My Review: A fast-paced and warm-hearted tale of daring-do, heroism and a kingdom in peril. Tick’s life is turned upside down when he’s out collecting firewood with his little brother Leaf and Pebble (aka the ‘Wonder Horse’ in my head) and he sees violent invaders landing in the distance. Will he be able to get them to safety in the ‘King’s Keep’ armed only with what he has with him and the advice and wisdom of his dear departed Grandfather? It’s an incredibly satisfying, exciting story with some unexpected twists. I particularly enjoyed the brotherly love between Tick and little Leaf and one of the most talented fictional horses ever. The through-story flies as straight as an arrow, there’s no messing with complex subplots, too many side-characters or long descriptions so it’s an engaging read with a wide appeal. It would be a fabulous class novel too with the short chapters often ending on exciting cliff-hangers.

Suggested For: Readers who enjoy stories about epic quests

If You Like This You Might Enjoy: The Wildsmith Series by Liz Flanagan, The Podkin One Ear series by Keiran Larwood, The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Blurb: Remember everything I taught you, Small Wonder. Take care of Leaf. Take care of Pebble. I’ve done all I can. The rest is up to you…

Small Wonder lives peacefully at the edge of Ellia, along with his little brother and faithful horse. But then a deadly assassin descends. Enemies are invading and the kingdom is in danger. Small Wonder has six moons to get to Kings’ Keep and warn their ruler.

Travelling forests and mountains, encountering bandits and rogue knights, Small Wonder is determined to honour his grandfather’s last advice… Make it count.

Thanks to Walker Books for the review copy.