I am a full-time Children’s Fantasy author and illustrator; the result of having my imagination captivated by all the stories told before me. When delving into a story my desire is to have my imagination captured and swept up on a dizzyingly wonderful and fantastical ride. When reading, I just want a good, solid adventure. More importantly, I want to feel like I’m withthe characters (and that I actually want to be with them)—that I’m seeing the world unfold as they do. I love when my imagination is inspired, invigorated, startled, and surprised. If you’re like me, give the books on my list a go—your imaginations will (hopefully) be captured and swept up, too!
The dragons have mysteriously vanished from the lands of Valadae—except one. With no memory of his past, or what happened to his kin, Laeka’Draeon begins the daunting quest for answers, aware that time and unknown perils are against him.
Through ancient, blighted forests and regions steeped in mysterious lore, Laeka’Draeon encounters unexpected allies and terrifying foes, and discovers a dangerous connection between his missing kind and the ominous deterioration of Valadae’s realms. If the dragons fail to return and restore the waning magic of the legendary towers of Klonnoth Aire, the consequences will lead to the return of an ancient and devastating enemy; beasts that once ravaged Valadae in a calamitous 100-year war.
I was privileged enough to be a part of the first wave of the Harry Potter phenomenon. Like many others I’m sure, those books irrevocably captured my imagination, and sparked the flame of my own story-telling pursuits. I didn’t think there’d ever be a story that would match the sheer wonder and imagination that Rowling created. Then I read Nevermoor. And my imagination was re-captured in the same invigorating, child-like wondrous way. Thisbook is something truly special. It’s full of wonder and wit, including a Willy-Wonker-esque patron, a giant talking cat, and a magical, room-changing hotel. And the setting… the setting is marvelously whimsical, magical, with just the right amount of menace to leave you enraptured. You won’t regret following Morrigan into Nevermoor.
A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.
But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters…
I was initially drawn to this book by its curious title and interesting premise. A world inspired by Pied Piper lore? This could only be something wonderfully imaginative. And I was right! With a particularly endearing cast of main characters (a misguided but courageous boy who uses music to cast spells, a girl under a rat-shaped curse, a fearsome yet good-natured dracogriff) whose quirks and dynamics were an absolute delight to follow, this book is inventive and adventurous with considerably high stakes that keep you on your toes. And what makes it particularly captivating, is the magic system; the power of Pipers; using music and layered Songs to manipulate energy and cast spells. Creative quest-style adventuring at its best!
In a world of dragons, song-spells, pipers and battles...
Patch Brightwater is in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero. But then he discovers a deadly truth - the evil Piper of Hamelyn is on the loose. With the help of Wren, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and Barver, a fire-breathing dracogriff, Patch must stop the Piper sparking the biggest battle of them all.
Three accidental heroes versus one legendary villain...an epic adventure is born.
A perfectly pitched fantasy adventure for readers aged 9+ and for fans…
This wonderful (and danger-ridden) adventure starts by establishing a believable and endearing bond between siblings Ottilie and Gully—despite their grim life circumstances. The stakes are shot sky-high when Gully goes missing, and Ottilie risks life and limb to find him and get him back—only to discover a much more incredible (and terrifying) predicament that spans way beyond her small little (family-orientated) world. The mystery and tension driving Ottilie (and the story) are tight and addictive. And the world-building and dangers are delightful in the most imaginative (and scary) way. Secret organizations, dangerous hunts, blight-spreading monsters. And a scared but clever and determined girl who must disguise herself as a boy, to save the one she loves most. A well-worth read!
In the most thrilling fantasy of the year, a young girl must pretend to be a boy to rescue her brother from a secret order of monster hunters.
Ottilie Colter and her brother, Gully, have always fended for themselves. So when Gully goes missing one night, Ottilie sets out to find him - and soon makes a horrible discovery. Gully has been forcibly recruited by the Narroway Hunt, a secretive male-only organisation that hunts savage, blight-spreading monsters called 'dredretches'.
Disguising herself as a boy, Ottilie infiltrates the Hunt - but quickly realises that taking her brother home won't be easy.…
This is one of my personal inspirations for wanting to write (my own series) as a Quest-based Adventure. Deltora Quest follows brave and brash Leif, stoic but loyal Barda, and wild, headstrong Jasmine on an addictive and dangerous sprawling adventure to recover the powerful gemstones of the Belt of Deltora, and save the kingdoms from eternal darkness and servitude under the conniving Shadow Lord. A typical quest fantasy plot (and more basic Middle Grade format than older Middle Grade) but the characters, twists, and trials themselves are marvelously memorable. There are new encounters, new monsters, and new puzzles at every turn—making for delightfully fun story-telling. An archetypical quest-based adventure that is sure to capture any young reader’s (and young at heart) imagination!
This exciting adventure series takes place in the magical land of Deltora, which is pentagonal in shape and is bordered by the Silver Sea to the west, the Ocean of the South to the south, the Sea of the Serpents to the southeast and the mountains to the north, known as the Barrier Mountains. Beyond these mountains lie the Shadowlands, a barren, desolate place ruled by the evil Shadow Lord. The first series follows the journeys of Lief, who has set out to complete his father's quest to save Deltora from the Shadow Lord.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend a true classic. This is a story dripping in wonderful childhood memories; my very first experience having my imagination captured and riveted. And it’s timeless; the first adventure of the Pevensie children. A story full of wonder, delight, and that all-important thread of danger and trouble. Of walking through a mysterious wardrobe into a land shimmering under the curse of an eternal Winter. But also a land full of great magic, talking animals, beasts and battles, and, of course, an ancient feud between a righteous kingly lion and conniving white witch. Don’t just watch this story in film form, do yourself a favour and delve into the original book. It’s a true gem.
Lucy steps into the Professor's wardrobe - but steps out again into a snowy forest. She's stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns... and the wicked White Witch, who terrorises all. Lucy soon realises that Narnia, and in particular Aslan, the great Lion, needs her help if the country's creatures are ever going to be free again...
Inspiring historical fiction based on the real life of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque.
"Unfortunately, only a girl again."
From a young age, Cäcilie Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father's work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. But those five words, which he wrote next to her name in the family Bible, haunt Bertha.
Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and falls in love—with him and his extraordinary dream of building a horseless carriage. Bertha has such faith in him that she invests her dowry in his plans, a dicey move since they alone believe in the machine. When Carl's partners threaten to withdraw their support, he's ready to cut ties. Bertha knows the decision would ruin everything. Ignoring the cynics, she takes matters into her own hands, secretly planning a scheme that will either hasten the family's passage to absolute derision or prove their genius. What Bertha doesn't know is that Carl is on the cusp of making a deal with their nemesis. She's not only risking her marriage and their life's work, but is also up against the patriarchy, Carl's own self-doubt, and the clock.
Like so many other women, Bertha lived largely in her husband's shadow, but her contributions are now celebrated in this inspiring story of perseverance, resilience, and love.
Inspiring historical fiction based on the real life of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque.
"Unfortunately, only a girl again."
From a young age, Cacilie Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father's work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. But those five words, which he wrote next to her name in the family Bible, haunt Bertha.
Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and falls in love-with him and his extraordinary dream of building a horseless carriage. Bertha has such faith in him that she invests her dowry in his…
Interested in
curses,
lions,
and
magic-supernatural?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them.
Browse their picks for the best books about
curses,
lions,
and
magic-supernatural.
