Publication Date: 1 June 2023

The Blurb

“The problem with growing up listening to bedtime stories about monsters, magic and myth is that you don’t really question it when a lake summons you…”

The lake has been calling to twelve-year-old Vivi Conway. On the day she and her Mams will move from Wales to London, she sneaks out to investigate what is calling her there. Instead of a quiet swim, she finds Excalibur (much smaller than she expected), a ferocious monster (much scarier in real life than in her mythology books), a new friend (which she doesn’t want at all) called Dara and a ghostly dog named Gelert (who can talk). Gelert insists that Vivi is part of a magical group of children who share the souls of witches from legend and must protect the world from being taken over by the evil King Arawn of the Otherworld. Oh, and now she can magically control water.

With a little extra help from spiky Stevie and sweet-hearted Chia, can Vivi be brave enough to embrace true friendship and her magical destiny to help protect the world from evil?

The first book in a fantastical series that combines a quest for magic and friendship with Welsh mythology and a pinch of science, all within a contemporary setting.

The Review

A gloriously magical, mythical adventure about friendship, being true to yourself, oh, and saving the world.

I am a huge fan of mythology so was instantly drawn into the book which is brimming with it from the very first sentence. “The problem with growing up listening to bedtime stories about monsters, magic and myth is that you don’t really question it when a lake summons you…” Knowing it was drawn from Arthurian Legend and The Mabinogion just pulled me in further!

A fabulous read for empathy, we see the characters bring their walls down and embrace each other’s strengths and fears. I found Vivi and Stevie’s conversation, in the Science Museum, very powerful for exploring how neurotypical, able bodied people project sympathy to those they see as less able or different, rather than speaking to them as equals with empathy.

I love that each character has their own reason to not trust others, whether due to neurodiversity, disability, race or queerness but do it anyway – first out of necessity. but then out of the trust, respect and loyalty borne of true friendship . Vivi has moved to London for a fresh start having been bullied at her previous school by someone she thought was a friend, and is worried her autism will drive people away, again. Stevie and Chia both openly talk about the casual racism thrown at them, as well as Stevie’s disability leading to pitying looks and comments belittling her abilities. Dara is the least open about their feelings throughout the book, I love their eccentricity and loudness through the outfits they create for themself.

But, knowing there is more to come from this action packed new series is what I love most!

Huge thanks to Knights Of for sending a copy of the book and to Courtney for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. Do make sure you check out all of the other stops.