Orla and the Wild Hunt

by Anna Hoghton

 

A stunningly original adventure from the acclaimed author of The Mask of Aribella, Anna Hoghton.  'The story moves at a great pace and the author depicts the loss and anger of grief in an accessible way for readers.' THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN

Orla and her brother go to stay with their gran in Ireland.

Grieving the death of their mum, the children revel in the comfort of their grandmother's house and her magical storytelling. But soon after they arrive, Gran vanishes.

Helped by a local boy – and a peculiar creature found in the garden shed – they set out to find her. Shadowed by a shape-shifting darkness known as the Wild Hunt, the children – and especially Orla – must put their sadness behind them if they're to rescue their beloved gran ...

The second novel by mesmerising middle-grade writer, Anna Hoghton, author of magical Venetian adventure The Mask of Aribella The novel follows two siblings in a quest to overcome their grief and find their missing gran – a tale brimming with peril, warmth and hope Incorporates real Irish mythology and folklore

Genres: Middle Grade, Grief

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 7, 2022

Reviews

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Anna Hoghton 1st book, & I was so excited when I saw she had another book coming out. I wasn't disappointed either, this was phenomenal! I might have enjoyed this even more that her 1st book! Orla & her brother go to stay with their gran in Ireland. Grieving the death of their mum, the children revel in the comfort of their grandmother's house & her magical storytelling. But soon after they arrive, Gran vanishes. Helped by a local boy - & a peculiar creature found in the garden shed - they set out to find her. Shadowed by a shape-shifting darkness known as the Wild Hunt, the children - & especially Orla - must put their sadness behind them if they're to rescue their beloved gran...I didn't like Orla for the 1st 1/4-1/2 of the book. But I UNDERSTOOD her. I've been her, & you're not likable when you're in that part of grief. You don't even like yourself. I saw so much of how I myself have acted in Orla's character. She is ANGRY. So even though what happens to Gran is horrible, the journey they go on to save her, actually becomes such a great healing process for her, as well as for her little brother Apollo. I loved the Irish folklore vibes of this, it's so rich with the magic of it all. The friends they make & have with them on their journey are the absolute best-Fionn, Conor, & Pooka. The backstory of each of their new companions were all so intriguing & imaginative. Because of the magical, vivid writing, this is such an atmospheric imaginative read. Especially added in all the incredible details-like Giants, the Fae, the Wild Hunt, the pooka, water sprites, the Sunken City, merrows, & more. This is full of magic, folklore, adventure, danger, suspense, atmosphere, imagination, & heart. Great themes of loss & grief, family, friendship, trust, bravery, hope, & healing. HIGHLY recommend.
BEAUTIFUL cover by David Dean oo.💜

[Georgia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually buy kids' books without a recommendation first, but I wanted to introduce my niece to fairytales from another country - and the *beautiful* cover of this book leapt out at me.

I read it to her, then immediately went and bought two more - one for me, and one for another parent. It's really very good indeed.
The magical thing about great children's writing, I think, is that the best authors tell you a story without involving their ego or over-intellectualised twiddling. The hard work they put in is done before the words are on the page - that is, in the editing, and research. Ultimately, there is discipline in what they leave out.

This is a fantastic and accessible story about adventure and magic, but it's also about the kind of love, courage and acceptance needed to live with grief. And, it's all shot through with wit.

That's a lesson we could all be taught early; life is often so hard, after all. Of course, good fairytales have always had a subtle life lesson at their core. Hidden treasure. Not so much nowadays; it's either a lesson in morality hefted along without subtlety, or forgettable saccharine sweetness without an edge. Not so here, this is very well thought out, and the characters can easily become real in your mind. There is also homage to Irish folklore here too - something we don't hear enough of in the UK.

[Marilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

From having already loved The Mask of Aribella, I knew I would love this book also from the same author. Although Anna Hoghton went above and beyond for Orla and the Wild Hunt.Even if this book is more targeted for children, I really really loved it as a 30 year old. The author truly has the power to make you part of the story and transport you to the magical worlds she creates. There is a great creativity used to describe scenarios which have been a wonderful form of escapism after a long work day. As well as a stunning and poetic journey, this book has been, it also has philosophical lessons on life experiences. I loved how the author is real about life's challenges whilst giving the reader hope. Even if the story is magical and wonderful, the message and values are true to life, relatable. They reminds us all that there is no magic cure to make pain go away, but with love, support and acceptance, we can do anything. The empowering story is also brilliant to carry on the legacy of storytelling in a modern way, keeping age old stories and tales alive through the generations. I cannot recommend enough, I am already looking forward to the next book!

[Catherine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this - couldn't put it down - the author commented how fast read it ! I was sent a copy because I'm pretty immersive when it comes to projects - google 'raggyrat pooka' if you are curious - but also i like to make time to read and i was able to reccomend this exciting story to my teens. and I had to wait for it to apear here, on Goodreads!

the vibe was very Song of The Sea I kept seeing it as a charming movie/cartoon too!

Couldn't guess how the story would resolve itself - so i keep reading, while standing cooking or brewing my tea. I guessed something about one of the characters, but no spoilers from me! and if you get to meet the author and the pooka for a reading you are in for a treat!

love this so much x

[Joanna Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adventurous yet comforting read is brimming with tales of giants, fairies, enchanted forests and of course the mysterious pooka. The writing was so rich I was instantly transported to the warmth of Granny Ireland’s kitchen and or under the spotted handkerchief of a giant, snuggled up inside a sock sleeping bag.

