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Having lost his father at an early age and wanting to support his family, Anthony joined the Royal Air Force in his teens, where he soon discovered a talent for computers. After the RAF, he worked for IBM as an engineer on very big computer systems, both in the US and UK, and was then head-hunted by Memorex as a trouble shooter, travelling extensively in the US and Europe.
Then, everything changed! Feeling restless and unchallenged, he left the real world and security to open a crystal shop in an ancient Tudor house - the 'House that Moved' - in Exeter, Devon. More shops followed, and during this time he became a self-taught silversmith, with his own unique maker's mark at the London Assay Office.
In his spare time he hunted for crystals and minerals, explored old mines, cut and polished agates and geodes, panned for gold, gained his pilot's license and played his melodeon in folk bands! More details can be found on his website.
Combining his highly descriptive and humorous writing style with an in-depth knowledge of crystals and minerals to produce his first children's trilogy, “Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems”, Anthony is now working on a sequel. His adventure stories are spellbinding and fun to read, but also educational. They enthral children and adults alike.
Anthony is married to Suzanne, and together they live happily in the far South West of England, near the sea, where they spend their days writing and exploring.
Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite
The Raging Torrent (Star Sapphire and the Land of Gems, Book 2) by Anthony Pardoe is an imaginative fantasy story. Trapped in the Land of Gems with a little pebble friend Jasper, ten-year-old Star must avoid being captured (again) by the pitchblendes and get to the Crystal Cavern. There they will find the Great Sapphire who alone has the power to return them both to their homes. Climbing up perilous shafts, journeying through the Copper Cave, walking along tunnels, and surviving the dangerous currents of the river and waterfall, the two meet new friends and helpers along the way – discovering an intriguing world of gem creatures as they go. But will Star and Jasper ever reach the Crystal Cavern and will one or both of them be lost forever?
Anthony Pardoe has created an immensely imaginative story that takes the reader on an almost Alice in Wonderland style adventure. So many wonderfully crazy yet brilliant things occur as the story unfolds at a good pace with plenty of mystery, humor, danger and adventure as it goes. The characters are original and intriguing – I love the idea of a world where gemstones have busy lives and personalities of their own, and where a little pebble becomes a loyal and inspiring friend to a small girl. There is enough recapping of the first book in the series for this one to make sense. The story ends with the promise of more mystery and adventure to come, enticing us to read the next in the trilogy. There is a wonderful message about bravery, courage, friendship, and loyalty.
Star learns much about herself and life's values as she struggles, but overcomes, faces her fears, and trusts her instincts. The writing itself is a good style for the target reader age and Pardoe paints some vivid descriptions of his characters' world. I really liked the educational aspect that weaves its way quite naturally through the story – how oysters are formed, what makes coal, the differences between various gemstones, etc. A unique and entertaining story that will delight young readers who love imaginative fantasy.
