The Ravenmaster's Secret

By: Elvira Woodruff

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In London in 1735, 11-year-old Forrest Harper is living with his family at the Tower of London. There he helps his father tend the ravens and guard the prisoners. Still, life is lonely. When vicious Scottish Rebels are captured, Forrest is delighted. Perhaps now he can prove his courage and impress the local bullies who torment him. His happiness is short lived, though, when the Harpers are only given custody of Maddy, a Scottish Rebel's daughter, for a rebel in a dress will surely make Forrest a laughingstock.

As the days pass, Maddy's beauty and warmth and her touching stories of life in Scotland seal a friendship between them. But when she is slated for execution, Forrest is faced with a horrifying choice. He can either commit treason and help her escape or obey the law and allow his innocent friend to be executed.

©2003 Elvira Woodruff (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An absorbing historical adventure with a unique and colorful setting." (Booklist)
"Its message of judging people on their own merits and not on the basis of stereotypes comes across strongly." (School Library Journal)

Starts slow but worth the wait

This story is written in the style of an old fashioned book I remember from school in the 1990’s. It starts slow, has a slow buildup, then rapidly moves into an excellent payoff. I like that it also teaches the reader some history.

Good YA book

This is a simple read and easy to follow. Entertaining. A quick book to cleanse your reading pallette before starting the next tome.

The Tower of London

While this book was geared for young adults, I enjoyed it more than many adult "Historical Fictions". The reader does a great job, and the plot is both interesting and plausible. The historical details help throw a new light on the generations of England/Scotland fueds.

This is not a "Harry Potter" type fantasy. Instead the book relies on actual historical touches(Chamberpots, Chimneysweeps, Ratcatchers, etc.) which I found just as interesting. This could be a great listen for a family car trip, but keep in mind that this story and the Tower of London centered around prisoners and executions. The details aren't gory and glorified, but they are not glossed over either.

Great story.

This is a great story told well for the young reader. The reader was also easy to listen to.

a fine family book to share

Excellent engaging story, great descriptive writing, and many good conversation starters on character. Highly recommended!

I truly enjoyed this store

This was a great story and I enjoyed it to the end and the history that was in the end was very interesting would recommend it to anyone who likes to know more about the tower

Excellent for children and adults!

This is my second Audible of Elvira Woodruff. This was an excellent book, fantastic storyline and the narration was amazing.

Amazing story!

I do not have words to describe how great this book is. I’ve never had a book have me on the edge of my seat the way this one did! So glad I red this, I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to read this.

Oh wow..this story...Wow!!!

I loved every single minute of listening to this story. It was incredible. The main character is an adolescent but do NOT let that stop you. The story is sophisticated and multi-faceted and just oh so special.

The narrator handles the different characters with ease. Vance even managed to make a particularly bad guy, even more so.

Loved it!!!

l like the ravens masters secret

I lisend to this booke at lest 2 times I like that It is about the tower of London