 2012.
Hollow Earth will be published in the US on 13 November 2012 by Aladdin Books, the children's division of Simon and Schuster and is now available for pre-order.
- See photos from Hollow Earth signing events
- Read report on John and Carole's visit to Henry Maynard Junior School
Reviews and Interviews (may contain spoilers)
Financial Times
"The central conceit - that certain people, known as Animare, are able to bring to life any picture they draw - is interesting and explored well, and the main characters, Matt and Emily Calder and their hearing-impaired friend Zach, are appealing and given convincing dialogue. The plot, meanwhile, sees sinister forces aligning to exploit the children's powers to open up a netherworld full of demons and there's a good use of lesser-known beasts from myth and fable."
- Read Primary Times interview with John and Carole - April 2012
- Read Cultbox interview with John and Carole - 6 April 2012
- Read interviews with John and Carole at Ed on the Web - 2 March 2012
- Read review in The Book Zone (For Boys) - 27 February 2012
- Read interview with John and Carole with Sunday Express - 13 February 2012
- Read interview with John and Carole with Bookwitch - 13 February 2012
- Read interview at Scotland on Sunday - 12 February 2012
- Read review at Books for Keeps - 7 February 2012
- Read interview with John and Carole in Daily Record - 7 February 2012
- Read interview with John and Carole at Kent Online - 3 February 2012
- Read interview with Carole at PopMatters - 2 February 2012
- Read review at Reviews in Time and Space - 2 February 2012
- Read review at Millport website - 26 January 2012
