The left-handed booksellers of London

Another great book by Australian author, Garth Nix. This time the book is set in two worlds, the New and the Old, which can merge into each other when magic, good or bad, is afoot. Those guarding the borders are the booksellers of two London bookshops - the left handed booksellers have powers to detect and defend against the forces of evil while the right-handed booksellers have their own special powers. There are, of course, users of both hands with powers of their own.

In 1983 Susan Arkshaw has come to London to discover who her father is. She brings with her a few clues including an address. Visiting the house Susan encounters evil forces and magical powers for the first time. She also meets Merlin who helps her escape from the house and finds safer accommodation for her. 

Merlin and his sister, Vivian, introduce Susan to the world of the booksellers and offer to help her in her quest to locate her father. It soon becomes obvious that an evil force from the past is determined to prevent Susan from fulfilling her quest. As the danger to Susan and her friends increases it becomes obvious that someone from within the band of booksellers is working to sabotage the quest.

This is a story of a dangerous quest with plenty of suspense and magic as Susan and her allies endeavour to conquor an evil force. Throughout the book there are references to other book titles, most of which I recognised. The comment was also made that events described in some fantasy books revealed secrets that that made it more difficult for the left-handed booksellers to do their work. The story is interlaced with humour making this book a most enjoyable read.