The Forbidden Atlas by Sam Sedgman

The Forbidden Atlas is the thrilling sequel to Sam Sedgman’s The Clockwork Conspiracy – one of my favourite books published in 2024. Readers are transported to the intrigue and beauty of Paris as they race with Isaac, Hattie and Leon through dark streets and even darker catacombs in search of the key to an incredible mystery. Lives are at risk and time is short in this high-stakes, high-adrenaline adventure. Who can they trust? Only themselves.

The mesmerising opening sentences of the prologue portray a rare bookshop shining like a piece of amber. Immediately, I knew this was a story for me. The power of books, the wisdom of old booksellers, the fascination of an ancient map and the potential of hidden treasure grips readers from the very first pages. Questions of the identity of the villain and why they want the treasure snakes through the story allowing readers to search for clues and remain challenged until the end – the very elements of a book you can’t put down.

After saving ‘time’ in The Clockwork Conspiracy, Isaac and Hattie have been invited to a high-profile event at the French National Archives. As guests of honour, they are about to make a speech when the room is plummeted into darkness and a gunshot rings out. Not only has there been an assassination attempt but an important letter has been stolen – one written by King Louis XVI giving clues to the location of great treasure. To solve the mystery, they must navigate the catacombs of Paris – a complex network of underground tunnels. There is only one true map of the catacombs – The Forbidden Atlas.

The characters of Isaac and Leon are wonderfully unique with strength of voice. Isaac loves numbers and logic. He can solve almost any puzzle and is fascinated by facts. Hattie is overflowing with confidence, charm and intelligence. She has a style all her own and knows how to stand up for what is right. Their contrasting points of view develop the story from different angles providing depth and further intrigue. Leon is driven by loyalty and love for his sister. He knows Paris and its secrets. Together, this trio make a team that will be hard to beat – if only they can keep the interfering adults out of the way.

The Forbidden Atlas is a powerful sequel which leaves readers craving the next instalment. Isaac Turner is a brilliant hero and inspires young readers to use their minds to puzzle out any problem.

A huge thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s and NetGalleyUK for an early read of this amazing book!

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