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Socks & Secret Quests
Howl’s Moving Castle meets Dungeons & Dragons in this debut cozy illustrated middle grade fantasy adventure that follows an unlikely heroine who rallies a ragtag team to face a dark wizard, uncovering her own magic along the way.
Peri has been waiting for her magic to show up, but there’s been no sign of it since she was chosen as an Apprentice Shopkeeper a year ago. Now she travels with a magical shop that equips adventurers for their quests, unsure if she’ll ever do more than stock shelves, mend mittens, and knit non-magical hats that don’t do anything but keep heads warm.
Then a dark wizard kidnaps the Master Shopkeeper, intent on using her power to create an unstoppable army.
To save her master, Peri must leave the cozy shop and seek help from the closest adventuring party, who is really good at arguing and really bad at working together. As Peri’s magic unexpectedly begins to show itself in the items she’s knitting, it’s up to her and her team to stop the dark wizard before war breaks out—or it won’t be just her shop at stake but the entire kingdom.
Peri has been waiting for her magic to show up, but there’s been no sign of it since she was chosen as an Apprentice Shopkeeper a year ago. Now she travels with a magical shop that equips adventurers for their quests, unsure if she’ll ever do more than stock shelves, mend mittens, and knit non-magical hats that don’t do anything but keep heads warm.
Then a dark wizard kidnaps the Master Shopkeeper, intent on using her power to create an unstoppable army.
To save her master, Peri must leave the cozy shop and seek help from the closest adventuring party, who is really good at arguing and really bad at working together. As Peri’s magic unexpectedly begins to show itself in the items she’s knitting, it’s up to her and her team to stop the dark wizard before war breaks out—or it won’t be just her shop at stake but the entire kingdom.
- GenresFantasyMiddle Grade
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Triona Murphy
1 book3 followersTriona designs (unfortunately non-magical) knitting patterns from her home in beautiful Oregon wine country. She lives with her husband, three kids, and two very energetic young cats in a house overflowing with yarn, board games, and books.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
really fun older elementary/younger middle grade fantasy! a pleasure to read for the jaded older reader as well. No depths of numinous wonder, but lots of interesting magic and exciting adventure.
November 2, 2026
The maps and illustrations were great. The world building showed its work. I would have enjoyed this quite a bit in junior high.
October 21, 2026
With a shop, which reminds a little of Howl's Moving Castle, this is a quick-paced fantasy with characters to cheer for the entire way through.
Peri supposedly holds amazing magic inside of her. At least, that's what the trials claimed before she received her apprenticeship, but whatever super-amazing powers are there...well, she hasn't noticed them yet. Only if speed knitting counts as magic. Her apprenticeship at the magical, traveling shop is, actually, not bad. Her master is extremely kind and there is a wonderful blacksmith, who works there. The shop holds many surprises and makes unexpected jumps to new locations. Still, Peri had hoped to have a more adventurous life. When a dark wizard visits the shop and takes her master away, Peri is determined to do what she can to rescue the woman. She chases after a group of young heroes, hoping they can help, but instead of the chance to return to the shop, she's pulled into the adventure, too. Unfortunately, she's not sure how she can be of help to the small group as they go after the powerful, evil wizard, but she'll do about anything to get her master back.
Peri is a character to befriend. She's kind, thoughtful, adventurous, and brave. Plus, she knits very well, which is more of a bonus than many might think. The first chapters let the reader get to know her and the shop...and what a shop it is! It's hard not to want to visit it and travel along as it pops up here and there. This creates a warm beginning to an exciting and actio-packed adventure as Peri and her friends face one danger after the next. Each of the people in the group carry their own personalities and struggles, adding depth and several layers of subplots. Of course, their forming friendship is golden and inspires.
The tale moves along smoothly and never bores. Something is always happening whether magical, action orientated, or handling other issues. There's messages about friendship, teamwork, believing in yourself, and stepping beyond comfort zones. Then, there's the knitting, which adds a nice twist. The author also includes some basic knitting vocabulary and a project for a hat at the end. I was a little surprised that there isn't a book in the series before this one, which describes Peri's time at the apprentice trials. But on the other hand, it's also nice to skip over this more cliche trope and dig into the 'after the trials' right away.
Fantasy fans are going to want to give this one a go and want to get to know this group of adventurers. I'm not sure if another book is planned to make this into a series, but I do hope one is on its way because this group seems like they're just getting started.
Peri supposedly holds amazing magic inside of her. At least, that's what the trials claimed before she received her apprenticeship, but whatever super-amazing powers are there...well, she hasn't noticed them yet. Only if speed knitting counts as magic. Her apprenticeship at the magical, traveling shop is, actually, not bad. Her master is extremely kind and there is a wonderful blacksmith, who works there. The shop holds many surprises and makes unexpected jumps to new locations. Still, Peri had hoped to have a more adventurous life. When a dark wizard visits the shop and takes her master away, Peri is determined to do what she can to rescue the woman. She chases after a group of young heroes, hoping they can help, but instead of the chance to return to the shop, she's pulled into the adventure, too. Unfortunately, she's not sure how she can be of help to the small group as they go after the powerful, evil wizard, but she'll do about anything to get her master back.
Peri is a character to befriend. She's kind, thoughtful, adventurous, and brave. Plus, she knits very well, which is more of a bonus than many might think. The first chapters let the reader get to know her and the shop...and what a shop it is! It's hard not to want to visit it and travel along as it pops up here and there. This creates a warm beginning to an exciting and actio-packed adventure as Peri and her friends face one danger after the next. Each of the people in the group carry their own personalities and struggles, adding depth and several layers of subplots. Of course, their forming friendship is golden and inspires.
The tale moves along smoothly and never bores. Something is always happening whether magical, action orientated, or handling other issues. There's messages about friendship, teamwork, believing in yourself, and stepping beyond comfort zones. Then, there's the knitting, which adds a nice twist. The author also includes some basic knitting vocabulary and a project for a hat at the end. I was a little surprised that there isn't a book in the series before this one, which describes Peri's time at the apprentice trials. But on the other hand, it's also nice to skip over this more cliche trope and dig into the 'after the trials' right away.
Fantasy fans are going to want to give this one a go and want to get to know this group of adventurers. I'm not sure if another book is planned to make this into a series, but I do hope one is on its way because this group seems like they're just getting started.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Peri and master shopkeeper Hema live in a wandering shop that travels around the kingdom of Genta, outfitting adventurers so that they can succeed on their quests. Peri is the first person in more than thirty years to be chosen as an apprentice shopkeeper after the Stone of Power indicates that her magic lies in that path. What she truly wants, though, is to follow in her sibling's footsteps and develop magic for something extraordinary. Unfortunately, she's still waiting for her abilities to appear. So far, the only skill she's manifested is the uncanny ability to knit at a remarkable speed.
Everything changes when a dark wizard appears in the shop, abducts Hema, and plans to use her magic to equip his army and the dark creatures under his control. Terrified for Hema's safety, Peri rushes after a trio of adventures who were recently in the shop gathering supplies. She hopes they'll agree to take on a new quest, one that will rescue Hema and stop the wizard before he can put his plans into action.
Peri is deeply uncertain about what she can contribute to the adventurer's quest. Does she have shop magic or is her rapid knitting ability a form of wizard's magic? Her confidence wavers and she worries about what all of this means for her future. Being outside of the comfort of the wandering shop also presents huge challenges for her.
The trio of adventurers have their own struggles. They don't work together harmoniously, and trust is in short supply. The archer doesn't want to kill anything, the wizard can't fully control their magic, and the leader tries to manage the entire crew and quest without listening to anyone's advice or directions.
Socks & Secret Quests is packed with action and carries a delightful blend of Howl's Moving Castle and Dungeons & Dragons style fantasy. James Firnhaber's illustrations are superb and add to the story. I especially loved that Peri's magic stems from her knitting and the authors inclusion of the pattern instructions for knitting Niam's hat was a very nice touch. And really, who doesn't love a magic shop that roams around the kingdom, equipping adventures with exactly the enchanted items to suit their skills? While this could be read as a standalone, I'm hoping there will be more books in the series.
Everything changes when a dark wizard appears in the shop, abducts Hema, and plans to use her magic to equip his army and the dark creatures under his control. Terrified for Hema's safety, Peri rushes after a trio of adventures who were recently in the shop gathering supplies. She hopes they'll agree to take on a new quest, one that will rescue Hema and stop the wizard before he can put his plans into action.
Peri is deeply uncertain about what she can contribute to the adventurer's quest. Does she have shop magic or is her rapid knitting ability a form of wizard's magic? Her confidence wavers and she worries about what all of this means for her future. Being outside of the comfort of the wandering shop also presents huge challenges for her.
The trio of adventurers have their own struggles. They don't work together harmoniously, and trust is in short supply. The archer doesn't want to kill anything, the wizard can't fully control their magic, and the leader tries to manage the entire crew and quest without listening to anyone's advice or directions.
Socks & Secret Quests is packed with action and carries a delightful blend of Howl's Moving Castle and Dungeons & Dragons style fantasy. James Firnhaber's illustrations are superb and add to the story. I especially loved that Peri's magic stems from her knitting and the authors inclusion of the pattern instructions for knitting Niam's hat was a very nice touch. And really, who doesn't love a magic shop that roams around the kingdom, equipping adventures with exactly the enchanted items to suit their skills? While this could be read as a standalone, I'm hoping there will be more books in the series.
October 23, 2026
Socks & Secret Quests by Triona Murphy is about four unlikely heroes embarking on an epic quest to save their home.
Peri has been waiting for her magic to show up ever since she was chosen as an Apprentice Shopkeeper a year ago. As an Apprentice Shopkeeper, she travels with a magical shop that helps equip adventurers for their quests. Peri feels that all she will ever do is stock shelves and knit non-magical items to help keep the heroes warm during their travels.
Everything is thrown into disarray when a mysterious and powerful dark wizard kidnaps the Master Shopkeeper. He wants to use her power to create an army of dark forces. Peri is desperate to rescue her master, but first, she must find someone who can help her. She decides to ask the nearest adventuring team, which is made up of young heroes who don’t seem to know how to work together. As Peri joins them to help save her master, she realizes that her magic is starting to grow in unexpected ways. Will Peri and her team be able to stop the wizard before it’s too late?
The book was an okay read. It took me a bit of time to get into the story, and I found it hard to connect with the characters at first. I wish the author had included more worldbuilding, such as the ceremony in which Peri was chosen as an apprentice, why adventuring parties exist, and more details about the geography, politics, and history of the different countries.
The book is the first in a series and gives a hint about what might happen in the second installment. I did eventually grow to like the characters, and I would be interested in seeing where their adventures take them.
Peri has been waiting for her magic to show up ever since she was chosen as an Apprentice Shopkeeper a year ago. As an Apprentice Shopkeeper, she travels with a magical shop that helps equip adventurers for their quests. Peri feels that all she will ever do is stock shelves and knit non-magical items to help keep the heroes warm during their travels.
Everything is thrown into disarray when a mysterious and powerful dark wizard kidnaps the Master Shopkeeper. He wants to use her power to create an army of dark forces. Peri is desperate to rescue her master, but first, she must find someone who can help her. She decides to ask the nearest adventuring team, which is made up of young heroes who don’t seem to know how to work together. As Peri joins them to help save her master, she realizes that her magic is starting to grow in unexpected ways. Will Peri and her team be able to stop the wizard before it’s too late?
The book was an okay read. It took me a bit of time to get into the story, and I found it hard to connect with the characters at first. I wish the author had included more worldbuilding, such as the ceremony in which Peri was chosen as an apprentice, why adventuring parties exist, and more details about the geography, politics, and history of the different countries.
The book is the first in a series and gives a hint about what might happen in the second installment. I did eventually grow to like the characters, and I would be interested in seeing where their adventures take them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was a joy to read! It truly is a wonderful blend of Howl's Moving Castle and D&D, with the best energy and exciting aspects of both. The characters are immensely likeable (even prickly Bree!); I was eager to follow their journey and enjoyed learning about their strengths and struggles. The knitting magic is fantastic and so much fun; it was delightful to watch Peri come into her own with such a whimsical form of magic and embrace it for the benefit of the entire group. And with the cute illustrations throughout, this fast-paced, fun book will appeal to reluctant readers and anyone who's looking for a fantasy adventure story with a misfit band of unlikely heroes.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A perfect read for the crafty adventurer in your life. Meet Peri, a magical shop apprentice whose master shopkeep has been taken by an evil sorcerer in the realm. Now it is up to her and a group of adventuring heroes to uncover the secrets to this evil wizard’s plans and maybe even unlock some secrets of their own… Fun, exciting, and a great read for an intermediate reader or a read together before bed.
Review of advance copy
4.5 I listened to an audio version. So cute, sweet, cozy and fun adventure with knitting yarn, a team on a quest and overcoming difficulties and differences together. The cover was what caught my attention. As the blurb says it's a good mixture of Ghibli and an adventure RPG quest. The narrator was perfect for this one. A traveling shop, knotted socks that grant the user rest, yes please. Not hard to follow.
"Your opinions matter, don't be a mouse."
"Your opinions matter, don't be a mouse."
October 5, 2026
This book was a quick read, but an absolute delight. The conflicts were so real and so well handled, and things got wrapped up so nicely. I want to learn so much more about all of the characters. And knitting! Written by someone who obviously knows what they're talking about! So well written, too. Nothing made me stumble over an illogical plot point or typo and pull me out of the story.
November 5, 2026
A fun and entertaining adventure! It was a cute little twist with adventure team and quest!
I enjoyed how different it was! It was a good quick paced read for any middle grade lover looking for a fun adventure!
There was magic, there was mayhem, and there was friendship and self discovery along the way as well!
I enjoyed how different it was! It was a good quick paced read for any middle grade lover looking for a fun adventure!
There was magic, there was mayhem, and there was friendship and self discovery along the way as well!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this forthcoming MG adventure! This was a whirlwind adventure full of delightful characters, compelling choices, and magics large and small! I had such fun reading about Peri and her band of misfit heroes!
Review of advance copy
Arc Copy...as someone who was reading this while knitting at alternating times on the go...this is good and love to see how the yarn magic gets developed further in the series. Oh will there be animated yarn familiars like the non-magical ones I make in real life???
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An absolute delight! A moving magic shop, young heroes off on quests, dragons, ogres, and KNITTING?! So much fun!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
October 11, 2026
It's so interesting! I love the characters in the book. The story is well written.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews