The Star Cloak

Fairy Realm #7

by Emily Rodda, Raoul Vitale (Illustrations)

Enter the Realm of Excitement...

Every year the Realm has a great festival, called the Night of Wishes, when Queen Helena puts on the precious Star Cloak and by its magic is able to grant wishes. This year, though, there's a problem: it's the night before the festival, and Giff the elf has accidentally damaged the Cloak!

Jessie knows that to save the Night of Wishes, she must get the Star Cloak repaired by the night-dwelling star fairies of Stardust Mountain, the makers of the Cloak and the only ones who are able to fix it. She doesn't have much time -- can she save the Realm's special night?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fairies, Magic, Adventure, Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Emily Rodda (real name Jennifer Rowe) was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1973 with an MA (Hons) in English Literature. Moving into a publishing career, first as a book editor, and finally as a publisher at Angus & Robertson, Rodda's first book was published in 1984.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably give this three and half stars if we could do half stars. Anyway, as usual Jessie has to save the day!

I can't help but wonder why the Fairy Realm is a secret from Jessie's mom, Rosemary. It seems weird that she doesn't know about it. This book would have been perfect way for Jessie and Grandma Jessica to tell her about it.

[Mella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fairy Realm series are wholesome lighthearted reads featuring a secret fairy realm found through a doorway at the edge of the garden. There's magic and mythical creatures and miniature horses that talk (because what else would you find in a secret fairy realm? duh.) It's reminiscent of Shirley Barber's gorgeous picture books albeit with less impressive artwork (Shirley Barber is incredibly talented). It's a good series for tween girls. I loved this series as a kid, they were imaginative and magical and I loved every minute. I'm pretty sure this series is what started my love of charm bracelets too. 


The Star Cloak
Jessie is back! And this time she's busy trying to save the Realm's Wish Night. Ok it's really hard not to wish this series into reality because Wish Night?! How cool is that?

Wish Night is a yearly event in the Realm where all the stars fall (or at least come closer?) allowing many wishes to be made and come true. It's all made possible by the Star Cloak - a cloak made of stardust and moonbeams that makes the stars fall. Unfortunately Giff the Elf has found himself in a pickle when his curiosity gets the better of him and he accidentally rips the Star Cloak. Wish Night will have to be cancelled unless Jessie can help him save the day.

Jessie agrees to travel with him to Stardust Mountain to ask the Star Fairies if they could repair the Star Cloak but as per usual, things go awry. Not all Giff's fault either. The Star Fairies put Jessie to sleep without considering her susceptibility to their magic and when she wakes up to return the Cloak, she's so out of it she manages to wish herself home rather than to the Palace. Then she manages to hide the Cloak from her mum but accidentally manages to donate it to her school sale. While trying to get it back she has a run in with her new teacher, Ms Stone who has no imagination and no tolerance for one. But things work out in the end and Wish Night goes off without a hitch. I was disappointed Maybelle and Patrice don't have more of a role but I enjoyed getting to know more about the Star Fairies on Stardust Mountain.

I also would've liked to see more of Granny - she's totally awesome. I also liked that she met the author that was judging the writing competition and that meeting her with the Star Cloak present is what caused her to have extra energy to read all the extra entries and led to Jessie winning the competition much to the dismay of Ms Stone. After all her story features a unicorn and Ms Stone hates imaginative fiction. The end of this visit sees Jessie get a tiny gold star charm for her bracelet. 5 stars.

[Sarah Eagle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This installment is my least favorite so far because it focuses on the weakest and least likable character in the series, Giff. He is the reason that there is a conflict in the first place, and he has nothing to do with its resolution. But still he is rewarded in the end. This is the one book I don't think was necessary to the series, even though its throwbacks to previous books are clever.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you finish a series (at #6) only to pick it up 10 years later (#6 The Unicorn (1996)
#7 The Star Cloak (2005) You do lose quite a lot of the original charm of the series.

This "re-boot" really fell flat for me.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the series.

[Mikayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

re-read as an adult: better than the last one! meandered quite often for something that could have been easily solved with a conversation, but at least it had a cute end

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Giff the elf has caused a major problem. There is a thing called the “wish night” in the Realm, and the Star Cloak is needed for that. Giff, of course, manages to severely damage the cloak, and it's up to Jessie to try to fix things by going to a place where her reception could be not only unfriendly, but downright dangerous.

It's another decent story in the series, although I do with someone would put Giff under 24-hour guard or something. The guy is a walking disaster.

[McKenzie Dygert · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok so this one wasn't all that great. i still feel stupid that i read this book just like recently, i think it was recently. anyways...it wasn't the best one but you have to get through this book to be able to get the next 3.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book (and the rest of the series) two or three stars. It is a really good book, for younger kids (7-9).
For me, I enjoyed it when I was younger, but now, it was.....interesting. Totally great series for young girls. Pretty easy read too.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable reads of the series. The danger presented by the star fairies is very much in keeping with traditional fairy lore, and we don't see enough of that side of the fairy realm in children's lit.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giff snuck the star cloak away from the others and he aksedently ripped it. The star fairies tried to fix the ripped star cloak while the leader spoke to Jessie these words" Jessie if the star cloak ends we will end to. Will the star fairies mend it?

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wanna wear a star cloak now after reading this!!

[Rachel (Sfogs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story!

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

one of my daughters favorite series, she had to collect the entire series

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

i remember that i read this in like, 2 hours or so. i really liked it. but after this one the series started to lose its meaning to me.

[Cameron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story with some scary elements. I was very pleased with the ending. Now just to go to the library and get the next one.

[*Eva* · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved the faries that were there.

[Amber Holm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books and they are amazing!

[Shannon Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review can be found here https://www.instagram.com/p/BGIEVmtwf...