A fabulously funny fantasy fiction novel for children aged 9 - 12
                                                                           by Stuart and Linda Macfarlane

Evil scientist, Doctor X, has found a way to turn people and animals into mythical creatures. Already he’s transformed everyone on the little Scottish Island of Gogha – now he plans to take over the whole world. Eleven year old Melissa has been changed into Medusa, with wriggling snakes in her hair. She escapes to the mainland to seek help but quickly discovers that anyone who looks at her turns to stone. Then Simon and Ross turn up - their sunglasses protect them from Melissa’s powers. Only the three children can save the world. Somehow they must get to Doctor X and put a stop to his evil scheme. But with the island overrun by Harpies, Minotaurs, Chimeras, a Nine-Headed-Hydra and a host of other vicious creatures this will be a very dangerous task.

Extract: They kept running; running for their lives. Ahead of them a second Minotaur leapt out from behind a parked truck. They crashed to a halt. They were trapped. In a matter of seconds their flesh would be ripped from their bones in a frenzied bloodbath.
“Stare at it,” commanded Simon. “Stare at it and turn it to stone.”
“I am staring,” cried Melissa. “Nothing’s happening.”
“Well stare harder,” bellowed Simon. “Come on Melissa.”
Melissa stared straight into the huge beast’s angry eyes willing it to turn to stone. With an eternity of hate the beast glared back. The rancid heat from his breath engulfed Melissa, burning her lungs with fear. The Minotaur’s roar spat across her face. He obviously was not stone.

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