Archie Pages finally wakes from his slumber, but the Pages family aren’t out of danger. The Alchemist is unpredictable in his desire for more power and one special book he believes only Tilly can help him find.

Milo and Alessia know that they must venture out on their own to ensure Tilly and her family’s safety. No matter how unkind his Uncle Horatio was to him over the years, Milo still wants to find the ingredients to the recipe Alessia stole from her father – the Alchemist. This will free Horatio from his poisoned slumber, and hopefully give them what they need to stop the Alchemist once and for all.

Another powerful person has been in their plans – but again, they don’t know who the Botanist is or where they might find them. When they do, they are surprised to discover a kind woman who has been caring for a family member Horatio never knew he had. This person thought Milo had died in the same accident that killed his parents, and Milo finally learns the truth.

Together, they piece together the strange ingredients on the Alchemist’s recipe to make the antidote to the sleeping potion they need. It’s an interesting journey in and out of classic tales and poems – some dangerous, some silly, and some exhilarating.

But the Alchemist is one step ahead, and even more dangerous than expected, leaving them scared, shocked and heartbroken at a betrayal. There is no time to waste however as the person the Alchemist seeks, reveals themselves and the place hiding the most important book of all invites them all in.

This episode was a cracker! The fourth book in the series (The Book Smugglers), was a little slower than the first three, and I have to admit I began to wonder if Pages & Co had lost a little of its book magic for the reader. After finishing The Treehouse Library, there is no fear of that!

I’m glad to have the last and 6th book in the series, because the ending of The Treehouse Library was gob smacking. I now understand the work The Book Smugglers had to do to get the reader to the gripping conclusion of this one.

Tilly doesn’t star much in this episode, and getting to know Milo and more so Alessia in this part of the adventure was really enjoyable. They are best friends but poles apart in personality – which is just what’s required to stay alive!

As a book lover, I relished all the book references, characters and experiences inside classic tales, wishing I could step into my own favourites.

Each book in this series has a quick recap of what’s happened so far. But it’s much better to read them all of course.

Right…I’m off the meet The Last Bookwanderer!

Author – Anna James

Age – 9+

Find the rest of the series here

(2022, Harper Collins, Series, Books, Magic, Train, Friendship, Villain, Poison, Plans, Recipe, The Secret Garden, Robin Hood, Secret, Adventure, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Mystery, Imagination, Story, Bookstore, Alchemist, Antidote, Teamwork, Magical Train, Pages and Co)