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To historia o magii przygodzie i przyjazni Znajomosc dzieciecej wyobrazni i doskonaly warsztat pisarski powoduje iz autorka z niebywala latwoscia wciaga czytelnika w piekny swiat z ktorym trudno sie rozstac W tomie 1 Kanaly Wenecji skrywaja piekny sekret Jako ksiezniczka Wenecji Olivia zyje w bogactwie i zaszczytach Ale gdy poziom wody zaczyna rosnac zalewajac ulice i powodujac chaos zdaje sobie sprawe ze tylko jej magia moze zapobiec katastrofie

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2015

13 people are currently reading
265 people want to read

About the author

Holly Webb

301 books408 followers
Holly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
66 (37%)
4 stars
61 (34%)
3 stars
31 (17%)
2 stars
13 (7%)
1 star
4 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
7 reviews
January 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The way the author describes the water horses and what they are doing really puts a clear image in your head of what they look like and what it must feel like to ride on them.It is a really good book and I would definitely reccomend.
Profile Image for Cara (Wilde Book Garden).
1,318 reviews88 followers
May 13, 2020
What a pleasant surprise! I expected to like this, of course, or I wouldn't have read it, but all I knew going into this book was "Italian fantasy" and "girl makes friends with a water horse."

And this was so much more layered than that impression suggests! Also quite a bit darker in some places, which I appreciated. I mean, we start the book with our main character (a young girl named Olivia) realizing her aunt has been controlling her actions and emotions for most of her life, and Olivia is just starting to wake up. We quickly realize that things aren't quite right in Venice either: people are starving, the waters are rising, and Olivia's beloved father is ill--possibly too ill to continue casting the spells that keep the floods at bay.

The plot was interesting, the magic was fun, the atmosphere was magical and just a little sinister, and Olivia had some great character growth as she began to wake up, pay attention to the people around her, and make up for her previous apathy. The ending was a little quick, but other than that this was fantastic and I can't wait to read more from Holly Webb!
Profile Image for Neehal.
60 reviews
December 28, 2017
My 8 year old niece was reading this so I decided to check it out. A well-written imaginative story that will delight the young and young-at-heart.
4 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2022
In this book, a princess named Olivia uses magic to keep the city safe from a flood, with the help of her dad. Soon they find out that Olivia's dad doesn't have enough magic to push the waters back.
Olivia finds a water horse named Lucian who helps her save the city.

The characters were believable and quite relatable. The ending was very satisfying. The book was very fast paced. when I finished the book I didn't want to put it down.

I highly recommend this book because it is very exciting .
Profile Image for Mic Villamayor.
94 reviews
September 19, 2024
⭐⭐⭐✨

Finally got myself a copy of the first book in the Magical Venice series (I read the second book first 😅).

This book was just as magical as The Mermaid's Sister and a good read for young/pre-teen girls.

I love how the main character acts like a typical child would, yet, still aware of her responsibilities to the society and its people as a princess.

Indeed, being a princess is not all glitz and glory. But truly, being magical goes a long way in making (and fulfilling) duties interesting. 🤭
Profile Image for Góczán Judit.
328 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2019
HW állattörténeteiből már olvastam párat, ezért is érdekelt a pacis sztori, no meg Velence. A borító színvilága köszön vissza a lapokon - tiszta rózsaszín. Elég egyszerű történet, néhány fordulat, nem meglepő befejezés, elnagyolt figurák, sok sablonos ismétlés. Tini-irodalom némi családi bonyodalommal fűszerezve.
Profile Image for Zainab .
109 reviews
September 18, 2024
I did read this book when i was 9, but i didn't understand the story, so now i reread it.
This story was definitely magical and amazing, but it was quite depressing and dark too.
I didn't like the sad part, but it was still enjoyable, and I'm glad i didn't understand this book as a child because this book would've traumatized me.
Profile Image for Maleeya.
4 reviews
October 12, 2022
I started reading this book about a year and a half ago, and I stoped reading it because all is does is go on about random stuff that doesn't even make sense. And, he intro feels like it takes 100000000000 years to get through.
Profile Image for Hannah Grace.
122 reviews1 follower
January 9, 2022
Enchanting! I’m almost amazed to say it delivers on what the cover and blurb might lead you to imagine it would be. I’d recommend for young girls.
Profile Image for Róża.
63 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2023
Czytałam ją mając jakieś 12 lat i z tego co pamiętam była mega super. Bardzo polecam.
Profile Image for Jayne.
1,200 reviews11 followers
November 30, 2023
4.5 stars

Most enjoyable magical tale of a princess who must use her latent magic to save her city of Venice from flooding. The descriptions of the water horses are beautiful.
Profile Image for Melanie Pienaar .
313 reviews
March 27, 2024
EBOOK - A lovely storyabout a princess and a magical horse, although theending was a bit rushed. Ideal for ages 10 and older.
Profile Image for ★julia✿.
356 reviews2 followers
Read
July 7, 2024
jak byłam młodsza i czytałam te serię to ta chb była na 3 miejscu; zakończenie bardzo mało rozbudowane
Profile Image for k8.
45 reviews
September 16, 2025
This had better politics than I expected it to. Also those girls were gay.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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