Arbuthnott, Gill: Beneath.

Arbuthnott, Gill

Beneath

Floris/KelpiesTeen, 2014, pp269, 6.99 [pounds sterling]

978 178250 052 0

Beneath is set in the Scottish countryside in the 16th century. However, the story has the feel more of a mythical adventure than a historical novel. Jess, the heroine, is feisty and independent. Early in the story, her best friend Freya disappears into the Roseroot Pool in the woods near her family's farm. Jess witnesses the event and rumours have swirled around the village for years that kelpies, shape shifting creatures live below the water and 'steal' local children. However, eventually Jess' grandmother Ellen explains that a stolen child can be rescued and reveals the process Jess has to follow if she is to bring Freya back. Armed with this knowledge, Jess slips below the water into the world of the Nykur (as the kelpies call themselves) and rescues Freya. There she meets Finn, a kelpie, whom she soon realises she has feelings for. Finn has been watching Jess from afar and returns to visit her often.

In the meantime on the surface, back in the Upper World, she is growing closer to Magnus, Freya's cousin. The two worlds collide when wolves from the kelpie's world break through and attacks on the local increase. As Jess, Freya and Magnus battle alongside Finn to seal the connection between the two worlds, Jess has to make a choice between staying below and leaving her family behind forever or returning to the Upper World.

Beneath was an enjoyable read with well drawn characters, and enough excitement at the end to keep reader's interest throughout the story. This book would appeal to confident Year 7 readers, particularly girls, upwards.