20% of the author royalties for this book are going to Archaeology Scotland.
ACROSTICS
Justice Seeker
Independent
Naughty
Natural
Young Avenger
Felix
Earnest
Loyalties Divided
Intelligent
XIII
Brave
Reliable
Amiable
Miracle
BOOK BITE
A blend of ancient Scottish history and myth told in contrasting voices packed into an energetic plot.
BOOK HAIKU
Free spirited girl
clashes with a divided boy
fighting for her rights.
Fierce and furious
she vows vengeance for past wrongs
but what will ensue?
Strange sounds in the dark
spark memories of legends
that make hearts tremble.
As Romans threaten
to break a fragile balance
can joining forces help?
BLURB
Divided loyalties. A fragile peace. A dangerous mission.
Scotland, 158 AD, is a divided country.
On one side of the Antonine Wall, thirteen-year-old Felix is trying to become a good Roman soldier like his father. On the other, twelve-year old Jinny is vowing revenge on the ‘metal men’ who have invaded her Damnonii tribe’s homeland. At the Damnonii’s sacred circle of standing stones, events spiral out of control.
Can Jinny and Felix reconcile their differences before it’s too late?
BOOK TASTERS
Her next words were lost in a long, piercing shriek.”
I missed him so much sometimes it hurt to breathe”
I backed away slowly, holding my breath so hard my lungs burned.”
Low and soft on the wind it came, a tune of war and loss and sadness that sent shivers down my spine with its haunting notes.”
Maybe it were real, maybe it were all in my fevered head and I was seeing things that weren’t there…”
Extracts from Whistlers in the Dark
BOOK BLOGGERS- SPOTLIGHT
The Whistlers in the Dark is one of those books that I utterly consumed, aided by the fact that I was reading on my commute surrounded by the rolling Scottish landscape that could so easily have leapt from the pages of this book.
I liked how the chapters took turns between Damnonii Jinny and Roman Felix, showing their different ways of life. I loved the voice and soft Scottish dialect that Jinny’s chapters were written in. Jinny’s brother and his pony, Tramper, were endearing. Calling the Roman’s “metal men” provided an interesting visual.
The Whistlers in the Dark is a wonderful novel about two civilisations trying to live next to each other, with complex, well drawn characters and a delicious supernatural element.
Told as a dual narrative, the book unfolds through the voices of 12-year-old Jinny – a member of the local Damnonii tribe and 13-year-old Felix, the half-Roman half-Damnonii son of the Prefect who commands the local Roman fort – two children on opposing sides who fate brings together following a terrible accident which threatens to forever make enemies of them. A story which is rich with historical detail and one with several twists and turns that sneaked up on me as I gobbled it up.
Victoria delivers an atmospheric novel inspired by her love of Scottish myths and archaeological research around the area of Dunbartonshire in Scotland where she grew up. Set in the dual locations of a tribal village and a Roman fort on the defensive Antonine Wall [built in 142 CE] it is a departure from her usual socially realistic novels.
The story explores a myriad of themes including bullying, friendship, growing pains, cultural crafts, traditions and beliefs, the power of myths, tribal responsibilities and gender roles, loyalty, the price of vengeance, jealousy, the cost of reckless behaviour and moral lessons.
Where its strength lies is in its character portrayal. Williamson deftly handles a dual perspective voicing the reactions of Jinny [Scottish dialect] and Felix to traumatic events. Her characters are believable and multi faceted.
The narrative juxtaposes the awkwardness and difficulties of adolescence with the internal battles of the protagonists. Jinny must reflect on her tempestuous nature causing chaos while Felix evaluates his identity as a mixed race child of a conquering empire. Another key character must adapt to a catastrophic change in circumstance.
There are a few historical anachronisms in the use of language and literary references. Strangely, Whistlers in the Dark is set in the Iron Age in Roman Britain but Felix recalls to Bram the oral Norwegian folk tale Billy Goats Gruff which was first recorded by scholars Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe in 1841 [19th Century]. *
The plot is also infused with an eerie supernatural vibe which it takes a while to acclimatise to because it distracts from the dynamic drama of the opposing sides. Jinny’s obsession with the legend of the Standing Stones brings it into psychological territory. It evokes the spooky folklore of Samhain moving the story from historical fiction to magical realism. Could it be all in the mind? Perhaps it deliberately leaves it to the reader’s imagination.
This book will appeal to young people wishing to know more about the history of Scotland during the Roman occupation. It shines a spotlight on the Antonine Wall, which isn’t as well known as Hadrian’s Wall. Interesting details include a description of the perilous Lilia Pits installed as a defensive measure by Roman garrisons. Fans of Asterix will recognise the stand off between Romans and native tribes.
High stakes, perilous situations and conflicted loyalties ratchet up the tension. The writing is on the whole deliciously descriptive and skilful. It will attract readers who appreciate compelling characters and enjoy excitement and adventure.
GOOD NIGHT TO READ REVIEW RATING- 3.5 CHOCOLATE LIBRARIES
FIVE FACTS ABOUT VICTORIA WILLIAMSON
“Based on the historical records of the Antonine Wall and the tribes of Central Scotland, it brings those together with Scottish legends of standing stones going walking at night to weave a tale of courage and adventure. If you’re a fan of Halloween, spooky reads, the Romans, and historic Scotland you might like to check this out.”
Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind.
She has demonstrated versatility and addressed important issues with her writing. War of the Wind is her “eco-thriller for 11+ readers about a secret government weapons test gone wrong. Featuring a cast of children with additional support needs, it shows their abilities in a positive light and allows them to take centre stage in the unfolding drama.” It has garnered the following accolades-
AWARDS
Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Awards 2023
Shortlisted for The Week Junior Children’s Book of the Year (Older Fiction) Award2023
Winner of the YA-ldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries’ Book Award 2023
Longlisted for the RED Book Awards 2023
Longlisted for the South Coast Schools ABA Book Awards 2023
Book Trust Book of the Month for February 2022A
Financial Times Best YA Books of the Year 2022
The Scottish Book Trust Book of the Month for November 2022
Good Night To Read- A School Librarian's Book Blog 