Apprentice vet for magical creatures? Yes please, this was brilliant. School a strong start to a new series.2 s Resh (The Book Satchel)480 522

Fun magical story! This one was really fast paced and you will be surprised how quickly you will read this. It is about Ember Spark rescuing a hamster and then being sent to work as an apprentice for a vet for magical creatures. Ember Spark, just the name, is full of spark! There are villains who are after the magical creatures and themes of friendship in this quick read. If you love middle grade fantasy and adventurous books, you'll enjoy this.2024-releases childrens-middle-grade2 s Jo Bardgett74 2

Ember Spark
By Abi Elphinstone
Published by Simon & Schuster Ltd


The first in a new series from Abi Elphinstone comes Ember Spark - what a great name and such a strong character! Similar to her other bestselling and former Children's Book of the Month Sky Song, Ember Spark finds her adventure to be full of risk, decisions and magical creatures who are in need of an apprentice.

Rusty Fizzbang, vet to magical beasts, recruits Ember Spark, with her unly friend, Arno, when they are sent on a very strange mission by their teacher Mrs Rickety-knees. But missions are never simple. Coupled with the school bullies and jealous class mates, Ember has some tricky decisions to make as the adventure unfolds.

Because keeping magical beasts a secret isn’t an easy task, especially when they are missing their loved ones, have a broken horn or need medication. Ember and Arno have no time to spare!
Then with arch-villain, Jasper Hornswoggle, hot on their heels and keen to catch the magical beasts for himself, Ember and Arno have to put themselves between magic, danger and failure.

A fantastic opening book driven by friendship, determination, trust and loyalty. Abi Elphinstone delivers another great children’s book that will capture and inspire the reader time after time. I can’t wait for the next instalment.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
#waterstones
#goodreads1 Sifa PoultonAuthor 2 books41

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

EMBER SPARK AND THE THUNDER OF DRAGONS is the start of a charming adventure full of magical creatures and a magical bathtub.

It's such a fun book, bringing all sorts of mythical creatures to life right under our noses. Ember and her new friend Arno have an epic adventure in one night, trying to save two creatures from a dangerous villain. I sped through it, whisked away in the flying bathtub that gives you exactly what you need - but you might need to do some thinking to work out how to use the objects.

There's so much imagination in the book, working out what veterinary care would be for dragons and griffins. The book is set in Scotland, so the Loch Ness monster features! There are also creatures the author has made up, the nibblesqueak, that give it a unique flair.

This is a lower MG book, THE DREAMSNATCHER series, for readers who are a bit youngers and wanting to push their reading confidence. It's charming tale of making a new friend and discovering a whole new magical world. Not to mention discovering the adults trust you with the secret and trust you with looking after such amazing creatures!

The book is illustrated by Kristina Kister who brings alive both rain-soaked castles and magical caves. The illustrations were mostly on the larger side, rather than lots of small, single object illustrations scattered about, which is what I prefer.

This is the first book in a new series and it's not too long to wait for the sequel, out later this year!1 Farah G1,117 25

This is such a brilliant book! Ember Spark is trying to get over the betrayal of her father's absence, which has left her and her mother alone to cope with their changed circumstances somehow. Determined not to be vulnerable to anyone else again, Ember avoids making friends at school, and with her mother working all hours to support them, she ends up not having much company.

Until several unusual incidents take place, that is. First, Ember comes across the mysterious little hamster that she rescues and names Forty Winks (or was that already his name?!). Then, her teacher sends her off on a bizarre quest to help Rusty Fizzbang, who turns out to be a vet for magical creatures in distress!

And as Ember finds herself in the unanticipated but delightful position of apprentice to a magical vet, she also discovers an unexpectedly familiar face accompanying her on this assignment. Which is just as well because there are a whole slew of baddies just as interested in mythical beasts - except *they* want to capture them for their own nefarious purposes...

This is an exceptionally exciting and creative story about highly relatable characters in highly unusual circumstances. The last time I enjoyed a book this so much, it was Cressida Cowell's most recent offering. Abi Elphinstone is another such prodigious talent. So please, just read this book!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review Tracy Wood1,056 12

Ember Spark is lonely and a bit sad since her dad moved out and she's decided if he can leave so can anyone and that having friends is a bad idea. What she does want is an adventure, but living in a tiny village called Yawn doesn't make it very ly that will happen!

One grey afternoon, however, Ember manages to rescue a hamster at the beach, and after that, well, it seems the impossible isn't as hard to find as she'd thought! There is a new boy in her class called Arlo but as Ember doesn't do friends and has avoided him she isn't altogether sure how, as her day becomes seriously amazing, he's still right there joining in. Ember thought nothing exciting would ever happen in Yawn. How wrong was she!

The first in a series for ages 7+, this is exciting and fast moving but in a gentle way. Ember Spark is a great main protagonist who is quite hard on herself at times but has a very obliging mum who lets her go off exploring without too many qualms! The artwork is lovely, and the storyline has just enough jeopardy to keep you reading with a torch under a duvet on a school night!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Simon & Schuster Children's UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. I love the anticipation of the release of a new book in a series, and this is a great introduction to that pleasure for younger readers. Recommended.01-netgalley-2024 Kara (bookishskippy)614 37

Ember Spark finds herself feeling isolated and melancholic after her father's departure, leading her to believe that forming friendships is a risky endeavor. Despite her longing for adventure, residing in the small village of Yawn doesn't offer much promise for excitement.

