I really love the Cherub series but for whatever reason I've not quite gotten around to reading Henderson's Boys. Maybe the historical aspect put me off a bit. I never really seemed in the mood for it. In any case, I picked it up and this is great. Marc and Paul and Rosie are strong characters with both strengths and weaknesses. In other words, they're real kids thrown into extraordinary situations. Things don't always go well and they're not always nice or kind or brave or right. But they make the best of the situation and battle on. Much like James, I found them unlikeable at certain points but overall I enjoyed the characters and the plot. It's been awhile since I've read Cherub but I will say I can't quite remember it being so mature or so immature. The Escape focuses on more mature situations and realistically portrays the reality of war. That being said, the characters themselves were relatively childish and immature. It was odd but it may just be due to my own advancing age. ( )

This book is mass market paperback rubbish. It is full of one-dimensional stereotyped characters, soft porn, sexism, bullying and gratuitous violence.
I can't see why anyone would want to read this kind of trash when there is such a plethora of great literature available. This kind of dated, "rah rah rah" British stiff upper lip writing should be relegated to the annals of history with all the other boy's own books of the past.
I can think of many other books for teenagers with the same theme that are more meaningful, have well-drawn characters and are infinitely better written.
I guess Robert Muchamore is a phase that will disappear in time.

Children, adventure, WW2 ( )

An excellent introduction to the series. Full of boys own type action but with a bit more depth than these type of stories from a generation ago. Good for boys but excellent female characters - thoughtfully written but plenty of action. Very skilled work from the author...... ( )

Summer, 1940. Hitler’s army is advancing towards Paris, and millions of French civilians are on the run. Amidst the chaos, two British children are being hunted by German agents. British spy Charles Henderson tries to reach them first, but he can only do it with the help of a twelve-year-old French orphan. The British secret service is about to discover that kids working undercover will help to win the war. For official purposes, these children do not exist.