The Beast of Farrowfell

By Author / Illustrator

Ravena Guron, illus Alessia Trunfio

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Faber Children's Books

ISBN

9780571371228

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

02-05-2024

Synopsis

Jude Ripon returns on another vigilante mission to save Farrowfell. This is the exciting sequel to the epic fantasy adventure, The Thief of Farrowfell, from FAB Prize winning and British Book Award shortlisted author, Ravena Guron.

Jude Ripon has been gifted a fresh new start. For the last four months, she and her older sister Morley have been living with the Weston family. Jude is going to school every day, eating her vegetables and doing her homework. For the first time, Jude's life seems normal. But adventure is calling her name.

While unravelling their family's illegal dealings with raw magic, Jude and Moorley discovered a seedy side to the Consortium. They are eager to bring about justice, in their own way, through a series of heists. But in their escapades, they find something far darker bubbling in Farrowfell. Reports of a strange, menacing beast are inciting terror. Could it be connected to the resurfacing of raw magic and the devious dealings of the Ripons? Can Jude, Moorley and the Westons band together to save Farrowfell?

Also in the series: The Thief of Farrowfell (book 1). Readers love the world of Farrowfell: 'Very exciting. I love the edible magic.' 'I absolutely adored it.' 'Highly recommended.' 'A very entertaining, well plotted and fast paced story.' 'The idea of edible magic was original and inspired.' 'Hugely imaginative.'

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Reviews

Louisa

Judiper Ripon and her sister Moorley return in the second book of the Farrowfell series, The Beast of Farrowfell. Having broken away from their criminal family, they are now living with the Westons and life is safe and normal - but boring and a little claustrophobic. Together, they agree to use their thieving talents in a vigilante operation to clean up corruption in the Consortium, the government of Farrowfell. But before long, they are uncovering engines of darkness behind the placid facade of the Consortium, more powerful than they had ever dreamed of.

Children's stories have always told of a mysterious beast of darkness that traps its victims in a sleep of perpetual nightmares - but could the stories be true? Could the beast be at large in Farrowfell? And if they are and it is, will the Consortium be competent to defeat it? Jude and Moorley are never ones to turn down an adventure or shrink from a challenge. Brave or foolhardy, side by side with their Weston friends, they head towards the terror just as others are running away.

In The Beast of Farrowfell, Ravena Guron has written a gripping and action-packed story that makes inventive use of the original premise of edible magic that in its raw form is highly dangerous. Jude is an appealing and relatable heroine, in the traditional mould - feisty, fearless and loyal but also impulsive, disobedient and in danger of making misjudgements. Of course, all she really wants is to feel she belongs somewhere, but that's not so easy when your parents don't care about you and your name marks you out as a criminal. I really enjoyed the emotional aspect of her story as well as the excitement of the events.

An ideal story for children who enjoy an adventure with a dash of magic - but also for any who fear that they don't quite fit in.

320 pages / Reviewed by Louisa Farrow, teacher