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Spellstoppers
"A non-stop adventure, full of spellbinding, sorcerers and selkies. Cat Gray's storytelling proves that magic really does exist." Helena Duggan, author of A Place Called Perfect"Spellstoppers is a charming page-turner and I lapped up every moment of this magical tale." Clare Povey, author of The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bon LivreWelcome to Yowling - a secretive seaside village where magic is just one step away...Max has spent years thinking he is cursed, because whenever he touches anything electrical it explodes. But then he is sent to Yowling and discovers he is a Spellstopper, someone with the rare ability to drain dangerous build-ups of magic and fix misbehaving enchanted items. When Max's Grandad is kidnapped by the cruel Keeper of the malfunctioning magical castle that floats in the bay, only Max's gift can save him. Together with his new friend Kit, Max throws himself into an adventure filled with villainous owls, psychic ice cream and man-eating goldfish. But can he really pull off the biggest spellstop ever?The perfect summer-holiday magical adventure for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, Catherine Doyle and Thomas Taylor.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 5, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours.
Spellstoppers is a fun, magic and mystical adventure book for ages 9+. In this book we follow Max - a young boy who cannot be around anything electrical without it breaking and him getting hurt in the process. After breaking his mums brand new electric car, his mum fears for his safety and is worried that he is going to get seriously hurt by this unusual ability that is taking over their lives. His mum sends him to stay with his grandfather in Yowling - a strange place with strange happenings and even stranger occupants. Max has never met his grandfather and when he arrives there, family secrets begin to unfold. Max needs to save this magical village but he needs to find the power and strength within himself to do so.
This is such a fun, page-turner of a read and pulls you in from the fllirst few pages. Fans of magic and mystery will adore this book and all the fun, interesting characters and places to discover. This is a book about finding yourself and your place in the world despite the odds being stacked against you. Such a fun and uplifting read for any child!
Spellstoppers is a fun, magic and mystical adventure book for ages 9+. In this book we follow Max - a young boy who cannot be around anything electrical without it breaking and him getting hurt in the process. After breaking his mums brand new electric car, his mum fears for his safety and is worried that he is going to get seriously hurt by this unusual ability that is taking over their lives. His mum sends him to stay with his grandfather in Yowling - a strange place with strange happenings and even stranger occupants. Max has never met his grandfather and when he arrives there, family secrets begin to unfold. Max needs to save this magical village but he needs to find the power and strength within himself to do so.
This is such a fun, page-turner of a read and pulls you in from the fllirst few pages. Fans of magic and mystery will adore this book and all the fun, interesting characters and places to discover. This is a book about finding yourself and your place in the world despite the odds being stacked against you. Such a fun and uplifting read for any child!
May 3, 2024
5.00 on CAWPILE.
July 2, 2022
Magic, suspense, family and friends - these are the themes that run through this wonderful story.
A mystical, fantasy adventure that sees the main characters find themselves and their place in the world.
A perfect read for anyone who loved The Weather Weaver.
Max has a problem - he can’t touch anything electrical without breaking it and hurting himself. But what has caused this curse?
When things reach breaking point Max’s mum finally contacts Max’s grandfather and family secrets start to unfold.
Yowling is not the sleepy seaside village you would expect to find. Strange homes, happenings and people fill its streets but even stranger things happen out at sea in the castle where the Keepers live.
Max soon discovers that he is the only one who can save the village and make things right - but does he have the power and strength.
Max, Bram and Kit are well written characters. I felt like I was visiting Yowling with them, sharing their fears and excitement. Suspense is built, emotions run high, hopes are set - broken and realised.
A perfect first book from author Cat Gray that will be well received in any class library or home. Ideal for age 9+
A mystical, fantasy adventure that sees the main characters find themselves and their place in the world.
A perfect read for anyone who loved The Weather Weaver.
Max has a problem - he can’t touch anything electrical without breaking it and hurting himself. But what has caused this curse?
When things reach breaking point Max’s mum finally contacts Max’s grandfather and family secrets start to unfold.
