The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
by
Jaclyn Moriarty
illustrated by Kelly Canby
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's
Publication date: 31st October 2023
Series: Kingdom and Empires #5
Genre: Middle Grade
Pages: 544
RRP: $22.99AU (Hardcover)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is an enchanting tale filled with magic, danger and unexpected twists. The plot is set out like a puzzle with different scenes appearing like random chapters and in a book and it isn't until the story nears its conclusion that it all comes together and makes perfect sense.
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is book 5 in the Kingdoms and Empires series and even though it is the first book I've read in the series there is plenty of backstory and rather than feeling lost it just made me want to rush out and buy the previous books. Which I did!
Featured throughout the book are beautiful, half and full page monochrome illustrations by the talented Kelly Canby.
Young readers will find Lillian Velvet intriguing, she has been raised by a cold, unloving and strict grandmother. Having never attended school, she has never spoken to or played with other children. Lillian is smart, kind and most of all obedient.
Lillian is given a jar of gold coins for her tenth birthday. The coins transport her to another time in another world. Lillian doesn't know why she is being transported to these places, all she knows is someone always needs help and she could never say no.
At 544 pages it is the perfect book to sink your teeth into. The short chapters make it easy to pick up and read just a few chapters at a time. It won't be read in a single night but I can assure you, your child will want to read it over and over.
The Kingdom and Empires series would make the perfect gift. They are not only fantastic reads, they look good too, making them a treasured addition to a child's bookshelf.
Jaclyn Moriarty is a truly gifted children's author who can weave a plot that is both complex yet simple to follow.
My rating 5/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
