Publication Date: 25 January 2024

The Blurb

Shaman by name and shaman by nature… Billy just hasn’t found his magic yet… but he is learning fast.

No one is more surprised than Billy when he wakes up on a Chinese battlefield. Scooped from the jaws of death by a boy called Han, Billy’s far from rescued. Taking refuge in the royal stables, the boys are soon held hostage by the Emperor Wudi. He’s at war with the Horse King whose powerful and magical herd of horses, the heavenly horses of Ferghana, he wants for his own. It takes all Billy’s skills and a very special spirit horse to get Han to safety and Billy back to his friend Charles Darwin, a two-hundred-year-old talking tortoise.

Join Billy, a new kind of explorer who sets out to return artefacts to their original home.

The Review

Our second outing with Billy Shaman is, once again, narrated by Charles Darwin (the tortoise, not the naturalist). Again, Roland brings a mixture of whimsy and historical fiction together in a fantastical tale perfect for history explorers in LKS2. (If you haven’t met Billy before, I’d suggest you go adventuring with him in The Rage Of The Sea Witch first.)

I loved the vivid portrayal of historical settings and characters. From the majestic royal stables to the tumultuous battlefields of ancient China, we are transported to a era long in the past filled with rich detail and immersive atmosphere.

Delightful black and white illustrations throughout the book bring Billy’s travels to life, whether he’s travelling back in time, or on a more spiritual journey to discover his powers.

The inclusion of real historical figures such as Zhang Qian, Alexander The Great and Han Wudi helps children to learn a little about significant historical events and people in a fun and engaging manner, provoking curiosity beyond the factual notes at the end of the story.

The Adventures of Billy Shaman: The War Of The Heavenly Horses by Roland Chambers is out now published by Zephyr in paperback, priced £7.99

Huge thanks to Zephyr and ed.pr for sending me a copy and inviting me to take part in the blog tour. Do make sure you check out all of the other stops.