Yowling is not the sleepy seaside village you would expect to find. Strange homes, happenings and people fill its streets but even stranger things happen out at sea in the castle where the Keepers live.
Max soon discovers that he is the only one who can save the village and make things right - but does he have the power and strength.
Max, Bram and Kit are well written characters. I felt like I was visiting Yowling with them, sharing their fears and excitement. Suspense is built, emotions run high, hopes are set - broken and realised.
A perfect first book from author Cat Gray that will be well received in any class library or home. Ideal for age 9+
September 25, 2023
A guy who diffuses every electronic gadget he is near is sent to his grandfather and realizes, they are spellstoppers. Those who repair magical items. But there's danger at bay when an evil keeper of the castle decides to kidnap the grandfather and force him to repair the castle
March 25, 2022
CHATTERBOOKS READING GROUP REVIEW -
"Amazing!! I loved the characters & the story, it was funny & full of adventure"
"I stayed up late to finish it, it was so good!"
Note from the Librarian - Cat has a wonderful writing style, it sucks you in from the very first page. The characters & scenery are colourful, it is a story full of adventure, the children loved reading this book.
Spellstoppers
Our Chatterbooks readers are aged 7-11yrs - Cat Gray & Usborne kindly sent us copies to review.
"Amazing!! I loved the characters & the story, it was funny & full of adventure"
"I stayed up late to finish it, it was so good!"
Note from the Librarian - Cat has a wonderful writing style, it sucks you in from the very first page. The characters & scenery are colourful, it is a story full of adventure, the children loved reading this book.
Spellstoppers
Our Chatterbooks readers are aged 7-11yrs - Cat Gray & Usborne kindly sent us copies to review.
January 17, 2025
I know this books isn't aimed at my age group 🙈 But there was something about it that I couldn't enjoy it. I can't even put a finger on why. I know it's not helpful. Maybe cause I love owls and they are evil in this book 🙈
July 13, 2022
dnf on page 43
Five years ago, Max developed a condition that baffles everyone: He touches something electric, it will shock him and stop working, the insides being totally fried.
This can't go on, so he has to spend summer with grandpa.
The novel is introduced like you would a story about a chronic illness. We know when it began, we know the symptoms, we get shown what they do to counteract it. Namely, giving him a spoon so he won't touch things, and bundle him up in rubber gloves.
I tried to get in because the premise sounds fun, but my thoughts kept circling back to that and I realised that suspension of disbelief was not working for me.
You see, I was a child with a chronic illness, and I am not buying it that the mother took it for five years without contacting her father, despite the accidents getting worse and worse and Max destroying more and more stuff up to a point at which he is isolated from his peers.
I don't buy that Max has to do his own breakfast, avoiding touching the toaster with a spoon and having to juggle stuff out of the fridge when either his mom could put the things out in the morning or he could have cereal.
It's clearly meant to inforce how bad it is, but ... no.
So, the problem is that Max's grandfather has the same condition. Max's mother has had no contact with her father for years, but how would she wait five effing years, or not even tell Max that there might be hope?
This could have been handled differently. Instead of adding to the story, the details annoyed me so much I had to call it quits.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Five years ago, Max developed a condition that baffles everyone: He touches something electric, it will shock him and stop working, the insides being totally fried.
This can't go on, so he has to spend summer with grandpa.
The novel is introduced like you would a story about a chronic illness. We know when it began, we know the symptoms, we get shown what they do to counteract it. Namely, giving him a spoon so he won't touch things, and bundle him up in rubber gloves.
I tried to get in because the premise sounds fun, but my thoughts kept circling back to that and I realised that suspension of disbelief was not working for me.
You see, I was a child with a chronic illness, and I am not buying it that the mother took it for five years without contacting her father, despite the accidents getting worse and worse and Max destroying more and more stuff up to a point at which he is isolated from his peers.
I don't buy that Max has to do his own breakfast, avoiding touching the toaster with a spoon and having to juggle stuff out of the fridge when either his mom could put the things out in the morning or he could have cereal.
