Gillian reads: The Rock by Ann Bryant
- gillianyoung
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Today I’m reviewing The Rock by Ann Bryant.
This middle-grade children’s story caught my attention because, not only am I a fan of children’s fiction, but I was also drawn to the concept. Two children travel to Earth with their mother in search of their father—I could only imagine the adventures that might unfold. This is the first book in her Searchlight Series.
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AUTHOR BIO: ANN BRYANT
Ann Bryant is the author of the much-loved School Friends series, Ballerina Dreams, Families in a Step-Chain, Make Friends With…, The Café Club, and most recently the exciting Searchlight adventure series.
The Searchlight books include The Rock (Book 1), Treasure Hunt (Book 2), and Carrion Crow (Book 3). Book 4, The Capture, is due for publication in July 2026, and Ann is currently working on Book 5, Them and Us.
Ann has also written stand-alone novels, including Billie and the Parent Plan, Code Breaker, and Peter and the Timber Wolf, alongside award-winning primary music resources such as Teaching KS1 Music and Pictures, Poems and Percussion Book 2.
She regularly narrates with professional orchestras, delivers workshops and presentations to primary age groups in schools across the UK and abroad, and is an active Patron of Reading.
Her recent book Instant Primary Music Lessons (2023) includes 33 accompanying video lessons. She is also developing a pre-school TV series, The Hearios, with Irish animation company ALT.
BOOK BLURB: THE ROCK
Twelve-year-old twins Zane and Finola, together with their mum, crash-land on Earth from the planet Sevent.
The three are following Dad and are desperate for them all to be together again.
The twins have to remain hidden to avoid suspicion as they wait for news, but when cryptic messages are received from Dad, they must break cover and venture out into the world to discover their meaning and have a chance of reuniting their family.
MY REVIEW OF THE ROCK BY ANN BRYANT
This children’s adventure is a wonderful introduction to the science-fiction genre. Twins Finola and Zane crash-land on Earth with their mother from the planet Sevent, on a mission to find their father, who travelled ahead of them.
As they try to adapt to life on Earth, they must learn to communicate through spoken language rather than telepathy. Despite their efforts to remain hidden, a series of events exposes them, triggering a media frenzy. Yet at its heart, this is the story of a family determined to be reunited, guided by cryptic messages from their father—ranging from telepathic images to handwritten notes in their native language.
The story also explores important themes such as self-control, patience, and empathy. Finola and Zane are very different: Finola is impulsive and impatient, while Zane is cautious and thoughtful. Together, they balance each other well and make a strong team.
This is an engaging, fast-paced story that is easy to follow, making it ideal for younger readers. The illustrations by Laura Wood complement the story beautifully and add to its charm.
The Rock is a great addition to any school library and a thoroughly enjoyable read for children discovering science fiction for the first time.
MY NEXT REVIEW
At the moment, I’m reading the new edition of J. M. Simpson’s Whistlers Peak series, The Magdalene Stones Murders.
I’m a huge fan of her work, and if you enjoy murder mysteries, I’d definitely recommend giving her books a try.
Here’s the blurb, just to give you a taster—my review will be coming up soon!
Murder in a sacred place.
When Joe Ripley, the local fire chief, attends a house fire, he finds his friend Gina Murray has been burnt alive in a clear case of murder. DS Scott Hansen, still new to the area, is called in to investigate. Returning from a call out, the local mountain rescue team discover a body laid out in a sacred stone ring. The body has been placed reverently. Local legend holds the stones holy as the ghost of Mary Magdalene has been rumoured to have appeared by them. Folklore says she is protecting something sacrosanct.
Alastair Brown is reported missing by his sister after she finds blood and signs of a struggle at his property. Puzzled, Scott looks for clues as to why he would suddenly disappear while he investigates the other two deaths. Clues lead him to Cameron Hunter, the owner of the largest resort in the area who has plans to expand his empire further. When Alastair is found dead on the standing stones by the stone ring, Scott realises there may be a link between all three killings and discovers that two very different obsessions have led to three murders.
Murder, suspense, mystery and a hint of romance continue in the second of the Whistlers Peak series.
WHAT I’M WRITING
Now that I’ve finished the first draft of my debut supernatural thriller, I’m taking a little break to work on a new Crazy Cream Adventure featuring the golden retriever sisters, Poppy and Devon.
Once that’s complete, I’ll be returning to my manuscript to begin the editing process—something I’m both excited and slightly nervous about!
Until next time,
Happy Reading.
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