This is a story about an ancient castle riddled with secret passageways, mysterious sounds and strange lights. It’s also the story of desperate people searching for the Fountain of Youth. When Price, Ephraim and Brynn move to an old castle after their father has a stroke, they are thrust into the middle of a century-old feud, family secrets and a town where everyone is just a little bit smarter and stronger than normal. Could it have something to do with the crumbling mansion – the Water Castle? And did their strange ancestor, Orlando Appledore, really discover magical properties in the water?

This book has some big topics: faith vs. science, overcoming rivalries passed down generations, and the race to discover the North Pole. With a dual narrative that places us both in 1908 and the present day, this is a fascinating story for confident readers aged 10 and up.

Angela Crocombe