It's clearly meant to inforce how bad it is, but ... no.
So, the problem is that Max's grandfather has the same condition. Max's mother has had no contact with her father for years, but how would she wait five effing years, or not even tell Max that there might be hope?
This could have been handled differently. Instead of adding to the story, the details annoyed me so much I had to call it quits.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
July 31, 2022
I loved this fantastic debut from Cat Gray!
Yowling is the most extraordinary place. Everyone who lives there seems to have some sort of magical power or property - whether hidden or obvious - and it's certainly more than Max bargains for, when he is sent to live there with his grandfather Bram, a man he has never met before. Max is an unusual boy; when he touches anything electrical, it breaks in spectacular fashion. Eventually, his mother can't take any more, and she sends him to Yowling where he discovers the truth about himself. Max's ability is not a curse, or a flaw - it's a super-power. Max is a Spellstopper.
But Yowling isn't merely a happy place full of wonderful magical beings; it's a town under siege, held in the iron claws of the Keepers, who live in the castle overlooking the town. Bram, Max, and his new friend Kit (who has incredible secrets of her own) must join forces with some unlikely friends to bring an end to the Keepers' reign of terror - but how can they possibly succeed against such overwhelming odds?
This fast-paced, super-fun book was a brilliant read. I enjoyed it so much! It was fantastically written, perfectly paced, with plenty of great description (including some *excellent* sounding foods... yum!) And I particularly loved Max's journey from being a boy afraid of his own potential to someone fully in charge (no pun intended) of his own power. Excellent!
Yowling is the most extraordinary place. Everyone who lives there seems to have some sort of magical power or property - whether hidden or obvious - and it's certainly more than Max bargains for, when he is sent to live there with his grandfather Bram, a man he has never met before. Max is an unusual boy; when he touches anything electrical, it breaks in spectacular fashion. Eventually, his mother can't take any more, and she sends him to Yowling where he discovers the truth about himself. Max's ability is not a curse, or a flaw - it's a super-power. Max is a Spellstopper.
But Yowling isn't merely a happy place full of wonderful magical beings; it's a town under siege, held in the iron claws of the Keepers, who live in the castle overlooking the town. Bram, Max, and his new friend Kit (who has incredible secrets of her own) must join forces with some unlikely friends to bring an end to the Keepers' reign of terror - but how can they possibly succeed against such overwhelming odds?
This fast-paced, super-fun book was a brilliant read. I enjoyed it so much! It was fantastically written, perfectly paced, with plenty of great description (including some *excellent* sounding foods... yum!) And I particularly loved Max's journey from being a boy afraid of his own potential to someone fully in charge (no pun intended) of his own power. Excellent!
July 9, 2022
Classic middle grade adventure with young Max not fitting into the everyday world because of an unfortunate ability to kill anything electrical. His exasperated mother sends him to live with her estranged father where Max finds out that magic exists, and that he has the power to stop it. And soon those newly realised abilities are put to the ultimate test.
Max’s grandfather Bram and his assistant Kit are joined by the unusual inhabitants of Yowling including the not so nice owls (think Hitchcock’s The Birds) and the really not nice Keeper of the mysterious and ailing castle, Leandra (who gave me Madam Mim vibes).
Full of both hideous and mouthwatering food, and animal companions with unusual names - children are going to love this story of learning how to harness what you’ve been taught to fear.
If you are a fan of The Apprentice Witch or The Hedge Witch I think you’ll enjoy this just as I did.
Cat Gray has written a pacy story set in a sleepy seaside town and with a main character you can’t help but like.
Thanks to Blue at Kaleidoscopic Tours and the publishers for the gifted copy for the purposes of an honest review
Max’s grandfather Bram and his assistant Kit are joined by the unusual inhabitants of Yowling including the not so nice owls (think Hitchcock’s The Birds) and the really not nice Keeper of the mysterious and ailing castle, Leandra (who gave me Madam Mim vibes).
Full of both hideous and mouthwatering food, and animal companions with unusual names - children are going to love this story of learning how to harness what you’ve been taught to fear.
If you are a fan of The Apprentice Witch or The Hedge Witch I think you’ll enjoy this just as I did.
Cat Gray has written a pacy story set in a sleepy seaside town and with a main character you can’t help but like.
Thanks to Blue at Kaleidoscopic Tours and the publishers for the gifted copy for the purposes of an honest review
July 7, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the character, Max, and his super quirky Grandad, Bram. I did feel sorry for Max and his mum at the start of the book, imagine not being able to touch anything electrical…..
No T.V.
No phone
No computer
NOTHING!
I was excited to see Max go on his adventure around Yowling, a weird little town with tons of owls and a creepy castle. I liked that as the story went along Max grew more confident in himself and his abilities. My heart was pounding as the story went along and I just needed to know what happened next! Everyone needs to read Spellstoppers.
*** Mums thoughts *** A brilliant book that kept my child turning those pages and asking what was going to happen next when it was time to put it down (she did sneak her torch a few times for a few extra pages). She rooted for Max, Kit and Bram throughout the story, told me what she hoped would happen next (she was right a couple of times).
No T.V.
No phone
No computer
NOTHING!
I was excited to see Max go on his adventure around Yowling, a weird little town with tons of owls and a creepy castle. I liked that as the story went along Max grew more confident in himself and his abilities. My heart was pounding as the story went along and I just needed to know what happened next! Everyone needs to read Spellstoppers.
*** Mums thoughts *** A brilliant book that kept my child turning those pages and asking what was going to happen next when it was time to put it down (she did sneak her torch a few times for a few extra pages). She rooted for Max, Kit and Bram throughout the story, told me what she hoped would happen next (she was right a couple of times).
July 31, 2022
Saw this book in a local book shop and was drawn in initially by the beautiful cover and interesting title. And I am so glad I was!
What an amazing little town Cat Gray has created! I wish I could visit Yowling and experience all the magic myself.
This exciting story brings us a kettle with a mind of its own, pastries that reappear after every bite and ice cream that knows your favourite flavour combination. And that’s just a taster of some of the magic this book is infused with. Loveable villagers and a threatening lighthouse keeper set the scene as we follow Max on his journey to learn how to Spellstop, taught by his loveable grandfather Bram and accompanied by resourceful friend Kit.
Honestly, I was swept away by this story. The type of magic that Gray writes about is reminiscent of Diana Whynne Jones and it is gorgeous. This story filled my heart and having finished it, I’m still in a warm, magical bubble and cannot wait to read more from this author.
What an amazing little town Cat Gray has created! I wish I could visit Yowling and experience all the magic myself.
This exciting story brings us a kettle with a mind of its own, pastries that reappear after every bite and ice cream that knows your favourite flavour combination. And that’s just a taster of some of the magic this book is infused with. Loveable villagers and a threatening lighthouse keeper set the scene as we follow Max on his journey to learn how to Spellstop, taught by his loveable grandfather Bram and accompanied by resourceful friend Kit.
Honestly, I was swept away by this story. The type of magic that Gray writes about is reminiscent of Diana Whynne Jones and it is gorgeous. This story filled my heart and having finished it, I’m still in a warm, magical bubble and cannot wait to read more from this author.
July 8, 2022
How amazing to find out that what you thought was a curse, is actually an amazing and very rare power!
After pretty much destroying everything electrical in his house, including his mum's new electric car, she decides to send Max to stay with his grandfather for the summer. There he discovers that he's inherited the power to Spellstop, and he can use this to help people. Some of the enchanted items sounded really interesting, I wouldn't mind a kettle that magically pours whatever I want to drink.
There are lots of wonderful characters but I think the captain is the funniest and my favourite. On the other hand, I will no longer look at owls in quite the same way...
I loved how quickly Max and Kit bonded over their magical adventures and both were willing to do anything to help each other. They made such a good team.
After pretty much destroying everything electrical in his house, including his mum's new electric car, she decides to send Max to stay with his grandfather for the summer. There he discovers that he's inherited the power to Spellstop, and he can use this to help people. Some of the enchanted items sounded really interesting, I wouldn't mind a kettle that magically pours whatever I want to drink.
There are lots of wonderful characters but I think the captain is the funniest and my favourite. On the other hand, I will no longer look at owls in quite the same way...
I loved how quickly Max and Kit bonded over their magical adventures and both were willing to do anything to help each other. They made such a good team.
July 17, 2022
Max is used to avoiding electricity and watching what he touches. No one else he knows can kill an electric car just by touching it - not until he meets his estranged grandfather and learns the family secret, anyway...
This story starts quickly and never lets up. The creatures are very inventive; some are familiar from folklore, but some are new and exciting. Max himself is a great character, brave and inquisitive. He's very quickly surrounded by a brilliant cast of creatures, sidekicks and grumpy old folk in this great adventure story.
There's a lot of fun here as well as a very serious adventure. Kids are going to really enjoy this - and the ending leaves it open for more books in the series, which would be fantastic! Cat has a winner on her hands here and I think it's going to do really well.
This story starts quickly and never lets up. The creatures are very inventive; some are familiar from folklore, but some are new and exciting. Max himself is a great character, brave and inquisitive. He's very quickly surrounded by a brilliant cast of creatures, sidekicks and grumpy old folk in this great adventure story.
There's a lot of fun here as well as a very serious adventure. Kids are going to really enjoy this - and the ending leaves it open for more books in the series, which would be fantastic! Cat has a winner on her hands here and I think it's going to do really well.
August 14, 2022
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great middle grade adventure that I found to be a quick and easy read. From the get-go, you are thrust into the action and want to know more about Max and his 'curse' of not being able to go near anything electrical.
The story itself was incredibly unique and I loved the town of Yowling (this may be because I love a book with a seaside setting) and meeting all its inhabitants. The idea of spellstopping had me intrigued, as the idea of stopping something magical hasn't cropped up in many middle grades I've recently read. Seeing Max learn to harness and unleash his power was inspiring and he's become a true hero in my eyes.
The inhabitants of Yowling were incredibly written and I am longing for a sequel where we can get to know them all a bit more. I loved Kit and her firm friendship with Max and how they are similar to each other in terms of goals and aspirations. I also found Tom and the Captain to be a comedic double act and I could read a whole book about them, to be honest.
Spellstopper was an amazing middle grade debut that I found hard to put down. Cat Gray has started to make a name for herself within this genre, and I'm excited to read what she writes next.
This was a great middle grade adventure that I found to be a quick and easy read. From the get-go, you are thrust into the action and want to know more about Max and his 'curse' of not being able to go near anything electrical.
The story itself was incredibly unique and I loved the town of Yowling (this may be because I love a book with a seaside setting) and meeting all its inhabitants. The idea of spellstopping had me intrigued, as the idea of stopping something magical hasn't cropped up in many middle grades I've recently read. Seeing Max learn to harness and unleash his power was inspiring and he's become a true hero in my eyes.
The inhabitants of Yowling were incredibly written and I am longing for a sequel where we can get to know them all a bit more. I loved Kit and her firm friendship with Max and how they are similar to each other in terms of goals and aspirations. I also found Tom and the Captain to be a comedic double act and I could read a whole book about them, to be honest.
Spellstopper was an amazing middle grade debut that I found hard to put down. Cat Gray has started to make a name for herself within this genre, and I'm excited to read what she writes next.
July 25, 2022
I’ve been excited for Cat Gray’s debut since it was announced, as you might know if you read my 2022 debut spotlight series that happened over a couple of months earlier in the year, so I was delighted to finally get my hands on a copy and even more delighted to be involved in the blog tour. It is the story of a boy named Max, who believes he is cursed because every time he touches electric devices, he is electrocuted and the device goes completely dead.
However, he soon discovers that he is in fact a rare magical being called a spellstopper, who has the power to fix magical objects and even remove magic from them entirely. He then moves to the secluded seaside town of Yowling to learn his craft from his estranged grandfather, but the keeper of the local enchanted Castle is oppressing the people of Yowling and Max decides he needs to stop her.
Max is a quintessential kind of fantasy protagonist, and I loved seeing him grow in confidence as he began to master his power, with the help of both his grandpa Bram (a very eccentric but noble and lovable man, who gives his dogs brilliant names!) and his friend Kit, who is part of a selkie family but can’t transform herself, so is going through some of the same kind of feelings that Max is. Leandra is one of the best villains I’ve read this year; she was genuinely sinister and her pack of villainous owls had me completely on edge. I also need to talk about the setting because it is AMAZING. The blurb promises us psychic ice cream and when I got to that part of this, it genuinely made me so happy because I want nothing more than to visit Omar’s van and it just gave me the absolute best vibes. Thank you Cat, for coming up with this brilliant invention!! Some other highlights included the cliffs, Pearl’s shop and also, of course, the castle is creepy and magical and so, so sinister.
If you’re a fan of writers like James Nicol, Stephanie Burgis or Julie Abe, I think this will really appeal to you, because it has those same cosy, comforting vibes as well as a gripping plot and some danger. There’s a little snippet of Cat’s next book included at the end of this one, and I for one, absolutely cannot wait already to go adventuring with Pip next year. That said, I do also hope to one day see a sequel for this!
However, he soon discovers that he is in fact a rare magical being called a spellstopper, who has the power to fix magical objects and even remove magic from them entirely. He then moves to the secluded seaside town of Yowling to learn his craft from his estranged grandfather, but the keeper of the local enchanted Castle is oppressing the people of Yowling and Max decides he needs to stop her.
Max is a quintessential kind of fantasy protagonist, and I loved seeing him grow in confidence as he began to master his power, with the help of both his grandpa Bram (a very eccentric but noble and lovable man, who gives his dogs brilliant names!) and his friend Kit, who is part of a selkie family but can’t transform herself, so is going through some of the same kind of feelings that Max is. Leandra is one of the best villains I’ve read this year; she was genuinely sinister and her pack of villainous owls had me completely on edge. I also need to talk about the setting because it is AMAZING. The blurb promises us psychic ice cream and when I got to that part of this, it genuinely made me so happy because I want nothing more than to visit Omar’s van and it just gave me the absolute best vibes. Thank you Cat, for coming up with this brilliant invention!! Some other highlights included the cliffs, Pearl’s shop and also, of course, the castle is creepy and magical and so, so sinister.
If you’re a fan of writers like James Nicol, Stephanie Burgis or Julie Abe, I think this will really appeal to you, because it has those same cosy, comforting vibes as well as a gripping plot and some danger. There’s a little snippet of Cat’s next book included at the end of this one, and I for one, absolutely cannot wait already to go adventuring with Pip next year. That said, I do also hope to one day see a sequel for this!
January 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would love to visit Yowling and meet the characters there (especially Omer's Ice cream truck and Pearl's cake shop). Although I don't think I would want to visit while the keepers were in charge of the castle. The theme that power should be used for good rather than evil is a strong theme throughout the story, along with acceptance of people's differences and being brave and embracing who you are. I also think the message that sometimes you can get in your own way, but calming techniques can help stop you overthinking things.
March 12, 2022
✨Wow, I needed this break, this book was a true escape from the chaos. I was completely immersed in the world created by the author and I must say the author very good imagination skills. The language is easy and the characters are so well developed. I loved how mildly suspenseful and tricky it is. It's a good light read, perfect for weekend! Definitely recommended.
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Rating: 4.5⭐️
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Rating: 4.5⭐️
July 28, 2022
Well, this ticks so many of my boxes: magic, a devilish villain, family, friends and a gorgeous setting. I loved this so much. I raced through it today - Max’s adventure into his magic and facing Leandra, paired with meeting Kit and Bram just made my heart so happy! I honestly hope there’s more to come from this world cause I’d read them happily!
August 13, 2022
Great premise but not a great read. For a short book it felt like a drag. I didn't enjoy the writing style or any of the characters. The end was also very abrupt and didn't feel like there was much thought put into it.
November 26, 2023
Such a brilliant book, Really enjoyed it, amazing writing of an incredible story of adventure by a great author...the way the book it written keeps you reading to find out what adventures that the main character will have. A boy who thinks he is unlucky but things may change.
March 1, 2024
This book was a fun read. I love that all their ideas to save the grandfather did not work out the way they thought they would. And even though I figured out how this book was going to be resolved from the first chapter, it still was really fun to reach the conclusion.
July 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this! it was a really fun adventure. Gave me massive Nevermoor vibes and I really liked the magic system.
January 25, 2023
Really good very descriptive love it 😍
June 2, 2024
This is a really cute, very middle grade/very young adult book. Not much to say, i read it in 2 days at the beach just for a lighthearted time. It's written for kids maybe about 8-10 yo.
June 3, 2025
Dobra książka, świetna w szczególności dla przedziału wiekowego 10-12 lat. Mimo to każdy się będzie dobrze bawił podczas czytania 😊
July 16, 2022
Love this book!!! Feel like it’s a mixture of Harry Potter, Malamander, Land of Roar and Nevermoor! Just loved it from start to finish.
July 27, 2022
Every time Max touches an electrical object he gets a shock and the object stops working. He’s starting to think there’s something seriously wrong with him when his mum phones Grandad Bram and he is whisked away to the magical town of Yowling. It turns out that actually he’s a Spellstopper; a rare type of magical ability where he can fix misbehaving enchanted objects. But the cruel Keeper of Yowling castle wants Spellstoppers to fix her home and soon she’s after Bram and Max. With the help of Kit and his new found ability, can Max help everyone before it’s too late?
I absolutely loved Spellstoppers. I’d read about one chapter before I turned to my partner and said that this was 100% my sort of book. Spellstoppers got me out of a bit of a reading funk and I am super grateful! Instantly, I felt like I was a part of Max’s world and I was so immediately intrigued by his problem of not being able to touch electrical object – what a major issue in the world we live in today! Soon, I was thrust into Yowling and the magic there and this novel was so pacey that I felt like I couldn’t put it down as something new happened to move the plot on every few pages.
Max starts the novel so frustrated by what is going on around him and feeling very out of sorts, but he grows wonderfully as he realises his place in the world and the amazing ability he has in his fingertips. I love grumpy Grandad Bram who initially seems resistant to allowing Max’s success, but opens up more throughout the novel. However, Kit is my favourite in this story. As the only one without magical ability, she stands out more than the others but her intimate knowledge of Yowling helps Max to fit in quicker and her fierce bravery helps to win the day in the end.
Spellstoppers is a gorgeous fantasy story filled with more magic than you can imagine. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Usborne for this review copy.
I absolutely loved Spellstoppers. I’d read about one chapter before I turned to my partner and said that this was 100% my sort of book. Spellstoppers got me out of a bit of a reading funk and I am super grateful! Instantly, I felt like I was a part of Max’s world and I was so immediately intrigued by his problem of not being able to touch electrical object – what a major issue in the world we live in today! Soon, I was thrust into Yowling and the magic there and this novel was so pacey that I felt like I couldn’t put it down as something new happened to move the plot on every few pages.
Max starts the novel so frustrated by what is going on around him and feeling very out of sorts, but he grows wonderfully as he realises his place in the world and the amazing ability he has in his fingertips. I love grumpy Grandad Bram who initially seems resistant to allowing Max’s success, but opens up more throughout the novel. However, Kit is my favourite in this story. As the only one without magical ability, she stands out more than the others but her intimate knowledge of Yowling helps Max to fit in quicker and her fierce bravery helps to win the day in the end.
Spellstoppers is a gorgeous fantasy story filled with more magic than you can imagine. 5 out of 5 stars.
Thank you to Usborne for this review copy.
October 15, 2023
A delightful debut middle-grade fantasy adventure, full of malfunctioning magical items, cooking both good and bad, a sinsiter mist-shrouded castle and a lot of Owls.Big Diana Wyne Jones vibes!
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