Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale (Starfell, Book 2)

By Author / Illustrator

Dominique Valente, illus Sarah Warburton

Genre

Magical Realism

Age range(s)

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008308445

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

03-09-2020

Synopsis

The anticipated second book in 2019's breakout magical fantasy series, Starfell, starring misfit witch Willow Moss. Perfect for readers of 8+ and beautifully illustrated throughout by Sarah Warburton.

Willow Moss, the youngest and least powerful sister in a family of witches, recently saved the world. The problem is, nobody can remember it - and, to make matters worse, her magical ability seems broken. Instead of finding lost things, objects keep disappearing against her will ... which is especially troubling now that her friend Sometimes needs her help!

Sometimes has discovered how to see ten minutes into the future. Unfortunately that's only enough time to find out that his kidnappers are on their way! His only hope is to write an urgent letter to Willow, asking if she wouldn't mind trying to find him.

As Willow and her friends piece together what has happened to Sometimes, their adventure takes them from an enchanted tower to the magical forest of Wisperia and into dangerous new realms... Can Willow save Sometimes when her own powers are out of control?

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Reviews

Sue

Having found the lost day means that, although Willow Moss has proven herself a capable and resourceful witch, no one remembers what she has done. In addition to this, her magic has become unreliable so when her friend, Nolin Sometimes, is kidnapped, her family will not believe that a tree delivered a leaf-scroll from him nor that she knows Moreg Vaine, the most powerful witch in Starfell, let alone feels they should call on her for help. So, desperate to help her friend, Willow sets off alone, once more encountering peril and problems as well as loyalty and friendship along the way.

Having loved the first 'Starfell' adventure, I was eager to read more about Willow Moss and her world- and book two did not disappoint! Willow's world is beautifully created, full of detail and magic. Library, the town to visit if you want to know something, is a fabulous place- lovingly describedEverywhere Willow looked was a riot of colour and paper and magic. It smelt of dust, memory and something that felt like promise It sounds like the perfect place to me and Dominique Valente has done a fabulous job of bringing it to life! That said, each location is vividly drawn, pulling you in to this special world.

'Starfell' is populated with an incredible array of characters, each one beautifully developed and nuanced. For me, names are very important and in Starfell, there are some worthy of Dickens himself, giving a real flavour of the personality behind it. Willow is such an endearing child, coping with the grief of losing a close and much loved relative, desperate to do the 'right' thing, loyal and trusting, yet so hard on herself. Oswin remains as cantankerous and adorable as ever - by far my favourite character that is NOT a cat at all!

The book itself is a thing of loveliness! Not only is the dust jacket embossed and shiny, there is a fabulous illustration on the cover underneath. Sarah Warburton has done an excellent job of illustrating the story, with full page pictures as well as smaller vignettes, edgings and chapter headings. It is a joy to behold!

An enchanting, heart-warming romp of an adventure, 'Starfell: Willow Moss and the Forgotten Tale' is a wonderful book.

304 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher