Johan Rundberg

The Night Raven is the first book in the middle grade mystery series The Moonwind by Swedish author Johan Rundberg. Twelve-year old Mika has grown up in an orphanage where she takes care of the other orphans and where she has learned to be very observant, a necessary survival skill in 1880 Stockholm. When a newborn child is thrust in her arms by a young boy who immediately disappears, the detective assigned to investigate appreciates her skills at observation and enlists her help in solving the case of a serial killer who has been terrorizing the city.

Although way outside the target audience, I enjoyed this book. Mike is a great protagonist, brave, smart, and ruled by logic in assessing the world around her. The story is a fast-paced easy read that I suspect would appeal to young kids. It should be noted, however, that it may be too violent for kids under twelve.

I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss+ and Amazon Publishing in exchange for an honest review… (més)

Pick-pockets, orphans, and the police of 1880 Stockholm come to life in a mystery, which leaves the reader guessing until the last chapters.

Mika knows several of the kids at the orphanage are up to something. She sees, at least, two of them skipping classes more than once, but both are staying tight-lipped about what they're up to. When one of them runs away right before his adoption, alarm bells go off in her head, and she discovers the missing orphans working for a street-show. Sure they are pick-pocketing, she's determined to help them and keep them out of jail, but things aren't nearly as simple as first appears, and soon, she's the one running from the police.

This is the sequel to The Night Raven and, to my disappointment, already the last book since it's a duology. The mystery is just as exciting as in the first book and adds a nice touch of 'family' love, since Mika's concern for the other orphans drives her to go to her limits and beyond. She does behave very mature for a twelve-year-old, which has me suggesting this one even for older tweens and younger young adult readers. It is still, however, completely appropriate for middle graders, who are ready for a historically set read. The mystery is fairly complex (not overly so, though) and stays exciting enough to keep those pages turning. While some of it can be guessed by the end, the action and last twists round of the story well.

This duology does have me thinking of Oliver Twist and Co. thanks to the setting and themes...although that's where the similarities end. The situation of the orphans does rub at the heart-strings, and Mika's own concerns are understandable. There is depth and a few sub-plots, but it still stays short and rich.

I do recommend this one to historical fans, who enjoy adventure, tension and a bit of mystery too.… (més)

Set in 1880s Sweden, this is the story of twelve year-old Mika, who has grown up in an orphanage. She's been passed over by years of prospective foster parents and feels it intensely, so she does her best to care for the younger orphans. When a newborn is thrust into her arms one night, the detective who comes notices that Mika is unusually observant and articulate, and he enlists the girl in helping him solve the case of a serial killer.
A bit too violent to be a cozy and too sweet to be realistic, it's a fast-moving mystery that doesn't ask too much of the reader.… (més)