Maddie Hamilton is not your typical fantasy adventurer. Originally from East London, she is a red-haired Cockney with a sharp tongue, a mischievous sense of humour and an extraordinary talent for saying precisely what she thinks. She has little patience for nonsense, rarely backs down from an argument and possesses a distinctly questionable sense of fashion.
She is also one of the central characters in RED: Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen, by Steven Scanlan, a fantasy adventure that takes two ordinary schoolgirls from Chemainus, British Columbia, into a world neither could have imagined.
Where Sophie Carter approaches unfamiliar situations with considerable caution, Maddie is comfortable taking the initiative. Their contrasting personalities create an entertaining friendship, particularly when Sophie discovers a mysterious doorway leading into Novus orbis, a place where magic exists and danger is seldom far away.
From East London to Another World
Maddie's Cockney upbringing is an unmistakable part of her character. Her speech is peppered with East London expressions, and her humour tends towards the direct, occasionally cheeky and frequently inappropriate. She calls Sophie 'Carter', often accompanying the name with an observation her friend would probably prefer not to hear.
Her appearance is equally distinctive. Bright red hair and an enthusiastic disregard for coordinating colours make Maddie difficult to miss. She favours comfortable boots, shorts and practical clothing, often selecting colours that clash spectacularly with her hair. Fashion has never been a particular concern, although she might disagree if anyone were foolish enough to mention it.
Beneath her lively personality is a girl with a remarkably practical outlook. Maddie is an experienced camper, accustomed to outdoor living and capable of organising supplies, finding shelter and managing the demands of travelling through unfamiliar countryside. She knows how to look after herself and is a competent fighter, qualities that prove particularly useful when the girls' adventure becomes considerably more dangerous than expected.
An Unlikely Partnership
Sophie and Maddie have an affectionate but frequently argumentative relationship. Sophie tends to consider everything that might go wrong, whereas Maddie concentrates on finding a solution. Neither always understands the other's approach, and their disagreements provide some of the story's most amusing moments.
When Sophie first encounters the extraordinary world beyond the mysterious doorway, she is captivated by the possibilities. Maddie, although equally fascinated, recognises the importance of preparation. Wandering into unknown territory without adequate provisions or a plan for returning home strikes her as an unnecessarily complicated way of getting into trouble.
The differences between them become essential to their survival. Sophie possesses a personal connection to the mysteries of Novus orbis, particularly those surrounding her missing mother. Maddie brings experience, sound judgement and the ability to respond when circumstances demand immediate action.
Their friendship is strengthened by shared experiences, occasional disagreements and an understanding that neither would willingly abandon the other.
A World Where Magic Changes Everything
Novus orbis is filled with extraordinary creatures, powerful magic and dangers that challenge everything the girls believe they know about the world.
Maddie possesses no supernatural powers, nor does she expect anyone to rescue her simply because she is an ordinary human. Instead, she applies familiar skills to unfamiliar circumstances, discovering that some problems are remarkably similar regardless of which world they occur in.
Her confidence occasionally borders on audacity, particularly when dealing with people accustomed to getting their own way. She is unimpressed by grand titles and extravagant displays of authority, preferring to judge others by their actions.
Yet her adventurous spirit is balanced by a genuine concern for those who suffer injustice. The cruelty she witnesses in Novus orbis troubles her, and she develops an appreciation for the strange creatures whose lives become entangled with her own.
The experience broadens her understanding of the world without fundamentally changing the outspoken girl who first stepped through the doorway.
More Than Sophie's Best Friend
Although Sophie Carter is the central protagonist of RED, Maddie is far more than a companion accompanying someone else's adventure. She contributes to decisions, challenges assumptions and plays an active part in confronting the obstacles they encounter.
Her independence also makes her an important influence on Sophie. Their friendship is built upon mutual trust rather than unquestioning agreement, and Maddie is perfectly prepared to tell her friend when she believes she is making a mistake.
Perhaps her most defining quality is her loyalty. Maddie expresses affection through teasing, criticism and practical assistance rather than grand declarations. When circumstances become serious, however, her actions make her feelings unmistakable.
She has no interest in being celebrated as a heroine. She simply believes that when somebody needs help, something ought to be done about it.
Meet Maddie Hamilton in RED
RED: Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen is the opening novel in Steven Scanlan's fantasy adventure series, introducing readers to Sophie, Maddie and the mysterious world of Novus orbis.
What begins as an extraordinary discovery becomes a journey involving dangerous enemies, unexpected friendships and a search for answers about Sophie's missing mother.
Along the way, readers meet a red-haired girl from East London whose Cockney humour and determination provide a wonderfully human counterpoint to a world filled with magic.
Maddie Hamilton may not possess a wand or an ancient magical inheritance, but she has something rather useful: the ability to deal with trouble when it arrives.
And if Sophie Carter happens to be responsible for that trouble, Maddie will almost certainly have something to say about it.
Red hair. Cockney attitude. Always ready for an adventure.
Discover Maddie Hamilton in RED: Sophie Carter and the Lost Queen, by Steven Scanlan.