Starfell: Willow Moss and the Magic Thief
by Dominique Valente (Author), Sarah Warburton (Illustrator)
Magic weaves its way through every corner the enchanting realm of Starfell, where the indomitable Willow Moss faces her most perilous adventure yet.
In the fourth instalment of the captivating Starfell series, “Willow Moss and the Magic Thief”, Dominique Valente takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with danger, friendship, and the unbreakable spirit of a young witch determined to save her world.
The story picks up with Willow, the youngest and least powerful member of a magical family, who has the unique ability to find lost things. This time around, the stakes are higher, and the adventures more thrilling.
As Willow races against time to save Starfell from the clutches of Silas, the magic thief, she learns that even without magic, she has the strength and determination to make a difference. Her journey is a testament to the power of friendship, the importance of believing in oneself, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The narrative is beautifully paced, merging moments of intense action with quieter, introspective passages that delve deeper into Willow’s character and her place in the Starfell world.
With the help of her friends, the young witch sets off to the treacherous Mountains of Nach, where she hopes to find the Craegun, a powerful beast believed to restore anything that has been lost – at a price. The mission is fraught with danger, but there’s no turning back . . . or the magic of Willow’s world will be lost for ever.
If you haven’t read the first three books, don’t despair: the first chapter succinctly and smoothly fills in the necessary pieces for me.
The book is packed with inspiration for young readers, including:
Great messages like “fears are not facts”.
Terrible things happen, but you don’t have to give up.
Don’t bury feelings like guilt or shame: talking helps.
Sarah Warburton did an incredible job illustrating this, and clearly likes Oswin as much as any reader does.
Here’s what some online reviewers said:
“These are the epitome of a warm hug in book form. Diving back into this series was like cuddling under a cozy blanket, & just having all the feels lol.”
“Oswin still gets me lol I love that monster from under the bed so much!”
“Great story about believing in yourself, loving who you are the way you are, always doing the best you can, helping others, and more”
Age 8+
Published March 3, 2022 by Harper Collins Children’s Books
Paperback £7.99
Hard cover £12.99
Find out more about the author…
…and the illustrator