Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc. (Apple Series)
Pages
265
Description
Sent to live in a foster home in a remote Yorkshire village, Matt, a troubled fourteen-year-old English boy, uncovers an evil plot involving witchcraft and the site of an ancient stone circle.
Description
As punishment for a crime he didn't really commit, Matt was given a choice: go to jail or go live with an old woman named Mrs. Deverill in a remote town called Lesser Malling.
He should have chosen jail.
A strange and sinister plan is coming together made in Lesser Malling, with Matt at the center of it all. People who try to help him disappear . . . or die. It all ties to an evil place named Raven's Gate - a place whose destiny is horrifyingly intertwined with Matt's own.
He should have chosen jail.
A strange and sinister plan is coming together made in Lesser Malling, with Matt at the center of it all. People who try to help him disappear . . . or die. It all ties to an evil place named Raven's Gate - a place whose destiny is horrifyingly intertwined with Matt's own.
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
265 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0439843294 / 9780439843294
Similar in this library
Lexile
620L
User reviews
LibraryThing member SamuelW
Raven’s Gate is quite different from Horowitz’s earlier Alex Rider series – and probably targeted at an older age group. This red and black book is bursting with red blood and black magic, and instead of teenage spies and hidden gadgets, there are powers of telekinesis and precognition. There
In my opinion, Raven’s Gate can compete easily with Stormbreaker and Point Blanc – but Skeleton Key and Eagle Strike are such exciting books that Horowitz has only just failed to top them. Perhaps he is slightly more at home in a world of sharks, grenades and MI6 agents – if only a little bit. Raven’s Gate may have just as much action and peril as the Alex Rider series, but Horowitz fans may find themselves thinking that it could have been a little more intense and thrilling.
The fear and realism in Raven’s Gate is helped along especially by the number of failures that Matt experiences. Time and time again, he makes an attempt to free himself from Lesser Malling, or alert the police to his situation, but somehow, Mrs Deverill always seems to win through. While most authors would have Matt whip out his magic powers and blow his captors to bits, (a typical fantasy quick-fix,) Horowitz restrains himself, and the novel benefits immensely from it. Not only does it boost the novel’s realism and make the story more convincing, it also adds weight to the overall feeling of despair and hopelessness which fuels the book’s horror feel. This kind of expertise is not something you come across in every book you read.
Suspenseful and vivid, Raven’s Gate is a definite must-read for fans of horror books and thrillers. Highly recommended.
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is no less action or peril, but it comes from different places. Raven’s Gate employs good old ‘Castle Dracula’ style horror – Matt begins to notice horrible things about his surroundings that suggest he is in danger, but when he tries to escape, he finds that he is a prisoner, and must outwit his captors to save his own life. It has been done before, but Horowitz puts a new spin on it and recreates it brilliantly. The descriptive language and surroundings of Lesser Malling could only be described as ‘creepy,’ and the customary growing sense of dread will make readers wonder why Horowitz didn’t start writing horror earlier.In my opinion, Raven’s Gate can compete easily with Stormbreaker and Point Blanc – but Skeleton Key and Eagle Strike are such exciting books that Horowitz has only just failed to top them. Perhaps he is slightly more at home in a world of sharks, grenades and MI6 agents – if only a little bit. Raven’s Gate may have just as much action and peril as the Alex Rider series, but Horowitz fans may find themselves thinking that it could have been a little more intense and thrilling.
The fear and realism in Raven’s Gate is helped along especially by the number of failures that Matt experiences. Time and time again, he makes an attempt to free himself from Lesser Malling, or alert the police to his situation, but somehow, Mrs Deverill always seems to win through. While most authors would have Matt whip out his magic powers and blow his captors to bits, (a typical fantasy quick-fix,) Horowitz restrains himself, and the novel benefits immensely from it. Not only does it boost the novel’s realism and make the story more convincing, it also adds weight to the overall feeling of despair and hopelessness which fuels the book’s horror feel. This kind of expertise is not something you come across in every book you read.
Suspenseful and vivid, Raven’s Gate is a definite must-read for fans of horror books and thrillers. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Chase92
Two words: freaking awesome!
I had high expectations for this novel, since it is written by the guy who brought us Alex Rider. I wasn’t disappointed. The thing I liked most about the novel was the action. It can easily be compared to the Alex Rider series, and is exciting enough to keep you on the
The plot meanders a little during the first half of the novel, then picks up pace during the second half. The plot twists are somewhat predictable, but they kept my interest the whole time. The characters, sadly, don’t develop much, save for Matt. He’s what you’d expect him to be – a flawed teen who discovers he’s a hero destined to save the world, complete with a dysfunctional background. I’m impressed by how the characters manage to draw emotions from readers, ranging from pity to disgust.
Gripping and suspenseful, fans of horror and action should definitely check out Raven’s Gate. Do note that it may not be suitable for younger readers, since there are quite some gruesome moments.
I had high expectations for this novel, since it is written by the guy who brought us Alex Rider. I wasn’t disappointed. The thing I liked most about the novel was the action. It can easily be compared to the Alex Rider series, and is exciting enough to keep you on the
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edge of your seat. The horror isn’t shabby either. Horowitz’s style of writing is so vivid, you can really feel the chaos and doom happening, especially during the climax.The plot meanders a little during the first half of the novel, then picks up pace during the second half. The plot twists are somewhat predictable, but they kept my interest the whole time. The characters, sadly, don’t develop much, save for Matt. He’s what you’d expect him to be – a flawed teen who discovers he’s a hero destined to save the world, complete with a dysfunctional background. I’m impressed by how the characters manage to draw emotions from readers, ranging from pity to disgust.
Gripping and suspenseful, fans of horror and action should definitely check out Raven’s Gate. Do note that it may not be suitable for younger readers, since there are quite some gruesome moments.
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LibraryThing member ameliagilbertson
A modern fantasy novel based around the life of Matt, a 14 year old orphan who finds himself arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Rather than go to jail, he is sent to an obscure program in rural England with an old woman named Mrs. Deverill. He soon realizes that Lesser Manning and Mrs. Deverill
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are not what they seem, and that there is a power greater than he realizes brewing beneath the surface of a small rural town. Show Less
LibraryThing member hewayzha
Another nonstop action thriller by Horowitz. Matt lives on the edge of society. He was taken in by a reluctant, horrible aunt when his parents died in an auto accident. He was always the outsider and finally winds in very serious trouble. A security is almost killed and Matt has a choice to either
Since Matt does not want to go back to his "loving" aunt and her boyfriend and he really does not care, he opts for LEAF. He is placed in a home with a cold, very strange woman who only cares to use him as labor around her delapidated farm. As Matt gets himself used to his new environment, he notices some very sinister goings on. A farmer warns him he is in danger and then is dead a day or two later. The police officer who initially spoke to Matt comes out to talk to him and offers to help is killed in an auto accident. Matt is beaten and held captive until he is finally able to escape. But to escape to what circumstances?
Horowitz writes good action books. The reader gets hooked and has to keep reading to find out what happens next. His main characters are feisty young men who tend to be mature beyond their years. Matt fits this mold and although reluctant, he seems to feel that he is destined to do more. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series (The Gatekeepers). I would recommend this series to male readers who like a lot of action.
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go to jail or into a new program LEAF, which is supposedly designed to turn troubled lives around. Since Matt does not want to go back to his "loving" aunt and her boyfriend and he really does not care, he opts for LEAF. He is placed in a home with a cold, very strange woman who only cares to use him as labor around her delapidated farm. As Matt gets himself used to his new environment, he notices some very sinister goings on. A farmer warns him he is in danger and then is dead a day or two later. The police officer who initially spoke to Matt comes out to talk to him and offers to help is killed in an auto accident. Matt is beaten and held captive until he is finally able to escape. But to escape to what circumstances?
Horowitz writes good action books. The reader gets hooked and has to keep reading to find out what happens next. His main characters are feisty young men who tend to be mature beyond their years. Matt fits this mold and although reluctant, he seems to feel that he is destined to do more. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series (The Gatekeepers). I would recommend this series to male readers who like a lot of action.
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LibraryThing member lchs.mrso
A book that is a true thrill to it! Murder adventure mystery O my.
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Matt, who is 14, finds himself in trouble and shipped off to a foster mother in the country. The "mother" is not what she seems and wants Matt for her own sinister plans. Good beginning to a series.
LibraryThing member swanroad
I like the suspense and the high level of creepiness in this YA title. There's a good mix of fantasy and science in the story. The flawed hero, Matt, is really likable and engaging; I'd be interested in his subsequent adventures.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Matt Freeman is an orphan, with problems, some of his problems stem from his being orphaned and his aunt frittering away his money. When the law eventually catches up with him he finds himself in a mysterious village and the only person who can help him is himself. There are old ones and they have
He also has visions (which appear to be the setup for the rest of the series) of a group of children who will come togther to fight evil - four boys and a girl.
