The Changeling Child

By Author / Illustrator

H.S. Norup

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

Publisher

Pushkin Children's Books

ISBN

9781782695189

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

14-08-2025

Synopsis

Return to the magical world of Faerie Hill in this fantastical middle grade adventure, for fans of Malamander by Thomas Taylor, Otherland by Louie Stowell and The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery.

12 years ago, a child vanished from his cradle. He was never seen nor spoken of again. Saga is desperate to discover what happened - did he really just disappear? Or was he whisked away to the Faerie kingdom, to be raised as one of their own?

As she searches for the truth, her best friend Alfred has his own vital mission. The mayor's relentless construction projects are devastating the natural world, and now the fearsome faeries want revenge. Only Alfred, a demi fae, can restore peace between the two realms. But as he journeys deeper into the magical kingdom than ever before, the two friends start to suspect that the lost child could be the key to everything...

PRAISE FOR THE CHANGELING CHILD: 'A magical ticket bringing us back to the unforgettable and enchanting world of Faerie Hill' Eve McDonnel, author of The Last Boy. 'Bewitching and beautiful... Love it!' Nicola Penfold, author of Where the World Turns Wild

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Reviews

Sue

With a new project threatening both the natural world and the Faerie realm, Saga and Alfred are brought together once again. As a demi-fae, Alfred must journey deep into the magical kingdom, leaving Saga behind to unravel the 12-year-old mystery of a missing child who is, perhaps, the key to everything.

The Changeling Child is the sequel to the very brilliant Into the Faerie Hill - and it is every bit as captivating and magical! As Mayor Underwood plans to exploit the beauty of the caverns by developing it as a tourist attraction with a restaurant building, viewing platform and cable car, the repercussions for the Faerie and the natural world will be devastating.

The story alternates between Alfred and Saga's viewpoints as each strives to find a way to maintain the balance between worlds. Each shows great bravery, determination and resourcefulness, making them very real, likeable characters, relatable and engaging. Longing to be the David Attenborough of the Faerie world, Saga's passion for the natural world and its care is inspiring. Left behind as she is unable to join Alfred as he journeys into the Faerie world, she throws herself into saving the hill from development whilst Alfred learns more about himself, his family and life with the fae.

Family, friendship and belonging are key themes in this compelling story as well as environmental protection and the importance of speaking out about what you believe in. There is such a warmth running through the heart of this story which is so bursting with magic and adventure that it is impossible to put down once started!

Both this - and Into the Faerie Hill- would make a very engaging class story, full of things to discuss and enjoy.

320 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher