The sequel to Duncton Wood (see seperate review). But, unlike many sequels, this is better. Much better.

Of course, by better, I also mean darker and bloodier. From Duncton Wood's story of love over time and distance, against the trials of nature and evil being, Duncton Quest widens into a tale of war and unspeakable cruelty. The grikes, Northern moles who believe in the Word instead of the Stone, have come and it is up to Tryfan, son of Bracken and Rebecca, to resist them.

Yet, as always with William Horwood, there is more to it than that. It is a story of resounding faith, even though it is in a fictional religion, and of relationship that closely mirror the complexity of those of humans. There are strong parallels to Christianity, in the pophecied coming of the Stone Mole and, above all, the story is one of hope that no matter how black the night, the light shines through in the end.

Older teens to adults - some strong content (rape, incest, cruel deaths) that would be unsuitable for younger readers.

Tryfan. An incredibly strong central character: flawed and doubting at times but, even then, inspirational.

Read the next in the series: Duncton Found.

Close to tears at times, although whether of sorrow or joy is debatable.

Is William Horwood, author of the first Ducton series - Duncton Wood, Duncton Quest and Duncton Found, and the second series of Duncton Tales, Duncton Rising and Duncton Stone. His other books include the Willows In Winter series, two books of The Wolves Of Time, The Stonor Eagles, Callanish and Skallagrigg.

It is more than just a fantasy novel with moles. It is a complete world, amazingly complex and detailed, that draws you right in and makes you genuinely care for the characters.