Let Sleeping Gods Lie

Thiago De Moraes has brought us another brilliant instalment of Trixie De Santos in Let Sleeping Gods Lie. This hugely entertaining story celebrates different cultures and highlights the importance of family bonds.

Trixie is back, and just when she thought that life was going to be normal again, she is plunged into one of her most epic adventures yet. When Trixie's grandmother suddenly passes away, she finds herself on a plane to Norway with her parents. Trixie's grandmother's house is the same as ever, except for one thing - the copper cauldron has gone missing. Trixie knows that there is something magical about the cauldron from her grandmother's stories, so when she finds a black cat and some muddy footprints in the kitchen, she decides to follow them in order to find the cauldron.

It turns out that the footprints are those of Baba Yaga, the wild witch, who gives Trixie an ultimatum; find the cauldron of rebirth or risk it ending up, in the wrong hands. Trixie and her friends the trickster gods must enter the underworld and out-think and solve the mystery of who stole the cauldron and locate it before something bad happens.

The underworld is no place for children and I think that this will enthuse and engage any reluctant reader. Children will learn a lot about the underworld and the guardians that protect their gateways. From Diyu to Hades, children will be immersed in realms that will ignite their imaginations. This book is a wonderful read and should be in every school library for children in UKS2 to access. Children will love the themes of friendship and family, the characters and their traits, but mostly they will enjoy how Trixie's heroic mission make use of her love of myths.

310 pages / Reviewed by Hayley Summerfield, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+