Book Review: Fledgewitch by Lian Tanner

Fledgewitch

A Dragons of Hallow book

by

Lian Tanner

Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Series: Dragons of Hallow #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 352

RRP: $17.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow book

I am so glad I read Spellhound first. Although it isn't really necessary. If you have a copy of Fledgewitch and can't wait to read it there is some backstory. So jump right in!!

 

" Here are the Three Laws of Quill, carved in stone outside every town hall, and learnt by every schoolchild:
There shall be No Witches.
There shall be No Dragons.
There shall be NO SECRETS."

 

Our narrator from Spellhound is back with another enchanting tale filled with even more danger, magic and super cute characters than the first book. If that's even possible.

 

The book opens in the mountains of Quill with Brim living with her mum, dad and brother. She is taken away accused of being a fledgewitch and her parents are told she needs to be cured. Brim is sure she is not a witch, even if she has feathers growing from her elbows.

 

A young horned-glob named Snort (like a little calf) jumps in the car with Brim. Horned-globs are easily forgotten so Snort has no trouble venturing around as no-one remembers him. He wants to find the dragon, although he is terribly scared of them, to save his family.

 

This is another fast-paced immersive read. Brim and Snort are the cutest characters, they shake with fear but are courageous when the time comes.

Fledgewitch is a delightful tale of friendship, never giving up and using your powers for good.

 

Brim has her magic power in knitting. I loved this and wouldn't it be wonderful if it encouraged some children to try knitting themselves.

 

Bumbling laugh-out-loud villains and lots of jaw-dropping twists, which is something Lian does so well. I never see them coming.

Fledgewitch is a delightful story of family, love and working together. Championing commonsense, determination and perseverance.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮

 

Publisher recommended age 7 - 11 years 

My review of Spellhound

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Spellhound by Lian Tanner

Spellhound

A Dragons of Hallow book 

by

Lian Tanner

Illustrated by Sally Soweol Han

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th April 2023

Series: Dragons of Hallow #1

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 351

RRP: $17.99AU (paperback)

Source: own purchase

Review: Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow book

"In a quiet corner of Hallow, far from cities and towns, roads and railways, walls and witches, there lived a family of Spellounds.

Of course you have never heard of Spellhounds. They are one of the Three Great Secrets of Hallow, a country that loves secrets almost as much as it loves green jellybabies."

Spellhound is a truly adorable and fun story that will be loved by children and adults alike. Delightfully narrated bringing the reader right into the story.

 

Flaxseed (Flax) is a minch-wiggin, a tiny tree-dwelling creature. She has grown up knowing she is 'the one' destined to save Minchfold from the dragon. Flax is a wonderful character, she is scared and doesn't want to be the one to save everyone. Luckily they hadn't seen a dragon for 100 years. Then she meets a Spellhound pup who says his parents were taken by a dragon and Flax knows she must help him find them. It's her destiny. When the time comes she shows great courage and intelligence. 

 

Spellhound is filled to the brim with adventure, danger and ever so endearing characters. This is a fast-paced novel that I am certain middle-graders will find hard to put down. Short chapters and cliff-hangers make this an engaging read.

There is a crossover into the human world of Harrow when Felicia, the 10 year-old Queen of Harrow, is introduced to the mix as she goes searching for the puppy she could hear crying in the night. The young trio must draw on all their courage to confront the dragon.

 

A giant magical pup, a tiny tree-dwelling animal, a 10 year-old girl and a talking sword take centre stage in this fantastical adventure story with danger at every turn, jaw-dropping twists, magic wielding enemies, nonstop humour and boundless friendship. 

My rating 5/ 5 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

 

 

 

Book Review: The Witches Council: Lily Halfmoon by Xavier Bonet

 The Witches Council: Lily Halfmoon #2

by

Xavier Bonet

translated by Marie Trinchant 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Series: Lily Halfmoon #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 80

RRP: $ 17.99AU (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Witches Council

The Witches Council is the fabulous second book in Xavier Bonet's Lily Halfmoon series.

In book one Lily finds out she is a witch and learns all about the Royal Library of Magic, all the different gems and magical spells.

 

In The Witches Council we are back with Lily and her friends GiGi and Mai for the biggest day of the year when witches all over the world get together to introduce their gems and guardians and learn new skills.

 

Lily is faced with a moral dilemma when she has choices to make about her future. This is also a story about the power of empathy and understanding how others feel.

 

The Witches Council is a fun and bewitching graphic novel with bright, eye-catching illustrations with journal pages, symbols and charts. There is plenty to pore over and readers will find new things as the book is re-read over and over again.

 

This is an enchanting book that is sure to delight the middle-grade fantasy enthusiast.

My rating 5/ 5 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