Description
Temora Murphy is eleven years old. She lives in a world where she never really fits. The other girls make fun of her. She's not the "right" sort of girl for anyone – least of all her mother. On the candles of her birthday cake, she wishes for escape. Like magic, in a black pearl box at the bottom of her garden, books begin to appear. The books help her to leave her world and find another where she belongs.
On her twelfth birthday, Temora makes another wish, a wish that alters her life forever. Temora Tempest is welcomed into a world within a book, where everyone else has been waiting for her. But when some of the other apprentices fall victim to a magical disease that could only be caused by one person – a monster thought long dead – Temora realises that there can be darkness in every story.
And that it might be her job to save everyone.
Review
Temora has lived a totally protected life, with her not very pleasant mother. When she finally uses her imagination, she is transported to the world of literature. She arrives at Lyfthelm Tower to discover she should have already returned at aged 10, and she is two years late! She is to become a wordspinner, and her life is turned upside down.
The world she finds herself in is full of caitsith (half cat and half human), pixies, ghosts and an evil wordsnatcher - the monstrous Rider Marr - whose aim is to steal the words of all wordspinners.
Temora quickly learns of the power within her. Coming from the impressive Tempest line of wordspinners, she quickly sheds her worldly name of Murphy and becomes Temora Tempest.
But Temora must act quickly as three of the wordspinners have already lost their words. Can she stop Rider Marr before all stories are doomed?
Set in the incredible world of literature, I love both the story and the setting. With themes of friendship, finding your true self, ingenuity, fantasy and the importance of stories in our world, this is a brilliant story suitable for all readers aged 9 to 14.
Teacher Notes supplied by the publisher are available for this title on our website.
Reviewed by Rob
