REVIEW: The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Genre: Middle-Grade, Fantasy, Adventure


Publisher: Hodder Children's Book

ISBN: 1444936700

Format: Hardback, Paperback, E-Book,
Audio-Book

Release Date: 19th September 2017


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
B&N, Book Depository


Rating: 9/10


Synopsis:

Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests.

Wizard boy, Xar, should have come in to his magic by now, but he hasn't, so he wants to find a witch and steal its magic for himself. But if he's got any chance of finding one, he will have to travel into the forbidden Badwoods.

Xar doesn't realise he is about to capture an entirely different kind of enemy. A Warrior girl called Wish.

And inside this book, at this very moment, two worlds collide and the fate of the land is changed forever.

Xar and Wish must visit the dungeons at Warrior fort, and face the evil Queen.


But something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring ...

Review:

The Wizards of Once is the first book in a new series by the author of the How to Train your Dragon Series by Cressida Cowell. It follows Xar, a wizard boy and Wish, a warrior girl. The two are taught to hate one another but rather quickly their worlds collide.

I loved Cressida Cowell's books as a child. I actually did a week at school reading her books, creating origami dragons and dragon top trump cards. So, when I heard that she had a new series coming out I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Cressida Cowell not only writes her books, but she also illustrates them too. I've always loved her drawings and they really help bring the story to life.

Xar is a wizard boy without magic. He plans to capture a witch to steal her magic. His father is the king of wizards, so Xar feels like he is letting his father down. He feels teased and out of place.

Wish is the princess daughter of the Queen of warriors. She finds a magic spoon, but the spoon is made of iron, the one material magic isn't supposed to work on. She is fascinated by all things magic, and goes off with her bodyguard. He tries to keep her in line, but nothing can stop her determination for adventure.

Any story with magic and I instantly pick it up. You can tell that a great deal of effort went into creating the world, characters and magical creatures. The book is for children, so for me, it was a quick read. But I enjoyed it nevertheless.

The writing is whimsical and Cressida Cowell is  fantastic storyteller. She has a way with words that really pulls you into the story and feel as if you are really part of the story. I was hooked from the beginning. The book doesn't just have a fantastic story, but beautiful illustrations. From illustrations of the characters, the magical creatures to full pages of artwork. Cressida Cowell is a wonderful illustrator.

I also highly recommend the audio-book. The narrator is none other than David Tennant who does a fantastic job at telling the story. It also has sound effects and whimsical noises that really help pull the story together.

This book may be aimed towards a middle-grade audience, but this book can definitely  be enjoyed by everyone. I highly recommend this book and I can see it being one of my favourite books of the year.