Review: Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley

*Written by Sophie Kirtley*
*Cover Illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books*

Swanfall is a magical, wintry adventure, lyrical and mesmerising, a story imbued with the wonder of nature and the bonds of friendship, that completely captivated me.

Eleven-year-old Pip has been living with his mum in Keeper’s Cott on the wetlands for four years. He is excited to welcome the return of the Arctic swans in their annual migration from Siberia to Rushy Lake, especially his three favourites: Moonshadow, Midnight and Silver, recognisable by their unique beak markings. This swanfall is a magical experience for nature-loving Pip and is an event that he helps record each year with his mum who is a wetlands ranger. But when his mum is called away to help another ranger, circumstances find Pip alone …

Awoken in the middle of the night, Pip opens the door to discover the ground laden with snow and the call of the first swans arriving. Discovering footsteps in the snow, Pip begins to wonder if an ancient story, discovered in a donated book, could be more than just a legend …

And so begins the most magical, mesmerising adventure as Pip and his friends work together to discover the incredible, heart-breaking truth behind the legend of three siblings who disappeared in tragic circumstances many years ago. Could the book Pip has found at the mobile school library hold the key to unlocking a tragedy? Could the songs appearing in the book, and whispered in the air, reveal a way to break a terrifying curse?

This is an absolutely gripping, thrilling adventure brimming with risk and danger, with breath-taking discoveries and revelations that, coupled with the short, often cliff hanger chapter endings, made this a story that I read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed the atmospheric, wintry setting on the wetlands with snowstorms and frozen lakes which have the ability to both hide and reveal, to bring both fear and hope. I adored reading Irish folklore tales when I was growing up in Ireland, and The Children of Lir is one of my favourites, so I loved how this myth is intricately woven into this contemporary story with some wonderful twists.

Pip is an incredibly likeable young boy, someone who finds it difficult to remain focussed in school, and who is worried about losing his best friend when he begins to form other friendships. He is much more confident when surrounded by the wetlands habitat and helping his mum with her work in recording the annual swanfall. I loved how teaming up with others to solve the mystery brought Pip into a wonderfully supportive friendship group with a real sense of strength and belonging.

A spellbinding story of friendship, connection and belonging, perfect to snuggle up with on a cold, wintry day to be enveloped in an unforgettable adventure.

Cover Reveal: Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy

Today, I’m excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for a new middle-grade book, Lianna and the Hombit, by Valinora Troy which will be out on 29^th January 2026.

A grieving girl in need of a friend. A magical creature with a secret task. Can they end the ancient curse threatening their new home?

13-year-old Lianna has lost everything: her home, her friends, and most devastatingly, her beloved Papa. Sent to live with her uncle, Lianna is certain he will be cruel and unkind, for why else would Papa have run away when he was young?

Robbed on arrival of her precious keepsakes, Lianna receives a worse-than-expected welcome from her uncle. His servants are hostile and even her grandparents seem to glare at her from their portraits over the fire.

When a magical creature resembling a small glass bird bursts into her life in a mix of sparks and fire, Lianna is eager to assist the hombit with its secret mission if it helps her return home. Which leads to Lianna undertaking a risky dive near perilous sea stacks known as ‘living rocks’.

When her dive goes wrong, she awakens a creature that seeks to rob her of her humanity. To survive, Lianna must uncover the dark secrets of her father’s past. Now she faces a stark decision: does she save herself or the town that rejects both her and her father?

A heart-warming story of the healing power of friendship when all seems lost.

Information on pre-orders and/or ARCs can be found at: Lianna and the Hombit – Valinora Troy

Author Info: Valinora Troy

Valinora Troy is a children’s fantasy writer from Ireland. She has a MA in Creative Writing Specialising in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and has served as a panellist for the CYBILS awards (elementary & middle grade speculative fiction category). Her short stories for adults have been in a number of publications. She is the author of ‘The Lucky Diamond’ trilogy, three middle grade children’s fantasy adventures. She has recently been shortlisted for the Staróg prize, and has served as a Reading Ambassador for Louth County Libraries.

