Abandoned by her parents at birth due to her gender
(that is what she believes to be true) she is brought up in hiding, by her aunt
Ellie, her mum’s sister. At twelve years old, she has been told nothing about
her family.
A letter arrives requesting a secret meeting regarding
her family. Against all she’s been taught, she agrees. As a safeguard, she
takes with her a neighbour, Alex, whom she knows nothing about. The meeting
leads them to stow away on a private plane with the intention of getting closer
to her family.
Alex disappears while Henrie is taken to her
grandfather who relates the real story of the years past. Henrie learns that
her parents, being told by her grandfather she was dead, left and were never
heard of again. No detective agency could find any trace of them over the
years.
Henrie’s hopes of finding her parents collapse. Grandfather
dies immediately after his confession. Her uncle Caspian, determined to inherit
the House of Melchoir for his two odious sons, Carter and Finn, initiates devious
plans. Tradition must be preserved at all cost.
But a new will leaves the House of Heroes to Henrie
and others of her family. Now Henrie is in grave danger. Ellie has followed her
trail and is also threatened. And what has happened to Alex?
This is a thrilling, action-packed adventure with
so many twists and turns you can barely draw breath before each situation is
off in a new direction. Written in first person narrative by Henrie, she
directs many quirky questions, facts and statements to the reader. Full of fun
and cleverness, the prose is sharp and active like the storyline.
This scintillating first book of a series promises
more drama and mystery as the search for Henrie’s parents evolves and she looks
for her real place in life. I can’t wait for the next title, Henrie’s Hero Hunt.
Title:
House of Heroes Book One: Hapless
Hero Henrie
Author:
Petra James
Illustrator:
A Yi
Publisher:
Walker Books, $16.99
Publication
Date: 1 April 2019
Format:
Paperback
ISBN:
9781760650834
For
ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction