The Nightkeeper’s Apprentice by Jude Reid

What worked:

Eilidh joins her aunt and cousin on a barren, rocky island, and readers' speculation begins with her arrival. She’s told to never enter the lighthouse but isn’t given a reason. Most readers will join Eilidh, as her imagination comes up with many ways to explain why she can’t visit a lighthouse that doesn’t shine a warning light for ships. Adding to the intrigue is the question of what her aunt can possibly be doing in there every day. Readers know that something will happen, making Eilidh eventually break her promise to her aunt and venture into the strange tower. This will change the trajectory of the story.

Two characters contribute to the mystery and an unpredictable course of events. Magnus is Eilidh’s cousin, and he’s fairly quiet for much of the story. He clearly doesn’t want her around and spends much of his time stomping around the house or going off on his own outside. He knows about the lighthouse and its secrets, and he moves about the property as if he’s searching for something. Later, Cam joins the story, and he’s the ghost mentioned in the synopsis. He feels he hasn’t moved on because of unfinished business, but he has no idea what it might be. Ghosts always include a bit of uncertainty. However, Cam infuses some humor as he becomes acquainted with Eilidh.

There’s a simmering conflict behind the scenes between the Finfolk and the Landfolk, though it isn’t clear whether the humans are aware of it. Long ago, all creatures were Finfolk until some discovered a way to live on shore by trading their fins for legs. Eventually, Landfolk forced Finfolk to remain in the ocean, and they then took all the fish and polluted the waters. Finfolk have never forgotten. Sing-In-The-Shallows is infatuated by Landfolk, but she’s angered by their wars and killing. The author inserts pages between some chapters that explain what Sing-In-The-Shallows is doing and what she observes. Readers will remain curious as they discover how she fits into the story. A magical horn emerges as a major conflict, but readers must wait to find out what it means.

What didn’t work as well:

The Finfolks’ current attitude toward Landfolk is unclear. The pages about Sing-In-The-Shallows describe her curiosity about humans and how she helps them in times of need. However, she says the other Finfolk wouldn’t approve of her actions, but they don’t enter the story until the very end. Their feelings are still ambiguous even after that scene.

The final verdict:

Readers under ten years of age can still enjoy this book. It’s reminiscent of Irish selkie stories and creepy water creatures. The mystery of the Nighthouse will keep readers captivated, although readers will predict that Eilidh will make a questionable decision. I recommend you try this book for yourself.