Escape from Sherwood (Beattie Alvarez, illus David Allan, Christmas Press)

Something lurks just beyond the screen in Beattie Alvarez’s Escape from Sherwood, as Michael enters into a retro-style video game alongside his sister, his best friend, and a girl who is a rival turned ally. Inside the game, they face an evil king. To escape, the group must complete each level or risk being ‘reset’ (erased) by King John, a villain with an interesting history of his own. Driven by a vivid premise and high-stakes urgency, the novel plunges readers aged 8–11 into a fantastic mix of adventure and digital peril. Escape from Sherwood delivers a wild, immersive ride – an inventive fusion of retro gaming tropes and classic fantasy that captures the children’s fight for survival inside a video game. Alvarez’s vibrant storytelling and imaginative flair give the book undeniable ‘one-more-chapter’ energy. Her gripping, fast-paced storytelling propels readers forward, while the creative and accessible world-building gives the book a playful edge to stand out among new titles. The story is further enhanced by David Allan’s small monochrome illustrations at the start of each chapter. Escape from Sherwood is sure to keep even reluctant readers invested with its concise length and imaginative scenarios. It will appeal to young gamers and is a great fit for fans of Mac Park’s D-Bot Squad series and AL Tait’s Mapmaker Chronicles. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Anneliese Gates is a writer and works in a primary school library. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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