There were occasions where this just didn't quite work, it reminded me a little of Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series but with a slightly darker feel and without a certain amount of cohesion and it just felt a little tired. It's fantasy trying to reach out to teen boys and losing some better parts and probably a lot of teen boys as well. It apparently is a re-write of the earlier novel "The Devil's Door-Bell", not quite the same book but close.
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power and his power could do things for them or against them. Only he can choose.He also has visions (which appear to be the setup for the rest of the series) of a group of children who will come togther to fight evil - four boys and a girl.
There were occasions where this just didn't quite work, it reminded me a little of Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series but with a slightly darker feel and without a certain amount of cohesion and it just felt a little tired. It's fantasy trying to reach out to teen boys and losing some better parts and probably a lot of teen boys as well. It apparently is a re-write of the earlier novel "The Devil's Door-Bell", not quite the same book but close.
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LibraryThing member JohnD4
This book is the 1st book in the Gatekeepers series.
Matt's parents died when he was young so he lives with his aunt and her boyfriend. His friend talks him in to robbing this warehouse that has cd's, video games and all this computer software. They get caught and Matt gets sent to live with Mrs.
This book is a good read it is a good book for people who like suspence and adventure.
Matt's parents died when he was young so he lives with his aunt and her boyfriend. His friend talks him in to robbing this warehouse that has cd's, video games and all this computer software. They get caught and Matt gets sent to live with Mrs.
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Derevill in Lesser Mallings as part of the L.E.A.F. program run by the government. Then he learns about Raven's Gate.This book is a good read it is a good book for people who like suspence and adventure.
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LibraryThing member jsresource
About a boy who is sent to live in the British countryside, where he discovers the 'Old Ones' - monsters who once ruled the world. 12+
LibraryThing member sirfurboy
This was one of my favourite series fierst time around. I am glad that Anthony Horowitz is finishing the series and re-releasing it, although I actually preferred it the first time around! Some of the updates to the storyline are not necessarily for the better.
In this story, the lead character -
In this story, the lead character -
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Matt - gets a major workover and becomes somewhat less interesting as a character. But the story is still interesting and fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member AbSc0603
This book was... just ok. It kind of sounded original to me.
LibraryThing member cabri
Not that good. Kind of repetitious, with a lot of exposition toward the end. Okay for children.
LibraryThing member cranbrook
14-year-old Matt, a troubled orphan who is in with the wrong crowd. As punishment for being present during an assault, Matt must choose between life with off-putting Mrs. Deverill in a remote Yorkshire village, or jail. As Matt soon learns, Lesser Malling is much worse than jail, because strange
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and dangerous things are occurring there. Raven's Gate, an ancient portal to the world of evil, is about to be opened, and Matt is to be the blood sacrifice. Show Less
LibraryThing member TQPham
Anthony Horowitz is the author of Raven's Gate is based on a teenage kid who calls himself Matt. He got caught by the police attempting to steal from a warehouse. He had only two options which were to report to jail or attend the LEAF program. Matt chooses to join the LEAF project, a choice which
This book is aimed to children ages 13 and up who likes to experience a fascinating and mysterious book which unfolds with hooks and major events. I rate it a 4 1/2 out of 5 because it is a book with a little kick to it.
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sends him to an isolated farm to live with a weird woman and her farmhand. As Matt discovers more about himself and Lesser Malling(a place nearby) it leaves him feeling anxious.This book is aimed to children ages 13 and up who likes to experience a fascinating and mysterious book which unfolds with hooks and major events. I rate it a 4 1/2 out of 5 because it is a book with a little kick to it.
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LibraryThing member KWentzell
A great tale of a boy(Mathew Freeman) who is to save a small village.
Wonderful mix of suspence, horror, and fantasy.
First book of a great series.
Wonderful mix of suspence, horror, and fantasy.
First book of a great series.
LibraryThing member madin456
The best book ever!!!A boy gets caught by the police for doing a crime and is sent to a program to behave better.He finds out that he has the power to predict the future and that the people he's living with is evil.Everyone that tries to help him ends up dieing or disappearing.
LibraryThing member iyer35609
This book was amazing. I loved it and I can't wait to read the next one.