However, one dull afternoon, Ember's life takes an unexpected turn when she rescues a hamster at the beach. This event sets off a chain reaction of unexpected occurrences, proving that the impossible may not be so unattainable after all. With the arrival of a new classmate named Arlo, Ember, who typically avoids making friends, finds herself unsure of how to navigate their budding connection. As her mundane day transforms into something extraordinary, Arlo unexpectedly becomes a significant presence in her life.

The charming artwork and just the right amount of tension in the plot ensure that readers will be captivated. I was mind blown and the build up of the story! Just to share this read should be read by adults as well as you will enjoy the world building of this story

Thank you so much for the arc @definitelybooks1 Jenny140

Ember Spark lives in Yawn, very boring village in Scotland. She spends her days alone staring at the Swirling Soup - she doesn't want friends - or reading about superhero Gutsy Wonder. She wants an adventure but doesn't expect it to start with rescuing a superhero hamster from the sea.

I really enjoyed this story. The writing was excellent, I was fully immersed in the adventure, staying up far too late to find out what happened to Shiver.
The characters are well written and varied, with brilliant names - there are some horrible characters that you definitely don't !

It's the start of a series, so the story resolves but leaves some questions. It seems that Ember's old friends will be introduced more in book 2. Can't wait!

I think my 7 year old son will love this book, so I'll be reading it again as a bedtime story for him.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. Teri B637 3 Read

Ember Spark embarks onto an adventure she did not see coming and yet has been dreaming about for a very long time.

And then the adventure is here and decisions have to be made, magical animals need to be rescued and soon Amber finds herself confronted with Arno, a fellow apprentice, who is different to her and challenges her decision to go it all alone after her father left their family just by being there.

I thoroughly loved & enjoyed this story that is written into a Scottish landscape, features the sea and the lochs as well and mixes magic with the real world in wonderful, wondrous ways.

Ember Spark is a strong and fierce character, quite un any I have recently come across in children's literature, but she also has a magical touch with animals where she can live her softer side. She deserves to be read far and wide & hopefully many more adventures are going to come her respectively our way.2024-publications Sue Hill55

Another wonder story from Abi Elphinstone, she never disappoints.
This is the story of ten year old Ember, an ordinary girl who lives in a sleepy place called Yawn. But Ember is not as ordinary as she thinks she is, she has a way with animals which leads her into all sorts of adventures when she becomes an apprentice vet to help Rusty Fizzbang care for magical animals.
This story is packed to the brim with fascinating characters, good and bad. I loved Ember and her new friend Arno, Ember is feisty and brave and Arno is the perfect foil for her. The pace of the book is fast moving, I just wanted to read more and more. Oh and did I mention the flying bathtub!!
Such a good read for 8 to 12 year olds. I really look forward to reading more in this series Carlie89 2

I absolutely loved this and will 100% be purchasing this for my twins who I think will devour this as quickly as I did! A huge dollop of magical beasts, a hidden cave and animal 'vet', a flying bathtub and danger too - Abi Elphinstone has written another superb children's book. Ember herself is a fantastic heroine - gutsy and brave, eager to prove herself and teamed with Arno, the new boy in the school, and her new pet hamster - who can shine brightly a torch obviously - it's a wonderful trio to head up this lower MG read.

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own ** Steph1,166 84

Abi’s books never fail to fill me with magical, fantastical delight, and blow me away with the amazing creatures, brilliant characters and gorgeous messages. And you’ve got all of this in here! Ember is so wonderful - she’s brave and kind; she’s full of wonder and adventure. She’s got a great friend in Arno. There’s a proper villainous baddie, an unly ally and flying bathtubs! I can’t wait to read more from this series - loads of promising stuff to come. Rachel126 4

Absolutely loved this, a brilliant start to a new series by Abi Elphinstone. Adventure, magic, friendship, quirky characters and brave children - everything I love in a children's book. Fantasy but not silly which is such an important balance to strike.

I can't wait for this to be published as I know the children at school will love it! Hayley237 4

A fast paced adventure including magical creatures and two young friends. Lots was packed into this story and it made for a very fast read. I am looking forward to the next book in the series - hopefully Ember will be a little kinder to Arno! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers. Reader1 review

My daughter is loving it, we get very excited about bedtime now as we can't wait to see what happens next. Wonderful characters that are bought to life with such skill and yet so accessible for young readers. Brilliant. Louise55 1 follower

An absolutely brilliant story that I couldn't put down. It had elements of Katherine Rundell's Impossible Creatures and I loved it. Magical beasts, a flying bathtub, new found friendships and some very, very bad humans. I can't wait for the 2nd one.book work LynAuthor 5 books4

the best story i’ve read this year - the perfect antidote to the depressing world we live in today. Mrs Walsh579 5

I really enjoyed this. Fast paced throughout. I loved meeting all of the different magical characters. I also loved some of the messages it gave regarding family and friends. A really nice read. Christina Jensen13 1 follower

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