The Blurb On The Back:

”My name’s Elizabeth,” she said. “What’s yours?”

It wrinkled its face, knowing not to try and force the remembering but to let it happen of its own accord. It closed its eyes. Elizabeth waited patiently.

The child dropped its face forward and cleared its thoughts, and at last a doorway seemed to open in its mind. The child gave a huge, profound sigh, through its entire body. It turned to Elizabeth.

“Isabella,” it said. “My name is Isabella Margaret Leland.”


When Elizabeth finds a green-tinged creature in the woods she’s amazed to discover that it’s actually a girl of her own age. Isabella has spent the last 300 years deep in the faery world, hiding from persecutors who accused her of being the daughter of a witch. But Elizabeth has her own persecutors to face. A catholic priest is hiding with her family – an act of treason in 1586 – and the net is closing in. As they become friends, Elizabeth and Isabella must find a way to save the family from being torn apart …


ExpandThe Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Sarah Singleton’s middle grade historical fantasy novel is a solid tale of persecution with a time travelling twist. There are some good elements in the book – particularly the sections in the faery world, which are creepy and vivid – and I enjoyed the portrayal of Elizabeth’s patron, Lady Catherine, a former court artist now consigned to her great house who falls for the gossip and flattery of the odious Merrivale. However neither Elizabeth or Isabella really came alive for me and while it’s interesting to read a book that looks at religious persecution, there’s no recognition by Elizabeth’s family of the persecution Queen Mary wrecked on Protestants when they lament their troubles, which I found a little troubling (although historically accurate). Ultimately, it’s an okay read rather than a great one but I would check out Singleton’s other work.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the free copy of this book.
The Blurb On The Back:
Thomas has inherited a magical box from his dead grandmother, which provides entry into a mysterious garden where her ghost warns him she was poisoned. For once she belonged to an arcane guild, whose members each cultivated a garden and mastered the arts of poison, perfume and medicine. The remaining guild members jostle for power as, one by one, they are murdered. Can Thomas solve the mystery before he in turn is threatened?

ExpandThe Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

This is a well-written children’s historical fantasy with a good feel for period and an interesting story. Although the novel could have easily been twice its length, there’s scope for a sequel and the characters are interesting enough for me to want to read one.

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