This book takes off from Fagin's Boy's last scene, and we follow Oliver and Jack while they flee London.

I really enjoyed having Jack's POV here, so practical and down-to-Earth. And I love to see how their relationship strengthens and grows. But I also love the setting. The author manages to transport us unto Victorian England, and the writing is so enticing and full of details.

What can I say? I can't wait to read the next book. ( )

This is the second book of of at least three that I am aware following this re-look at the life of Oliver Twist. The first novel, Fagin’s Boy brought Oliver into an upper class life where he became quite used to the comforts of life. He felt his place in the very class conscious Victorian world and was quite aware of where he fit and belonged. He loved to read and had dreams of opening a book shop. It all fell apart when he past returned in the form of Jack Dawkins and his Uncle dying unexpectedly.

This next tale picks up with Oliver and Jack on the run – they ultimately decide to go to a town called Lyme Regis since that is where Oliver’s mother is from. They need to get out of London and this is as good as any place to go. Problems arise when Jack falls ill from the effects of a concussion – Oliver is exceptionally worried about him. They do manage to find shelter in a a great house but the doctor still needs to be paid which sets Oliver off to work at a very rough job. But he will do anything for Jack.

This is a book basically about these two young men and their growing feelings for one another. It’s also about the class divide between them; Oliver has been reared with manners and an understanding of how society works. Jack is a child of the streets and has no manners nor does he care. He will try for Oliver’s sake but he doesn’t understand why one person is better than another simply because of their birth.

I must admit that I didn’t like this book as much as I enjoyed Fagin’s Boy. Perhaps if it had been a little shorter? It just seemed a little slow and in some places repetitive. It ended with a definite cliffhanger to set up for the next book. Ms. Pilz does an excellent job of setting the mood for her book – this period in time was not welcoming to boys (or anyone for that matter) with no money or family to support them. The mood is set so well I could almost feel the cold rain that always seemed to be falling. ( )