City of Secrets

Wildsmith #2

by Liz Flanagan, Joe Todd-Stanton (Illustrator)

Rowan starts to embrace her gifts as a magical wildsmith who heals and speaks to animals. But saving a young pegasus brings difficult decisions. Danger comes closer than ever and Rowan and the pegasus flee the forest, returning to the city she used to call home.. When she is betrayed, she wonders which friends she can trust. With her family divided and war still raging, where does Rowan belong now?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Animals

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2023

About the author

Liz writes for children and young adults. She teaches creative writing, and lives in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, with her husband and two daughters. She used to be Centre Director at the Ted Hughes Arvon Centre, and previously worked in children's book publishing.

Reviews

[imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley and brilliance audio for the arc <3

what a fun follow up!! the action in this one was so snappy, i really liked seeing rowan in her element. can’t wait for the next!

[Chloe Booth-Dobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is such a stunning continuation of what is already a solid favourite series for me! This series is full of magical creatures, adventure and secrets and I recommend that anyone who enjoys fantasy stories pick this up regardless of your age.

I loved the dragons in the first book and didn’t know how this second instalment would compare but I’m just as much in love with Mouse the Pegasi and now I’m very excited to see what amazing creatures will feature in the next one.

One of my favourite parts about this series is the stunning illustrations which so perfectly accompany the story and it’s best moments. I love seeing rowan and mouse on their adventures and the illustrations of the witches are just magical!

AD/PR GIFTED

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good enjoyable short book that reminds me of the wild thornberrys in the best way it was a fantasy and and had your main character who is a wildsmith which basically means she can communicate with animals it was good fun 3.5⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of the series, very sweet book again. Love the cute illustrations and nature themes.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

What a great continuation of the ‘Wildsmith’ series, while listening to the audio I did miss Joe Todd-Stanton’s amazing illustrations but Billie Fulford-Brown does a great job of capturing Rowan’s anxiety and all the characters emotions.

This book finds Rowan looking after a Pegasus foal trying to hide him from the poachers, then inevitably having to flee her home to keep him safe.

This feels like a step up from the previous book, the stakes are a lot higher and the threat of danger looms over the story. It leaves you wanting more and I’ll definitely be picking up the next one.

[Irishbookmammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildsmith #2: City of Secrets is a gentle yet engaging continuation of Rowan’s journey as she grows into her magical abilities to heal and speak with animals. This time, her compassion leads her to save a young pegasus — a choice that sets in motion a series of dangerous events. The pace is steady, with enough peril to keep young readers turning pages, but without becoming too dark for its intended audience of 5–8 year olds.
Liz Flanagan’s writing is clear and accessible, with Joe Todd-Stanton’s illustrations adding warmth and charm to the tale. Themes of trust, family, and belonging are woven in without being heavy-handed, making it perfect for newly confident readers. A solid 4-star read that balances magic, heart, and adventure.

[EnJay Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't decide who loves these books more, me or my son. I find myself reading a head when he's fallen asleep, and even told my husband off for trying to read my son a chapter one bed time.

The Wildsmith books are a great young fantasy series, introducing children to mythical creatures, with themes of war and friendships, and even animal welfare. This book sees Rowan reunited with her dad, but this time the animal she tries to help is a Pegasus. With the help of friends, family and a covern of witches, Rowan needs to keep the Pegasus hidden and away from the Estrainians hunting the magical creatures, but betrayal leads to this current adventure which separates Rowen from her home in the dark forest as she tries to keep the Pegasus safe.

We are both very excited for the next installment, which I believe is available later this month.

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I did not intend to read book #2 before book #1, I was already a bit of the way into this book before I realize I had missed the previous part.

This book continues the story of Rowan who has recently learned she is a Wildsmith and is able to connect and heal animals like her grandfather, It is a skill few have so she and her family are worried about her being uncovered by the invading forces. When her father sneaks home in night, he brings with him a baby pegasus who is also a bit of a fugitive. Many others of his kind are being conscripted by the enemies and Rowan's father hopes the foal will be safe with his family on the farm.

Thing go awry when someone tells the secret of Rowan and the pegasus and the two must flee and do their best to avoid being caught. They travel to Rowan's home city where she seeks refuge with some family friends but she isn't certain where is safe for them any longer.

I thought this was a really cute fantasy middle-grade book. I loved working through the action with Rowan but I do wish she wasn't so full of doubt . Nevertheless, I do plan to read the first so I can get the full picture of Rowan's story.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*
What a lot of story packed into a short book! A brilliant sequel, with lovely characters and some heavy themes dealt with brilliantly well.
Can't wait for the next!

SPOILER:
...
..
.
I love that Rowan is very quick to forgive Will in her mind. She thinks about what he is going through and how much help he needs, and not what he did to her or how he doesn't deserve any help or that it's his own fault he is in the mess he is. She could resent him, he did betray her, but she doesn't. And that's really refreshing to see. 

She has a big heart for others and thinks less of herself than others. It's lovely to see a main character in a children's book (or any book) who is kind and thoughtful and not self-absorbed or feeling like a victim the whole time. She also shows a lot of gratefulness and thankfulness, which is also wonderful.


CW:
- reference to animal cruelty and breeding animals for war
- witches performing a glamour spell inside a 'circle of power', that seems to put other people in a trance during it
- betrayal

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aubs 5
Soren 3

[Maria Carmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rowan continues her adventures, as she saves magical animals and tries to escape war and persecution.

Lovely and inspirational.

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon, 26 Septermber 2024

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

[R2 Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I really liked this book, it may even rival the last one!
Mouse is soooo cute. I hope I can get the next book soon!

[Traci Pine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I love this series! Can’t wait for the next installment.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and this pair working together! The story is fantastic and the illustrations are beautiful. I can't wait to read more in this series. This volume was full of suspense and adventure!

[Ember Moto · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great series for young readers who like mythical creatures. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!

[MinSue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute kids read. It’s book two in the series, I think. I never read the first one but it wasn’t too hard to pick up on what was going on in this book… on a count of it being geared towards middle school readers. But it was entertaining and definitely had its moments where it felt a bit more grown up.

[BookBairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More magical creatures. More adventure. More wildsmithing to be done. This is a brilliant magical series with wonderful friendships and family relationships but it's also about doing what's right, protecting the innocent and keeping magical creatures safe. Adore the artwork throughout too!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an adorable youth/young adult novel! I fully enjoyed Rowan, her Pegasus Mouse and her Wildesmith abilities.

This story was action packed with fast paced movement and suspenseful scenarios. It was also sweet with her love for her father, and friends, and mouse.

You’ll definitely want to pick up the next book as soon as you finish this one!

Thank you NetGalley!

[Tanpopo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schöne Handlung, mit einem leichten „aber“

Mit ca. 160 Seiten, einer sehr kurzen Kapiteleinteilung und einem für das Alter von Grundschülern ansprechend gestalteten Sprachschatz ist auch der zweite Band wieder sehr kurz zu lesen und wird den jungen Lesern damit gerecht.

Die Handlung steigert sich im Vergleich zum ersten Band jedoch, weg vom Wilderergeschehen, hin zum Kriegsschauplatz, vor dem Rowan am Anfang ihrer Reise ja geflohen war. Die Handlung wird also ernster.
Nachdem ihr Großvater als Waidling enttarnt wurde und somit auch nach ihr gesucht wird, muss Rowan fliehen – in ihrer Begleitung ein Pegasusfohlen, dass sonst verloren wäre. Sie beschließt in ihre Heimatstadt zurück zu kehren und sich Hilfe bei ihrem Vater zu holen. Doch sowohl der Weg als auch der Empfang in ihrer Heimat gestalten sich weitaus gefahrvoller als erwartet.

Die Verlagerung zu einem weit ernsteren Geschehen als im Reihenauftakt gefiel mir wirklich gut, denn es gibt der ganzen Handlung mehr Gehalt.
Was mich jedoch nicht wirklich begeistert ist nun einmal, dass die Reihe wieder einmal zu sehr auf Mädchen als Leser ausgerichtet ist und (so sieht es zumindest am Ende von Band 2 aus), dass selbstverständlich der der Junge Will, sei es aus Neid, Wut oder Frustration heraus zum Verräter geworden ist.

Wenn alles so kommt wie vom Verlag angekündigt geht es im März weiter. Ich hoffe entgegen der Kurzvorschau jedoch, dass hier nicht wieder nur die Mädchen die einzigen Helden sind.

[Adam Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wildsmith: City of Secrets by Liz Flanagan’s new instalment, gives another great sense of magic, adventure and mystery. It also brings much of the “aww factor” when meeting a few magical creatures. 

Rowan embraces her gifts in the second adventure as a magical Wildsmith who heals and speaks to animals. But saving a young pegasus brings difficult decisions. The danger comes closer than ever, threatening her family and even Rowan’s life. When she is betrayed, which friends can she trust? Where does Rowan belong now with her family divided and war still raging? 

For young readers, it’ll undoubtedly be readable from cover to cover. The book is presented in short chapters with less than 200 pages. The illustrations by Joe Todd-Stanton continue to be beautiful and fit the story perfectly, which will put a smile on any young reader’s face.

[Audrey Giacomin · Rating 5 out of 5]

L’histoire de Rowan une jeune fille qui prend un cheval pégase sous sa protection et lui apprend à survivre les dangers qui la menacent et qui elle même apprend à s’intégrer dans un nouvel environnement.
Une nouvelle aventure pour Rowan, toujours aussi mignon et les illustrations sont vraiment sublimes et très touchantes.
Ce livre se lit a tout âge et permet de se plonger de le monde de la fantasy dès tout petit mais avec des messages universels et touchants pour les adultes aussi.