This book starts with Fergus the snail trying his best to save his snail-kind, and to do so he's talking to an empty crisp packet. This – obviously – is actually his best friend Shelby, who has discovered they both have the power of mega-morphing, and can zap their forms into anything they can think of. Of course. It's what snails can do when their puddle has been hit by lightning. Anyway, Fergus decides the only thing to do is invade 10 Downing Street, talk to the powerful, organised and efficient (oh bless the sarcasm) Prime Minister, and get their kind saved. Saved? Yes, because every human is completely and utterly biased against snails and pro slugs, and the garden they live in has three days before it stops becoming their only haven in a world of slug spas, slug silent discos and so much else.

There is very much a wrong way to do bonkers – throwing everything onto the page, and not caring whether it sticks or not. This definitely is the right way to do bonkers, and with characters turning into a gloop of custard, and a rather unique seaside postcard, this is definitely bonkers. There's little better description – and yet this all follows logic, while keeping a thoroughly dramatic narrative alive. I don't know how much the Prime Minister and constant talk of lettuces was inspired by certain British tabloids, but either way this is joyous stuff – the kind of story you'd never in your wildest dreams expect to find when waking up, but one that would send you to sleep at the end of the day with a firm smile on your face.

It clearly isn't finished – the Prime Minister clearly not ever powerful, organised or efficient enough to turn everyone so against snails and so in favour of their cousins – but this is one example of a book where the sequel can't come quick enough. It's close enough to five stars to deserve nothing else.

Shape shifting snails, a dastardly plot and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in this HILARIOUS book. The plot absolutely rockets along with a cast of archly drawn characters and a pair of heroes who will change the way you see the snails in your garden.

GASP as Fergus and Shelby shape-shift into crisp packets and custard.
BOO at the dastardly villainous slugs and their inspired evil plot.
CHEER as our heroes race...sort of....to save the day,

And then go feed your local snails some lettuce. They deserve it.