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Magpie Girl
"I loved losing myself in this beautifully realised, enchanting world!" Sophie Anderson
Beware the firebird who grants wishes...they come at a terrible price.
Lavender Wild is a magpie girl - she grows feathers, talks to birds and has a talent for finding lost things. But stuck in her tiny village, she wishes for freedom.
So when her ex-friend Kit realizes his dad has gone missing on the deadly firebird's mountain, Lavender seizes the chance to set out with him on a rescue mission.
Faced with earthquakes, daemons and witches, Lavender and Kit must rebuild their friendship to survive. Because the firebird is rising, and only they can save everyone from its flames.
Discover a stunning new voice filled with magic and wonder, for fans of Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
Beware the firebird who grants wishes...they come at a terrible price.
Lavender Wild is a magpie girl - she grows feathers, talks to birds and has a talent for finding lost things. But stuck in her tiny village, she wishes for freedom.
So when her ex-friend Kit realizes his dad has gone missing on the deadly firebird's mountain, Lavender seizes the chance to set out with him on a rescue mission.
Faced with earthquakes, daemons and witches, Lavender and Kit must rebuild their friendship to survive. Because the firebird is rising, and only they can save everyone from its flames.
Discover a stunning new voice filled with magic and wonder, for fans of Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
Paperback
Published January 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 12, 2025
This story was so cute!
In this book we follow Lavender who has a peculiar talent of being able to talk to birds. As a child she was lost and found by Mother Nest, but unlike the other kids she came back with some abilities that make her part bird part girl. One day as a threat start attacking the village she and her old best friend Kit embark on a journey to save Kit’s farther and their town.
This story was so gripping and fun to read, I couldn’t stop reading it! The two main characters were so cute and well written. I loved their bond and how understanding they were of each other. The plot was fun and well paced. Overall a solid read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this book we follow Lavender who has a peculiar talent of being able to talk to birds. As a child she was lost and found by Mother Nest, but unlike the other kids she came back with some abilities that make her part bird part girl. One day as a threat start attacking the village she and her old best friend Kit embark on a journey to save Kit’s farther and their town.
This story was so gripping and fun to read, I couldn’t stop reading it! The two main characters were so cute and well written. I loved their bond and how understanding they were of each other. The plot was fun and well paced. Overall a solid read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2026
Absolutely loved this book and read it all in one sitting! The characters were enjoyable to spend an adventure with, the world was interesting and drew from various folklore myths, and the overall themes of found-family, home, freedom, and following your dreams are perfect for a middle grade book.
Great for years 5-9 (age 9-14) but I'm 27 and also loved it.
Great for years 5-9 (age 9-14) but I'm 27 and also loved it.
November 12, 2025
A spellbinding tale that will take your breath away!
Having been found by Mother Nature when she went missing five years ago, Lavender is now safely back at home in Maidswell. Unlike the other lost children who were found, Lavender can talk to birds, and she still has feathers from when she was a magpie – perhaps because she was missing for the longest. She hides these feathers and often plucks them, but they always grow back whenever she has a flying dream… though she’s convinced there’s more to these dreams than meets the eye.
Now that she’s home, Lavender’s memories of her time away are patchy, whereas during her months with Mother Nature, she lost all memory of her village. And try as she might, she can’t figure out why Kit, the son of Lord Noble, is frosty towards her these days, when the pair of them used to be inseparable.
Lavender has always dreamed of adventure. She longs to once again feel the freedom she felt as a magpie. So, when Lord Noble prepares to head off on his annual pilgrimage to deliver water from the Maiden’s Well to Firebird Mountain, Lavender begs him to take her with him. But her papa is not an adventurous man. Fearful of losing Lavender all over again, he forbids her from acting on her wanderlust.
When an earthquake shakes the village to the core and puts Lord Noble’s life at risk, Kit sets off on a mission to rescue his father, leaving Lavender determined to tag along… against her papa’s wishes. Having seen Lord Noble in one of her flying dreams, she finally manages to persuade Kit to let her accompany him. After all, like a magpie, she has a knack for finding things.
As the youngsters set off on their quest to find Lord Noble, Lavender starts to piece together some of her missing memories and realises the impact her actions have had on Kit and his family. She also learns more about the secrets behind the legend of the Firebird who resides in the mountain they’re traversing.
Once a witches familiar, a wren named Kingly gained magical powers that enabled him to grant wishes, earning him the title of the Wishbird. But after his untimely end, he became a deity known as the Firebird, swearing vengeance on those who had wronged him… by granting wishes at a terrible price.
This story is brimming with magical and mythical elements that are introduced in such a way as to make them all seem utterly believable. It’s so beautifully written that you feel whisked into Lavender’s world right from the off and never want to leave. There’s a fantastical cast of characters, including the Spirit-Hunters, the Nightmare, and the adorable Blue – who always talks in rhyming riddles. And the switch in dynamic between Kit and Lavender as they begin to get close again is wonderful to witness.
