Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this glorious middle grade fantasy novel. Thanks to The Write Reads for organising the tour and to Harper Collins for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
So…this one is a bit of a weird one for me.
I don’t really read much fantasy or even much middle grade fiction so I’m not entirely sure why I signed up for this blog tour – apart from the fact that Dave at The Write Reads does get some great blog tour books!
I’m glad I did though.
This is the story of Twelve, a young girl who has renounced her previous life and joined a hunting lodge where she will (along with other huntlings) progress to being a full Hunter. However, Twelve is finding it hard to forget her past and it is causing friction with her peers, especially Five.
When one of their number goes missing and the lodge is attacked, Twelve embarks on a brave journey into the Frozen Forest to try to help. Accompanied (against her wishes) by other huntlings, she learns a lot about herself and her past…to the point that her life will never be the same again.
This isn’t my usual genre at all, but I thought the writing was beautiful. The descriptions of the frozen world that Twelve finds herself in were breathtaking, although the equally vivid descriptions of the stinky goblins and ogres were pretty grim! Fowler builds her fantasy world and its occupants well – I could picture the scenes and characters, even if I didn’t necessarily want a clear picture of the dreaded Ygrex!
Twelve is a compelling main character. She starts the story as an outsider – clearly talented in the lessons offered by the lodge, but without friends (aside from her squirrel, Widge). However, the journey that the book takes her on sees her learn important lessons, not least about building relationships and not letting the past hold her back.
The novel is cleverly plotted and kept me engaged. There were some genuinely surprising twists and turns along the way and I was keen to see how everything would work out for Twelve. The end, when it comes, is satisfying but – I hope – opening the door for more adventures featuring this tough, sassy protagonist.
I’d definitely recommend this to the middle grade readers in your life – they will definitely thank you. It will absolutely charm and engage the tween-age readers in your life (and everyone else, if the experiences of this forty-something are typical!)
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Amazing review, Kate! xx
Thanks, lovely xx