LibraryThing member matt.rocha0505
This is a very good book to read. In the beginning a kid named matt is arrested for a attempted theft. He is sent to the leaf project. A women named mrs Davile was sent to pick him up and take him to lesser malling. In the middle of the book e visits his friends house and finds out that he is dead
This book is weird at first but towards the end of the book you start to under stand. This is a good book to read. I recommend that people who like books about magic. This is the best book i have ever read.
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and later that day receives a phone call from him. At the end of the book escapes a nuclear explosion.This book is weird at first but towards the end of the book you start to under stand. This is a good book to read. I recommend that people who like books about magic. This is the best book i have ever read.
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LibraryThing member marysneedle
What do you get when you mix elements of Harry Potter, Stephen King, and Night at the Museum together? You get Raven’s Gate.
This was a very quick and enjoyable read and had me on the edge of my seat. I could hardly put it down. Of course it is a story or Good vs. Evil.
I fell in love with Matt
It is the first book of Anthony Horowitz’s Gatekeeper series. I received the fourth book (Necropolis) as a giveaway and because it was the 4th book I went out and got the 1st three because I don’t like to start reading a story in the middle.
I can’t wait to start the next book the only problem I have is that there should be a 5th book but so far I have not found any reference to a future publication date. In fact the only reference I found was on Wikipedia which stated a title: The Darkness (The Horror Within) but little else. So I’m hoping the story will not end unfinished.
This was a very quick and enjoyable read and had me on the edge of my seat. I could hardly put it down. Of course it is a story or Good vs. Evil.
I fell in love with Matt
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the minute he was introduced and knew there was more to him than met the eye. And the unfolding of his story was done very well and in such a way that you were hooked from the beginning to the end.It is the first book of Anthony Horowitz’s Gatekeeper series. I received the fourth book (Necropolis) as a giveaway and because it was the 4th book I went out and got the 1st three because I don’t like to start reading a story in the middle.
I can’t wait to start the next book the only problem I have is that there should be a 5th book but so far I have not found any reference to a future publication date. In fact the only reference I found was on Wikipedia which stated a title: The Darkness (The Horror Within) but little else. So I’m hoping the story will not end unfinished.
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LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley
Foster teen Matt Freeman is sent to a creepy village Yorkshire. A great start to a new series by Anthony Horowitz.
LibraryThing member smg-gphillips
i just couldnt put this book down. one of the best books this year. a little country town with a big secret.
if you like this book read the cherub series
if you like this book read the cherub series
LibraryThing member dalzan
First in a series. Matt’s parents are dead and he lives with his Aunt who he doesn’t get on with. He is involved in a serious crime and is sent to live with a guardian, Jayne Deverill, instead of going to jail. Slowly Matt starts to realise something is wrong. Deverill and everyone else in the
Each book in the series deals with a different teenager, (five in total) who are on the same mission.
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village are involved in some sort of witchcraft. No one believes him and a series of murders are covered up. Matt finally finds answers when he discovers the secret Nexus society. He realises that he has to find a way to stop Raven’s Gate, a barrier between two parallel worlds, from opening. He must stop ‘The Old Ones’ from escaping and destroying the world.Each book in the series deals with a different teenager, (five in total) who are on the same mission.
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LibraryThing member pcharmed86
Yah, that's right, I have the UK version. I don't like it when they
'Americanize' British novels. Anyhoo, about this book. Good but not great - decent long-flight material. Basically it's your average book for teenagers and I found it entirely entertaining, and at times gruesome.
'Americanize' British novels. Anyhoo, about this book. Good but not great - decent long-flight material. Basically it's your average book for teenagers and I found it entirely entertaining, and at times gruesome.
LibraryThing member John.Kaleb
long ago humanaty was brought to the brink of extion at the hands of the evil known as "the old ones". five teenagers four boys and one girl, born with unique powers defeted the king of the "old ones" and inprisond him behind two gate's. now the "old ones" are back and the first gate is opanig, but
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the key is a fourteen yearold boy named matthew freeman and he has no idea that he is "one of the five" and the key to RAVEN'S GATE. i recamend this to mystrory and action lovers. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
The Flume: NH Teen Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2009)
Concorde Book Award (Shortlist — 2008)
Redbridge Children's Book Award (Winner — Children's Book — 2006)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2007)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2006)
OYAN Book Rave (2006)
Call number
J4A.Hor