Storm Singing and Other Tangled Tasks

First Aid for Fairies #3

by Lari Don

Helen and her fabled-beast friends help Rona the selkie in a Storm Singer competition. Rona wins by singing up an incredible storm, but part of the prize is to represent the selkies in a much bigger contest. Rona must compete in three grueling challenges against a mermaid and a blue loon, and carry an important message between the deep sea powers, which will stop them going to war. She desperately needs the help of Helen and her friends. But a giant jellyfish and a terrifying conger eel are among those who will do anything to stop the message of peace getting through. Fans of Helen's first two adventures will be eagerly awaiting this third thrilling installment. Set in the north of Scotland, this story introduces yet more fabled beasts inspired by Scottish sea creatures and folklore.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens

252 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2011

About the author

I'm a children's writer based in Scotland, and most of my fiction is inspired by the Scottish landscape and local legends. I love writing fantasy adventures for 8-12 year olds, including the Fabled Beast Chronicles and the Spellchasers trilogy, but I also love creating stories for other age groups.
I've gone darker and more dangerous in my YA thriller MindBlind.
And I've worked with amazing illustrators on picture books, including a retelling of the Scottish tale of the kelpie, The Secret of the Kelpie, with gorgeous pictures by Philip Longson, and a new fable about Nessie, The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster, with fabulous artwork by Nataša Ilinčić.
I've written collections of myths and legends, including heroine tales from all over the world in Girls Goddesses & Giants, and Scottish tales in Breaking the Spell and Viking saga tales in The Dragon's Hoard, both illustrated by the wonderful Cate James.
I'm passionate about sharing old stories, creating new ones, and inspiring new young readers and writers. And I'm writing more adventures and retelling more myths, right now!
But I'm also reading... I read a lot of non-fiction, because a lot of my fictional ideas are inspired by folklore and history. I also read a lot of children’s fiction, because kids get all the best stories! And sometimes I remember how old I am, and read books for adults.
I also love discussing books, and answering queries about my books and stories, so please do get in touch. You can chat to me here on Goodreads, or through my own website, http://www.laridon.co.uk, or find me on Twitter @LariDonWriter, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laridonwriter, or Instagram: laridonwriter Have fun reading!

Reviews

[WyrmbergSabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Fabled Beasts Chronicles, Helen and the gang get caught up in a plan to tamper with selkie traditions, that will have huge repercussions for all those who live along the coast, as well as the humans further inland.
I really enjoy these books. They are quick and fun reading, sprinkling myths of the fabled creatures amongst the stories, and telling some the tales and legends of Scotland.
Helen has grown since her first outing here, although she is learning she still knows very little about the lives of her friends and the magical world they live in alongside her own.
I hope for the next book, we are given more of the myths - I like hearing the stories of old Scotland.
Storm Singing is a good adventure/quest story for 8-12 year olds, and those who enjoy a bit of magic in their lives. The Fabled Creatures Chronicles certainly make you feel that a fairy could be hiding in the wild flowers, or a selkie is watching you on the beach. The old world is not that far from our own in these books, which is no bad thing.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven’t read the previous books in the series (I think you are expected to have, because who the characters are and how they met is never really explained) I just read this one because I was interested in the setting, the Far North of Scotland, and its links to local folklore. Entertaining stuff, reminded me of Harry Potter, specifically “Goblet of Fire”. (The one with the tri-wizard tournament.)

[Electro Space Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book.

[LISA JACKLING · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆

[joe 🦇🔮 · Rating 5 out of 5]

rona my beloved

[Linnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen's friend Rona (a selkie) competes in an ocean race/obstacle course, the winner of which becomes the messenger between the two powers of the sea. A go-between is necessary to keep them from going to war and causing massive storms and tidal waves. But there are some creatures that want the war to happen, and in fact, are doing everything they can to sabotage the contest. Those onshore will have to get more deeply involved than they may like, or there's going to be a storm like they've never seen before.

Don brings the magical creatures to life, from the blue loons and mermaids, to the giant eel and the sea-throughs. Helen's interactions with the all the fantastical creatures, friends and foe alike, made it enjoyable. As far as plot, I felt this was the weakest of the 3. Quite a bit of it is told from Rona's view; probably a good thing, since otherwise it would be a short book.

[Varsha Seshan]

The third in the series, where we meet a blue loon and a selkie …
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/lari...

[Wetdryvac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun fluff.