From the award-winning author Jaclyn Moriarty, this CBCA Honour Book which was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award is an enchanting and whimsical spell-filled fantasy novel suitable for readers who love Jessica Townsend, Katrina Nannestad and Karen Foxlee.
HONOUR BOOK: 2021 CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers
SHORT-LISTED: 2021 Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Children's Literature
SHORT-LISTED: 2021 Queensland Literary Awards, Children's Book Award
Long ago, the little Prince of Cloudburst was stolen from the seashore by a Water Sprite. Now, ten years later, the prince has found his way home. The King and Queen are planning the biggest party in their Kingdom's history to welcome him.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Kingdoms and Empires, Esther Mettlestone-Staranise is looking forward to another year at Katherine Valley Boarding School. But she arrives to find a number of strange and unsettling changes. For one, her new teacher is rumoured to be an Ogre. Two mysterious students have joined the school, and one of Esther's classmates is an undercover Spellbinder. Most disturbingly, the mountains surrounding the school - usually a delight of glaciers, teashops, lakes and Faeries - are now crowded with wicked Shadow Mages.
As secrets and dangers escalate, Esther must find the answers to several puzzles. Why is her teacher behaving so oddly? Which of Esther's classmates is the Spellbinder, and can they really protect the school from gathering hordes of Shadow Mages? Could the Stolen Prince of Cloudburst be connected?
How can Esther - who is not talented like her sisters, nor an adventurer like her cousin, but just Esther - save her family, her school and possibly her entire world?
'Moriarty ... is relentlessly clever throughout, maintaining a tone firmly on the comic side of fantasy, though this doesn't keep Esther's story from nailing critical points of emotional resonance. This title, like its siblings, is a perfectly accessible stand-alone, although, together they give a deeper immersion and lay the groundwork of something like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order.' Booklist (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES BOOKS
'Charms, thrills and delights ... brilliantly evoking echoes of Diana Wynne Jones.' Garth Nix, bestselling author of the Keys to the Kingdoms series
'Brimming with bright new magic ... Just perfect.' Karen Foxlee, award-winning and bestselling author of Dragon Skin
'It's my favourite book ever. I want to put it in a glass case to look at always. 5 stars!' Daisy, age 7
'Humorous, whimsical and beguiling ... intricately and ingeniously plotted tale.' The Australian
'A middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - fantasy adventure steeped in humour, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order.' Booklist (starred review)
Industry Reviews
'Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have.' Markus Zusak
'There's a lot packed into this sweet tale told in a deceptively simple, authentic 12-year-old voice. Without devolving into a didactic tone, this novel addresses the concept of safe adults, the danger of comparing oneself to others, the importance of telling the truth and standing up to bullies, and the value of apologizing. Readers can return to this text over and over, and always discover something new. VERDICT: A delightfully quirky story with nuance, depth, and a colorful cast of characters, this book begs for multiple readings.' School Library Journal
'Moriarty ... is relentlessly clever throughout, maintaining a tone firmly on the comic side of fantasy, though this doesn't keep Esther's story from nailing critical points of emotional resonance. This title, like its siblings, is a perfectly accessible stand-alone, although, together they give a deeper
immersion and lay the groundwork of something like a middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - fantasy adventure steeped in humor, with a touch of satire, and set in a whimsical secondary world of the highest order.' Booklist
'The hidden villainy and open dangers, along with Esther's wry humor, appealing voice, and her heroic role in saving the world, are nicely blended while an epilogue delivers a poignant close ... Splendidly entertaining.' Kirkus Reviews
'Esther is a sparkly and self-deprecating heroine, and Moriarty moves her complex tale adroitly through multiple scenarios and an enormous cast of distinctive, cleverly drawn characters. Her writing is whimsical but never self-consciously so, making it easy to believe in the truths and deceptions of her magical creation.' Prime Minister's Literary Awards, Judges' comments
PRAISE FOR THE KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES BOOKS
'Charms, thrills and delights ... brilliantly evoking echoes of Diana Wynne Jones.' Garth Nix, bestselling author of the Keys to the Kingdoms series
'Brimming with bright new magic ... Just perfect.' Karen Foxlee, award-winning and bestselling author of Dragon Skin
'It's my favourite book ever. I want to put it in a glass case to look at always. 5 stars!' Daisy, age 7
'Humorous, whimsical and beguiling ... intricately and ingeniously plotted tale.' The Australian
'A middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - fantasy adventure steeped in humour, with a touch of satire.' Booklist (starred review)
