The Centre of Magic

Floramonde #4

by Pamela Freeman

A power-hungry wizard has let loose the Wild Magic, and every creature in its path is transformed. An earl becomes a cat, a coachman turns into a ferret, the chancellor is suddenly a hobgoblin, even King Max begins to change. Will Floramonde ever be the same again? Princess Betony and Prince Basil are determined to find the wizard and rescue their country, braving wolves, giants and other dangers along the way. But they need help, and it comes from a suprising source.

from Amazon

Genres: Fantasy

168 pages, Paperback

About the author

Pamela Freeman is an Australian author of books for both adults and children. Most of her work is fantasy but she has also written mystery stories, science fiction, family dramas and non-fiction. Her first adult series, the Castings Trilogy (Blood Ties, Deep Water and Full Circle) is published globally by Orbit books. She is best known in Australia for the junior novel Victor’s Quest and an associated series, the Floramonde books, and for The Black Dress: Mary MacKillop’s Early Years, which won the NSW Premier’s History Prize in 2006.

As of 2015, she will also be publishing historical novels under the name Pamela Hart.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastated I finished. Such a great series. I am so surprised they haven't stood the test of time.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, simple little story.

The Centre of Magic follows Jo and her royal companions as they journey through the quaint little land of Floramonde to rectify a rather tumultuous and transformative phenomenon caused by a power hungry wizard from the neighbouring kingdom of Mastodon. It's a fun, easy, low stress read, full of marvelous creatures like dragons, griffins, crystal spiders, centaurs, unicorns, and dryads.

I actually reread this as a cosy Christmas read (disclaimer: it is not Christmas themed, it's just cosy) because it was a favourite from my childhood and can honestly say that I enjoyed it just as much this time as I did 25 years ago. Would highly recommend it if you or your fantasy loving minis are after a short, engaging story with an uplifting vibe.