The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts
By Alex Bell
Illustrated by Tim McDonagh
Harry Hartog's review
Alex Bell delights again! This is a perfect adventure story, with a world that quickly and warmly invites you in. I adored every character, but I must say that Humphrey, Eli’s magical tortoise familiar, was a scene-stealer. There’s a lovely balance between the character’s emotional journeys and exciting magical shenanigans 😉 Plus, Bell always writes pacey, memorable, character-driven plots that make me giggle and gasp all read long - Maddi, Harry Hartog Maroochydore
Description
Twelve-year-old Eli is an apprentice librarian at the largest library in the world. But when his grandmother falls ill, he enters the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts to raise money for her treatment. This annual race is always held in the most perilous places and is full of spiky dangers. Most participants seek out unicorns and dragons to help them on their conquest. But not Eli. He embarks on this journey with his trusted pet and friend, Humphrey, his moon tortoise. Moon tortoises aren't suited to racing and Eli is no natural adventurer. But he soon finds himself in an unlikely partnership with Raven, a rule-breaker and skilled archer, and her ice hare - one of the fastest animals in the world. If the two children put aside their differences and work together, they might just reach the finish line!
- ISBN:
- 9780571382231
- Format:
- Paperback
- Pages:
- 352
- Published:
- Publisher:
- Faber & Faber
- Imprint:
- Faber & Faber
- Weight:
- 291 g