The Kite Rider by Geraldine McCaughrean is an excellent book of brilliantly formed characters that that enables you to read into the story and live the life and fears of the characters. It sparks of indignation and anger at Great-Uncle Bo and the end is a fitting way of getting revenge as he is left and no-longer has anyone to exploit and manipulate.

The Great Miao is a superb character as he is an untouchable figure that is struggling against the customs of the people and what is ingrained in his upbringing.

Di Chou plays the classic villain who is cunningly outwitted by Haoyou the simple boy who is desperate to see the spirit of his father in the heavens but is strangely reluctant to fly and eventually he realises the whole vision of his father guiding him is a damaged eye caused by to much flying. This is strangely ironic as he flies to see his father.

It has some great comedy with the town they con into believing that the gods are talking to them and the way they turn rebellious.

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