Hello again!
Thank you for joining me in another book review, kindly arranged by the fabulous Literally PR
This week's review is on Spellboda by J C Clarke.
Jo Clarke was previously a falconer, consultant and writer/presenter of CITV's Wild World.
She's been involved in falconry and conservation industries for over twenty years and is passionate about protecting wildlife.
Having worked with children and young adults as a youth worker, JC Clarke hopes that her writing will help young people believe they are worth something and should aim for their dreams.
Jo was shortlisted for Best Opening Chapter for Spellboda at the 2019 Jericho Writers Festival of Writing.
Book Blurb.
Since Trevor’s mum died his dad can barely look at him without yelling. Home is awful, school is worse. People just let you down, and Trevor only talks to Mrs. Bingo-Wings, his mum’s cat.
But then he meets Midge, a peregrine falcon in danger, and finds out he has a gift that could change his life forever.
Trevor is thrown into the heart of a magical adventure that could promise freedom – for Midge and for himself – but can he overcome his doubts and fears and take on the destiny he’s only just discovered?
My review.
If you love adventure, birds of prey and a twist of magical fantasy, then this book is for you. Personally, I love all three. I’ve always been in awe of the majestic beauty in birds of prey, and reading Spellboda you can’t help but be swept away by the magic of these stunning creatures.
The characters, Trevor and Midge, are both likeable and relatable. Even Trevor's dad, Sykes, who doesn’t come across as most likeable, is someone you feel much empathy for. I felt his pain as he struggled to hold his life together following the death of his wife and Trevor's mom.
The pain of struggling to pull the pieces of one’s life back together following a traumatic and life-changing experience is combined with a story of magic. Yet, the magic woven into this story seems realistic rather than far-fetched. Yes, we know that no one can actually talk to animals. Still, in Spellboda, the reader is thrown into Trevor's world, and this unique ability is believable – it works in pulling the reader deeper into the story.
J C Clarke writes a heartwarming tale in a way that leaves the reader eager to turn to the next page. The story is fast-pasted and not once was I tempted to skip a paragraph or two. I can honestly see this as a brilliant film and one I would most definitely look forward to watching.
Will J C Clarke be writing any more stories with Trevor and Midge? I hope so!
Thank you, LitPR for the arc and for inviting me to join the book tour.
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