Fire Girl (1) Paperback – April 1, 2018

This book is actually one of the most gorgeous and captivating middle grade stories I have ever read. Seriously, who says books written to target a younger audience can’t still be utterly amazing and wholly engaging. Fire Girl by Matt Ralphs is pure proof that, regardless of the type of book, target audience or genre, age really is no barrier when it comes to enjoying a good story.And what a stunning book this is, filled with all the right fantasy elements woven together to form a surprisingly fantastic tale; witchcraft and demons, action and adventure, a richly imagined world and a cast of memorable characters. Fire Girl is set in an alternative history England in which witchcraft is illegal and Magic wielders live in hiding, fearful of capture by trained Witch Hunters, in the aftermath of their defeat in the Witch Wars. It features a hilariously snarky dormouse familiar called Bramley (who is actually the BEST… CHARACTER… EVER… seriously love this little guy), a strong female protagonist, 12 year old Hazel Hooper, who wields brilliant but deadly fire magic, as well as an epic adventure in the form of a desperate rescue mission to save Hazel’s mother, Hecate, after she is kidnapped by a demon.I can safely say that as a child obsessed with fantasy worlds I would have adored this book; it is just my kind of story. Hazel is a great main character, tenacious and brave and so very relatable, especially for young girls. I can just imagine a younger version of myself being sucked into her adventure and wishing for my own magical powers. The story is fast-paced and easily accessible to younger readers, with lots of witty dialogue and some darker elements that really add to this tangible sense of threat and momentum throughout the narrative. Ralphs has also managed to subtly include a number of important themes and lessons that really speak to the power of fantasy stories, fairy tales and fables to act as instructive and moral teachings, and further illustrate their value and place in children’s literature.I think the real stand out in this book is the world-building, which is so compelling and imaginative. I loved the little snippets of the world’s history and teachings that heralded the start of each chapter, they really added to the complexity and depth of the story. There was just something about this world that felt so real and possible. While a lot of the fantasy elements will be familiar to regular readers of the genre that is what makes this book such a great introduction for younger readers, and will undoubtedly bring its older audience right back to their childhood and those first, precious, fantasy stories that you never will quite let go of.Fire Girl may be a middle grade fantasy don’t let it fool you, this book is such a genuinely great read, one that is sure to stick in your mind well past finishing the last page. I absolutely recommend it for younger readers keen to explore the fantasy genre.

I received a free copy of Fire Girl from the publisher in return for an honest review.Hazel who has been living in a beautiful magic glade has never ventured out into the real world but when her mother gets kidnapped that's exactly what she has to do. On her journey she comes across many scary people and demons and finds herself in some dangerous situations, but with her grumpy familiar by her side and a few friends she makes along the way, she's determined to save her mother.I had a lot of fun with this book. The interaction between Hazel and Bramley, her grumpy sarcastic little dormouse familiar, brought a smile to my face every time. The author creates a wonderful easily visualised world full of witches and demons, that has both a dark and sinister side to it but at the same time is full of adventure, love and promise. The characters came alive in my mind while I was reading, I can easily imagine a child being completely captivated by this story.Fire Girls is Matt Ralphs debut novel and I have a feeling kids everywhere are going to love this book. I'm always on the look out for good childrens books and this is one that's going right onto my to recommend list.My immediate thought on finishing this book was that I hope there is going to be a sequel and I'm so pleased to see there will be. I also now want a grumpy little dormouse all of my own!I'm looking forwards to continuing with this story.

I have to admit I’m not always the biggest fan of historical fiction books for children, mostly because the historical aspect tends to be loose at best. I also often find witch hunts a bit depressing. However, I made an exception for this one because of one word – dormouse.She has a dormouse familiar! I am always here for that.Aside from the dormouse this is a story of witches and demons, friends and enemies and a very unfriendly society into which stumbles a young girl trying to rescue her mother. Hazel is a seemingly ordinary twelve-year-old, who has been secluded away from the world all her life. She wants to get out, she wants to explore, and she is resentful of her mother for keeping her prisoner. Until her mother’s not there anymore, leaving Hazel with her newfound magic and her sort-of friend, Bramley the dormouse.I was never quite sure if I liked Hazel or not. She’s clearly very brave, but this book is very dialogue heavy without really including what she’s feeling at any given moment. Fear and being afraid is mentioned a lot, but I need more in order to feel like I really know a character. Considering she’s out in the world for the first time, Hazel does quite well and seems to know a lot (unless it’s convenient for her not to), and to be honest I didn’t really believe this was a girl who’d only ever known two other people in her life.The story itself unfolds nicely, steadily increasing the danger and the action as it goes along, making this a quick, compelling read that is never boring. It also likes to deal in grey areas, making enemies out of people from either side of the old Witch War, and likewise creating friends. It’s pretty dark at times, even if the worst moments happen off screen, and any child with a vivid imagination will likely conjure up some pretty nasty horrors thanks to those demons.So overall this is an okay read, with plenty of dialogue and action to keep it flowing. If, like me, you prefer characters you can get to know and really like, this might not be for you, but if you want something fast-paced and a bit dark, then you should try this. As for that dormouse, well, after a shaky start he definitely did live up to his promise. If anything could tempt me to come back for part two, it would be him.(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

An exciting, fast-paced story set in an alternative 17th century combining magic with some realistic historical detail. There's peril on every page - demons, curses, witches and witch-hunters, but the book's real star is Bramley, Hazel's sarcastic dormouse familiar who adds a welcome touch of humour to the darkness of the story.

This story is a page turner from the start, and surprises you with dark demons and unexpected twists. A fabulous book.

1656. Cromwell has ordered the destruction of any witches who escaped the purge, no matter if their skills were used only to heal. Those on the darker side, headed by Nicolas Murrell, crave a pact with Baal to ensure survival.Caught up in the turmoil is twelve year old Hazel Hooper, her fire-creating powers only just discovered and yet to be controlled. Also newly acquired is tetchy dormouse Bramley, her familiar (he necessarily tiny for plot advancement purposes).Dangerous times, Hazel never before away from the glade which has been her haven. Allies are needed. Can drunken Titus White and his apprentice David be trusted? Top priority, tracking down her abducted mother....The constant banter between Hazel and Bramley is fun - they an odd couple indeed. Be advised that the Prologue is scary and certain passages may disturb younger readers (enormous spider Spindle and Murrell's Rawhead the stuff of nightmares).Some readers may find Hazel too resourceful to convince - an argument rejected by those insisting, "Needs must when the devil drives". Admittedly what happens sometimes lacks credibility. Probably like many, I cast aside any such reservations and simply settled down to an enjoyable read.A few will be miffed the story does not end here but seems the start of a series - this good news for others, the Hazel-Bramley partnership so full of potential.More please!

An historical fantasy for young adult readers. Ideal reading age would be twelve and up, thanks to some mild horror.It's not billed as being the first in a series. But it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger with lots to be resolved, so it presumably will be one.It runs for two hundred and seventy two pages. It's divided into forty five chapters. Along with a prologue and an epilogue.Set in Britain right after the civil war, it's a somewhat different Britain to the one we know. A world where magic exists. Of the traditional kind. Where there are witches with familiars. And bargaining with demons will have consequences.The prologue sets the scene, and is very readable from the off. You are also never overwhelmed in the least by the building.The main narrative is seen through the eyes of Hazel. A twelve year old girl who lives in a magical glade with her mother. Who is a witch. And has a cat as a familiar.Hazel has lived all her life in the glade, and knows next to nothing of life on the outside. Her mother has never really told her why their life is like this.But when Hazel's mother is kidnapped by a demon, Hazel at least gets to leave the glade. Luckily she gains a familiar along the way, a dormouse called Bramley. And she finds she has power as well.Hazel is going to have to grow up very fast if she wants to see her mother again. Can a pair of demon hunters help? Only they're also witch finders....A superb and engrossing read throughout, there's lots to delight here. A fascinating and well brought to life setting. A central character who is totally sympathetic, who acts realistically given her age and situation, and who grows and changes throughout as a result of things. But who drives the narrative through her actions anyhow.Her relationship with Bramley is also a delight, as he can be sardonic and supercilious, but they have a great bond anyhow.The two demon hunters are also a great creation, two more people who are three dimensional characters who develop a great deal along the way.The plot is also well worked, as it twists and turns and develops at just the right pace to keep you hooked.Being the start of things does actually work to it's advantage as it doesn't all wrap things up by the end with a happy solution to everything. Because it doesn't feel like it's being stretched out to make it a series. It feels as if there's lots more than can be told about this world and these characters. And I really would want to read such.A really great read. If you're twelve. Or older.

Hazel has long wished that she could explore the world outside of the magical glade that her mother created for her. Sadly, that wish needs to become a reality when her dear mother is kidnapped one day.Frightened and alone, Hazel somehow manages to create a familiar in the form of a grumpy dormouse named Bramley. So it seems, that Hazel too has the gift of magic...if she can learn to control it!The problem is that in Cromwellian England, any witches must be hunted down and killed. Even those who just use their magic to do good, like healing. Hazel runs the very big risk of being caught out if she doesn't get a rein on her abilities.The tale mixes historical fiction with a good strong dollop of fantasy, which makes for a fast-paced novel. It is quite dark at times, with Hazel trying to filter out who can help her in her quest to find her mother, and who would harm her. It is not just those hunting witches that Hazel needs to be frightened of, for their are some who use their magic for darker purposes.Overall, Fire Girl is a fantastic book, and I am pleased to hear that that the author plans more for his characters. Just be warned that the darker parts could be scary for younger readers, so be careful assessing if your child is likely to be spooked by any of it.