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The Spectaculars: The Wild Song Contest
Secrets and sabotage plunge Harper into danger in her second year at the Wondria, a magical travelling theatre school. Perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The Greatest Showman.
Harper can't wait for her second year of Spectacular training, where a song can send you on a rollercoaster, a dance can lift you into the air, and you can send notes to your friends via a mechanical dragon.
This year, her school at the Wondria is hosting the Spectacular Song Contest, where theatres from across the Hidden Peaks will compete to win the Wild Song, a powerful piece of music that can cause chaos.
When the Song Contest is sabotaged, it's down to Harper and her friends to find the culprit and make sure the show can go on, before the wild magic destroys everything...
Praise for The
"A story of magic, friendship and theatre that shines star-bright" Maria Kuzniar, author of The Ship of Shadows
"Beautifully written, imaginative and witty, The Spectaculars immerses you in a thrilling magical world with characters you fall in love with right from the start" Hannah Durkan, author of Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale
Harper can't wait for her second year of Spectacular training, where a song can send you on a rollercoaster, a dance can lift you into the air, and you can send notes to your friends via a mechanical dragon.
This year, her school at the Wondria is hosting the Spectacular Song Contest, where theatres from across the Hidden Peaks will compete to win the Wild Song, a powerful piece of music that can cause chaos.
When the Song Contest is sabotaged, it's down to Harper and her friends to find the culprit and make sure the show can go on, before the wild magic destroys everything...
Praise for The
"A story of magic, friendship and theatre that shines star-bright" Maria Kuzniar, author of The Ship of Shadows
"Beautifully written, imaginative and witty, The Spectaculars immerses you in a thrilling magical world with characters you fall in love with right from the start" Hannah Durkan, author of Zeina Starborn and the Sky Whale
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2024
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Jodie Garnish
5 books4 followersJodie Garnish is a performer, playwright and author. She studied at the University of East Anglia and trained in acting at Drama Studio London.
Throughout her theatre career she has performed across the UK and Italy. She has played monachs, mathmaticians and murderesses, and worn more terrible wigs than she cares to remember. Her experiences as a performer inspired the world of the Spectaculars, her debut novel.
Throughout her theatre career she has performed across the UK and Italy. She has played monachs, mathmaticians and murderesses, and worn more terrible wigs than she cares to remember. Her experiences as a performer inspired the world of the Spectaculars, her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 23, 2024
A fun, magical and imaginative read, perfect for anyone who loves magic schools and theatre. I’m already looking forward to book three.
March 8, 2025
Let's keep it simple: Book 2 is better than Book 1. That's always a good thing. Harper didn't annoy me at all in this book, she's simply terrific. She always takes matters in her own hands, and although she could be a bit more careful at times, I definitely like her. She's a great main character to follow along on her adventures.
I still like Thief more than, Trick, though, although it's mostly Harper and Trick that guarantee some laughter with all their puns and pranks. That, and Garnish's beautiful writing style and fun elements she introduces.
Although Althea is less present than in Book 1, she does feature in some important scenes and I liked the way her character is delved into. There's definitely something to work with, so I'm curious to see how she will evolve.
There are also a number of new characters, obviously, especially Ms Ryker and Aria Knight. There's a traitor among the new batch, but the trouble is that Ms Ryker is so easy to suspect that she simply can't have to done it - it's too obvious. Which means that there's only one good option left, so I wasn't surprised when it turned out that the traitor's role had been reserved for , although I didn't quite figure out why they did it beforehand.
And I have to add: Even though I wasn't surprised, it didn't bother me - the story itself was still filled with fun and action and excitement.
The world is expanded, and the author definitely has loads of imagination. She puts so many things and details in the book, it's simply incredible. I loved the entire contest and everything that comes with it, as well as all the rest that's even only vaguely related to the worldbuilding.
There's clearly a third book on the way, which - based on what we know of it - will be the climax and the end of the series. And honestly, I can't wait to see how everything will turn out.
8.1/10
I still like Thief more than, Trick, though, although it's mostly Harper and Trick that guarantee some laughter with all their puns and pranks. That, and Garnish's beautiful writing style and fun elements she introduces.
Although Althea is less present than in Book 1, she does feature in some important scenes and I liked the way her character is delved into. There's definitely something to work with, so I'm curious to see how she will evolve.
There are also a number of new characters, obviously, especially Ms Ryker and Aria Knight. There's a traitor among the new batch, but the trouble is that Ms Ryker is so easy to suspect that she simply can't have to done it - it's too obvious. Which means that there's only one good option left, so I wasn't surprised when it turned out that the traitor's role had been reserved for , although I didn't quite figure out why they did it beforehand.
And I have to add: Even though I wasn't surprised, it didn't bother me - the story itself was still filled with fun and action and excitement.
The world is expanded, and the author definitely has loads of imagination. She puts so many things and details in the book, it's simply incredible. I loved the entire contest and everything that comes with it, as well as all the rest that's even only vaguely related to the worldbuilding.
There's clearly a third book on the way, which - based on what we know of it - will be the climax and the end of the series. And honestly, I can't wait to see how everything will turn out.
8.1/10
February 2, 2024
I did not know about the first installment of the series until I saw this on Netgalley. I have since ordered a copy of the first book from Waterstones. It is in my TBR pile now.
This book is surprisingly easy to follow even if you have not read the first book before. It is beautifully written and full of magic. I love how the author depicts the interactions between the children.
This book is surprisingly easy to follow even if you have not read the first book before. It is beautifully written and full of magic. I love how the author depicts the interactions between the children.
March 28, 2024
An amazing addition to the series. It was great being back in Wondria. I loved the pace of the book. It was great seeing old characters develop, while meeting new ones. I genuinely didn’t see the ending and love it kept me guessing. Can’t wait for the next one.
May 24, 2024
Wow, just wow. The first book was amazing but this one was just so much fun!!!
The world we were presented to in the first one was so well developed here and the characters felt so much more fleshed out.
I can't wait for the sequel I need it right now!!!!!!
The world we were presented to in the first one was so well developed here and the characters felt so much more fleshed out.
I can't wait for the sequel I need it right now!!!!!!
September 17, 2024
A lovely story for a young reader
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews