I was lucky enough to meet this author at the time he was publishing his first book 'Under the Tree' in 2013 and although it was primarily a children's book, not my usual genre! - I am always drawn to read a book when I have met the author. I'm glad I did. As a previously unpublished author I was sceptical of his plans to write a further 9 books in a series he calls 'The Northland Tales' as experience suggests that most would-be authors do not even ever finish one!

I shouldn't have doubted him because earlier this year the second in the series 'The Fairey Flag' hit the shelves.

Much longer, darker and more suitable for adults as well as children I found it hugely engaging and Michael T. Ashgillian was honing his craft.

Now I have just finished the third in the series 'Fimbul: The Awakening of the Wolf' which takes the story on further and once again the writing gets better, not that it was too shabby in the first place!

I no longer doubt that Ashgillian will go on to complete another 7 books (I understand the 4th is close to completion) - and I, for one, will be waiting to follow the developing stories from 'The Northland Tales' as they arrive. Highly recommended.

What a great follow up to 'Under the Tree': A Northland Tale, Michael T. Ashgillian's first novel in The Northlander Series. Under the Tree was a great, primarily children's book that could be enjoyed by adults as well,  but The Fairey Flag takes the reader to a darker place as the heroes from the first novel are recalled to the Northlands to face a growing evil that threatens to engulf the beautiful lands as the evil Tseth, Queen of Hel, marshalls her dark forces to enslave the inhabitants.  The story is also, at 302 pages, a full length read, whereas the first book was novella length. As a consequence this tale will appeal to older children and adults alike. If the first two are anything to go by, the next 8 which apparently are already drafted are going to be unmissable! I am already a fan of the Northland Tales. Recommended.

The great new children's novel from Michael T. Ashgillian launches tomorrow. You can get this first novel in the 'Northland Tales' series from Red Cap Books now!

I had the privilege of reading this book before the release date of the 4th July. It is the first work to be published by Michael T. Ashgillian (not his real name!) and I can't believe that this little gem has been hidden away for so long! The good news is that there are apparently another nine in the series known as the 'Northland Tales' and if this is anything to go by, I will be reading them all.

I am an author and as such I realise there is a particular skill to writing a great children's book - I don't have it, but Ashgillian does - in spades!

It has something I think to do with never patronising the reader, regardless of their age and the author here has managed that beautifully it works as a great children's adventure but also as a gentle adult read. I loved it and cannot recommend it highly enough. With elements similar to both Lord of the Rings and the Narnia tales - a treat for older children and adults alike.