Book Review | The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts

An out of this world magical adventure with talking animals, risk-taking and friendship aplenty! A new standalone magical story from the best-selling author of the Explorers’ Club series.

Twelve-year-old Eli is an apprentice librarian at the largest library in the world. But when his grandmother falls ill, he enters the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts to raise money for her treatment.

This annual race is always held in the most perilous places and is full of spiky dangers. Most participants seek out unicorns and dragons to help them on their conquest. But not Eli. He embarks on this journey with his trusted pet and friend, Humphrey, his moon tortoise. Moon tortoises aren’t suited to racing and Eli is no natural adventurer. But he soon finds himself in an unlikely partnership with Raven, a rule-breaker and skilled archer, and her ice hare – one of the fastest animals in the world.

If the two children put aside their differences and work together, they might just reach the finish line!

Waterstones

Huge thank you to Faber & Faber for sending me a proof copy of The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts to read and review.

I am immediately intrigued by any novel that has mythical beasts in it, especially ones that have companion humans! The idea that these duos would enter a race across the world to win a spectacular prize is such a fun idea!

I loved the world that this novel is set in. It is packed full of magic and creativity, from chocolate penguins to a ship that is actually an octopus. It’s all so wonderful to read about, and I was definitely drawn into the world of this novel.

I also really liked Eli as the main character. He’s an apprentice librarian (already a favourite) who decides he has to enter the race when his Grandmother falls ill. He is so cautious and caring, and seeing him battle with his careful nature to go on such a big adventure was so lovely to read. He is accompanied by Humphrey, his moon tortoise who was so fun and so confident in his abilities. They are a perfect duo in this novel, and I loved them both!

The supporting cast of characters are also so fun, from the book character that Eli teams up with, to the other competitors on the race, everyone is well written and uniquely crafted to bring different elements to the story.

Overall I really liked The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts. It’s a very fun middle grade novel, packed full of magic and adventure. Huge thank you to Faber for sending me a proof copy.

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