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Which Way to Anywhere #3
Which Way to the Future
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26Planet Earth, in case you do not know it, is a small, green little world, out on the end of a remote and rarely visited Milky Way.
All Magic was supposed to have disappeared from this particular planet many centuries earlier.
But in an ordinary, slightly damp part of the planet there are five human children with extraordinary Magical Gifts that the universe has never seen before. Only two of them don't know it yet.
What will Mabel and Izzabird's Gifts be? And how will they navigate Bounty Hunters, a witch and three perilous tasks to reach the end of their story? After all, there's nothing like an adventure to find out whether you are a Hero or not . . .
Contains Dangerous Space Travel and Very Illegal Magic
All Magic was supposed to have disappeared from this particular planet many centuries earlier.
But in an ordinary, slightly damp part of the planet there are five human children with extraordinary Magical Gifts that the universe has never seen before. Only two of them don't know it yet.
What will Mabel and Izzabird's Gifts be? And how will they navigate Bounty Hunters, a witch and three perilous tasks to reach the end of their story? After all, there's nothing like an adventure to find out whether you are a Hero or not . . .
Contains Dangerous Space Travel and Very Illegal Magic
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 19, 2026
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Cressida Cowell
204 books2,438 followersCressida Cowell grew up in London and on a small, uninhabited island off the west coast of Scotland. She was convinced that there were dragons living on this island, and has been fascinated by dragons ever since. She has a BA in English Literature from Oxford University, a BA in Graphic Design from St Martin's and an MA in Narrative Illustration from Brighton. Cressida loves illustrating her own work, but also loves writing books for other people to illustrate as the end result can be so unexpected and inspiring. Cressida has written and illustrated eight books in the popular Hiccup series. The unique blend of child centred humour and sublime prose made Hiccup an instant hit. How to Train Your Dragon is now published in over 30 languages. A DreamWorks Animation feature film is out in March 2010. Also the author of picture books, Cressida has won the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 and has been shortlisted for many others. Cressida lives in Hammersmith with her husband and three children.
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
Her Books:
1. How to Train Your Dragon (2003)
2. How to Be a Pirate (2004)
3. How to Speak Dragonese (2005)
4. How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse (2006)
5. How to Twist a Dragon’s Tale (2007)
6. A Hero’s Guide to Deadly Dragons (2008)
7. How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm (2008)
8. How to Break a Dragon’s Heart (2010)
9. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword (2011)
10. How to Seize a Dragon's Jewel (2012)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 22, 2025
Throughout this series, I thought that there were too many characters, magical objects and otherworldly beings to truly grow attached to the 5 main kids. Funny words, scary situations and magic lore gets dropped at random to keep the plot going, but none of the 5 kids ever gets a deep character arc.
And that is still partially true for this book. The core theme of this trilogy seems to be the blended family, and I really wish it was developed more. The glimpses we got about the struggle of these four kids were fantastic!
Theo and Izzabird dislike each other because they are both used to be the older sibling in charge. Both sets of siblings miss the parent they lost. Mother Smith is dead and father O'Hero is missing in action. The Smith children wish their mother was still alive. The O'Hero children fear they will never be as cool as their missing father. And yet, all four of them enjoy each other's company as well. All four of them adore the toddler Annipeck.
This book touches on the idea of turning things back to the way they were in a nice way. Despite all their adventures, the first thing that comes to mind when the kids think about wishing for something is wishing for the parent they lost. They want mother Smith alive and dad O'Hero back. Everest the missing O'Hero dad wishes he could have been a better husband and father too. Yet in the end they conclude that their blended family is their home now, and they do not want it to change after all. The author has a talent for packing many emotions into these short scenes, and it's where these books shine.
I liked that the ever present nostalgia for their past lives is not seen as wrong, or something they should not do. They are all very right to feel as they do! It is an impulse that doesn't leave, but gets overshadowed by the love for the present. Which is a beautiful and great theme for a middle grade series, but I felt like it was not given enough space in the story.
Maybe 5-6 books would have been better to develop all of this. Everest telling Izzabird that he is proud of her no matter whether she remains magic-less was perfect, and I wished the other kids got a similar character arc. Does Daniel Smith ever talk to Theo and Mabel about their dead mother? Does Freya O'Hero? Both of the parents could have told their children that no matter how happy their blended family is, they are allowed to miss their other parent. It felt like one of the missing puzzle pieces that could have completed the story and given it more depth.
And while I really liked the ending, I wished it was elaborated on a bit more. Daniel and Everest needed to have a full conversation at least once. How do the Smith kids feel about the reveal that their mom was also involved with space magic and they never knew?
As it is, the plot is just fine. It's a magical adventure with all the shenanigans this author is beloved for, but without the character depth it does not stand out as much as her previous books. Alright, they all have magic. Hurray! Now tell me what it means for them as kids, not just how it's useful for the adventure!
With a little more attention for the characters in between the magical adventure, this trilogy could have really packed a punch. As it is, I found it ok. I liked this series, but it had the potential to be jaw-dropping-amazing, and I'm sad that it wasn't that.
And that is still partially true for this book. The core theme of this trilogy seems to be the blended family, and I really wish it was developed more. The glimpses we got about the struggle of these four kids were fantastic!
Theo and Izzabird dislike each other because they are both used to be the older sibling in charge. Both sets of siblings miss the parent they lost. Mother Smith is dead and father O'Hero is missing in action. The Smith children wish their mother was still alive. The O'Hero children fear they will never be as cool as their missing father. And yet, all four of them enjoy each other's company as well. All four of them adore the toddler Annipeck.
This book touches on the idea of turning things back to the way they were in a nice way. Despite all their adventures, the first thing that comes to mind when the kids think about wishing for something is wishing for the parent they lost. They want mother Smith alive and dad O'Hero back. Everest the missing O'Hero dad wishes he could have been a better husband and father too. Yet in the end they conclude that their blended family is their home now, and they do not want it to change after all. The author has a talent for packing many emotions into these short scenes, and it's where these books shine.
I liked that the ever present nostalgia for their past lives is not seen as wrong, or something they should not do. They are all very right to feel as they do! It is an impulse that doesn't leave, but gets overshadowed by the love for the present. Which is a beautiful and great theme for a middle grade series, but I felt like it was not given enough space in the story.
Maybe 5-6 books would have been better to develop all of this. Everest telling Izzabird that he is proud of her no matter whether she remains magic-less was perfect, and I wished the other kids got a similar character arc. Does Daniel Smith ever talk to Theo and Mabel about their dead mother? Does Freya O'Hero? Both of the parents could have told their children that no matter how happy their blended family is, they are allowed to miss their other parent. It felt like one of the missing puzzle pieces that could have completed the story and given it more depth.
And while I really liked the ending, I wished it was elaborated on a bit more. Daniel and Everest needed to have a full conversation at least once. How do the Smith kids feel about the reveal that their mom was also involved with space magic and they never knew?
As it is, the plot is just fine. It's a magical adventure with all the shenanigans this author is beloved for, but without the character depth it does not stand out as much as her previous books. Alright, they all have magic. Hurray! Now tell me what it means for them as kids, not just how it's useful for the adventure!
With a little more attention for the characters in between the magical adventure, this trilogy could have really packed a punch. As it is, I found it ok. I liked this series, but it had the potential to be jaw-dropping-amazing, and I'm sad that it wasn't that.
November 7, 2025
Unfortunately, I hadn’t appreciated that this was the final book in the trilogy until I’d got a fair way into the book. If I’d realised before I’d tripped over quite so many major spoilers – I would have probably stopped and got hold of the first two books before continuing. But to be honest – I didn’t want to stop. So my firm advice is that if – like me – you encounter this offering before having had the pleasure of the first two books, be more sensible and put this one down in order to tuck into them, first.
No one else writes quite like Cowell. And along with the text, there are also those amazing illustrations – so full of energy and fun that sprawl across the page, quite untidily. Even as a child, I was never a fan of drawings in my reading books – their interpretation invariably jarred with my own imagined notion of what was going on and who was doing it. But the exception has always been Cowell’s anarchic depictions of her vibrant characters, complete with their eccentricities and those amazing monsters she imagines.
This story is set in a contemporary world – not that we see all that much of it – where a blended family are trying to learn to live together. Five children are trying to cope with living alongside each other, which is difficult enough to do. But then, they’ve been whisked along on a series of insanely difficult, dangerous adventures where the lethal threats they’ve faced have forced three of them to acquire Magical gifts. However, two children are left without any special powers to help them prevail – will they gain gifts? And what will happen to their family, now that some very powerful, magical beings have become aware of their potential?
Cowell plunges into the action and I found myself turning the pages, wanting to discover what happens next. This series doesn’t have the depth and emotional heft of How To Train Your Dragon – there isn’t the heartbreaking cost at the end. All in all, it’s far chirpier and upbeat. But then, Cowell is writing for a generation of post-pandemic children, who are already displaying high levels of anxiety and social difficulty. She’s aware that perhaps these particular youngsters need to hear that while things at home can be difficult and unusual – parents breaking up and getting together with other parents, for example – that doesn’t have to be the defining issue. In amongst all the monsters, witches and magical adventure, the children try to stay kind and encouraging to each other – not in a sickly, sentimental way, but because they need each other’s magical skills to escape with their lives.
I loved the wise, kindly message behind the adventure, humour and danger, as much as I appreciated the anarchic fun of the story. As ever, Cowell delivers a highly readable, enjoyable adventure laced with dollops of optimism and energy. While I’m definitely not the target audience, I surfaced from reading this tale with a grin on my face. And if you’ve a youngster in your life who enjoys chapter books with illustrations and thrives on escapist adventures – then consider this series, though do start at the beginning. While I obtained a copy of Which Way to the Future? from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
9/10
No one else writes quite like Cowell. And along with the text, there are also those amazing illustrations – so full of energy and fun that sprawl across the page, quite untidily. Even as a child, I was never a fan of drawings in my reading books – their interpretation invariably jarred with my own imagined notion of what was going on and who was doing it. But the exception has always been Cowell’s anarchic depictions of her vibrant characters, complete with their eccentricities and those amazing monsters she imagines.
This story is set in a contemporary world – not that we see all that much of it – where a blended family are trying to learn to live together. Five children are trying to cope with living alongside each other, which is difficult enough to do. But then, they’ve been whisked along on a series of insanely difficult, dangerous adventures where the lethal threats they’ve faced have forced three of them to acquire Magical gifts. However, two children are left without any special powers to help them prevail – will they gain gifts? And what will happen to their family, now that some very powerful, magical beings have become aware of their potential?
Cowell plunges into the action and I found myself turning the pages, wanting to discover what happens next. This series doesn’t have the depth and emotional heft of How To Train Your Dragon – there isn’t the heartbreaking cost at the end. All in all, it’s far chirpier and upbeat. But then, Cowell is writing for a generation of post-pandemic children, who are already displaying high levels of anxiety and social difficulty. She’s aware that perhaps these particular youngsters need to hear that while things at home can be difficult and unusual – parents breaking up and getting together with other parents, for example – that doesn’t have to be the defining issue. In amongst all the monsters, witches and magical adventure, the children try to stay kind and encouraging to each other – not in a sickly, sentimental way, but because they need each other’s magical skills to escape with their lives.
I loved the wise, kindly message behind the adventure, humour and danger, as much as I appreciated the anarchic fun of the story. As ever, Cowell delivers a highly readable, enjoyable adventure laced with dollops of optimism and energy. While I’m definitely not the target audience, I surfaced from reading this tale with a grin on my face. And if you’ve a youngster in your life who enjoys chapter books with illustrations and thrives on escapist adventures – then consider this series, though do start at the beginning. While I obtained a copy of Which Way to the Future? from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
9/10
November 3, 2025
Which Way to the Future by Cressida Cowell — Ages 8+
I’m a bit late to the party as this is the final instalment of the Which Way to Anywhere series, but what a blinding finish it is! I devoured this book at a rate of knots.
Cowell has created a wonderful world of magic, space travel, and chaos, all connected by the mysterious Which Ways: paths that allow travellers to cross immeasurable distances in the blink of an eye.
In this story, we once again meet the O’Hero-Smith children, part of a modern, blended family with something very special about them. The final chapter of their adventure sees the whole family fighting to save their baby sister, Horizabel the bounty hunter, and the well-meaning Everest O’Hero. Along the way, they might just save themselves too!