Review: Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

*Written by Bethany Walker*
*Illustrated by Katie Abey*
*Published by Scholastic*

Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day is a brilliantly funny, heart-warming adventure that completely enthralled me and brought plenty of giggles.

Twelve-year-old Medusa works for Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, as a guardian in her temple at the base of Mount Olympus, responsible for protecting her shield. Best friend Arachne advises her to write her feelings in a diary to help her deal with the anger that she has difficulty controlling when she witnesses the unfairness of the punishments meted out by the gods on the mortals. This seems to be working until Athena turns Arachne into a spider and Medusa throws her precious shield into Hades’ well. Angering the goddess of war is probably not the best idea and, as a punishment, Athena gives her the worst hair day ever: she turns her luscious locks into a writhing head of hissing snakes!

When Medusa is offered a way to get both her hair and her best friend back, she has no choice but to sign a contract with Hades and Athena which sees her step into a modern secondary school with the task of finding the shield and returning it to Athena. I mean, how difficult can it be for a girl from Ancient Greece to adapt to the 21^st century? Well, it turns out its harder than you think when you mistake Alexa for an oracle, when you don’t quite know what a bra is for and when you ask for wine in the dining hall. Can Meddy keep to the terms of the contract, including not revealing who she is, keeping her temper and finding the shield – all in the space of 24 days?

What a joy this book is! I absolutely loved following Meddy as she adapts to life in a modern secondary school, finding herself in some most unfortunate situations and having lots of misunderstandings over things that modern children take for granted, which are genuinely hilarious. I don’t want to mention these for fear of spoiling readers enjoyment but giggles are definitely guaranteed. I really enjoyed the references to characters and creatures from Greek mythology – and the twists in the way they were portrayed. This is a wonderfully action-packed, hilarious read that kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish and is one I can’t wait to recommend in our school library.

I really enjoyed the diary format interspersed with the correspondence between Athena and Hades and the running commentary of the chorus which is just brilliant and brought lots of smiles. I also really liked the different formats within the story from the diary style to letters and comic strip. The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are absolutely brilliant: expressive, energetic and fun, and really complementing this heart and humour in the story. I think this is an incredibly appealing format for children who I have no doubt will adore Medusa’s adventure and probably empathise with her predicaments as she navigates school life.

Many will be familiar with the curse of Medusa and her portrayal as a monster so this was a wonderfully refreshing twist that I really enjoyed. Meddy is such a likeable character and is very much her own person, who doesn’t seek popularity and who shows genuine care towards her friends.

A laugh-out-loud, up-lifting adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, perfect for readers of 9+.

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

Review: Blitzers written by Alastair Chisholm and illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli

*Written by Alastair Chisholm*
*Illustrated by Francesca Ficorilli*
*Published by Barrington Stoke (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

Blitzers is a high-octane, sci-fi adventure that crackles with fast-paced action, danger and discoveries in a world of virtual reality and real-life daring.

Danny has finally got his hands on the latest tech-craze gadget, a Blitzer which links to a unique creature, trained by its owner and sent into fights against other creatures in a virtual reality online world. But when Danny discovers that his creature, Chew Lip, does not want to fight, he wonders if the Blitzer given to him by his brother could be a fake or faulty. Both his best friend, Tan, and school bully, Mel are unimpressed by his creature but Danny is determined to train him and prove them wrong.

Danny’s obsession with proving himself through the success of his virtual creature leads him into an online community of Blitzer players where the overwhelming advice is to be aggressive and controlling towards the creature in order to assert dominance, something that begins to show with Danny’s behaviour in the real world.

But when something which should have been impossible happens with Chewy, Danny tries a different approach which proves a catalyst that puts him and his friends in danger. Can he discover what the Blitzers really are? Can he put a stop to a terrifying secret operation? And can he save his best friend from being lost to him?

This is a brilliantly action-packed, gripping and thought-provoking adventure that deals with a range of issues including bullying, toxic masculinity, the impact of online influencers, the ethics of big tech and the potential addictive nature of gaming. But I also think that this is brilliantly balanced with positive role models, especially in Danny’s older brother, with fighting against influences that impact in a negative way and with empathising with others. As well as being a story children will enjoy reading and discussing with their friends, I think it would be a wonderful class or reading group read with those at the top end of Key Stage 2 and into Key Stage 3 due to its rich potential for much-needed discussion of issues which really impact on children’s lives.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are fantastic, complementing the themes and fast-paced action, in this story perfectly.

An exciting, compelling sci-fi adventure that will prove a real winner with children of 9+.

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

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Review: Gloam

*Written by Jack Mackay*
*Illustrated by Ben Joel Price*
*Published by Rock the Boat*

Gloam is a deliciously dark, spine-chilling gothic horror, a thrilling, tension-filled and atmospheric story, that completely captivated me.

After the death of their mother, the Clayton-Fenn siblings, and their stepdad, are relocating to Gloam Island where they have inherited their grandmother’s old, neglected house which has been empty since her death a year before. Strange amulets, each with a painted eye, hang in each room and, when Gwen is frightened that night by a noise and sees yellow eyes staring at her, she assumes it is the amulet, but could something more sinister be in the house?

When their stepdad gets a job on the mainland, he hires a babysitter, Esme Laverne, to look after the siblings despite Gwen insisting that she can take care of her younger siblings. Whilst Henry and her siblings seem immediately charmed by the delightful, kind-mannered Esme, Gwen is instantly on her guard against this stranger in her home. When her suspicions are confirmed, and she is given a dire warning, Gwen is determined to protect her family by getting rid of the intruder.

And so begins the most gripping, spine-tingling story as Gwen finds herself in a battle against a great evil, determined to destroy the family, using manipulation and control, hiding beneath a sickly layer of sweetness. Just as the rot creeps and festers over the hall, this insidious sinister babysitter steals into the lives of the family, pitting them against each other and awakening their worst nightmares. Can Gwen convince her family of the danger in their midst before it is too late? Will she be able to protect those she loves by facing the living nightmares that haunt them?

What an absolutely gripping gothic horror story that absolutely sent frissons of fear down my spine as an ominous threat of danger follows the family. I’m just glad I was reading it in glorious sunshine in my garden, but I must admit that this will be a perfect spooky season read – but one where you’ll probably need to sleep with the lights on afterwards – or is that just me? I loved the setting on an island (aptly named) that is cut off from the outside world when the tide covers the causeway, the chilling, bleak weather and the old, neglected house with spreading rot. I really enjoyed the palpable tension, and frights, that kept me on tenterhooks as I read, making this an unputdownable read.

Gwen is such a sympathetic young girl. She is grieving the recent death of her mother and that of her grandmother, but is keeping her grief trapped inside. She feels protective towards her younger siblings and feels a responsibility, and willingness, to take care of them. Like her siblings, she shows incredible strength and courage in facing her fears, but perhaps, for Gwen, the greatest fear that she must face is allowing herself the time and freedom to grieve. I really enjoyed the relationship between the siblings which felt really authentic with their close bond sometimes being tested by arguments and falling outs, but always being there for each other when it really matters.

There are no illustrations in the e-ARC that I read but I have seen some illustrations online which look absolutely fantastic and I have no doubt will add to the eeriness of this story. I will definitely be adding a finished copy of this to our school library as so many children are huge fans of horror and I have no doubt that this one will prove very popular.

A superbly spine-tingling read – dark and creepy – perfect for readers of 9+ to read before the summer ends or on a cold, dark evening as spooky season approaches – if they dare!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC 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: 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: After by Pádraig Kenny

*Written by Pádraig Kenny*
*Cover and chapter illustrations by* *Steve McCarthy*
*Published by Walker Books on 6th March*

After is a powerful, thought-provoking dystopian sci-fi adventure with the ties of humanity, the strength of community and the promise of hope at its heart. This is a story that held me utterly enthralled and will undoubtedly be one of my books of the year.

Jen loves libraries and stories, but the one she is most interested in is a true one – even though it is a story that terrifies her: the story of how the world ended. Father tells her of the destruction of habitats, human over-reliance on technology and the return to the Dark Ages after the Flood, an apocalyptic event that decimated both civilisation and technology.

Father and Jen have been on their own ever since he found Jen as a baby and took her under his protection. They survive in a desolate, almost-deserted world by finding food and shelter and avoiding the scavengers who drove them from their previous home.

When travelling towards a new home, they arrive at a town where they meet two others who are part of a small community where they are welcomed as new members. But Father has a secret: he is not human, but a humanoid AI who somehow survived the Flood. Can Jen keep Father’s secret from her new friends because, if it were revealed, she is in danger of losing the place she has come to think of as home …

This is a story that completely gripped me both as an exciting, heart-pounding survival adventure brimming with danger, secrets and revelations, and as a story exploring what it means to be human, the nature of love and belonging, and whether the real danger in technological advancement lies with created or creator. These themes would open fascinating discussions in both homes and classrooms.

This is a story that evokes strong emotions: I could absolutely feel the hope and love, the painful decisions and the need for connection – and the ending made me smile through my tears – just perfect – as were the final illustrations. There is such power in words – the power to connect and divide, the power to hurt and heal and the power to bring hope when the world seems lost. Books like this incredible story are so needed in our world right now (and not just for children) and there was one sentence said by a character at the end of this story that still bring tears as I write and I think those are tears of hope.

Whilst Jen and Father are not biologically related, it is clear that there is a strong father-daughter bond between them which I found incredibly moving. Father has a powerful instinct to protect Jen and give her what she needs to survive, both physically and emotionally, even when this means withholding the truth and taking heart-breaking decisions and risks. Jen is a wonderful young girl who is kind-hearted, curious and determined and, whilst she is happy with Father, she also has a natural human need to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging which leads her to make to make some painful decisions.

The chapter heading and page illustrations are stunning and complement this intriguing, breathtaking story perfectly.

An exceptional sci-fi adventure pulsating with hope, connection and love – a captivating story that I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 9+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Ice Apprentices by Jacob North

Ice Apprentices is the first in an epic fantasy trilogy – and what a start this is! I was completely absorbed in this icy world, its magic, its danger and its diverse inhabitants: a world where danger lurks, where secrets twist and turn and where answers lie hidden for a courageous stray to unearth.

Oswin Fields is an outsider – a stray – found in Tundra (the last settlement in an ice-covered world) and adopted by Lullia, a mother who is harsh and cold towards him. His is a hard life, and one that he doesn’t feel will ever change, so he is shocked when his adoptive mother tells him that he has been selected to train as an ice apprentice in Corridor – a school which trains apprentices to contribute to Tundra’s survival.

Oswin is met with hostility by many in Corridor as they cannot understand why a stray would be asked to become an ice apprentice and also because his surname is synonymous with an uncle who is viewed as a traitor to Tundra. But, when he and another apprentice, Ennastasia, are attacked by a monster they’ve just learned about in a lesson, he might just be the only hope of saving the Corridor …

And so begins an absolutely gripping, action-packed adventure that swept me into a richly imagined world of ice, of monsters and of peril and deception. I found the magical system fascinating and really liked that, as this is part of a trilogy, I know there is lots more to learn – but I was given enough to satisfy my curiosity and leaving me eager to find out more. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns, moments of heart-pounding danger and incredible revelations that made this a real page-turner.

I really liked both Oswin and Ennastasia, and loved the friendship that develops between them, a hard won friendship and one they both desperately need. Oswin is impetuous, tenacious and endlessly curious, but he is also someone who doesn’t feel he belongs and doesn’t feel worthy of the place he has been given in Tundra and the Corridor. Ennastasia, because of who she is, fears opening herself up to friendship, yet Oswin, who doubts his worth so much, breaks down her barriers leading to a genuine, honest friendship that is so heart-warming.

This is an adventure that feels like it has so much more to come, and I cannot wait to join the ice apprentices in their next adventure – especially after that ending!

A breath-taking, perilous adventure into an icy world that will undoubtedly capture the hearts and imaginations of readers of 9+ who will be eager to continue the adventure.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.