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Dragons of Hallow #1
Spellhound
What do a minch-wiggin, a Queen, and a rather large magical pup have in common? They need to find the dragon that has turned their worlds upside-down . . . even if it means revealing all they want to keep hidden. A delightfully pleasing whimsical fantasy novel for readers who love Cressida Cowell or Katrina Nannestad.
There are Three Great Secrets in Hallow, a country that loves secrets almost as much as it loves green jellybabies. No, I'm not going to tell you anything more about them. I am a loyal citizen of Hallow, and would never betray-
Oh, you have jellybabies?
Green ones?
Well, I suppose I could tell you a little more.
Come closer. Open your ears and your heart, and pass the green jellybabies.
I will tell you a story about an enormous magical pup, a child Queen and a very small minch-wiggin with the unfortunate title of Destroyer-of-Dragons.
A fascinating tale filled with falsehoods, fortitude and friendship (and just the right number of green jellybabies), from the award-winning author of A Clue for Clara and Museum of Thieves .
'Constant laughs, a fresh new world and characters to this book made me beam.' Jaclyn Moriarty
'Full of secrets and mystery, with wonder on every page.' Kate Temple
There are Three Great Secrets in Hallow, a country that loves secrets almost as much as it loves green jellybabies. No, I'm not going to tell you anything more about them. I am a loyal citizen of Hallow, and would never betray-
Oh, you have jellybabies?
Green ones?
Well, I suppose I could tell you a little more.
Come closer. Open your ears and your heart, and pass the green jellybabies.
I will tell you a story about an enormous magical pup, a child Queen and a very small minch-wiggin with the unfortunate title of Destroyer-of-Dragons.
A fascinating tale filled with falsehoods, fortitude and friendship (and just the right number of green jellybabies), from the award-winning author of A Clue for Clara and Museum of Thieves .
'Constant laughs, a fresh new world and characters to this book made me beam.' Jaclyn Moriarty
'Full of secrets and mystery, with wonder on every page.' Kate Temple
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2023
3 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Lian Tanner
23 books308 followersLian Tanner has been dynamited while scuba diving and arrested while busking. She once spent a week in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, hunting for a Japanese soldier left over from the Second World War. She likes secrets, old bones, and animals that are not what they seem. Nowadays she lives by the beach in southern Tasmania.
Lian's bestselling fantasy series The Keepers won two Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children's Fantasy and has been translated into eleven languages. Her second series, The Hidden, has been published in Australia/New Zealand and North America. Lian's third series, The Rogues, is set in the same world as The Keepers, and has been translated into Spanish.
Lian's first picture book 'Ella and the Ocean' (illustrated by Jonathan Bentley) won the 2020 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature and the 2022 Tasmanian Literary Award for Children's Books. A Clue for Clara won the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Children's Crime Novel, and its sequel, Rita's Revenge, was shortlisted for the 2022 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature.
Lian's bestselling fantasy series The Keepers won two Aurealis Awards for Best Australian Children's Fantasy and has been translated into eleven languages. Her second series, The Hidden, has been published in Australia/New Zealand and North America. Lian's third series, The Rogues, is set in the same world as The Keepers, and has been translated into Spanish.
Lian's first picture book 'Ella and the Ocean' (illustrated by Jonathan Bentley) won the 2020 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature and the 2022 Tasmanian Literary Award for Children's Books. A Clue for Clara won the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Award for Best Children's Crime Novel, and its sequel, Rita's Revenge, was shortlisted for the 2022 NSW Premier's Award for Children's Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 10, 2024
Spellhound is a truly adorable and fun story that will be loved by children and adults alike. Delightfully narrated bringing the reader right into the story.
Flaxseed (Flax) is a minch-wiggin, a tiny tree-dwelling creature. She has grown up knowing she is 'the one' destined to save Minchfold from the dragon. Flax is a wonderful character, she is scared and doesn't want to be the one to save everyone. Luckily they hadn't seen a dragon for 100 years. Then she meets a Spellhound pup who says his parents were taken by a dragon and Flax knows she must help him find them. It's her destiny. When the time comes she shows great courage and intelligence.
Spellhound is filled to the brim with adventure, danger and ever so endearing characters. This is a fast-paced novel that I am certain middle-graders will find hard to put down. Short chapters and cliff-hangers make this an engaging read.
There is a crossover into the human world of Harrow when Felicia, the 10 year-old Queen of Harrow, is introduced to the mix as she goes searching for the puppy she could hear crying in the night. The young trio must draw on all their courage to confront the dragon.
A giant magical pup, a tiny tree-dwelling animal, a 10 year-old girl and a talking sword take centre stage in this fantastical adventure story with danger at every turn, jaw-dropping twists, magic wielding enemies, nonstop humour and boundless friendship.
Flaxseed (Flax) is a minch-wiggin, a tiny tree-dwelling creature. She has grown up knowing she is 'the one' destined to save Minchfold from the dragon. Flax is a wonderful character, she is scared and doesn't want to be the one to save everyone. Luckily they hadn't seen a dragon for 100 years. Then she meets a Spellhound pup who says his parents were taken by a dragon and Flax knows she must help him find them. It's her destiny. When the time comes she shows great courage and intelligence.
Spellhound is filled to the brim with adventure, danger and ever so endearing characters. This is a fast-paced novel that I am certain middle-graders will find hard to put down. Short chapters and cliff-hangers make this an engaging read.
There is a crossover into the human world of Harrow when Felicia, the 10 year-old Queen of Harrow, is introduced to the mix as she goes searching for the puppy she could hear crying in the night. The young trio must draw on all their courage to confront the dragon.
A giant magical pup, a tiny tree-dwelling animal, a 10 year-old girl and a talking sword take centre stage in this fantastical adventure story with danger at every turn, jaw-dropping twists, magic wielding enemies, nonstop humour and boundless friendship.
April 23, 2023
Yep. Loved it! Great characters and a fun story.
April 10, 2023
Flaxseed, or Flax as her friends call her, lives in the Floating Forest. This forest is high above where we humans live, and if ever seen by us, looks like any other cloud in the sky. In fact it is full of magic, from the moss on the ground to the tips of its trees where creatures like Flax sleep.
Flax is a minch-wiggin, and a very special one at that. She has been tasked with keeping The Floating Forest and all its magical creatures safe from harm - especially dragons. She even has a grand title. Destroyer of Dragons and Protector of her People. Along with this title she was given a small sword and a bag full of magic by her dying grandfather. Flax wishes she didn't have this responsibility but since there haven't been any dragons seen for a very long time, she is okay with it.
Until there is.
A Spellhound pup is bolting from the forest at great speed when Flax first meets it. She knows Spellhounds are very important to The Floating Forest, because Grandpa told her so, but she's not sure why.
This pup is frightened, and when he finally stops running he tells Flax that a dragon stole his parents! A dragon? In The Floating Forest? Flax does not like the sound of that, or what it might mean for her and her small sword. You see, Flax is tiny. We would call her something like a Pixie or Fairy. She sort of looks like a small bear who walks on two legs and has glow in the dark whiskers. So a dragon in the vicinity is bad news for Flax.
The Spellhound's panicked escape has taken them far from The Floating Forest however, and Flax is worried. She wants to go home, but the pup has finally calmed down and wants the opposite. He wants to find his parents.
This is when the next important character of this magical tale enters the story. Rose is an unimportant fourth chamber maid, or that's what she tells Flax and the Spellhound pup. She is actually the Queen of Hallow. But at only ten years old, she doesn't have control over anything in her life.
All three have an important reason to find this dragon, so they reluctantly set off for where Rose believes it might live.
Spellhound - Dragons of Hallow is an entertaining read. Not only are we reading this magical, action adventure, we are part of it. The narrator, of whose surprising identity you will learn as you read, actually stops to talk to you, check in with you, or warn you of scary bits coming up.
This is a tale woven with many secrets. The characters all hold one close and the villains have their own. Each one is revealed as the plot unfurls, adding unexpected twists and more danger to this quest.
