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Rag and Boyd The Fabulous Zoo
Their mother dead, their father missing – Morag and her brother Boyd are packed off to live with Wulfric Kennetson, their parents’ childhood guardian. Uncle Wulf seems stern and strange. He’s the laird of a remote castle in the far north-west of Scotland; his family retainers are unusually short, his two huge dogs have dark green fur. There’s an enormous, mischievous cat, a tame crow called Duffy… and the animals Rag and Boyd discover in the castle’s secret backyard are even more fantastic. Beyond the ancient castle walls there’s another strange and beguiling world… There are fabulous creatures from legends, and peoples they’ve only read about in folk-tales, but in this world all of them are real… and many are far more dangerous than Rag and Boyd realise.
- GenresFantasy
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2021
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 10, 2022
This is the first in a proposed series of fantastical adventures featuring intrepid moppets Rag (short for Morag) and Boyd.
Brady launches us straight into the story with a prologue describing the torture of the children's father. Their mother has died recently so, since their father is missing, they are packed off to the wild and isolated castle of their Scottish guardian, Wulf Kennetson. Thus we have the favourite premise of writers of fantastical children's literature - innocents dumped into an alien world with little adult supervision.
It is a dark and often quirky world, imaginatively realised. Even on the car journey to the castle, a mysterious black shadow seems to be bounding across the loch beside them. Wulf's dogs are huge and have green fur and the castle is full of 'no go' areas which, of course, Rag and Boyd lose no time in exploring.
The castle turns out to be a gateway to an alternative world, filled with mythical creatures some of whom pass between the two worlds. It appears that their father is captured and held on the other side of the 'veil'. Of course Rag and Boyd hatch a bonkers plan to cross through the veil and rescue him.
This book reminded me of the classic children's literature I loved as a kid such as the Narnia stories or The Secret Garden. Like those novels, it is full of rich and often sensuous details; the traditional Scottish outfits provided for the children, the lavish descriptions of food. Also like those novels, although labelled children's literature, it could be read and enjoyed by any age group. The characters of Rag and Boyd are feisty and energetic and their grief for their mother is affecting and raises the stakes in their quest to find their father. All of which drives the narrative along at a cracking pace. There are a good range of mythical creatures popping up at regular intervals, Harry Potter style, but Brady also introduces a number of less familiar beings from Saxon and Celtic culture such as the 'Broonies' (Brownies) who staff the castle and introduce a lighter touch into the story. There are some delightful comic moments when the Broonies show themselves to be entirely out of touch with the modern world. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ditsy unicorn who is very different to previous interpretations. These lighter, quirkier moments contrast with the life or death rescue mission involving more frightening forces.
Overall, this is a richly satisfying read and I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Brady launches us straight into the story with a prologue describing the torture of the children's father. Their mother has died recently so, since their father is missing, they are packed off to the wild and isolated castle of their Scottish guardian, Wulf Kennetson. Thus we have the favourite premise of writers of fantastical children's literature - innocents dumped into an alien world with little adult supervision.
It is a dark and often quirky world, imaginatively realised. Even on the car journey to the castle, a mysterious black shadow seems to be bounding across the loch beside them. Wulf's dogs are huge and have green fur and the castle is full of 'no go' areas which, of course, Rag and Boyd lose no time in exploring.
The castle turns out to be a gateway to an alternative world, filled with mythical creatures some of whom pass between the two worlds. It appears that their father is captured and held on the other side of the 'veil'. Of course Rag and Boyd hatch a bonkers plan to cross through the veil and rescue him.
This book reminded me of the classic children's literature I loved as a kid such as the Narnia stories or The Secret Garden. Like those novels, it is full of rich and often sensuous details; the traditional Scottish outfits provided for the children, the lavish descriptions of food. Also like those novels, although labelled children's literature, it could be read and enjoyed by any age group. The characters of Rag and Boyd are feisty and energetic and their grief for their mother is affecting and raises the stakes in their quest to find their father. All of which drives the narrative along at a cracking pace. There are a good range of mythical creatures popping up at regular intervals, Harry Potter style, but Brady also introduces a number of less familiar beings from Saxon and Celtic culture such as the 'Broonies' (Brownies) who staff the castle and introduce a lighter touch into the story. There are some delightful comic moments when the Broonies show themselves to be entirely out of touch with the modern world. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ditsy unicorn who is very different to previous interpretations. These lighter, quirkier moments contrast with the life or death rescue mission involving more frightening forces.
Overall, this is a richly satisfying read and I am looking forward to the next instalment.
January 16, 2022
What a good read. The story begins with two young people in their early teens whose lives have been totally turned upside down by the short illness and death of their mother, and the non-return of their father from a business trip, having to set off on a journey to somewhere they have never been, as their mother left instructions for them to be cared for by someone they had never even heard of... And who are desperate, not surprisingly, to find out what happened to their father.
I really liked Rag and Boyd, they are very real young people. Actually they reminded me so much of a pair in our family, just a little younger; the tidier, more serious 'I am almost a grown up' brother and the more chaotic, untidy, younger sister. I could, absolutely, picture Rag's bedroom :)
The descriptions of the Scottish Highlands felt absolutely right - and I am not surprised to think a keep there might be a gateway to somewhere... else. There is a really interesting cast of characters, but not too many to keep track of at all, the story held my attention s it unfolded, and there definitely a lot of scope for more stories in this wonderfully detailed world.
Also - kudos for including a buggane!!
I really liked Rag and Boyd, they are very real young people. Actually they reminded me so much of a pair in our family, just a little younger; the tidier, more serious 'I am almost a grown up' brother and the more chaotic, untidy, younger sister. I could, absolutely, picture Rag's bedroom :)
The descriptions of the Scottish Highlands felt absolutely right - and I am not surprised to think a keep there might be a gateway to somewhere... else. There is a really interesting cast of characters, but not too many to keep track of at all, the story held my attention s it unfolded, and there definitely a lot of scope for more stories in this wonderfully detailed world.
Also - kudos for including a buggane!!
February 9, 2022
4.5 stars. This was described to me as “Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings, meets Rivers of London” and that’s a great description!
Aimed at young adults, this is an accomplished debut novel. Following teenagers Morag and Boyd as they discover a world of magical creatures, this book is grounded by some big the sets - family, loss, and what you see is not always what you get.
Looking forward to the next instalment!
Aimed at young adults, this is an accomplished debut novel. Following teenagers Morag and Boyd as they discover a world of magical creatures, this book is grounded by some big the sets - family, loss, and what you see is not always what you get.
Looking forward to the next instalment!
January 9, 2022
It is terrific. I will have to return and write a decent comment. I love the characters and the juggling of folklore and myth. I absolutely adore the descriptive detail, inside and out, characters, settings, architecture, geography and nature. It's lovely. More to come! Congratulations!
April 11, 2022
Helen Brady's book appears full of promise. It has a terrific cover design, although 'zoo' is not quite appropriate here (the zoo in question is actually a creature rescue) and maybe to some, not PC these days, either. However, the story opens with a scene from what could be a medieval torture chamber, with a hapless prisoner being interrogated by some pretty ruthless, and unidentified, captors.
Presumed orphans, Morag (Rag) and her brother, Boyd, are whisked off to the highlands of Scotland to live with their 'uncle' Wulf, with the promise of a safe, comfortable living and home schooling.
We don't actually get to that. Boyd and Morag spend most of the time bickering and demanding answers about their missing father. Disobedient to Wulf's instructions, they discover a way into an alternative world inhabited by extraordinary and magical creatures. Their father and mother had apparently been involved in searching out injured animals for Wulf's 'rescue' and healing.
Impatient, the two set off to look for their father themselves and as expected, get into serious problems, not to mention hopelessly lost.
Here the main thrust of the story fades into a kind of catalogue of information about the various creatures that inhabit this other world, given by Buggane - a friendly character (a bull in his other persona) who looks after the two. Hard to call them children as they are 13 and 15 respectively, although Rag behaves more like an eight-year-old. So, while the three chat around Buggane's campfire, Wulf and his friend, Muirdoch (a Sea Horse) go off and rescue the prisoner mentioned in the intro, which we now realise is the missing father.
What should have been an exciting, rescue adventure and perhaps nail-biting friction between rival elfish people (yes, Wulf is one), is completely dashed when Wulf and Muirdoch return the next morning - injured - carrying Lachlan between them. Mission complete. Morag and Boyd have had nothing to do with it, and the reader has been denied joining in as well.
I don't like to disparage a first novel, but I think Helen Brady could have done with better editorial help, both in the writing (there are one or two errors that have slipped through copyedit) and the story and character building. In particular the appalling ending. There are to be more Rag and Boyd adventures promised, but since the pair aren't very endearing - or even sensible - it's hard to see this happening successfully.
Presumed orphans, Morag (Rag) and her brother, Boyd, are whisked off to the highlands of Scotland to live with their 'uncle' Wulf, with the promise of a safe, comfortable living and home schooling.
We don't actually get to that. Boyd and Morag spend most of the time bickering and demanding answers about their missing father. Disobedient to Wulf's instructions, they discover a way into an alternative world inhabited by extraordinary and magical creatures. Their father and mother had apparently been involved in searching out injured animals for Wulf's 'rescue' and healing.
Impatient, the two set off to look for their father themselves and as expected, get into serious problems, not to mention hopelessly lost.
Here the main thrust of the story fades into a kind of catalogue of information about the various creatures that inhabit this other world, given by Buggane - a friendly character (a bull in his other persona) who looks after the two. Hard to call them children as they are 13 and 15 respectively, although Rag behaves more like an eight-year-old. So, while the three chat around Buggane's campfire, Wulf and his friend, Muirdoch (a Sea Horse) go off and rescue the prisoner mentioned in the intro, which we now realise is the missing father.
What should have been an exciting, rescue adventure and perhaps nail-biting friction between rival elfish people (yes, Wulf is one), is completely dashed when Wulf and Muirdoch return the next morning - injured - carrying Lachlan between them. Mission complete. Morag and Boyd have had nothing to do with it, and the reader has been denied joining in as well.
I don't like to disparage a first novel, but I think Helen Brady could have done with better editorial help, both in the writing (there are one or two errors that have slipped through copyedit) and the story and character building. In particular the appalling ending. There are to be more Rag and Boyd adventures promised, but since the pair aren't very endearing - or even sensible - it's hard to see this happening successfully.
February 17, 2022
This has echoes of many classic books - Linnets and Valerians, several of the E Nesbits, even Mary Poppins - while being completely its own self. Its worldbuilding is very solid - I believe in this world and want to visit it again. I also so want a pukis. There is a great mix of magical creatures or even just plain unusual creatures.
I liked both Boyd and Rag (short for Morag), which is a little unusual as often writers lean too heavily on one character as the 'good' character. Their strength lies in them being quite different but also very believable. I thought the sibling relationship was very well done. They clearly love each other, even like each other, but also fond things about the other annoying.
Being me I am much more interested in the people and the animals than in the plot - but there is plenty of it. Helen has managed to reveal enough that you don't feel frustrated (Okay, I am a fussy reader.) while leaving you wanting to know more - I'd be happy if there were a lot of books set in this universe.
I liked both Boyd and Rag (short for Morag), which is a little unusual as often writers lean too heavily on one character as the 'good' character. Their strength lies in them being quite different but also very believable. I thought the sibling relationship was very well done. They clearly love each other, even like each other, but also fond things about the other annoying.
Being me I am much more interested in the people and the animals than in the plot - but there is plenty of it. Helen has managed to reveal enough that you don't feel frustrated (Okay, I am a fussy reader.) while leaving you wanting to know more - I'd be happy if there were a lot of books set in this universe.
March 10, 2022
An amazing debut novel that I can safely say I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
This is a fantasy novel set in Scotland. A mother has died, leaving her 2 children Rag and Boyd behind. Their not sure where their father is.
So their sent to live with their Uncle who lives in a Castle in Scotland. Their sibling relationship is relatable and believable. They experience peculiar things in their new home and even the workers are strange looking and out of touch about the modern world, this was a funny part. They have so many questions about their parents, and they want answers. However, they discover a Secret World abit like the Secret Garden and they meet the most amazing magical creatures. All myths are real in this other world. I love all the characters, their all likable and I can vision what they look like, the descriptions are brilliantly written. This is a warm book to cosy up to, where you will laugh and adore the tale. I can see this book adapted into a movie.
This is a fantasy novel set in Scotland. A mother has died, leaving her 2 children Rag and Boyd behind. Their not sure where their father is.
So their sent to live with their Uncle who lives in a Castle in Scotland. Their sibling relationship is relatable and believable. They experience peculiar things in their new home and even the workers are strange looking and out of touch about the modern world, this was a funny part. They have so many questions about their parents, and they want answers. However, they discover a Secret World abit like the Secret Garden and they meet the most amazing magical creatures. All myths are real in this other world. I love all the characters, their all likable and I can vision what they look like, the descriptions are brilliantly written. This is a warm book to cosy up to, where you will laugh and adore the tale. I can see this book adapted into a movie.
September 10, 2025
This story is everything I hope for in a middle-grade fantasy richly atmospheric, brimming with folklore, and layered with both wonder and danger.
Morag Rag and Boyd’s journey to their Uncle Wulf’s remote Scottish castle feels like stepping into a place where the veil between the real and the mythical is paper-thin. From the green-furred hounds to the mischievous cat and the secret backyard teeming with fantastical creatures, every page pulses with discovery. The author does a wonderful job of blending the everyday siblings coping with grief and change with the extraordinary folk-tale beings made flesh, creating a world that feels magical yet grounded.
It has shades of Susan Cooper and Alan Garner with that same haunting, folkloric quality but its charm is very much its own. Readers who love mysterious castles, eccentric guardians, and the sense that danger lurks just beyond the walls will find this absolutely captivating.
Morag Rag and Boyd’s journey to their Uncle Wulf’s remote Scottish castle feels like stepping into a place where the veil between the real and the mythical is paper-thin. From the green-furred hounds to the mischievous cat and the secret backyard teeming with fantastical creatures, every page pulses with discovery. The author does a wonderful job of blending the everyday siblings coping with grief and change with the extraordinary folk-tale beings made flesh, creating a world that feels magical yet grounded.
It has shades of Susan Cooper and Alan Garner with that same haunting, folkloric quality but its charm is very much its own. Readers who love mysterious castles, eccentric guardians, and the sense that danger lurks just beyond the walls will find this absolutely captivating.
January 4, 2022
A dazzling portal fantasy from debut author Helen L. Brady. The plot is familiar - youngsters must brave the portal to rescue a missing parent - but what elevates this is the delightful cast of characters and creatures, vividly realized with marvelous descriptive prose. I was delighted to find that my library had this available through Hoopla! I'm very much looking forward to the sequel.
December 8, 2023
Only problem I had with this book was: I couldn't stop reading it. I think this book has very nice story, it is easy to read, it is very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews