Starfell: Willow Moss and the Lost Day product reviews

Working in a bookshop has its perks, like getting to read a book before it hits our shelves (which is also a good way of being able to recommend it as soon as it is released). I was delighted with the cover, it gave off the impression of being rather magical and special. Willow isn't anything special, or at least that is how she feels. Very few people have magical abilities (and even then you only get one typically) and hers is not much at all when compared to her mother and sisters abilities. Willow can find lost items and life trudges along until one day the most powerful witch asks for her help in finding a day that has gone missing, last Tuesday... I was interested to see just how this would be dealt with and I wasn't disappointed.

The missing day is the main element to the story, no one can remember what happened and whilst most people are content with it, we do begin to see people arguing over what must have happened and though no one can remember, plenty of blame is thrown around. Willow herself can't remember what happened and there is an element of sadness to this as she struggles to remember, even though her gut tells her something bad happened. I did find myself a little confused at times as to how old Willow is meant to be, but her character was well written and there was no expectation for her to change and suddenly save the day on her own.

We meet some fantastical creatures along the way and we end up with a rag tag team trying to save the day before another one goes missing. The book also gains inspiration from when the Catholic Church tried to stamp out everything that they didn't agree with or deemed natural, in this aspect the Brothers of Wol attempted to stamp out magic and failing to do so now attempt to control it. There is also a character who can see what has been and what we learn about his story is sad but you can also see how it could happen. This was a lovely read, it gave a fun adventure for the younger readers as well as an interesting world for those who know our own history.

This will be one of those books that I recommend to everyone, it was well written with a well thought out plot and world that everyone can enjoy.