childrens-books-reviews

*Written by Alex Dunne*
*Cover art by Alice Maria Power*
*Published by The O’Brien Press*

Small Magics is an exhilarating urban fantasy adventure where magic is found in the most unexpected places and leads to the most incredible journey of danger and discovery … an utterly captivating story.

Something strange happens to Molly Flynn on New Year’s Eve, when she turns twelve, something that will change her life forever yet it is something that she is oblivious to …

A month later, and Molly, who has been in care for half of her life, is moving in with new carers – her fifth move. She’s going to live above an antiques shop situated in the centre of Limerick city. Priya and Pat welcome her with warmth, tea and buns. Could she have found a place where she truly belongs, or will something happen that will see her moving home again?

When Molly goes to explore the antiques shop, she makes a discovery that leads to the realisation that her new family are not at all what she expected. Rather than selling antiques, Priya and Pat are magical folk who sell small magics including potions and charms. They also help magical children who need a home, including Wren and Lorcan who live with them, teaching them about the magical world and growing their powers. Could Molly be part of this magical world, and find her own power?

Whilst Molly is finding her place in this magical new world, she discovers that someone is attacking magical creatures in the most petrifying way. Can Molly and her newfound family discover the sinister foe who is using dark magic before time runs out?

I absolutely loved this action-packed adventure, brimming with danger and discoveries, with mistrust and threat, but also with blossoming friendships and warmth. I loved that this story balances the contemporary world of a city and its infrastructure with the natural world upon which it relies, and that a magical world co-exists within the modern world. I also loved the links to Irish, and other, mythological creatures and deities threaded throughout.

Molly is an incredibly sympathetic and likeable young girl. She has spent most of her life moving between foster homes, living with the insecurity of not knowing when she will be moved on. Will finding a new home and family enable her to go on a journey of self-discovery to find who she truly is? Will this fiercely protective, courageous and loyal young girl find a place where she wholeheartedly belongs?

A thrilling, heart-warming adventure into the small magics that are all around us and the big adventures they can take us on – perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for providing me with a copy. It was my decision to review this book, and all opinions are my own.

*Written by Jenny McLachlan*
*Cover Illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Interior Illustrations by Alla Kharkevich*
*Published by Farshore (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

The Lost Dragon of Roar is the fifth adventure in the Roar series and, oh my goodness, what an epic, imaginary adventure! I was completely captured by this thrilling quest as I ventured once more into one of my favourite ever lands for another heart-pounding adventure brimming with risks and peril, navigated by the most incredibly courageous children.

Twins Arthur and Rose are even more eager than usual to get to their Grandad’s house as they’ve received an intriguing, and rather worrying, message from him – one that means they need to get rid of their parents quickly! After a quick goodbye, they enter the house to discover that the Headteacher of the Dragon Rider Academy (DRAc) has found her way from Roar to Home. She has an important mission for the Dragon Riders which necessitates them going back with her to the Academy.

Crawling through the old camp bed in their Grandad’s attic, they arrive in Roar, with Arthur’s best friend and ninja-wizard Win, where they take a flight on their dragons to Spindrift Island, home of the school for dragon riders. They are soon given an important mission by Miss Bonadventure, their Headteacher: to deliver a letter to Captain Gorme on Scaravay Island.

And so begins a thrilling and dangerous adventure as Arthur, Rose and Win fly on the backs of their huge dragons to Scaravay Island to find Captain Gorme, but instead meet her young son, Izzy and a giant wolf. Before they can deliver the letter, they find themselves in danger from an old enemy, the Witch King. Can the children stay one step ahead of this terrifying foe, and escape his clutches? Can they discover the truth behind rumours of a lost city and a legendary dragon? And, can they fulfil a prophecy that seems impossible …

WHAT an incredible, action-packed adventure! This series just gets better and better. The danger and tension, and unexpected twists and turns, make this such an exciting, heart-racing adventure. Coupled with this, there are brilliant moments of humour that help balance the peril for younger readers. The world-building is a feast for the imagination and I have no doubt that readers will find themselves immersed in the wonder and danger of meeting huge wolves, witches, dragons and bludowls in forests, caverns and palaces as they venture with the twins and their friends on their mission across Roar and into the Deeps.

I absolutely loved being back with Arthur, Rose and Win as I adore all three – their courage, their strong bonds of friendship, their determination, their kindness and sense of fairness – what wonderful role models for children. And, I just have to say that Win’s joie de vivre is infectious. Oh, and Crowky – what a fantastic character!

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are absolutely stunning, capturing the heart of this most incredible world, perfectly.

Venture into Roar and become lost in an exhilarating world of adventure, a world of witches and dragons, of courageous friends and terrifying foes – perfect for readers of 8+.

Thank you to Chris at Farshore for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.