Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power

by P. A. Staff

The first in an extraordinary middle-grade fantasy series that takes the traditional "chosen one" narrative and flips it on its head. Think Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil, but with a thrilling twist!

"A wonderful debut, bursting with magic." Jess French, author of Race to Frostfall Mountain

A boy with no memory. A world searching for a hero.

Casander Darkbloom has no memory, lives outside a curiosity shop, and experiences random surges of uncontrollable energy in his limbs. When he inexplicably brings a stuffed raven to life, he unravels a strange and thrilling magical world. A world waiting for Cas to save it.

Cas is the Foretold, the one prophesied to defeat the malevolent Master of All. Under the protection of Wayward School, Cas must learn to master his magical abilities. But, as he soon discovers, all may not be quite as it seems – and Cas will need to take control of his own destiny if he is to find the strength to fight the powers of evil.

Spectacular and imaginative, this thrilling fantasy novel celebrates difference and how what makes us unique is also our greatest strength.

"This is fantasy at its best; a bold, beautiful world, characters who tug on your heart threads, and a fast-paced, intricately developed story about power and magic in all its forms." Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Audiobook

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2023

About the author

P.A. Staff is a science communicator and vet by day, writer by night. Born and living in Norfolk, she spent her childhood growing up with an unknown and unexplainable movement condition, known as Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathestosis. She created Casander Darkbloom to tackle the universal central themes of embracing your differences, conquering people’s perceptions of them, and quite frankly giving children who are different a possible answer to the age-old question, “Why me?” Casander Darkbloom is the book that her 12-year-old self would have cherished for seeing a hero like herself on the pages, who had the same disorder but was ultimately neither held back nor defined by it.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power is the first book in a new middle-grade fantasy series from author P.A. Staff. The book begins with an incident in Paris, France in which a Dr Claudius Bane is blackmailed into giving someone The Book of Skulls and Skin.

We then move forward in time by seventeen years and are now in London, UK where we meet a young boy called Casander (Cas) who is sleeping rough outside an olde curiosity shop. Cas is a boy with no memory and a ‘funny’ leg. When strange folk in purple-and-white cloaks come to the shop looking for him, shop worker Warrior comes to his aid. Turns out that Cas is a needed and unknowing hero.

Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power takes its young readers on a magical adventure and drops them straight into the action where they will be emersed in the tremendous world-building of The Balanced Lands – a land that mirrors the normie (normal) world and the Wayward School for Prestigious Others.

The book has a fast pace and has a host of amazing characters. The author makes a point of showing the reader that people are all different and that their differences and disabilities are to be celebrated and embraced not hidden away.

With tension running high throughout the story and an immersive and inviting plot I raced through the book in just two sittings. I now can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHH THIS BOOK! And that plot twist! Mind blown. So well written and a brilliant book to cosy on up with.

It’s a wonderful crafted children’s book that can easily be loved by every reader. It has friendship and found family, a magical school, a band of lovable misfits and some really well thought out characters. I loved getting to know them and navigating this crazy epic book world with them. A world with magical creatures, dangerous heretics and a chosen one prophecy you can’t help but get behind.

It’s a compelling trope and from the very beginnings of the book, you’re instantly thrown into intrigue and mystery which hooks you from the get go. It made for such easy and entertaining reading and it really has set itself up to be an absolutely amazing series! Because one thing is for sure, I am not ready to leave this world yet and need the sequel stat. It will leave you wanting more!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

REREAD EDIT: read this book again because I loved it so much the first time and decided to go for the audiobook format this time round which always fab. Great narrator and still need the sequel stat!

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casander Darkbloom & the Threads of Power is a recommended read.

Casander is stuck in a loop of waking up each day without memories of what he has been up to. When he meets Warrior and accompanies her to the Balance Lands, it seems that his memory has begun to function- perhaps he is back where he belongs? Attending the Wayward School along with Warrior and friends, Casander feels a sense of belonging; this feeling intensifies when he is revealed as the ‘Foretold’, a destined saviour of the Balance Lands. Learning to wield his magical powers is tough; imagine doing so with the constant threat of attack from the merciless Master of All.

