Mines of the Minotaur: The Companions Quartet: Book 3: Bk. 3 - Tapa dura

[Of Book 1, Secret of the Sirens]: 'I rated this book 5/5 because the story is so brilliant you simply have to read it. I would strongly advise this book so just buy it and read it!!!!!!!! (Jenii, age 10)

This book is the most excellent book I have ever read. (Amazon review)

If you are looking for a book for a child of junior age or above (or their Mum or Dad!) who enjoys fantasy fiction, then this would definitely be a great choice. (Amazon review)

This has all the ingredients of a must-read series. (Publishing News)

I really like it - it reminded me of Susan Cooper's Over Sea Under Stone. (Amanda Craig)

Crackles with tension (TES)

Connie has immense power. The trouble is, she doesn't really know how to use it, and nobody in the Society for the Protection of Mythical Beasts has enough knowledge to train her. Only one being understands Connie's potential - the evil shapeshifter Kullervo. Unknown to Connie, he has started infiltrating her dreams, causing her to raise devastating storms in her sleep. Now, when she's awake, the dark side of Connie's power increasingly feels more attractive than the good side. When Connie's best friend Col discovers what is happening, he begs Connie to seek help. She turns to the Society, the group meant to protect her. But they are terrified by what she tells them and expel her. Feeling abandoned and scared, Connie hides in an old mine - and finds she is not alone. The mine is full of sick mythical creatures that the Society has forgotten. They are led by the once-proud Minotaur who, having been blinded in a fight, is now a broken soul. The Minotaur gives Connie the courage to face her demons, and in doing so begins to heal himself. Could it be that Connie and the Minotaur, along with Col and the sick creatures, have the strength to battle Kullervo, while the Society for the Protection of Mythical Beasts stands ineffectually by?