Catherine Banner first started writing at the age of 14, scribbling down sentences as she sat at the back of the classroom. Now 19, Catherine Banner is being tipped to be the new JK Rowling. The Eyes Of A King is a fantasy novel and the first book in a trilogy. Eyes Of A King is now available in bookstores. Last night Miss Banner, who lives with her parents in Cambridge, told how she started writing as a "bit of fun".
Catherine Banner has always loved stories and writing, CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is a favourite book and an inspiration. The teenager’s part-time jottings quickly became a fantasy story set partially in England and partially in the parallel world of Malonia. She was 16 by the time she had completed her first novel and whilst visiting a book festival in Cambridge she heard an address given by a literary agent. Afterwards she went up and asked him: "Do you think at 16 I’m too young to start writing seriously?"
The literary agent recognised the ability of the work and Catherine Banner discovered that she was going to be signed to a publishing deal shortly after sitting her final GCSE. She has already finished the second novel in the trilogy and begun work on the third. She is also due to start an English degree at Cambridge University in September.
I had always dreamed of being a writer but it never crossed my mind that the book would be published. I was really excited and very shocked - it just meant so much to me. Now I’m looking forward to hearing what people think of the book. 
The Eyes Of A King depicts youthful people and their adventures in a world of magic. The focal character is Leo North, a teenager living in Malonia, a country on the precipice of revolution.
As the book begins, Leo is feeling outraged and disillusioned, having been forced to complete military training. Leo then stumbles upon a mysterious black book in the snow. From the first moment he touches the book, he senses its strange power… words start appearing on the pages. Family secrets are revealed, telling the history of Malonia and uncovering the story of Ryan and Anna, two teenagers from England - a country that is only a fairy tale in Malonia.
One Response to “Catherine Banner billed as the "new" JK Rowling”
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Oli says:
Don’t waste your time or your money on this book. It’s poorly written, with the exception of a few clumsy lunges in the direction of lyricism; and it lacks the vital ingredient that all great fantasy requires: good storytelling. This is probably because there is little story to tell. Characterisation is virtually non-existent, and the characters leave you feeling cold. Nothing. There is no great conflict or action and, as a result, no real story. Take my advice and invest in a few David Gemmell novels instead, or some Weis and Hickman.
In a word, this book was unpickupable.
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