Publication Date: 9 April 26

The Blurb

All Marinka’s life, she has lived in her house with chicken legs. Running across the world on magical adventures, Marinka knows how her house is feeling, and it listens to her, too. But something is wrong. And before anyone can stop it, the house has pulled itself apart and run away.

With her friend Benjamin and crow Jack, Marinka races after it to find answers. Travelling across far-distant lands, through new realms and magical places, Marinka must face up to her fears to save her friends. But her house might not want to stop running…

The Review

First off, while this can be read as a stand alone, if you haven’t read The House With Chicken Legs, I urge you to do so, as you will get do much more out of this stunning sequel.

The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away is the epic, spellbinding return to the bestselling, award-winning world of Marinka and her extraordinary home. This was a highly anticipated sequel, and I am thrilled to report that it exceeded every single one of my expectations, which were sky high!

I absolutely loved being back in Marinka’s world. Sophie has such a gift for weaving fairy-tale magic with deeply human emotions. At its heart, this is a story with a strong message about friends who become family and the beautiful, sometimes painful, circle of life.

We see a much more reflective side to Marinka this time around, as she truly begins to understand how every action from the past has a consequence that ripples out to affect those she loves. It’s a beautiful evolution from the girl we first met, one who understands herself better, anx her place in the world. Alongside her, Benjamin remains the most steadfast of friends, providing the emotional anchor Marinka needs when her world pulls itself apart.

Once again, The House is a character all of its own, packed with personality, and plagued with problems. Frightened of what is happening and fearful for Marinka, it sets us off on a race across a spectacular fairytale world full of awe and wonder.

The settings we travel to are nothing short of extraordinary, from the lush, whispering depths of the forest to the unsettling serenity of Marzanna’s Garden. The scale of the adventure reaches new heights during the ocean crossing; the atmosphere is so thick with magic you can almost feel the otherworldly spray as they head for the Gate Carver’s Island.

Be warned, tissues were definitely needed for this one! It is a poignant, adventurous, and ultimately life-affirming journey that stays with you long after the final page is turned. I hope beyond hope we will revisit this world again in the future.

Great for fans of:

• The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison
• The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard

Huge thanks to Fritha, and Usborne for sending me an early proof copy. I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy, and gave taken up this fabulous pre-order offer ‘ make sure you do too!

The Off The Page Challenge

We meet a new magical character in The House With Chicken Legs Run Away – Valuant, the flying pestle and mortar. It got me thinking about other everyday objects that could transform with a touch of magic.

So, my challenge inspired by The House With Chicken Legs Runs Away is to create your very own magical object. When picking your object, think about something you see every day in your own room. The contrast between a boring item and a spectacular power is what makes magic feel real!

• What would your object be? Think of something as everyday and ordinary as possible.
• What would it be able to do? Can it fly? Can it travel underwater or underground? Does it have super strength?
• How do you control it? Do you need to say specific instructions? Do you control it with your thoughts?
• What personality does your object have? Is it easy going? Is it easily frightened or distracted?

Now, set your 10 minute timer and get creative!