This book may be written with young adults in mind, but I absolutely adored it as a 31 year old. I laughed out loud at times (it involved purring - you’ll know when you get there) and couldn’t help tearing up at the end. Sheer, joyful escapism and exactly what we all need. Onto the Mask of Aribella next!

[Emm Woodworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Orla is a very real character with grief, which can be difficult as she's kind of a jerk, but you feel somewhat sorry for her and can understand why she's like that. All the other characters are great as well and everyone feels quite complex. The story is nicely paced with a lot of good folklore throughout. And the very important message about being a good person to others. Anna Hoghton's writing style is great and I would happily read more from her

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The plot is beautifully interwoven with magical creatures from Irish folklore, and it approaches one of its major themes, grief, in a way that is both complex and accessible to children of all ages. It really is a book to get lost in and escape from the everydays of this world. Going to get my hands on some more copies to spread the joy!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Orla’s journey and her travels through magic, friendship and grief. The wild and magical creatures she encounters are beautifully drawn and Anna’s writing made me laugh and gave me goosebumps in equal measure! Thank you for such a lovely read – I have already passed my copy to my cousin and will be recommending it widely to young and older alike!

[Olivia-Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I really enjoyed all the Irish mythological creatures we came across, and the songs and stories included too.

It felt so magical and was paced well.

I really liked Orla's character development arc and how much she learned and chose to change for the better throughout this. It was a process and a journey, which was perfectly paired with the magical adventure they had.

Orla (and the family!) are all grieving for her mum through this. It felt like a realistic depiction of grief as it can be experience by children, which I thought was well done. Again, such a big theme but it didn't detract from the magical story and instead wove into it well. So much balance!

Standalone middle grade fantasy books are really the best.

[Sinéad O'Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt, moving, exciting - this book was a lot of fun to read. I liked the playful approach to folklore and mythology, and I loved the sibling relationship at the heart of this story - complex and sometimes challenging, but always with a core of deep love. I've never had tiffin, but now I want some!

[Reema · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, it's full of adventure, love and friendship.

I loved the main characters, I got Red Riding Hood vibes mixed with a bit of The Folk Of The Air series!

Great writing, easy to read, tugs on the heartstrings and I loooove the cover

[Lucie Verver-Greijer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and shall be recommending to others! A beautifully written quest exploring grief and sibling dynamics, brim-full of Irish folklore. Discover the delights of Granny Ireland, magical creatures bound by oaths and giants allergic to fairy dust! Storytelling at its finest.

[Caitlin Dugdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very fun and entertaining once I got halfway but I feel like I was a bit bored for the first 1/4 but that is to be expected and totally understandable!!! Love this book!! Will probably follow the author for a bit.

[Kirsten Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was whisked back to Ireland and could hear my family in the grandmother's phrases and words. Love this. So lovely to see Ireland in a book.

[Cuti-CLUE-les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story with great character development throughout. The Pooka was a brilliant character, easily a favourite.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Anna’s first book the Mask of Aribella back in 2019 when I read an advanced copy over my Christmas break from uni, and so I’ve been anticipating this for a very long time, especially as it features Irish mythology and I feel like that isn’t something I’ve read a lot about. It didn’t let me down, because I think it is even cleverer and funnier and more poignant than Anna’s first book. It follows siblings Orla and Apollo as they go to visit their Granny Ireland for the first time since their mum died, and she vanishes in the night, seemingly abducted by the sinister Wild Hunt. Orla and Apollo (also known as Olo and Polo) are such well written protagonists and I loved the way their relationship grows and changes into something so loving after their very rocky start at the beginning of the book. The pooka is an absolutely irrestible character and I defy you not to love them, whether for their humour or duplicity or secretly soft centre and I also really loved the part Fionn and Connor played in the story. Anna is unbelievably talented, and the exploration of grief as well as what makes it possible to live despite it is so well done. I can’t wait to see what she does next, because I will undoubtedly be reading it.

[Adam Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Ireland, the inevitable never happens, and the unexpected constantly occurs." — Sir John Pentland Mahaffy

Having enjoyed Ms Hoghton's debut novel, The Mask of Aribella, I was excited when I heard she would do an Irish-centred story. With that said, Orla and the Wild Hunt by Anna Hoghton is a beautiful fusion of a contemporary fairy tale. The writing and narrative are rich in Irish mythology and folklore, laying the foundation for the larger-than-life characters in the mix. Hoghton brilliantly lays a trail of clues that sweep the reader up in a fairy-tale-like adventure across mythic Ireland that manages to be scary, tense, funny and endearing all at once. It feels like a Celtic mythological version of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Orla and her brother Apollo are suffering the loss of Mum, and find themselves in Ireland, caught in a quest to release Nan from the evil clutches of the Wild Hunt, who feed on misery and sadness. Aided and hindered along the way by the creatures of Irish legends (and the author's imagination), the siblings' race against time to defeat the malignant Wild Hunt and, in the process, find not only unexpected friendships and allies but the love for each other, and, for Orla, the ultimate way to confront grief and the crushing weight of loss and rediscover her inner music, joy and love for life.

This book is exciting, gorgeously imaginative and compassionate in its words. While the story embraces its magic, the one magical thing about all this is the beauty of books aimed at children. It's the best way authors can adequately tell a story without involving their ego or over-intellectualised twiddling. I'm so looking forward to reading more of Ms Hoghton's work! Her talent is shining brighter than she knows it!