Fans of children’s fantasy will be familiar with many of the tropes in the novel. However, it’s almost as if walking down this well-trodden path is part of the book’s power: you are absolutely lulled into a false sense of security, only to have the floor fall away from your feet- what a sucker punch!

The author has lived her life with a condition that makes her limbs sometimes move in uncontrolled ways. She therefore wanted to make sure that children growing up with disabilities had representation in the books they read. I really liked the way disability is represented and the idea of normalising difference and building empathy amongst all children.

Darkness and giggles, thrills and spills, Casander Darkbloom & the Threads of Power has a great balance of ingredients. It is a great debut and I even read somewhere that the first draft was completed in four weeks! What a feat!

A brill read- it was unleashed into my classroom today.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and it feels like an important one for young people to read. The plot was exciting, well-paced and not predictable (despite my many changing predictions as I progressed through the book and discovered more and more!)

The characters really felt like they had heart which I loved. The writing was funny and entertaining. I particularly liked the test questions for the Order Studies, tying our pop culture with the fantasy world of the Balance Lands and the Normie world.

[Andrea Educa8 Wirral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casander lives outside an old curiosity shop with no memory of his own. He experiences strange fizzing surges within his limbs that he can’t explain. When strangers in cloaks try and chase him, a girl named Warrior changes everything and helps Casander to escape to the Wayward School for the Most Prestigious Others.

Arriving at the school, Casander wonders if he will ever fit and feel ordinary. He is soon taking part in the Order Trials conducted by the Oracle to find out what abilities he possesses and to which of the orders, he belongs. But there is another secret, that he is the Foretold, destined to defeat The Master of All who has been stealing abilities to disrupt the balance of nature in both the Normie and Others worlds.

I really enjoyed getting to know Casander and his friends, Warrior, Paws and Fenix. They all feel like they don’t quite belong and their firm friendship sees them through lots of adventures. There are knowing nods to magical books that have come before when Hallow’tween arrives, there’s a Wayone dressed as a schoolboy with a strange squiggle on his forehead! What I didn’t foretell was THE twist. You might think you’ve figured things out with this story but I truly think it delivers a masterpiece of a surprise which will leave you flabbergasted!

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing debut novel! The story is gripping, the characters are lovable, and the writing is excellent. Wonderful representation for people who feel 'other' because of their differences and disabilities, I really wish I could have read this as a child and can't wait for young people to read it!

I really feel connected to Cas, a personal favourite character of mine is Headmaster Higgles (blueberry muffin supremacy), but all the characters felt real and important. And that twist!!! I gasped reading it. Bring on book 2!!

I highly recommend to children and adults alike! ♥️

[Tim Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very standard Chosen One story. Competently written but nothing special. I didn't bother to finish it.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you I finished this book in one sitting, that only tells you part of the story. I haven’t been able to concentrate enough to read for over a month so it’s saying a lot that Cas, Warrior and my other new friends not only introduced themselves to me today but grabbed my attention and held onto it.

We’re introduced to Cas, who doesn’t remember anything before waking up outside of a curiosity shop. A curiosity shop that I would happily live in, mind you.

Brought to a school for the magically gifted by a stranger, Cas soon learns that he’s the Chosen One, AKA the Foretold. As such, he’s the only one who can stop the nefarious Master of All. It’s been prophesied, after all.

You know this story, right?

The wonderful thing is you actually don’t. At all. Yes, the writings of She Who Must Not Be Named are alluded to at one point but this is not that story.

Welcome to Wayward, in the Balance Lands.

“A halfway place between this world and the Normie world. And everywhere else. That’s how it got its name - Wayward. Way through the wards.”

The Balance Lands are a mirror image of the Normie world so things may look familiar but there are some significant differences. Normies don’t travel between worlds using reflections. They don’t have Puggle the Nuggle or Hobdogglin. They probably don’t have a chute from their bedroom to the library, but they absolutely should.

I had a couple of favourite characters, Warrior and Mrs Crane. The tips of Warrior’s hair change colour with her moods! As if that wasn’t enough to endear her to me, she’s a heart of gold wrapped inside a protective layer of attitude. She’s a badass. She’s a bit of a mystery. She has pain and passion, and she’s an outcast.

Meanwhile, Mrs Crane is the school librarian. As the keeper of the books, she’d have to be pretty boring to not grab my attention. Mrs Crane is anything but boring. She also has biscuits.

Cas, Warrior, Paws and Fenix are four friends who I really enjoyed getting to know. They’re all Abnormies so their magic doesn’t work like ‘normal’ magic. What I loved more than anything about this book is the message that being different isn’t something to be ashamed of.

“Whatever people tell you about who and what you are, always remember this: normal doesn’t exist. Everyone is different, from the points of our fingers to the tips of our toes. Being different is what’s normal. It’s what makes each one of us magic, each one of us strong.”

Nathan Collins’ illustrations complemented the story well. From the quirky characters to the creatures unique to Wayward, they matched the tone of the book.

This is the first book in a series that you’d better believe I’ll be continuing.

Favourite no context quote:

“I’m armed with a blanky and I’m not afraid to use it!”

Thank you so much to Walker Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts with a letter… It features a wacky school for magicians, it has a baddy so bad nobody dare mention his name, it features a sorting session before anyone can start learning anything they're due to learn, and it features a boy with a mahoosive weight of destiny on his shoulders, and a spunky, attractive girl to help out as and when. Oh, and it can be a lot more brisk, witty and all-round convivial than that bleddy Happy Rotter nonsense ("a schoolboy with a strange squiggle on his forehead", as he's called here). Yes, some books are very, very derivative, and think the best approach is to pretend they don't know that. This is very derivative, and glories in it, thankfully.

This could be insufferable if it didn't realise it was treading on well-worn paths. And it's still not great, to be fair – trudging slowly through world-building, as we see our hero at Hagworts (sorry, er, some other school for fantasy tropes with a destiny) learning stuff instead of experiencing a plot. This is over-stuffed, with every mouthful of stuffing proving to the reader that the story won't end here and we're sequel-bound (it would appear to be a two-piece, based on reports of the deal made, but nothing changes deals like success and failure, and this doesn't look like being a failure).

So, yes, I quit this before the much-vaunted twist(s). To be fair, it was far too close to Christmas and my pile was just too huge, but I had given this two bashes, and it wasn't lively, concise or amenable enough to my schedule or tastes. I was left knowing I wouldn't completely object to coming back and seeing what the fuss was always about, but I hadn't found myself in the presence of anything lavishly fresh. Indeed my wait for something dazzling here was about as fun as the author's wait for tegretol to get back on the market (see end notes for more). I did notice much that was commendable, but it was woven in with stuff that wasn't, and that just drew the initial fun out too much for me.

[Jen Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power has just cast a spell on us. We were hooked by the first page, by the end of the first chapter we knew we were going nowhere, doing nothing and speaking to no one until we had finished reading this thrilling adventure in its entirety. By the time we reached the end of the book (finished in 2 sittings and only because its considered rude to read at the dinner table when your family is visiting) we were absolutely desperate for the next instalment, so come on P.A. Staff, please don't keep us waiting long!

This book has everything, a great plot (yes there are some similarities with other amazing, magical series but there are also many differences so who cares?!), a fantastic realm called the Balance Lands, a school for Prestigious Others, reflective portals between the Normie world and the mystical world, an unknowing hero saviour and an evil Master of All, intent on consuming all power at any cost.

The twists and turns in this fast paced, thrilling adventure take us from meeting Cas, an amnesiac twelve-year old with inexplicable power surges in his limbs, in London, as he becomes embroiled in a high stakes game of cat and mouse with maleficence alongside his new best friend, Warrior, a fearless champion of difference. His journey of discovery, who he is, what he was born to do (destroy the Big Bad and save the world - no pressure), finding wonderful friends with their unique capabilities in an enchanting school which, let's face it, is way more exciting than our own!), harnessing his own threads of power to the jaw dropping final twist, and OH, WHAT A TWIST! It even solves the centuries old mystery of the Loch Ness Monster for us... what's not to love?

It gets a wholehearted 5 stars from us and we can't wait to get our hands onto a paper copy for our library. Thank you NetGalley and Walker Books for sending this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

[Adele Lostinaclassicworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casander è un ragazzino di dodici anni senza memoria, ogni giorno al suo risveglio ricorda solo il suo nome e poche cose che gli permettono di sopravvivere. Un giorno, il proprietario di uno strano negozio lo invita ad entrare per ripararsi dalla pioggia, e qui dopo un'incidente viene inseguito da uno gruppo di uomini. In suo soccorso arriva Warrior, una sua coetanea che però lo porta in una scuola di magia...

In questo libro veniamo trasportati in un mondo diviso tra Normie, persone senza poteri magici, e gli Altri, persone che invece hanno i poteri. Gli Altri vengono divisi, a seconda del potere, in vari Ordini, ma esistono anche gli Abnormie, persone con abilità che non rientrano negli Ordini.
Non vi svelo come sono composti gli Ordini, ma vi dico che a me è piaciuta molto questa scelta.

Casander si ritrova in un mondo che non sospettava esistesse, la sua vita cambia completamente e ogni nuovo giorno porta un tassello che lo aiuta a capire chi è.
Il ragazzino inizia a conoscere anche l'amicizia, grazie soprattutto a Warrior e ai suoi nuovi compagni di scuola. Purtroppo anche qui non manca un gruppetto di bulletti che si crede superiore agli altri.
Mi è piaciuta molto la caratterizzazione dei vari personaggi, tutti hanno tante sfaccettature che si svelano piano piano.

In una storia di magia però non può mancare il cattivo e qui ce n'è uno che ha già iniziato a mettere in atto il suo piano, e anche con un bel po' di successo.

Lo so che state pensando a una certa saga, ma state tranquilli, questo libro segue una linea molto diversa.
Questa è una storia ricca di magia, di avventure, di segreti, ma anche di inclusività, perché tutto dipende da come si usano i poteri non solo dalla loro forza.

[Agapanthus.books.100 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, what a great title...Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power...by author P.A. Staff.
Secondly, what amazing cover art by illustrator Nathan Collins, so bold and mystical that it instantly draws you in.

And thats all before you get into the story!

Each day Casander Darkbloom has no memory of what he got up to the day before. His body has random surges of energy and he knows he is different, but he doesn't understand why, until one day his world is turned upside down. His life outside the old curiosity shop where he lives disappears as he goes on the run with the young shop assistant named Warrior who takes him to a magical world where he instantly feels like he belongs.
There, he takes his place in the Wayward School for Prestigious Others and learns that he is to be instrumental in saving this magical world. But he cannot do it alone, and along with his friends Warrior, Fenix and Paws, he sets about developing his new found powers and discovering what fate has in store for him.

This is such a fast paced read with plenty of action. I love the emphasis on showing that being different is completely normal, looking upon the differences as strengths and not weaknesses.

P.A. Staff is very clever at building this magical parallel world and the powers within it. There is a real mix of characters with various personalities which allows for lots of escapades and exciting adventures throughout.

I loved this book, the background story, and the way the tension builds to the climax at the end with a really unexpected teist along the way! I definitely can't wait for a sequel to find out what happens to Casander and his friends next!

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

With no memories of his life so far, twelve year old Casander is found by a remarkable girl called Warrior, and soon discovers he has abilities that makes him an Other, someone in the secretive magical community. But not only that, he is the prophesied chosen one, destined to stop the power-hungry Master of All with similar powers of life and death. 🔥

At school, Cas joins Warrior and her group of misfits in the magical community. Whilst trying to harness his unusual magic, he uncovers a plot that something lies within the school which the Master of All seeks. Casander must work quickly, but along the way he discovers shocking truths about the people around him, and has to confront his own secrets.

☠️ Overview 🍃
Here is another story that child me would have been obsessed with! What a vibrant story of magic and wonder! There is so much packed into this book, I could barely turn the pages fast enough to keep up! Not to mention the ending blew my mind. That’s all I’ll say. 🤐🤫

The author, P.A. Staff has a rare movement condition called Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathestosis, and I was so thrilled to learn that this was represented in the story with Casander’s uncontrollable leg movements. Huge respect for the representation! 🙌✌️

I think this is a really exciting series lying ahead, and I encourage you to pick up this awesome book if you haven’t already! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Phøenix13 (Inactive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Umm... THAT WAS SO GOOD!
I have a weakness for middle grade fantasy with gorgeous covers, magic schools and Chosen Ones, and every time I pick them up thinking they'll be another try-hard Harry Potter ripoff. I'm usually proven wrong, but Casander Darkbloom took 'proving me wrong' to a whole other level.

Firstly, this might be one of the best books about being different I've ever read. Most middle grade fantasy follows a main character who feels like he or she doesn't fit in, and most are trying to deliver the same message: it's okay to be different. But this one did it the best in my opinion. As someone who doesn't even feel accepted by my own friend group, this book was a delight for messaging alone.

Yes, it was very similar to books like Harry Potter, but it was shamelessly so. And in the end it came out with ALL THE PLOT TWISTS - which was SO fun. I adored the characters, the setting and the magic system, and this book was surprisingly well-written for a debut novel too. If this doesn't get a sequel I am going RIOT.

Let this be my lesson in not underestimating middle grade fantasies, as well as my encouragement to keep writing my own cliche middle grade series.

[Linda]

"But we are not those people. We are not our makers. We are the makers of our own destiny. The threads that created you exist within me, and Paws, and Fenix, and everyone else too. We're all made of the same stardust at the end of the day."

This was the first of my books of this year's Bookswapklaas. The book caught my eye with its pretty cover :3 I also really liked the premise after reading it, so I'm happy I got it!
The story follows Casander (Cas for short) in his quest to defeat the big bad evil as the Chosen One. The overall story is very typical, as expected of a mg book haha. But I still liked it very much! Once in a while we need stories like this :)
At first I kind of cringed because of some terms (Normies, Abnormies, Wayone/two/three/etc., Others), but after a while I read over them lol. The supporting characters are quite charming, but I wish their powers were explored or used more.
One wow: I did NOT see that mega plottwist coming!! There is no confirmed sequel as of yet, but I will probably follow the series when it will continue!

[Aisla Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power.

P.A. Staff does such a fantastic job of building a beautiful and intricate brand new world on the page! The amount of times I giggled at Warrier's cheekiness or smiled at Casander's interactions with those around him really showed me how drawn into this world I was.

For anyone that loved Percy Jackson, Harry Potter and even Avatar the Last Airbender - you will adore CBATTOP. The characters are all super diverse and interesting and there is a brilliant twist at the end of the book!

Reading the Author's Note ahead of reading the book really showed me how special Casander is, as he shares some of his unique powers with the author. Watching him coming to terms with those throughout the book is a really lovely experience and the overall message is one of understanding and acceptance.

Although this is technically a children's literature book, I read this at 26 and loved it. I will be recommending it to all my fellow fantasy, young adult, children's lit fans!

Well done P.A. Staff <3

[Rune · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given arc copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is a wonderful story and fans of Nevermore and School for Good and Evil will adore it

The idea of a magic school for kids with powers has been done and this book is no exception however it's setting and details to world building are what sets it apart and gives it its own flavour.

I truely loved getting to know the abnornies and seeing the balanced lands. It's truely brilliant writting fun for all ages.
And at its heart is a fantastic message. And it's shown by this direct quote

"Whatever people tell you about who and what you
are, always remember this: normal doesn’t exist. Everyone
is different, from the points of our fingers to the tips of our
toes. Being different is what’s normal. It’s what makes each
one of us magic, each one of us strong.”

The world never needed this message more . That quote alone has insured this book a place close to my heart forever

[Rebecca Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. What a great, action-packed book that was a pleasure to read from start to finish! It kept my attention from the outset and did not let up. This book has it all: great pace, great references to different things in society already (Sherlock Holmes’s and Nessie); great characters (and names) and a strong moral story throughout! But … THE PLOT TWISTS!! This story kept them coming; they will keep you on your toes throughout as the characters try to navigate how to tackle each new challenge. However, everyone around him is not who they seem; there were large parts that I read with bated breath, wondering how our main character was going to make it through! The inclusivity in this story is spot on, highlighting and celebrating the importance of being different and not conforming to being ‘normal’ by society’s standards. Through the power of friendship, the main character Cas, does more than he thought himself capable of and ensures that he looks out for those he cares for.
I will definitely be recommending this book to the pupils I teach and the others that I work with - I know that they will love it and will thoroughly enjoy following Casander’s story.

[Philippa Leathley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, highly imaginative book. I loved this story more with every chapter. The characters are so likeable and interesting - I adore Warrior, and Cas himself has definitely earned a place in my heart as a great protagonist. The plot is fast paced and unpredictable with some really clever surprises. Most of all, I loved the author's unique imagination. There are so many wonderful details about the school and Wayward, the world's lore and the characters' backstories that I really enjoyed. There's some lovely representation too.

I highly recommend Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power to anyone with children aged 8 to 12, and just for anyone in general who is looking for a really immersive, creative, fun read. I will definitely be rereading and buying the sequel when it comes out!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say that some people have you at "hello", this one had me with the first page. It reminds me of "The Nowhere Emporium", which to this date is still among my Top 3 Favourite Kidlit books. It is a story about a boy with no memory and a special condition that gives him uncontrollable twitch .

The writing is just mesmerising. I love this so, so, SO much.

[Emm Woodworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm fearful this book may be a little too similar to a certain wizard book, though if you have a kid who's really into that they may really enjoy this. I appreciate the amount of disabled main characters and the message of differences being important. The twist caught me off guard a little, I really enjoyed it. Look forward to the next one

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a wild ride. I was drawn in from the beginning and loved how quick the adventure began. So many twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming. Really hope there’s going to be a second!

[Christina Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Love the story and characters. That twist at the end threw me which I love! Sometimes reminiscent of Harry Potter but in all the best ways as I'm always looking for books like that. Overall, 10/5 stars - loved every word!

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the audiobook of this. It was new yet familiar with the setting and I would love to read more from these characters - it's well set up for a sequel!

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ½ stars.
Harry Potter knockoff…and like all knockoffs, the quality isn’t the same.
A reasonably enjoyable derivative nonetheless, and one I think will be enjoyed by children.

[Susy Tomasiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://imieimagicimondi.blogspot.com...

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many similarities to HP.

[Jennifer Eaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cas is no ordinary boy; every morning he wakes up outside the curiosities shop with no memory - of who he is, where he came from or why he’s there. His world is flipped upside down when one rainy day he is brought inside the shop and unexpectedly brings a raven back to life! This sets off a series of events which see him meet Warrior, learn of the existence of another magical world and enter the Wayward School. Here Cas finds out that not only does he have magic but that he is The Foretold; the one prophesied to defeat the evil Master of All, who seeks to take the magic of all of the Orders and disrupt the balance of both the Others and the Normie world. Cas must work together with his friends and celebrate his uniqueness if he’s to stand any chance of living up to his destiny.
I loved this book and couldn’t wait to get to the end to find out what happened. The clear message in the book about celebrating a person’s differences is wonderful and will resonate with so many readers. I loved the nods to magical stories that have gone before and was amazed and shocked to find I hadn’t worked out the plot twist before it happened! A must read!