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Beyond the Ice-White Moon - The Perex Chronicles 3

Formats: E-Book, Paperback

Ages: 8-11, 12-15, 16-18, 18+

The third book in The Perex Chronicles - a thrilling fantasy adventure and murder mystery combined.

A cry for help sends Jake and Abi racing to Perex, the tiny world created by Jake's grandfather. They're confronted by a mysterious kidnapping, a series of murders, a pair of astronomers intent on exploring the heavens, and a cult devoted to the worship of a boy who once fell from the night sky...

Reviews

As with the two earlier books in the series, this is a an imaginative, well-written, fast-paced book. Whilst it is primarily aimed at young adults, it does contain themes which are very pertinent to society, now and in the past. In particular, the central plot, how something not readily understandable can become a religion and then this can be subverted by some to become a dangerous cult is very salutary. (Professor Roger Kay)

Reader

Star Rating: 5 ‘With strong pacing and relatable children characters to root for, this is a gem of a book for 9 -12 year olds, particularly reluctant boy readers. A Wishing Shelf Recommended Read!’ The Wishing Shelf REVIEW I have always been very fond of novels for 9 – 12 year olds. So much so, I have written ten or so myself. So, I was happy to check out the third of the Perex books by Graham Holliday. And, I must say, I enjoyed it very much. I know the first books well (The Boy from the Night Sky, which is the first novel in the set, did very well in the book awards I run), and I have always been impressed by the premise – Jake, a young boy, discovers Perex, a microscopic world created by his grandfather; he ends up becoming the first person from our world ever to travel there. Hmm, excellent! And the children in our reading groups loved it too. So, what is there to enjoy in book three? Well, a lot, as it happens. Jake is back – love that lad; he’s determined, smart, and always up for an adventure. Abi is there too, a young girl. There’s excellent chemistry between the two, and most of the comedy is from them. I also loved how the story is not all plot, plot, plot, the author taking time to develop the characters. For example, Jake’s mum has a new man – the way he starts interrogating poor Jake on the car trip to Jake’s grandfather’s house is highly amusing - And they still hadn’t reached the M1. Finally, I enjoyed the plot. I was a little alarmed at the beginning that they wouldn’t be returning to Perex (they can’t return, you see – no map). But, no, a girl summons them – she needs help, she’s locked in a room, and Jake and Abi rush to save her. It’s a good plot, exciting, plenty of twists, and with lots of suspense, particularly in the second half. So, if you happen to be 9 – 12 years old, or you know a kid of that age who enjoys fast paced adventure, I’m happy to recommend this book to you. I suspect it will go down particularly well with reluctant boy readers; I think they’ll relate to Jake (and his energy), and they’ll love the fast pacing and dialogue-focused writing style. Do they need to read book 1 and 2 first? No, not particularly; the author summing up small parts of the ‘story so far’ in chapter two. Still, why not read the books in order? Trust me, you’ll love all of them! Billy Bob Buttons, author of 10 children’s books plus the UK People’s Book Prize Winner, I Think I Murdered Miss A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

A beautifully layered fantasy with heart, mystery, and stardust. Beyond the Ice-White Moon delivers exactly what you'd hope for in the third instalment of The Perex Chronicles, and then quietly sneaks in more. Graham Holliday has a gift for writing stories that feel both intimate and epic, a rare balance that makes this book stand out in the middle-grade fantasy space. Jake and Abi’s return to Perex is anything but simple. From a chilling string of murders to a boy-worshipping cult and curious astronomers peering into dangerous truths, the stakes are emotionally resonant and brilliantly paced. Holliday never talks down to younger readers; instead, he invites them into a world that feels intelligent, expansive, and just a little strange in the best way possible. His prose is clean yet evocative. There's a rhythm to his storytelling that keeps you turning pages quickly, yet pausing often to think. It’s no easy feat to tackle themes like loss, belief, and memory within a fantasy framework, but he manages it with a quiet confidence that shows his theatre background shining through. What I appreciated most was how this book never sacrifices emotional weight for plot momentum. You feel the pull of Perex. You believe its oddities. And you care about its people. That’s something many seasoned authors struggle to achieve, and Holliday does it while still leaving you eager for Book 4. Bravo to an author who deserves a much wider spotlight. This series is a gem, quietly brilliant, patiently unfolding, and full of wonder. Olivia Thompson, on Goodreads

Reader