I raced through this book in no time, unable to put it down. The story itself is simply breathtaking, and it carries some beautiful hidden messages – for instance, it’s not selfish to want to spread your wings and fly.
I’d thoroughly recommend this book to any middle-grade reader who loves something totally immersive. The pacing is perfect, the plotline is brilliant, and the imagery is out of this world!
Having been found by Mother Nature when she went missing five years ago, Lavender is now safely back at home in Maidswell. Unlike the other lost children who were found, Lavender can talk to birds, and she still has feathers from when she was a magpie – perhaps because she was missing for the longest. She hides these feathers and often plucks them, but they always grow back whenever she has a flying dream… though she’s convinced there’s more to these dreams than meets the eye.
Now that she’s home, Lavender’s memories of her time away are patchy, whereas during her months with Mother Nature, she lost all memory of her village. And try as she might, she can’t figure out why Kit, the son of Lord Noble, is frosty towards her these days, when the pair of them used to be inseparable.
Lavender has always dreamed of adventure. She longs to once again feel the freedom she felt as a magpie. So, when Lord Noble prepares to head off on his annual pilgrimage to deliver water from the Maiden’s Well to Firebird Mountain, Lavender begs him to take her with him. But her papa is not an adventurous man. Fearful of losing Lavender all over again, he forbids her from acting on her wanderlust.
When an earthquake shakes the village to the core and puts Lord Noble’s life at risk, Kit sets off on a mission to rescue his father, leaving Lavender determined to tag along… against her papa’s wishes. Having seen Lord Noble in one of her flying dreams, she finally manages to persuade Kit to let her accompany him. After all, like a magpie, she has a knack for finding things.
As the youngsters set off on their quest to find Lord Noble, Lavender starts to piece together some of her missing memories and realises the impact her actions have had on Kit and his family. She also learns more about the secrets behind the legend of the Firebird who resides in the mountain they’re traversing.
Once a witches familiar, a wren named Kingly gained magical powers that enabled him to grant wishes, earning him the title of the Wishbird. But after his untimely end, he became a deity known as the Firebird, swearing vengeance on those who had wronged him… by granting wishes at a terrible price.
This story is brimming with magical and mythical elements that are introduced in such a way as to make them all seem utterly believable. It’s so beautifully written that you feel whisked into Lavender’s world right from the off and never want to leave. There’s a fantastical cast of characters, including the Spirit-Hunters, the Nightmare, and the adorable Blue – who always talks in rhyming riddles. And the switch in dynamic between Kit and Lavender as they begin to get close again is wonderful to witness.
I raced through this book in no time, unable to put it down. The story itself is simply breathtaking, and it carries some beautiful hidden messages – for instance, it’s not selfish to want to spread your wings and fly.
I’d thoroughly recommend this book to any middle-grade reader who loves something totally immersive. The pacing is perfect, the plotline is brilliant, and the imagery is out of this world!
February 15, 2026
A distinctive junior fantasy, albeit one where the first third is both setting the world up and trying to pretend it's not bleedin' obvious what must happen in the rest of the plot. Earlier in her childhood, Lavender went missing for a spell, ending up with some kind of witch who turned children into magpies. Somehow Lavender escaped, and was left in a halfway house – she has feathers, can talk to the birds, and can find things much like a magpie might hunt for shiny items. Oh, and she has itchy feet – an urge to escape the village that her over-protective father struggles to repress. But when the local lord of the manor is off on his annual pilgrimage to the top of the local volcano, to throw charmed water towards the home of the local firebird there, tragedy happens. And Lavender, as we knew long before some of this had played out, will be the only one to have the magic to save the day…
And then what happens is a lot of our expectations get turned on their head. For the middle third at least, if not some of what follows that, this has a very different flavour to what we would have been thinking to get. This still isn't a straight sequel to this author's debut (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) but a lot of work is done to put this in the same world, and whether it's because my expectations were dashed so well, or because this does labour to be a return to Book One's mythology, I found this a touch disappointing.
It's not a complete failure, mind – the quest narrative is still there, even if a lot seems an unnecessary diversion along the way. And this would probably be fine for the intended reader – I'm forty years older than those – who doesn't manage to second-guess everything so ineptly. But this certainly seemed worth a hefty edit, and the 'bickering-until-they-or-we-realise-they're-in-love' nature of Lavender and Kit is laid on a lot too thickly. With that in mind, this does go down as a step down from the very notable series opener – not too much I'd never think to look for Book Three, but certainly in a way that would make me hesitate to enthuse about it. Three and a half stars.
