Description
Twelve-year-old Autumn is a beastkeeper at Inglenook School for Magicians, which she secretly dreams of attending as a student. Instead, she must care for Inglenook's menagerie of dangerous creatures so the king's future monster hunters can study them. But when she isn't mucking out the griffin stalls, Autumn searches for clues about her twin brother's mysterious disappearance. Everyone else thinks that he was devoured by the terrifying Hollow Dragon, but Autumn isn't so sure.
Enter Cai Morrigan, the famous young magician prophesied to one day destroy the Hollow Dragon. When Cai comes to Autumn with a secret problem, Autumn agrees to help on one condition: that the 'Chosen One' join her quest to find her brother. Together they uncover the dark truth that lies at the heart of Inglenook School - because every school has its secrets...
Review
Set in the school of the Inglenook School for Magicians, and the surrounding forest, this is a story full of mythical and magical creatures.
Autumn, her brothers and her Gran are beastkeepers - they care for the creatures that are kept at the school for the magicians to practice their spells on. But her twin brother Winter has been missing for some time, and Autumn is determined to find him. She uses every opportunity she can to search for him, even though everyone thinks he has been taken by the Hollow Dragon who lurks in the forest.
But Autumn and Winter have a bond, and Autumn can feel that he is still alive. And she may just have some untapped magic skills of her own…
When Cai Morrigan, the famous young magician who is slated to save them all from the Hollow Dragon, asks Autumn for her help she sees this as her chance to find Winter.
But little did they know that they would set off a chain of events that no one would see coming, as well as exposing secrets of both their families. This is a fabulous magical mystery story that is wonderfully told. Autumn is feisty and determined, and you will love her sense of loyalty and willingness to not give up.
All fantasy loving, middle grade readers will thoroughly enjoy this tale!
Reviewed by Sam
