The Gatekeepers #1: Raven's Gate (1) Paperback – April 1, 2008

Having read a few of Anthony Horowitz's more recent books, I was pleased to find this first in a series for middle-grade and older readers. The story is about Matt Freeman, a fourteen-year-old orphan who strikes up a friendship with Kelvin, an older boy with criminal tendencies. Wanting to maintain his only friendship, Matt commits petty thefts until police catch Kelvin and him. Kelvin stabs a security guard. From that point on, Matt's life takes a straight nosedive. He is offered a choice; he can either go to a juvenile detention facility or agree to work on a farm under close supervision. Matt chooses to work on the farm. He finds that he is under the control of a cruel and sinister woman Mrs. Jayne Deverill.Denied adequate food, forced to work long hours, and locked in at night, Matt plans to escape. He manages to take an old bike on the farm and pedals furiously away. No matter which fork in the road he chooses, Matt ends up back at the farm. He is in the midst of forces and rules he doesn't understand.Matt enlists the aid of a journalist to find out why he hears strange incantations coming from the woods on certain nights, why there is a massive building in the woods that looks like a nuclear power plant, and why the villagers he has had limited access to all stare at him.The plot and pacing of Horowitz's story keep the reader involved, especially as he ratchets up the tension and increases the stakes. Matt's quest to escape leads to violence to those who help him. Supernatural forces are unleashed which are not only coming from around him but from within Matt himself. Middle-grade fiction and older readers will enjoy Matt's story. It's a blend of thriller and supernatural horror.

But I hoped it would not read like a kids book, but it does. A bit like the Percy Poseidon books. Not nearly as good as his Magpie Murder book and this series ends here for me.

I chose to review the series....The first four of this series kept me totally involved in the life of each of the five, and Matt's friend Richard. I am now halfway through the final book, and the final battle for the world. Horowitz and Mr. Prebble have made me feel that I was running thestreets dodging bodies, hiding from the enemy, fending the underworld creatures, worried for a friend, running from drug lords or on a stage being sold as a slave ....It has had it all for me. At times I have felt lumps in my throat and my heart race. Prebble's voice and tone has had an eeriedelivery that made me feel the danger throughout. This is the first book and I was hooked immediately. I was disappointed thatMr. Prebble was absent for the final book "Oblivion,' but Panting does an equally fine job....

Although the story was amusing, I choose to give it a five stars because I believe that this book is not the best out of the book series. I must say that I enjoy reading Anthony Horowitz's books because they are pleasantly readable with extreme detail. What I enjoyed most about the book, was humor I got from the protagonists of the story.

I enjoyed the original cover, it gave a amazing set to look into as you progressed through the book.The story itself in my opinion will always be one of the best regardless.

I've been reading some of Anthony Horowitz's books, most of the Alex Rider series to be precise. And I love them. He really knows how to write a good story and I can't wait to read the rest. As for this new series, this is the first book, Ravens Gate. It was awesome with a ton of twists and dark stuff. It'll keep you super entertained, you won't wanna put the book down. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, I believe it's called Evil Star. I recommend this book to everyone and anyone. !

I thought it was well written, but I don’t generally like demon type books the normal people win.

It was a good quick read geared toward younger audiences but still did a good job of keeping the reader engaged. I enjoyed it.

I bought this book for my 12 year old son, but he has found it a bit scary. So, I read it myself. It is an excellent book (I am used to the series Alex Ryder) and it is the type of books I would usually read. Mr Horowitz is an excellent story teller and Raven's Gate is riveting. When you read it, as an adult, you do not feel that the main character is a kid, you just identify with him. It is for Young Adults, but it will definitely appeal to adults too, the same way it appealed to me. Basically, Matt, the main character is a teenager (14 year old) who feels he never fits anywhere. After the tragic death of his parents, he goes to live with his auntie who does not like him at all and neglects him. A wrong decision sees him in court for burglary and a crime he did not do, but he is placed into a program where he has to go and leave in a farm in a little village with foster parents. And it is when trouble starts even worse. The people are weird, the village is weird and weird, scary things happens.....I can understand that my 12 year old did not like it because he is more into The Ranger's Apprentice and Harry Potter or into the World of Skulduggery Pleasant and I think Raven's Gate iwas too''mature'' for him, or maybe too dark or at times, too grisly.My recommendation, as a parent, is that if your child is easily disturbed by supernatural/paranormal thing, then give this book with caution.But for myself, I loved it and got the other book from the series. Maybe in two years time, my son will be ready to read it, so, I will keep it.

Mr Horowitz is one of my favourite authors and the Power of Five books are excellent. Supernatural, dark but I really wanted to see what happened to the characters, rattled through all five books and enjoyed the whole series.

I First came across this book eight years ago or there abouts, my son was a young baby then and slept a lot. I borrowed many books from a family member, a book worm like myself, she had many titles I had never heard of. These books where amongst a series I hadn't come across, but thoroughly enjoyed. But at that time I had read over 39 books, consisting of several different series by several different authors, I couldn't remember the Author or the name of the book or series. I blame baby head for that. Finally I found it. Bought them all. Feeling happy now

Couldn’t stop reading, left me having next to no sleep before work one night. Love the fact it’s based in Yorkshire too!

I think anything by Anthony Horowitz is a good purchase, but 'Raven's Gate' is the beginning of an incredible journey. The suspense build is amazing, it has plenty of action but doesn't rely on it to create suspense, and there is a consistent development of the plot that continues steadily throughout the series. The characterisation is especially strong and all in all I found it to be a gripping and enthralling read. This is the kind of book that can captivate even those who claim to hate reading and generally avoid picking up a book. A must buy!