Having such a magical world such as The Floating Forest combine with our own, adds even more intrigue for both character and reader travelling through the story.
An engaging, fantastical read by an award winning and best selling author.
8+
Flax is a minch-wiggin, and a very special one at that. She has been tasked with keeping The Floating Forest and all its magical creatures safe from harm - especially dragons. She even has a grand title. Destroyer of Dragons and Protector of her People. Along with this title she was given a small sword and a bag full of magic by her dying grandfather. Flax wishes she didn't have this responsibility but since there haven't been any dragons seen for a very long time, she is okay with it.
Until there is.
A Spellhound pup is bolting from the forest at great speed when Flax first meets it. She knows Spellhounds are very important to The Floating Forest, because Grandpa told her so, but she's not sure why.
This pup is frightened, and when he finally stops running he tells Flax that a dragon stole his parents! A dragon? In The Floating Forest? Flax does not like the sound of that, or what it might mean for her and her small sword. You see, Flax is tiny. We would call her something like a Pixie or Fairy. She sort of looks like a small bear who walks on two legs and has glow in the dark whiskers. So a dragon in the vicinity is bad news for Flax.
The Spellhound's panicked escape has taken them far from The Floating Forest however, and Flax is worried. She wants to go home, but the pup has finally calmed down and wants the opposite. He wants to find his parents.
This is when the next important character of this magical tale enters the story. Rose is an unimportant fourth chamber maid, or that's what she tells Flax and the Spellhound pup. She is actually the Queen of Hallow. But at only ten years old, she doesn't have control over anything in her life.
All three have an important reason to find this dragon, so they reluctantly set off for where Rose believes it might live.
Spellhound - Dragons of Hallow is an entertaining read. Not only are we reading this magical, action adventure, we are part of it. The narrator, of whose surprising identity you will learn as you read, actually stops to talk to you, check in with you, or warn you of scary bits coming up.
This is a tale woven with many secrets. The characters all hold one close and the villains have their own. Each one is revealed as the plot unfurls, adding unexpected twists and more danger to this quest.
Having such a magical world such as The Floating Forest combine with our own, adds even more intrigue for both character and reader travelling through the story.
An engaging, fantastical read by an award winning and best selling author.
8+
August 12, 2023
I've always said that a well-written YA, MG, or younger book can be enjoyed by an adult reader as well. This book was published for readers aged 7-11, but it was a joy to read as an adult.
The main characters were Flax, a minch-wiggin (a couple inch tall fictional creature) protector of her people. Rose, a human queen-in-training. And Pup, a Spellhound puppy. But the best character in the story was the narrator. He talked to directly the reader through the whole story, it felt like I was being read a bedtime story.
No, it is not a very good rhyme. But you don't need to be good at rhymes when you weigh half a tonne and can breathe fire. I mean, would you walk up to a dragon and say 'Excuse me, that was really dreadful'? Before you answer, please note that dragons do not take kindly to literary criticism.
Sometimes the conversations were almost interactive:
You would be terrified. Yes, you would. Stop arguing with me.
Flax, Rose, and Pup reluctantly team up together to save their homes and parents; it took much of the book before they started to trust each other, and liking each other took even longer.
The story was jam-packed full of imagination, so much worldbuilding, and a fun way to handle magic.
There were only two small issues I had with the book:
The first was that every chapter started with a quote from that chapter, so it tended to spoil things. (Though I think young readers would like it, it would keep them reading.) I tried to not read the quote, but it was in special font surrounded by sparkles, so it was quite eye-catching.
The second was that I couldn't picture Flax. There were some pictures in the book, so eventually I settled on her looking like a teddy bear with an ermine's tail. I suspect the author was vague about her description so that the reader could picture minch-wiggins however they want. (That or there was a description and I missed it.)
This was such an enjoyable book, once I post this review I'm going to go look for more things by her.
The main characters were Flax, a minch-wiggin (a couple inch tall fictional creature) protector of her people. Rose, a human queen-in-training. And Pup, a Spellhound puppy. But the best character in the story was the narrator. He talked to directly the reader through the whole story, it felt like I was being read a bedtime story.
No, it is not a very good rhyme. But you don't need to be good at rhymes when you weigh half a tonne and can breathe fire. I mean, would you walk up to a dragon and say 'Excuse me, that was really dreadful'? Before you answer, please note that dragons do not take kindly to literary criticism.
Sometimes the conversations were almost interactive:
You would be terrified. Yes, you would. Stop arguing with me.
Flax, Rose, and Pup reluctantly team up together to save their homes and parents; it took much of the book before they started to trust each other, and liking each other took even longer.
The story was jam-packed full of imagination, so much worldbuilding, and a fun way to handle magic.
There were only two small issues I had with the book:
The first was that every chapter started with a quote from that chapter, so it tended to spoil things. (Though I think young readers would like it, it would keep them reading.) I tried to not read the quote, but it was in special font surrounded by sparkles, so it was quite eye-catching.
The second was that I couldn't picture Flax. There were some pictures in the book, so eventually I settled on her looking like a teddy bear with an ermine's tail. I suspect the author was vague about her description so that the reader could picture minch-wiggins however they want. (That or there was a description and I missed it.)
This was such an enjoyable book, once I post this review I'm going to go look for more things by her.
June 8, 2024
‘Of course you have never heard of Spellhounds. They are one of The Three Great Secrets of Hallow.’
I may be many, many years older than Ms Tanner’s intended audience for junior fiction, but I love the way she creates interesting worlds with fascinating creatures, and invites the reader in.
‘Spellhound’ (the first book of a new series), is set in Hallow. Hallow has Three Great Secrets (and yes, you will know what they are by the end of the story). Our three main characters are Flax (a very small minch-wiggin), a ten-year-old Queen, and a large magical pup. Flax is known as Destroyer-of-Dragons, a title she’s not entirely happy with, even though she does have access to some magic. But Minchfold, where she lives, is under threat. The Queen and the pup have their own reasons for wanting to find the dragon and the three of them join forces.
There are lots of adventures, plenty of danger, magic, as well as a talking sword and a few green jellybabies. Short, sharp chapters finishing with a cliffhanger kept me reading. I had to know how this story would end and whether each of our main characters would (or could) confront their demons.
My only regret is that I don’t have a nearby young person to share this story with.
I finished the novel, keen to read the next instalment and not at all surprised that ‘Spellhound’ won the 2023 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction. The novel is beautifully illustrated by Sally Soweol Han.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I may be many, many years older than Ms Tanner’s intended audience for junior fiction, but I love the way she creates interesting worlds with fascinating creatures, and invites the reader in.
‘Spellhound’ (the first book of a new series), is set in Hallow. Hallow has Three Great Secrets (and yes, you will know what they are by the end of the story). Our three main characters are Flax (a very small minch-wiggin), a ten-year-old Queen, and a large magical pup. Flax is known as Destroyer-of-Dragons, a title she’s not entirely happy with, even though she does have access to some magic. But Minchfold, where she lives, is under threat. The Queen and the pup have their own reasons for wanting to find the dragon and the three of them join forces.
There are lots of adventures, plenty of danger, magic, as well as a talking sword and a few green jellybabies. Short, sharp chapters finishing with a cliffhanger kept me reading. I had to know how this story would end and whether each of our main characters would (or could) confront their demons.
My only regret is that I don’t have a nearby young person to share this story with.
I finished the novel, keen to read the next instalment and not at all surprised that ‘Spellhound’ won the 2023 Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction. The novel is beautifully illustrated by Sally Soweol Han.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 29, 2025
Set in the quirky, magical world of Hallow, inhabited by creatures who cherish secrets (and green jellybabies!), the story follows three unlikely heroes.
Flax is a minch-wiggin. A tiny, whiskered, tail-wielding creature who has inherited a talking sword and a satchel filled with magic. She has the unfortunate title of the Destroyer of Dragons and Protector of her People. A title which she feels she shouldn’t have but which has been passed down through many generations. Flax gets caught up with Spellhound, a rather large magical dog whilst fleeing the Floating Forest, after a dragon captures his parents. They both end up in the World below where they meet Queen Felicia, a bored, young queen under her Aunt Delilah’s thumb. Felicia says she is a chambermaid and that her name is Rose and the three embark on an adventure to find the dragon, rescue the Spellhounds and save the Floating Forest. Thanks to Novel Insight for a copy of this publication. Looking forward to reading book two in the series.
Flax is a minch-wiggin. A tiny, whiskered, tail-wielding creature who has inherited a talking sword and a satchel filled with magic. She has the unfortunate title of the Destroyer of Dragons and Protector of her People. A title which she feels she shouldn’t have but which has been passed down through many generations. Flax gets caught up with Spellhound, a rather large magical dog whilst fleeing the Floating Forest, after a dragon captures his parents. They both end up in the World below where they meet Queen Felicia, a bored, young queen under her Aunt Delilah’s thumb. Felicia says she is a chambermaid and that her name is Rose and the three embark on an adventure to find the dragon, rescue the Spellhounds and save the Floating Forest. Thanks to Novel Insight for a copy of this publication. Looking forward to reading book two in the series.
March 10, 2024
🪄 When you have a recommendation from Kate Temple then you know you are onto a winner. This book takes you into a magical and mysterious world in which you will become lost with wonder and awe.
🐾 Spellhound is fresh, funny, magical and filled with characters you will fall in love with. Do yourself a favour and dive into this one!
🐾 Spellhound is fresh, funny, magical and filled with characters you will fall in love with. Do yourself a favour and dive into this one!
May 22, 2024
Delightful journey and adventure. And I love I don't have to wish I was young again to enjoy. I just enjoy. The perfect balance of stretch and whimsy. Love a narrator who talks me through it and some realistic uncertainties and anxieties in the characters. I think I have my minch-wiggen proportions of outta whack, but no bother.
August 28, 2024
Divine! Loveable characters, a hint of mysterious magic and the most wonderful narrator make this a delightful read. The short chapters and super fun narration make this an excellent class read aloud for middle primary.
March 31, 2023
I loved this book, and so did my 11-yr-old! It's filled with humour and friendship and quirkiness and a giant magical puppy, and I didn't want to stop reading.
January 31, 2025
My daughter read aloud Spellhound by Lian Tanner last year and we both loved it.
When I told her I was writing a review, she began listing all the things she enjoyed about it. There were so many things! And in her enthusiasm to relate the key plot points, there were so many spoilers! Here's a (hopefully) spoiler-free summary.
Spellhound is a whimsical fantasy about a minch-wiggin, a young Queen and a large magical pup, who must find the dragon that has turned their worlds upside-down.
We were instantly drawn into the story by a chatty narrator, who explained there were Three Great Secrets in Hallow, but they weren't going to tell us any of them, unless of course we had jellybabies, green ones.
Meanwhile, the characters were thrown straight into the adventure and by the time they joined forces to find the dragon, we were turning pages at a cracking pace.
Spellhound is a delightful tale, with engaging characters, a magical world, lots of humour and many surprises, twists and turns.
It's a fun and riveting story: perfect for kids who love fantasy.
When I told her I was writing a review, she began listing all the things she enjoyed about it. There were so many things! And in her enthusiasm to relate the key plot points, there were so many spoilers! Here's a (hopefully) spoiler-free summary.
Spellhound is a whimsical fantasy about a minch-wiggin, a young Queen and a large magical pup, who must find the dragon that has turned their worlds upside-down.
We were instantly drawn into the story by a chatty narrator, who explained there were Three Great Secrets in Hallow, but they weren't going to tell us any of them, unless of course we had jellybabies, green ones.
Meanwhile, the characters were thrown straight into the adventure and by the time they joined forces to find the dragon, we were turning pages at a cracking pace.
Spellhound is a delightful tale, with engaging characters, a magical world, lots of humour and many surprises, twists and turns.
It's a fun and riveting story: perfect for kids who love fantasy.
June 6, 2023
Absolutely brilliant - perfect as a read aloud for G2-5
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews