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“Another magical outing for the kids of White Stone Town in Wales!”
their third in this series, and in my opinion this may well be the best of the three, if only for its pure educational value. Don’t get me wrong, all the books in the Magic Islands series, aimed at the 8-12 age group, are fantastic sources of information about the planet and the environment generally, but while the earlier two books were much more explicitly cautionary tales about the environment, and the dangers of man-made climatic catastrophes, The Land of Now and Then focuses arguably more on the general natural history of the planet itself. As a result, it is, in my opinion, a much more wholesome offering, with wonderful helpings of fact and archaeological evidence. There is also a little more time spent in the less fantastical real world of the children Megan and Stefan, along with their friend Trevor, this time lucky enough to be going along with them for the ride. I like this one a little more, I have to say, because I loved learning about dinosaurs as a kid, and it is nice for the long-suffering children of today to have the same opportunity to discover the past, rather than endlessly watching the future. For pure entertainment and educational value, this is a great offering.
The usual gang are all there: wizard Ambrosious, the two witches and the mischievous (far less evil, this time around) Purple Wizards, but there are some great new ones, too, in this land which time, literally, forgot. Dinosaurs and other extinct creatures – including those consigned to ancient myth – inhabit The Land of Now and Then, getting up to all sorts of silliness to get time back – and it is great stuff.
I’ve really enjoyed this series by Irene Edwards. I don’t know what her plans are regarding its future, but in my personal opinion this would be a delightful way to end the saga, if indeed it works out that way. Whatever comes next, if it’s as good as this, I’ll be looking forward to it very much.
Posted by Matt McAvoy - Monday, December 4, 2023
“A Darker Environmental Message for the more mature of children!”
The second instalment in Irene Edwards’s Magic Islands series of books for 8-12-year-old children, and I have to say that, in my opinion, this is something of an altogether slightly darker offering – not so much in its content, but rather the environmental message. In the first book, the message was clear: we should care for and respect our oceans; but in Chaos in the Cosmos, the world is literally burned by those mean Purple Wizards, who have accelerated global warming in revenge for their exile. Still fun and entertaining for your kids, though you may find on this occasion they will be asking you more serious questions than they were in the first offering. Of course, it is an incredibly important topic and one they need to be aware of, and Irene does a superb job of making the book more enjoyable than a simple environmental lecture.
I felt this was a little more mature than its predecessor – think later Harry Potter or The Empire Strikes Back; indeed, you may want to impose a PG-certificate on this book. It is nice and wholesome enough, but just be prepared to explain some of the ways of the world. The book itself contains Irene’s usual silly characters and vivid, colourful settings. There are also some great facts about Mars, where the nasty wizards end up. Again, in this instalment, it is up to reluctant schoolchildren Stefan and Megan, and ancient wizard Ambrosious to save the world and defeat the bad guys, who are really more mischievous than evil.
I’d recommend this and the first in the series – though of course this is a direct sequel, so they will need to be read in the correct order. Once again, I should disclose that I helped Irene a little with this book, but my review is genuine, nonetheless, and I recommend this book for perhaps the more mature amongst your younger kids.
Posted by Matt McAvoy - Monday, December 4, 2023
“Charming Books for Younger Kids!”
This is the first in the Magic Islands series of books from Welsh author Irene Edwards, and it is something of a treat. These are charming books for younger kids, I’d say from the eight to twelve age range, and the series gets off to a promising start with this exciting tale combining light-hearted magical fantasy with an important environmental message. There may be some people who say why does this always have to be the case; why can’t we just allow kids to be kids without always telling them something they will inevitably learn soon enough anyway, but Irene’s book doesn’t preach; it does a very good job of getting the message across in a way that doesn’t overpower the story or get kids asking too many serious questions, that message being a clear one of loving your environment and respecting the species on it – and you can tell that Irene absolutely loves hers.
I enjoyed this book, and disclosure is due here: I did help Irene work on it a little, but this in no way influences my review. It was a pleasure to read, both before and after, and I highly recommend it if you have kids around that age. The fantasy is of the childlike kind: dragons, wizards and witches who all mean well, but can be quite naughty. Children might learn a lot from Magic Islands – but, more importantly, I’m sure they’ll love it, too.
Posted by Matt McAvoy - Monday, December 4, 2023
“A Spooky Wish - The book offers a multitude of captivating adventures that will surely captivate young readers.”
Megan, Trevor, and Stefan, along with their classmates and under the supervision of their teacher, were engaged in a beach cleanup activity. During their efforts, they stumbled upon some peculiar magical objects, including a conch shell, a green bottle containing a scroll of parchment, a rod, and a black bowl. The appearance of these items sparked their curiosity, leading Stefan and Megan to express a playful wish to learn more about them. To their surprise, they were suddenly transported to the mysterious Magic Islands for an unexpected adventure, leaving Trevor bewildered on the beach. Thus commenced the adventures of Megan and Stefan.
Particularly intriguing is Stefan and Megan's journey as they explore the Magic Islands and its inhabitants, all while striving to unravel mysteries and confront malevolent figures like the Purple Wizards and the Witches, who seek to instigate chaos and assert dominance through force. The narrative not only provides entertainment but also imparts valuable lessons about helping others, as evidenced by Megan and Stefan's determination to assist the Magic Islands' people in their time of need.
However, there are certain aspects of the book that I found less appealing. The story introduces a multitude of characters, some of whom appear superfluous, such as Hermes, the Red Wizard, who doesn't seem to contribute significantly to the plot. Additionally, the inclusion of complex vocabulary, like "coronation banquet," "preposterous," and "bewildered," may present challenges for young readers who may require a dictionary's assistance to grasp their meaning.
I rate the book five out of five stars. It is exceptionally well-edited, devoid of grammatical errors, and presents an engaging narrative filled with adventures for children to immerse themselves in as Megan and Stefan navigate the magical islands and unravel the mysteries that await. I wholeheartedly recommend Magic Islands by Irene Edwards to young readers who relish magical tales brimming with adventures.
Posted by Eva Nyaburi - Monday, October 9, 2023
"Trevor is not known for being serious. In fact, he is best known for the tall tales he spins."
He is new in Wales, living with his grandparents, and making friends has been easy. His personality is one that lends itself to laughter, jokes, and many a light-hearted moment between friends.
When Trevor and his pals are exploring the beach one day, something happens that changes all of their lives, and Trevor's love of a good joke is getting in the way of his ability to communicate with the adults around him.
When no one believes what you say, how do you tell them your friends disappeared before your very eyes? Magic Islands, by Irene Edwards, is a fantasy adventure centered around magic, wizardry, and adventure.
The imagery painted by Edward's is absolutely stunning and contributes to the beauty of a well-crafted fantasy. Edward's young characters are relatable and full of life.
The humor woven throughout this novel makes it not only more appealing but serves to create a fun read aloud for classrooms, as well. As a fan of fantasy adventures and a teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed Edward's work.
It is a light-hearted adventure based on the wonder of magic. There aren't many young readers out there who don't become enthralled in stories of the impossible, and Edwards has more than successfully tapped into that demographic. Her young characters are bold and just the right mix of the real world and fantasy.
The wizards and witches in Edward's work transport readers to a fabulously designed land of spells, castles, and absurdly fantastic beings. Page after page, the dragons and monsters continue to keep the story new and refreshing.
Combined with the witty exchanges between characters, the wide array of character types makes this an all-around fantastic read for young readers.
From cover to cover, Edwards enchants young readers, pulls them into a fantasy like no other. In addition to the wonderfully engaging storyline and humor peppered throughout, Edwards includes famous names and well-known pop culture references that further serve to hook readers.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the marvelous sketches by the team of illustrators, Robert Brown, Tony Paultyn, and Gareth Edwards. I highly recommend Magic Islands to anyone looking for an engaging story for young fans of fantasy and wizardry. Teachers in grades 3-6, this one's definitely for you!
Posted by Literary Titan - Tuesday, February 2, 2021
“Book Cover 5 out of 5 stars”
Official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Magic Islands" by Irene Edwards.
Megan, Trevor, and Stefan, along with their classmates and under the supervision of their teacher, were engaged in a beach cleanup activity. During their efforts, they stumbled upon some peculiar magical objects, including a conch shell, a green bottle containing a scroll of parchment, a rod, and a black bowl. The appearance of these items sparked their curiosity, leading Stefan and Megan to express a playful wish to learn more about them. To their surprise, they were suddenly transported to the mysterious Magic Islands for an unexpected adventure, leaving Trevor bewildered on the beach. Thus commenced the adventures of Megan and Stefan. The book offers a multitude of captivating adventures that will surely captivate young readers. Particularly intriguing is Stefan and Megan's journey as they explore the Magic Islands and its inhabitants, all while striving to unravel mysteries and confront malevolent figures like the Purple Wizards and the Witches, who seek to instigate chaos and assert dominance through force. The narrative not only provides entertainment but also imparts valuable lessons about helping others, as evidenced by Megan and Stefan's determination to assist the Magic Islands' people in their time of need. However, there are certain aspects of the book that I found less appealing. The story introduces a multitude of characters, some of whom appear superfluous, such as Hermes, the Red Wizard, who doesn't seem to contribute significantly to the plot. Additionally, the inclusion of complex vocabulary, like "coronation banquet," "preposterous," and "bewildered," may present challenges for young readers who may require a dictionary's assistance to grasp their meaning. I rate the book five out of five stars. It is exceptionally well-edited, devoid of grammatical errors, and presents an engaging narrative filled with adventures for children to immerse themselves in as Megan and Stefan navigate the magical islands and unravel the mysteries that await. I wholeheartedly recommend Magic Islands by Irene Edwards to young readers who relish magical tales brimming with adventures.
