Living next to a forest full of dangerous magical beings, with an imp and her ghost grandmother for company, is normal life for Stella. But she wants even more normal. Against her grandmother’s wishes, Stella enrolls herself in the local school. She’s nearly 13 and wants company more her own age.

Fearful at first, she settles into school life easily, quickly making friends with a girl called Zara and a boy called Yanny. This is just what Stella had been missing. But just like Stella herself, Broadmere Academy isn’t quite what it seems. There are other classes besides Maths, English, History and Geography. Other classses that only a chosen few may attend.

The more she gets to know her new friends and school, the more Stella begins to learn about the enchanted forest called Winterspell that lays behind her home. She knows what ails the forest is connected to her, but is terrified her new friends will find out. What would they say? Will they shun her?

Tensions are rising in Winterspell. The shadows are deepening, sweeping further and devouring all that fall under them. Stella’s friends and family are in danger and she knows it’s time to fully become who she was born to be. Grandma is scared she’s not ready, but time is running out…..

A school – part normal education, part magical. Magical creatures of the Fae World, living among us. A grief stricken king, turned mad by his own melancholy. This melancholy is so deep, it has become alive with cold, darkness, and teeth!

I really enjoyed this tween novel. There are many magical stories out there, but this one stood out with a character who is easy to like, just wanting to be like everyone else. But as soon as she steps into the ‘normal’ world, the reality of her life, her past and and her friend’s future soon confronts her.

Scattered through the book are pages with particulars of Fae Folk, their strengths and characteristics. We learn about Imps, Sprites, Trolls and more. Great read!

Author – Amy Wilson

Age – 8+

(Magic, Fae, Faerie, Sprite, Imp, Centaur, Magical creatures, Grief, Family, Ghost, Friendship, Courage, Spells)