Blog Tour Review: Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky

*Written by Pari Thompson*
*Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli*
*Published by MacMillan Children’s Books*

Greenwild: The Forest in the Sky is the third and final adventure in this spellbinding, spectacular eco-fantasy trilogy: a stunning, epic finale to an incredible series that resonates with the magic of nature, friendship and family.

Daisy Thistledown has secured the support of the Iffenwilders and their powerful water magic to help the Greenwilders, those who use plant magic, in their mission to rescue the Botanists who are being held as prisoners somewhere in the Amazon rainforest.

One of those Botanists is Daisy’s mum, and she is determined to save her from the Grim Reapers. This ruthless, dangerous group, led by the Reaper King, is intent on taking control of the Greenwild’s magic for themselves, attacking more and more pockets of the Greenwild, destroying nature, displacing people and imprisoning and harming Botanists to reach their goal of usurping green magic.

When the rescue mission is ready to leave, it comes under attack. Making their escape, the flotilla arrives in the heart of the Amazon, everyone except Max, Daisy’s Iffenwilder friend, and her young friend, Acorn, who was last seen sneaking aboard Max’s boat in search of her caterpillar.

Max and Acorn find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island, an island that holds both dangers and wonders, a place where Max discovers incredible secrets, magical plants and where they befriend the most incredible creatures. Will they find a way to leave the ocean pocket and reunite with those in Amazeria who are fighting to save the Greenwild, the Marindeep and everything that is precious to them? Can the knowledge they gain on the island bring them a step closer to defeating the Grim Reapers?

After a terrifying ordeal and heart-pounding escapades, Daisy and her friends, the Prof and Indigo, eventually find themselves in Amazeria, the most magical and truly breathtaking pocket of the Greenwild. But the Reaper King is moving ever closer, threatening all that these courageous friends hold dear … Will Daisy and her friends be able to save Daisy’s mother, rescue the missing Botanists and protect the Greenwild before all is lost?

Just wow! This is a dazzling, richly imagined adventure that completely swept me in to its magic. I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages, as I followed these courageous friends facing great peril, taking incredible risks and making the most astounding discoveries, never quite knowing who they could trust which made this an utterly compelling read. I really enjoyed the dual narratives of Daisy and Max as they each learn more about their families, as they appreciate the wonders of their magical environments and as they reveal breathtaking secrets.

There is a wonderful environmental message threaded throughout the series which juxtaposes the awe and wonder, the harmony and benefits, of nature with its destruction and ultimate decimation by those who want to destroy and usurp this vital resource for power and greed, regardless of the effects on both the environment and those who rely on on it. But I love how nature, and those who understand its magic, fight back.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and really celebrate both the magic and wonder of nature and the battle to protect it, complementing the story perfectly. I’m a huge fan of maps in stories and this one has the most gorgeous map I’ve ever seen: a full colour map of Amazeria – just perfect!

Sail into a breath-taking, unforgettable adventure above the Amazon forest where secrets hide, danger lurks and courageous friends fight for survival.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Books for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Graphic Novel Review: Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye

*Written by Guy Bass*
*Illustrated by Pete Williamson*
*Colour by Kat Cass*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye is the second graphic novel in this gorgeously gothic, darkly humorous adventure series.

In Castle Grotteskew, the 311^th monster has been created by Mad Professor Erasmus and it’s reaching its tentacles towards his first creation, Stitch Head. Trapped with his friend Creature, all seems lost for the two friends until Arabella Guff comes along with her kicking boots – and she’s not afraid to use them! Luckily, these are not needed as Stitch Head’s Serenity Salve kicks in instead turning an angry monster into a perfectly polite creature in search of a moat.

When Stitch Head and his friends find his old play room, Arabella finds Dash Flashpowder’s journal and is convinced that the Professor has not only got hold of the famous pirate’s journal, but also his eye – which he’s given to Stitch Head. Could he be part pirate? With his trusty sword, companion and crew, Stitch Head is ready for adventure – just as long as he doesn’t have to leave the castle.

But when his master receives a mysterious letter that takes him away from his creations, Stitch Head and his friends are quickly forgotten for a life of fame and fortune. Left on their own, Stitch Head, with some encouragement from his friends, decides to embrace the pirate life and head towards an ocean load of almost-life adventure … until he makes a discovery that brings his adventure crashing down before it has even begun …

I absolutely adored this deliciously dark and monstrously fun adventure brimming with danger, daring, discoveries and dastardly deeds. Stitch Head is such a wonderful creation: kind, thoughtful and courageous – even if he doesn’t always believe in himself. He has learned to fear the world outside the castle so is unwilling to venture outside until his fantastic friends encourage him and build his confidence. The friendship between Stitch Head, Arabella and Creature is just gorgeous – loyal, supportive and encouraging. Both Arabella and Creature bring so much humour to the adventure through Arabella’s tough-girl ‘It’s kick-o-clock’ insults and Creature’s not-quite-accurate-but-very-funny use of language as he teams up with his ‘crusty crew’.

The full-colour illustrations are absolutely incredible and really capture the heart of this story with their expressiveness, humour and deliciously dark nature. I also loved the inclusion of both single-panel and multi-panel pages and enjoyed poring over them as I read.

I’m now eagerly awaiting the next adventure in The Ghost of Grotteskew.

A shining treasure trove of adventure, heart and humour which is guaranteed to sail into the hearts, and tickle the funny bones, of its young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Little Tiger for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Tales from the Ocean: 20 Bedtime Nature Stories

*Written by Chae Strathie*
*Illustrated by Erin Brown*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Tales from the Ocean: 20 Bedtime Nature Stories is a beautifully illustrated collection of tales featuring a wide range of ocean creatures which are sure to capture the imagination, and hearts, of young readers as they learn more about ocean habitats and creatures.

There are tales from different parts of the ocean including: the reef; coastal waters and shallows; tropical and temperate waters; and, arctic and polar waters. Each short story tells the tale of a creature who lives in these different parts of the ocean from the smallest shrimp to the largest blue whale and a myriad of delightful creatures in between.

Each story includes a stunning, vibrant full page colour illustration as well as heading and border illustrations which are guaranteed to delight young readers and engage them even more in these wonderful stories. The pages themselves reflect the colours of the ocean making this a truly stunning book.

Each tale is a perfect length to enjoy as a bedtime story, or with a class, ranging between three and six pages. I have no doubt that these stories will be enjoyed both by younger children who will enjoy listening to them and older children who will love to read them on their own.

Each story tells a gentle tale which gives an insight into the life of each creature and many share an important message. There is also a four-line rhyming verse to finish each story which shares facts about the creature told from its point of view.

In The Perfect Home for a Clam a young Giant Clam is searching for the perfect home but is taught a lesson about the value of patience when making an important decision. In Manatee’s New Friend, Manatee is determined to make friends with grumpy Big Crocodile who learns that everyone needs a friend. In Little Turtle’s Long Journey, Little Turtle hatches from her egg and follows her brothers and sisters towards the ocean, learning to hide from danger. In A Seal in a Storm, harbour seal enjoys exploring new places further and further from his home until one day he gets caught in a storm far out at sea and learns not to take anything for granted. This really is a wonderful collection of tales that I have no doubt children will return to again and again as they find their favourites and learn more about these fantastic ocean creatures.

There is also a useful section at the end of the book which gives more factual, fascinating information about each of the twenty creatures included in the stories – a great catalyst to encourage children to find out more about these wonderful creatures.

A gorgeously illustrated collection of nature stories from the oceans, perfect for young readers of 5+.

Thank you to Little Tiger for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Pirate Academy: Sword Echoes

*Written by Justin Somper*
*Illustrations by Teo Skaffa*
*Published by uclan publishing*

Pirate Academy: Sword Echoes is the third book in the Pirate Academy series, and is another thrilling, sea-faring adventure that held me enthralled throughout.

Neo is on board Brave as the Waves with his mum’s friend, Captain December Wilder, following a trail of co-ordinates left by his mum which eventually lead him to another Pirate Academy and an incredible family heirloom: a sword with the power to unlock his past and even change his future.

Meanwhile, at the Pirate Academy, Neo’s Barracuda Class friends are left shocked when a favourite teacher rejects the rule of the Pirate Federation and joins the League of True Pirates, the LOT P who are determined to defeat the Pirate Academies and rule the oceans. Trying to find clues as to why their teacher has betrayed the Academy, Jacoby and his friends search his room only to discover evidence that one of their classmates might be the LOT P’s next target.

As the LOT P becomes an ever-increasing threat, Jasmine is determined to find her father, leaving on her mission with best friend Jacoby, a mission which leads them straight into incredible danger at the heart of the LOT P.

This is a fantastically thrilling, action-packed adventure that flows between dangers and discoveries both at sea and at the Pirate Academy as the friends from Barracuda class follow separate journeys. With the LOT P gaining more power and resources, the level of threat and peril escalates making this such an exciting, edge-of-your-seat read. Can Jasmine and Jacoby help the Pirate Federation stop the LOT P from fulfilling its secret mission? Can Neo harness the magical power of the Sword of Echoes to learn secrets that will help him fulfil his destiny?

I loved the bonds of friendship between Barracuda class and how supportive different members are towards each other – even when it’s not entirely sure who can be trusted! They show real courage, loyalty and determination when facing dangerous and difficult situations. I also loved the connections and re-connections made between family and friends as the story unfolded, especially the connections Neo made through memories. And with that ending, I can’t wait for the next adventure …

The partial-and-full-page illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful, capturing both the excitement and peril of the adventure perfectly.

I also really liked the ‘Story so far …’ which captures the events of the previous books so that readers can start with this book although I definitely think this will whet their appetite to go back and read the whole series if they haven’t already.

An action-packed, perilous pirate adventure with a heart of friendship and courage, perfect for young readers of 8+.

Thank you to uclan publishing for providing me with a copy. It was my decision to review the book and all opinions are my honest opinion of the story.

Review: Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns

*Written by Peter Burns*
*Published by Farshore (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

Shadow Thieves is a terrifically thrilling adventure set in an alternate world of danger, intrigue and high-risk that kept me on a tightrope of tension and excitement throughout – an absolutely gripping, unputdownable read!

Thirteen-year-old Tom Morgan was born in the workhouse, no stranger to its harsh and brutal conditions, so he is determined never to be incarcerated there again. When Tom is almost caught by a workhouse agent, he is helped to escape by the man whose shoes he is shining. Tom returns to the abandoned workhouse he lives in with his friends, street children who survive by, amongst other things, pickpocketing and shoe-shining, hopeful that he has escaped the workhouse snatchers …

When the snatchers track down the warehouse, Tom is helped to escape their clutches by one of his friends but the other children are taken. Tom suspects that they have been brought to Guttknot workhouse and climbs on to the roof of a nearby print house to seek proof … but someone is waiting for him, someone who offers him the opportunity to change his life and the hope that one day, he will have the means to rescue his friends.

The Corsair is from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, or Thieves School, and he wants to recruit Tom to train there. Hoping that this will provide him with a means to save his friends, Tom agrees to attend the school. And it is not long before he finds himself in a zeppelin, flying to start a new life as the school’s latest recruit.

And so begins an exhilarating, explosive adventure as Tom finds himself adapting to life in a school where there are those who accept him and offer friendship, but also those who look down on him as he’s not a legacy student, one who comes from a well-off, powerful family. Whilst learning to navigate friendships, Tom makes a discovery that leaves him feeling betrayed and unsure who he can trust, but is there even greater peril from dark forces intent on bringing change to the Shadow League and the world? Can Tom unmask the culprits behind a long con before it is too late? Can he save both his fellow pupils and rescue his friends from home?

I absolutely loved this intricate, richly woven adventure brimming with intrigue, peril, twists and revelations that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to discover more. I really enjoyed the alternate world with three empires who are held in balance by the Shadow League incorporating schools of thieves, assassins, politicos and spies who compete against each other during the International Shadow Cup which has real effects and consequences on what happens within the empires. This is the start of a series, so there are threads within the story that I really hope are followed in the next adventure, especially relating to Tom’s family history and something else that I can’t mention for fear of spoilers but what if?

Tom is an incredibly strong, resilient and courageous protagonist who never forgets the friends he has left behind at the workhouse. He has had to use his quick wits, resourcefulness and determination to survive on the streets of an alternate London, avoiding capture, traits that enable him to survive in the Thieves School, a place where failure could have dire consequences for him.

A breath-taking, action-packed, high-octane adventure set in a richly imagined alternate world of danger, daring and deceit, perfect for readers of 9+

Review: The Curse of the Silvan Oaks by Georgia Channon

*Written by Georgia Channon*
*Cover Illustration by Richard Johnson*
*Published by Pushkin Press*

The Curse of the Silvan Oaks is an enchanting fantasy adventure that completely captured me as I stepped through a portal into a magical world which has been cursed …

When exploring the castle, eleven-year-old Prince Cory of the Kingdom of Silvanland, great grandson of Queen Titania, discovers hidden steps behind a fireplace. Stinging from the memory of his older brother calling him a coward, he goes down the steps, determined to show the courage he has been accused of lacking …

Meanwhile, Oli Gill has gone to Foxley Hall with her mother and has discovered a secret opening in a bookcase. When she climbs inside, she looks through a window into a forest where she sees a young boy being kidnapped …

Prince Cory has been taken by cruel Queen Hellebore’s soldiers and thrown into the castle dungeons. Whilst the Prince is a descendant of Queen Titania, Queen Hellebore is a descendant of King Oberon, intent on continuing the feud that has brought a terrible war and wreaked havoc on Silvanland’s sacred woods with its great oak trees cursed, their spirits dying.

But when hope seems lost, fate intervenes, bringing a young girl through a portal from the mortal world and into Silvanland, a young girl who has a connection to this world and to an ancient prophecy that she has no knowledge of. When these two children, Cory and Oli, come together, they form a firm friendship and show real courage in the face of overwhelming danger. Can they save Silvanland and break the curse over its forest? Can they escape the cruel clutches of a Queen who will stop at nothing to obtain a precious stone capable of giving her the power to rule Silvanland? And, can they bring to an end an age old feud that started with a quarrel over a child, a child who was lost to another world?

This is a wonderfully intricate, richly imaginative and action-packed adventure, brimming with danger, tension and daring, and is one that I really enjoyed. I loved the association with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of my favourite Shakespearean plays. The adventure involves the descendants of many of the main characters in that play including Oberon, Titania, Puck, Cobweb and the Indian Boy. And it was wonderful to see their connections. I also really enjoyed the mystical element of the story, the tree spirits and talking animals including shapeshifters as well as the message about the importance of nature and man’s selfishness in exploiting the natural world.

A magical, mesmerising adventure into a feuding realm where those with courageous hearts form firm friendships and fight to break a cruel curse on the land. Perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Pushkin Press for sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to review it and my review is my honest opinion.

Review: Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret

*Written by Abi Elphinstone*
*Illustrated by Kristina Kister*
Published by *Simon & Schuster Ltd*

Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret is the third marvellously magical, fizzingly exciting adventure for the apprentice Vets to Magical Beasts.

Ember Spark is spending the start of her Christmas holiday with her Dad, his girlfriend, Sally and Ember’s best friend Arno Whisper in the fishing village of Slumber. When her nibblesqueak, Forty Winks, starts trying to steal Sally’s beauty products, the children discover the initial ‘TB’ on the items. Could they have found a connection to one of the elusive collectors of magical beasts? Could a collector be using magical beasts to create beauty products with almost magical abilities?

Deciding to share their discovery with Rusty Fizzbang, a Vet to Magical Beasts, they visit him in Stonechatter Cave where he is surrounded by magical beasts needing help, including a very determined pygmy dragon, Whirlwind, who is intent on eating his beard! Rusty advises them to visit their teacher, Mrs Rickety-Knees, to undertake some internet research on the company behind the beauty products. But, on their way to visit her, they are kidnapped and find themselves aboard a flight to the Amazon rainforest.

And so begins another terrifically thrilling adventure as Ember and Arno find themselves at the mercy of a cold-hearted, cruel villain intent on causing harm to magical beasts. Can Ember and Arno come up with a plan to foil this villain? Can they escape their clutches and save the magical beasts who are in desperate need of their help?

I absolutely loved joining Ember, Arno and Forty Winks on their daring, action-packed adventure which is brimming with excitement and danger, with old friends and new, with incredible courage and moments of fear as well as plenty of humour and warmth. I was utterly gripped by Ember and Arno’s perilous adventure, their determination to defeat a merciless villain and her minions and their courage and resilience when faced with dangerous and difficult situations.

As always with Abi’s stories, I adored the richly imagined world with its own fantastical creations, the array of magical beasts, the brilliance of the names such as Whirlwind, Tuggetty Vine and Loose Cannon. I never fail to be awestruck by the imaginative delights, the warmth and humour, the wonderful messages and the astounding adventures that greet me in Abi’s books. So, it is no surprise at all that Ember Spark was the first class story I read to my new Year 3 class and they absolutely adored it as they have Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix. This is a series that the children are eager to continue, and to re-read, with some even telling me that they have pre-ordered the third book. I even had a parent telling me that Ember Spark was the first book her child insisted she bought for him and they’re reading it as a bedtime story. Now, if that’s not magic, I don’t know what is!

I absolutely adore both Ember and Arno who have very different natures with Ember being more feisty and impetuous whereas Arno is more cautious and considered. Their friendship feels really genuine, including the disagreements that they have and how they work through them to put the well-being of the magical beings at the forefront, learning that working as a team is better than working alone.

As always, the illustrations throughout are gorgeous and complement the magic, excitement and warmth of this adventure perfectly.

A mesmerising, magical adventure, brimming with warmth, peril and humour, that will undoubtedly continue to ignite the hearts and imaginations of its readers as they wait eagerly for Ember Spark’s next adventure – just as I am!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Vanya and the Wild Hunt

*Written by Sangu Mandanna*
*Illustrated by Kristina Kister*
*Published by MacMillan Children’s Books*

Vanya and the Wild Hunt is an exhilarating, magical fantasy adventure that swept me into a world of both danger and delight, a world that kept me utterly enthralled as I ventured with its awe-inspiring young heroine …

Eleven-year-old Vanya lives in the flat above her parents’ bookshop which gives her the perfect opportunity to sneak down in the middle of the night to spend time in the annex of rare books, an annex which stores books that Vanya can talk to – and which talk back!

When she forgets her homework, Vanya goes home to get it only to discover that the bookshop is closed and her dad has been injured. Ignoring her Dad’s, and the books, pleas for her to get away, she enters the bookshop to find her mum confronted by a monster. With some unexpected help, Vanya is able to defeat the monster and save her mother, but she needs answers …

Her parents have been keeping secrets from Vanya. Her mum is an archwitch with her own familiar and her dad is an archivist. After learning that the fantastical creatures that should only exist in myths and legends are real, Vanya learns that her mum protects people from powerful Old Ones and it is one of these who has attacked her parents. Vanya is an archling who can use magic and see the Old Ones. In order to keep her safe, her parents allow her to be taken to a magical library and school, Auramere, which is hidden in the mountains of India and reached through an enchanted door …

And so begins the most incredible, action-packed and magical adventure as Vanya learns that the Wild Hunt is on the prowl and not even Auramere is safe from its reach. I was completely swept into this adventure as Vanya learns to navigate her new home, make friends and explore this new world including meeting its wonderful fantastical creatures. I was held utterly enraptured by the increasing sense of danger, the unexpected twists and turns, and the astounding revelations which left me eagerly turning pages … and even more eager for the next book in this exciting series. Can Vanya discover how the Wild Hunt has been able to breach the magical protections of Auramere? Can she unmask the new leader of the Wild Hunt? Can she stop them from destroying the place she now feels she truly belongs?

The world-building is rich, vivid and wonderfully immersive and really draws the reader into this enchanting world of archwitches, archivists and archlings living within its enchanting library towers and wonderful collection of town shops not to mention the woods, mountains and waterfalls, all protected from outside harm by magical enchantments. I loved the magical system with its use of runes to offer protections, the blend of Indian mythology and British folklore, the rare talking books and the fantastical creatures, especially the felicorns and patrallak and, of course, Kasha who is just brilliant!

Vanya is the most wonderful young girl who feels that she doesn’t belong at school, having to hide her true, neurodivergent self to try to fit in with others’ expectations. When she moves to Auramere, she is encouraged to belief in herself and to be true to herself. Her courage, kindness and strength really shine through as she fights to save her new friends and the place she feels she really belongs.

The illustrations are stunning and really complement the enchantment and wonder of this exciting adventure, portraying both characters and places perfectly.

Enter a magical, breath-taking world for an unforgettable, thrilling adventure that will captivate readers of 9+.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Books for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Grumpfort written and illustrated by Jamie Hammond

Grumpfort is a hilarious and heart-warming monstrously marvellous adventure which held me absolutely entranced throughout with giggles and smiles galore!

The villagers of Bogfoss live in fear of the monsters who come from the forest to feast – or nibble – on them. Rather wisely, young Mo chooses to hide at the first sign of trouble as becoming lunch for a monster does not at all appeal to him! Unfortunately for Mo, he also happens to be Monday the Sixteenth, the newest Warden to accept the role of protecting the village from monster attacks. Well, when I say ‘accept’, he doesn’t really have a choice as this is a hereditary role which he must take following the death of his grandma, Monday the Fifteenth.

Arriving late on his first day at The Roost, he is thrown in at the deep end when monsters attack the village and he is given the task of fighting them. When Mo is beaten by the goblins and needs to be rescued, the villagers ridicule him, making him a laughing stock. Feeling dejected, Mo decides to prove himself by going into the out-of-bounds forest, catching a monster and bringing it back to Bogfoss to prove himself the hero the villagers expect him to be.

But, when his plan to catch a monster backfires, Mo finds himself running for his life and, as luck would have it, straight into the home of the monsters via a booby-trapped sausage roll – a giant fortress: Grumpfort.

And so begins the most wonderfully exciting, action-packed and hilarious adventure as Mo meets the inhabitants of the fortress who are not at all what he had expected according to the entries in his not-so-trustworthy book, A Beginner’s Guide to Monsterology. When Mo is tasked with the mission of helping some of the other monsters catch the terrifying Grumpsnatcher, who has been snatching monsters, he hatches the perfect plan to solve his problem, but he didn’t reckon on friendship getting in the way …

I absolutely loved this zany adventure which has just the right amount of peril for young readers with lots of giggles with the situations the monsters find themselves in. The creatures are absolutely brilliant from the grumpy gnome to the feisty troll and the kind-hearted, sausage-roll loving snotwoggle. The villain is perfectly cast and will undoubtedly make the reader question: what makes a monster?

Mo is an incredibly likeable young boy who has the courage to be true to himself and write his own story rather than living with the weight of others’ expectations. I think this is such a powerful message for young readers.

The illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful and complement the action and humour of the story perfectly.

Enter Grumpfort for a monstrous treat of mayhem, giggles and gasps of delight – perfect for young readers of 7+.

Thank you to Usborne for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Dragon Riders of Roar

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

I am a huge fan of The Land of Roar series so was super-excited to learn that Rose and Arthur would have more adventures in Dragon Riders of Roar which is an epically brilliant return to the most imaginary place where an incredible adventure awaits.

Twins Arthur and Rose are excited to be returning to spend two weeks in Roar, the imaginary world they have created, a world that becomes real when they crawl through the old camp bed in their grandad’s attic.

But, when Arthur discovers a secret story that Rose has been writing about Roar, he is annoyed that she has been leaving him out and makes a few additions of his own. Catching him reading her story, Rose is furious and they begin to fight with Arthur shoving the book in to the camp bed and Rose retrieving it, but its a fight that ends in giggles and memories of when they were younger, creating their imaginary land of Roar through imaginative play.

Soon afterwards, bursting with excitement and happiness, they crawl through the camp bed and find themselves back in Roar. Calling for her three dragons, Rose and Arthur fly to meet their friends Win and Mitch, only to discover that Mitch is missing! Could something have entered Roar that is a threat to the twins and their friends?

When Rose sees that creatures that she has created in her notebook are now in Roar, she realises that the Dragonlands of her notebook have come to life in Roar and, in order to find Mitch, they will need to travel to the island of Spindrift which is the location of the Dragon Rider Academy, a school where students learn to ride fearsome dragons to protect the island. But, does the island need protection against the terrifying Witch-King, who steals children for his army and leaves changelings in their place? Could there be any truth in the rumours that he is still alive and intent on revenge? And, if so, do Arthur and Rose have enough fire in their hearts to battle a terrifying villain and save both Roar, and someone closer to home, from harm?

Just wow! I absolutely loved being back in Roar with Arthur and Rose and with familiar friends as well as new friends. This is such a thrilling, action-packed adventure that transported me into a richly drawn world of danger, secrets and revelations where I was never quite sure who to trust. I really enjoyed the school setting with its dragon sorter, houses and trials to become Dragon Riders coupled with the rumoured return of a terrifying villain which brings a real sense of peril for those at the school. I also really enjoyed the camaraderie between the twins and their friends which brings lots of humour to counteract the dangerous and tense moments.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and complement this exciting adventure perfectly.

For those who are already familiar with Roar, this will be a much-welcomed addition to this fantastic world, but it can also be read as a stand-alone for those who want to jump into this adventure first, but I have no doubt they’ll then want to read the first three books in this epic series.

Take an exhilarating ride into an unforgettable world of dragons, witches and courageous friends … perfect for young adventurers of 8+.

Thank you to Farhore for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.