It’s no small task for a group of children who must use every ounce of their courage, love, imagination and magical powers to triumph. Especially when they find themselves on an island teeming with monsters and mayhem and facing an arena full of the galaxy’s fiercest bounty hunters, all battling for the ultimate prize: a wish from an evil witch.
The story is action-packed, and as a newcomer to the series, I found there was plenty of context to keep me grounded. The book is beautifully illustrated by Cowell herself and is an absolute delight to read. Whether children are jumping in with this instalment or following the journey from the start, this book will keep even the most reluctant readers engaged through its lively illustrations and varied content.
Ideal for upper KS2 and KS3 classrooms or school libraries, and it would also make a fantastic read-aloud.
#WhichWayToTheFuture #NetGalley @CressidaCowell @HachetteKids
I’m a bit late to the party as this is the final instalment of the Which Way to Anywhere series, but what a blinding finish it is! I devoured this book at a rate of knots.
Cowell has created a wonderful world of magic, space travel, and chaos, all connected by the mysterious Which Ways: paths that allow travellers to cross immeasurable distances in the blink of an eye.
In this story, we once again meet the O’Hero-Smith children, part of a modern, blended family with something very special about them. The final chapter of their adventure sees the whole family fighting to save their baby sister, Horizabel the bounty hunter, and the well-meaning Everest O’Hero. Along the way, they might just save themselves too!
It’s no small task for a group of children who must use every ounce of their courage, love, imagination and magical powers to triumph. Especially when they find themselves on an island teeming with monsters and mayhem and facing an arena full of the galaxy’s fiercest bounty hunters, all battling for the ultimate prize: a wish from an evil witch.
The story is action-packed, and as a newcomer to the series, I found there was plenty of context to keep me grounded. The book is beautifully illustrated by Cowell herself and is an absolute delight to read. Whether children are jumping in with this instalment or following the journey from the start, this book will keep even the most reluctant readers engaged through its lively illustrations and varied content.
Ideal for upper KS2 and KS3 classrooms or school libraries, and it would also make a fantastic read-aloud.
#WhichWayToTheFuture #NetGalley @CressidaCowell @HachetteKids
October 29, 2025
The O'Hero-Smith children make up a blended family of five siblings, who are prone to magical misadventures thanks to being in the right place at the right time and (mostly) possessing some very unusual powers.
This time, they are challenged more than ever - in a situation where one of them may be blinked out of existence due to the turning back of time, one of their strongest allies has been imprisoned by a *very* wicked witch, and they are heavily reliant on the assistant of a human toddler and a miniaturised adult, they find the area working against the clock (the Infinity Clock, that is)...
I was horrified to hear that this is the concluding part of this trilogy, because I absolutely loved reading each and every one of the books. Cressida Cowell has outdone herself with these characters and I really hope that she will reconsider her decision and write more stories about this family!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This time, they are challenged more than ever - in a situation where one of them may be blinked out of existence due to the turning back of time, one of their strongest allies has been imprisoned by a *very* wicked witch, and they are heavily reliant on the assistant of a human toddler and a miniaturised adult, they find the area working against the clock (the Infinity Clock, that is)...
I was horrified to hear that this is the concluding part of this trilogy, because I absolutely loved reading each and every one of the books. Cressida Cowell has outdone herself with these characters and I really hope that she will reconsider her decision and write more stories about this family!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 12, 2025
Thankyou to Hachettes Australia for an advance early readers copy of this great kids book.
What a way to get your imagination working for young and old.Narrated by the author posing as The Story Maker in the book (first time I've read anything done that way)
Based around a blended family with the 5 children as the main characters all learning to work together to save themselves and each other,they learn thar they each have special gifts and can do extradionary things alone and even more extradionary things together.
Alot of adventures along the way with great illustrations throughtout the book.There are 2 more stories before this book and they can be read alone.There are some sliding door moments which really do make you think.
What a way to get your imagination working for young and old.Narrated by the author posing as The Story Maker in the book (first time I've read anything done that way)
Based around a blended family with the 5 children as the main characters all learning to work together to save themselves and each other,they learn thar they each have special gifts and can do extradionary things alone and even more extradionary things together.
Alot of adventures along the way with great illustrations throughtout the book.There are 2 more stories before this book and they can be read alone.There are some sliding door moments which really do make you think.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews