Teodora’s Book Reviews: “The Morrow Secrets Trilogy” by Susan McNally (Sweet Cherry Publishing, Leicester, 2013-2015)

Since Halloween is just around the corner, it’s time to go through your bookshelves once again and re-read some scary, but thrilling stories. After all, this spooky celebration is not all about dressing up as your favorite characters, sharing scrumptious treats and planning tempting tricks. If you’re on the lookout for new books to read, then you may consider the gothic and adventurous trilogy entitled The Morrow Secrets (the books’ names are The Morrow Secrets, The Shadow of the Swarm and The Dark Spell).

The fantasy saga is set in an unusual world, more specifically in a creepy house called Winderling Spires in the land of Wycham Elva. Tallitha Mouldson, the headstrong heroine, is next in line to rule the Morrow family. Therefore she’s often stuck in her house learning how to adopt a ladylike attitude. You have probably already guessed that Tallitha is no ordinary girl who sticks to the rules. She seeks adventure and has a genuine thirst for knowledge. Her dull daily routine suddenly changes when she and her younger brother, Tyaas, come across a mysterious journal. The book belongs to a family member they have never heard of before, and that is when the two siblings realize that the Morrow dynasty has plenty of carefully hidden secrets. From this moment on, Tallitha escapes from the grasp of her family and makes her way to the haunted castle of Hellstone Tors. In other words, she slowly, but surely ends up being caught in a sinister web of dark secrets.

So far we have a stubborn girl with a curious heart, who sets off to reveal her family’s mysterious past. You may think to yourself that you already know the main ideas of the plot. Don’t jump to conclusions that quickly. This trilogy with over 1000 pages has plenty of new features to offer, from whimsical characters to misleading events. Throughout Tallitha’s entire journey, you will endure frantic challenges and befriend peculiar creatures such as shroves and skinks. It may be difficult for some readers to remember the characters with uncommon names, barely reasonable to roll off your tongue (even I had some trouble memorizing who is who). However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying the plot itself and I can promise you that the story just keeps getting more exciting with each chapter you read.

Maybe it’s just in my head, but sometimes it seems as if Tallitha portrayed Disney’s Scottish princess Merida from the movie called “Brave”. The young girl often uses the same words and does the same gestures as Merida, especially in the first few chapters of the first book, The Morrow Secrets:

“ ‘I won’t do it, they can’t make me!’ she wailed as she twisted her tangled hair in and out of her fingers, sulking about her predicament.” (page 7)
“ ‘It’s so unfair. She wants me to speak like a lady and spend all day doing boring things. She never listens to what I want,’ she said, mimicking her Great Aunt Agatha’s voice, ‘I’m never allowed to do anything!’ ” (page 9)

I have to admit I couldn’t stop myself from reading Tallitha’s complaints with Merida’s strong Scottish accent. At times I truly felt her anger and despair. Staying inside all day for her lessons, sewing and painting classes can become rather dreadful at some point. I can’t help but be proud of Tallitha’s determination and bravery to keep going, no matter what the circumstances are. I also appreciate the characters’ realistic side. Although the action is set in an alternate universe, no one is either “just good” or “just bad”. They all make mistakes and occasionally show off their weaknesses which are part of the human nature. For example, Cissy, a close friend of Tallitha and Tyaas, sells out the two siblings after being threatened and tortured by some evil creatures. The fact that she doesn’t put up a fight shows that she’s still a human being who is not fully capable of sacrificing herself for the sake of others. It’s not a selfish act; it’s just fear taking over in such desperate situations.

Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, The Morrow Secrets trilogy is the perfect reading choice for this time of the year. Each book will spook you one way or another, but you’ll still find yourself lured further into Tallitha’s quest. The story illustrates a restless but worthy fight against the dark forces that shaped the girl’s past, still haunt her present and will also hang over her future.