And then what happens is a lot of our expectations get turned on their head. For the middle third at least, if not some of what follows that, this has a very different flavour to what we would have been thinking to get. This still isn't a straight sequel to this author's debut (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) but a lot of work is done to put this in the same world, and whether it's because my expectations were dashed so well, or because this does labour to be a return to Book One's mythology, I found this a touch disappointing.
It's not a complete failure, mind – the quest narrative is still there, even if a lot seems an unnecessary diversion along the way. And this would probably be fine for the intended reader – I'm forty years older than those – who doesn't manage to second-guess everything so ineptly. But this certainly seemed worth a hefty edit, and the 'bickering-until-they-or-we-realise-they're-in-love' nature of Lavender and Kit is laid on a lot too thickly. With that in mind, this does go down as a step down from the very notable series opener – not too much I'd never think to look for Book Three, but certainly in a way that would make me hesitate to enthuse about it. Three and a half stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was desperate for an Anise Star (Heartseer) sequel but this was fabulous. Thanks to Usborne for the copy.
Lavender Wild was one of Mother Nest's lost children in Heartseer - a child who hadn't turned into a magpie despite the amount of time she had been there. She went home to her father in Maidswell. But she wasn't all girl or all magpie - she was both - feathers grew on her arms. She can also hear understand what the birds are saying - all of them.
Her best friend was Kit Noble - or at least he had been - she didn't really know what had happened to spoil their friendship - she could remember nothing of teh day she went missing. She knew Kit's father had spent many days with other villagers looking for her.
Lord Noble and his wife were expecting another child, so Lord Noble was going on his family's annual pilgrimage to take the water from Maiden's Well in the village to the volcano in the hope of keeping the firebird safely quiet within the mountain.
But the chickens are unhappy - they won't leave their coops. They say there is danger.
And there is an earthquake. The village suffers a lot of damage. Many people travel through the village from other places that have sustained much damage. Master Suite who was with Lord Noble returns to the village but he has no idea where Lord Noble is. Lavender however sees Lord Noble in a dream - or is it a dream - she has his cufflink in her hand. She goes to tell Kit, he's already planning to go find his father. Lavender gives him the cufflink and says she is going to. She leaves without telling her father.
They are helped and hindered along the route. Kit is stunned by the people they meet and Lavender's bravery and certainty in the face of danger. But has the final wish required by the Firebird to escape the volcano already been made?
Loved it. More please!
Out 1st January
Lavender Wild was one of Mother Nest's lost children in Heartseer - a child who hadn't turned into a magpie despite the amount of time she had been there. She went home to her father in Maidswell. But she wasn't all girl or all magpie - she was both - feathers grew on her arms. She can also hear understand what the birds are saying - all of them.
Her best friend was Kit Noble - or at least he had been - she didn't really know what had happened to spoil their friendship - she could remember nothing of teh day she went missing. She knew Kit's father had spent many days with other villagers looking for her.
Lord Noble and his wife were expecting another child, so Lord Noble was going on his family's annual pilgrimage to take the water from Maiden's Well in the village to the volcano in the hope of keeping the firebird safely quiet within the mountain.
But the chickens are unhappy - they won't leave their coops. They say there is danger.
And there is an earthquake. The village suffers a lot of damage. Many people travel through the village from other places that have sustained much damage. Master Suite who was with Lord Noble returns to the village but he has no idea where Lord Noble is. Lavender however sees Lord Noble in a dream - or is it a dream - she has his cufflink in her hand. She goes to tell Kit, he's already planning to go find his father. Lavender gives him the cufflink and says she is going to. She leaves without telling her father.
They are helped and hindered along the route. Kit is stunned by the people they meet and Lavender's bravery and certainty in the face of danger. But has the final wish required by the Firebird to escape the volcano already been made?
Loved it. More please!
Out 1st January
January 4, 2026
Magpie Girl is an utterly enchanting story, a story of belief and connection, of family and friendship, that completely captured me and swept me into the most magical adventure.
Thirteen-year-old Lavender Wild, the magpie girl, talks to birds, has a talent for finding lost things and even grows magpie feathers and has flying dreams as she sleeps. Whilst Lavender longs for adventure beyond her village of Maidswell, her father is reluctant to let her out of his sight as she had gone missing for four months five years before. So it is that Lavender finds herself accompanying her father to the home of Lord and Lady Noble to make a delivery, hoping to avoid a meeting with their son, Kit, who had been her best friend before she disappeared but who now seems to despise her even though she does not understand the cause for his dislike.
But when an earthquake occurs and Kit’s father goes missing on his annual pilgrimage to the Cries, a dormant volcano in the Ironridge Mountains, these two former friends find themselves setting out together on a perilous rescue mission. And so begins a truly magical adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed these two courageous and determined children on their dangerous, heart-pounding quest. A quest where family secrets are revealed, where a fractured friendship begins to heal and where a fabled firebird rises … Can these two work together to defeat the firebird before their village faces its flames?
I love stories which are inspired by folklore and mythology and these are seamlessly woven into this magical adventure as Lavender and Kit meet deities, daemons and witches as well as the firebird, some of whom prove allies but others frightening foes, one in particular that sent a shiver down my spine. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I really enjoyed discovering the breath-taking connections within the story as well as the re-connections that are made.
This captivating adventure is set in the same world as the spellbinding Heartseer, with some familiar characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone although I have no doubt readers who have not already read Heartseer will want to seek it out after reading this story.
I absolutely adored both Lavender and Kit and loved following them, not only on their quest to save Kit’s father, but also on their journey towards self-belief and re-connection as their friendship heals and trust returns. Whilst Kit is cautious and careful, Lavender is torn between her happiness to have returned home and her longing for adventure. Their quest proves transformational for both, bringing hope of new beginnings, freedom to be themselves and an inner strength gained from being true to themselves.
The full-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the magic, warmth and adventure perfectly.
A mesmerising, magical adventure, glowing with the warmth of family and friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.
Thirteen-year-old Lavender Wild, the magpie girl, talks to birds, has a talent for finding lost things and even grows magpie feathers and has flying dreams as she sleeps. Whilst Lavender longs for adventure beyond her village of Maidswell, her father is reluctant to let her out of his sight as she had gone missing for four months five years before. So it is that Lavender finds herself accompanying her father to the home of Lord and Lady Noble to make a delivery, hoping to avoid a meeting with their son, Kit, who had been her best friend before she disappeared but who now seems to despise her even though she does not understand the cause for his dislike.
But when an earthquake occurs and Kit’s father goes missing on his annual pilgrimage to the Cries, a dormant volcano in the Ironridge Mountains, these two former friends find themselves setting out together on a perilous rescue mission. And so begins a truly magical adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat as I followed these two courageous and determined children on their dangerous, heart-pounding quest. A quest where family secrets are revealed, where a fractured friendship begins to heal and where a fabled firebird rises … Can these two work together to defeat the firebird before their village faces its flames?
I love stories which are inspired by folklore and mythology and these are seamlessly woven into this magical adventure as Lavender and Kit meet deities, daemons and witches as well as the firebird, some of whom prove allies but others frightening foes, one in particular that sent a shiver down my spine. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but I really enjoyed discovering the breath-taking connections within the story as well as the re-connections that are made.
This captivating adventure is set in the same world as the spellbinding Heartseer, with some familiar characters, but can easily be read as a stand-alone although I have no doubt readers who have not already read Heartseer will want to seek it out after reading this story.
I absolutely adored both Lavender and Kit and loved following them, not only on their quest to save Kit’s father, but also on their journey towards self-belief and re-connection as their friendship heals and trust returns. Whilst Kit is cautious and careful, Lavender is torn between her happiness to have returned home and her longing for adventure. Their quest proves transformational for both, bringing hope of new beginnings, freedom to be themselves and an inner strength gained from being true to themselves.
The full-page illustrations are absolutely stunning and capture the magic, warmth and adventure perfectly.
A mesmerising, magical adventure, glowing with the warmth of family and friendship, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.
February 7, 2026
A magical, gorgeous adventure with a main character you can't help but root for.
Magpie Girl follows Lavender, a young girl with insatiable wanderlust, got lost as a child, and came back with no memories of the four months she was gone, but has been growing magpie feathers ever since. When her friend Kit's father gets trapped in the mountains, she drags her unwilling friend on an adventure to rescue him. But there are far more magical powers involved than the pair could ever anticipate, and Lavender must confront her missing past to save everyone.
I loved this, it really was a perfect middle grade fantasy adventure story, and I especially liked the context at the end, where we learned about the real inspirations of the magical creatures that appeared in the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
Magpie Girl follows Lavender, a young girl with insatiable wanderlust, got lost as a child, and came back with no memories of the four months she was gone, but has been growing magpie feathers ever since. When her friend Kit's father gets trapped in the mountains, she drags her unwilling friend on an adventure to rescue him. But there are far more magical powers involved than the pair could ever anticipate, and Lavender must confront her missing past to save everyone.
I loved this, it really was a perfect middle grade fantasy adventure story, and I especially liked the context at the end, where we learned about the real inspirations of the magical creatures that appeared in the book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
May 17, 2026
My real rating for this book is 4.5. It was very descriptive and the characters were very well sculpted. But, it only had around 2 real cliffhangers, and some sentences didn't make any sense. It would better suite younger audiences in my opinion (Age 8-12). The story was very much of a rollercoaster. The only thing that would have made it better, is if they got a better editor, and made some parts a little more exciting.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews