A Magical Venice story: The Water Horse: Book 1

By Author / Illustrator

Holly Webb

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781408327623

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-05-2015

Synopsis

An enchanting tale of magic, friendship and adventure for readers aged 9 and up - from bestselling author, Holly Webb.

Olivia is the princess of Venice. So when the waters start to rise, she knows only her magic can prevent disaster befalling the city.

Desperate for help, and for a friend, Olivia discovers something incredible: a water horse, hidden in the canals of the city. Invisible to most, Lucian knows the deepest secrets of the sea - secrets that could hold the key to saving the city. But can their friendship overcome those plotting against Olivia, and against Venice itself?

The Magical Venice books are all share the same beautiful setting, but can be read as standalone stories. The series includes: The Water Horse, The Mermaid's Sister, The Maskmasker's Daughter, and The Girl of Glass.

Discover more by Holly Webb with her Rose and Lily series - also filled with magical adventures.

Reviews

This is the first in a new series of books in which best-selling author Holly Webb has taken a new and interesting take on mixing magic, animals and a touch of History. In this tale Princess Olivia has to come to turns with growing up, dealing with her formidable Aunt and Cousin as well as trying to save her beloved city of Venice, in which one day she will rule over. Olivia's family are magic! They rule over the city of Venice and control the water in which it is surrounded by. It isn't until one water ritual that her father becomes weak and starts to lose his power and the waters start to grow and flood the city, the weaker he becomes. It is one night that Olivia decides to escape the palace, to find out information about her poor, dying father, that she meets a Water Horse name Lucian. Alongside Lucian and the rest of the Water Horses, Olivia, Etta (her maid), a chocolate cat named Coco and a group of unlikely street children it is her job to help save the city from the floods threatening to wash out Venice. As well as trying to stop her Aunt from becoming ruler and making Olivia marry her awful cousin, Zuan. I thoroughly enjoyed this new series of books from Holly Webb, as it was a different change from the books I have read already from her previous series. I am looking forward to seeing what other books are coming out in this series and if we find out more about Princess Olivia, her family and new found friends. 250 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Lauren Maidman