My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
The Great Fox Illusion book, is an ideal story for me as I love watching magic tricks on Britain’s Got Talent, and often wonder how that magician do that.
I loved idea that this fictional story is full of magic tricks and although this novel is set for 9 + it’s quite easily suitable for adults too. I myself thoroughly enjoyed it all with its magic and mystery.
The Great Fox Hunt was a new TV show about solving the magic tricks in a dead magician’s house. It was hosted by another magician who wanted to get his hands on his rival’s illusions.
The Great Fox and Flick Lions father had been rivals. Felix father had been a highly skilled magician that had big shows on Blackpool Pier and the Fox was performing in London. Chanel Seven visited both shows but the Chanel chose the Fox to work on their new TV show. Sadly as Felix’s father couldn’t find any work he left home.
A magic trick will be performed, then questions will be asked how the trick was done. Felix didn’t care about winning the competition. The Great Fox had destroyed her family and all she wanted to do is to get the Bell System back that her father had invented.
Felix’s dad, taught her all of his secrets, and she knew how all the tricks were done. Her father designed the most amazing trick that had ever been created and the Great Fox had stolen it, and Felix was at the magic show to get the Bell System back. Although Felix had only one leg it was the love of magic that kept her going.
A fantastic page turning experience! Congratulations to the author Justyn Edwards who has pressed all the right buttons for me, as there isn’t a book this with magicians anywhere.
If you want to know how tricks are done then this is the book for you.
I recommend snapping up this book as everyone is talking about The Great Fox Illusion.
I would to thank Walker books for sending me this fabulous new book by Justyn Edwards10 s Nora (NoraLeest)324 219

Een vlot geschreven boek over vriendschap en verlies, boordevol goochel trucs. Ik wil nu ook een goochelaar zijn!!! Het boek las super makkelijk weg en ik wil NU! deel twee lezen.

Het boek heeft een feministische ondertoon, en een hoofd personage met een disability. Ze is haar been verloren in een auto ongeluk, maar niks zal haar stoppen om de wedstrijd te winnen en haar vader terug te krijgen. De Grote Vos heeft een wedstrijd georganiseerd voor kinderen jonger dan 14 jaar. Twee groepen van twee kinderen moeten tegen elkaar strijden om de Grote Vos zijn nalatenschap te erven. Maar het is uiteindelijk gevaarlijker dan je zou denken... 5-stars-228 s StephanieAuthor 75 books1,074

I found out about this book earlier this week when it was shortlisted for the Adrien Prize, and I'm so glad I did. It's exuberantly clever, immersive, fast-paced and incredibly fun - even for readers me who aren't particularly interested in the mechanics of stage magic. As the kids in this book race to solve various magical puzzles in a house full of mysteries (all filmed for a reality TV show - but with secret sponsors/blackmailers behind the scenes), the tension ramps higher and higher, and all of the kids, even the worst ones, end up having at least a couple of sympathetic moments.

I loved every bit of it up until the ending - where I was only slightly, personally frustrated by the fact that that ending felt more an extended lead-up for the second book in the series than a satisfying conclusion to this book's individual story. I think this is actually a single story that will be told over at least two books rather than a series of standalone stories. And that's fine, just not what I was personally expecting! (It's also another echo of many that reminded me, in a fun way, of the Willy Wonka series - but with a FAR stronger focus here on disability justice issues and a feminist PoV).

The Adrien Prize honours commercial children's fiction that explores the disability experience in a thoughtful and respectful fashion, and I loved the way Edwards explored it through his heroine in this novel. CW for some ableist bullying along the way - but she proves herself again and again.

I'm looking forward to Book 2!mg-fiction8 s Les McFarlane162 9

Loved this! Fast paced, short chapters, not overloaded with detail but still great world building. Friendship, families, passions, adventure - this book has it all!6 s kate1,367 966

A fun read and one I have no doubt young readers will love but I personally felt it somewhat lacked originality. audiobook contemporary middle-grade ...more4 s Laura988 33

Très très chouette ! Je veux la suite ! Qui n'est pas sortie, je sais.... un super mélange entre prestidigitation et ambiance très Charlie et la Chocolaterie ou Ready Player One. Oui le mélange paraît bizarre, mais c'est vraiment ça !2023b3 s Bev1,088 48

I’ve always been fascinated by magicians and I can never work out how they do their illusions, I just enjoy the wonder and magic. This MG debut has fuelled my interest and I absolutely loved it! There’s a strong girl power message (why are there so few female magicians anyway?!) and a feisty, disabled main protagonist who just won’t be beaten by her body’s limitations. I rarely do this , but this one I’m going to re read - I enjoyed it that much. The story is fast paced and exciting and I just didn’t want to put it down. And did I work out the mystery that is left unsolved……..no, of course I didn’t!3 s Rachel Lefever44 3

What can I tell you about The Great Fox Illusion without breaking the readers’ code and giving it all away? … Well, I can start by saying that I simply could not put this book down. At first it was the voice – the main character, Flick being relentlessly entertaining with her wry commentary and obvious side-eye to the reader. And then it was the magic. I don’t even know how the author is allowed to do this – give away magic secrets – because he does. He throws them decks of cards, and I found myself hungry to know more. He even explained how a guy on Britain’s Got Talent did a trick that has baffled me forever… But back to the story:

It's about a televised competition to discover the secret of Fox Den, the home of the famous, deceased Great Fox, a magician whose secrets are coveted and locked within the estate. The winner gets it all – the magic tricks, the fame, a series on tv… The network is taking a gamble with this show, but there is hot competition to get on it. Plenty of hopefuls queue to take the initiation test. It’s intimidating, but Flick, whose missing father is a lesser known magician, has been around magic tricks since she was little and knows the basics: slight of hand, apparatus, misdirection. But Fox Den isn’t an easy trick to solve, and getting into the televised competition is only the first step. After that, she needs to solve tricks, search the library for clues, evade the other more aggressive contestants and learn how to be part of a team.

This book is jammed with incredible scenery. There are tunnels, moving walls, talking lifts, virtual reality encounters. And just when you think it’s all over, there’s one last flourish – a brilliant twist.

While I am now wiser to some of those magic tricks that once had me completely foxed, the real magic of this book is the characters, from the awful showbiz presenters to the bitter, grabby rival magicians. The main character is Flick, who has goal, an ambition and a deep loyalty to her father. She also has a prosthetic leg, which isn’t so much under the spotlight rather just part of life; it’s something that needs to be considered when moving around a big old house or balancing on a roof (oops, sorry, readers’ code). While she s to work alone, she’s thrown together with chatterbox Charlie, and when they team up, they are a masterclass in comedy. There are hilarious secondary characters, the mother of a contestant called Harry, who is relentlessly disparaging. My favourite line is when Harry asks her on a call how his father is, and her response is that he still hasn’t finished painting the fence. Okay, so it’s not funny when I write it, but wrapped in the atmosphere and build-up of the story, it had me snorting out loud.

Justyn Edwards is a fun and funny writer, and he won't be gone in a puff of smoke - I can assure you there will be more from this showman. In fact, having read this in one sitting, I’m beginning to think Edwards may well be a conjuror, himself. As it says in the chapter titled, ‘The art of a trick’: if you tell the right story, your audience will be hooked, and the rest is all about the performance.

Abracadabrilliant.1 Geni Kuckhahn30 1 follower

Many recent middle-grade books have included elements of fantasy and magic, though not all have been successful. The Great Fox Illusion by Justyn Edwards is a refreshing change from the ordinary “magical” formula simply because it is magical in an entirely different way. That’s right; step right up, readers young and young of heart, to see the greatest magical illusion the world has ever seen!

The Great Fox Illusion is written as one grand magic trick – we know this because it’s right there in the foreward.

“This book is a trick. Please don’t sit back and enjoy it. In fact, don’t take your eyes off it for a second.”

As with all great magic tricks, the audience (or the reader in this case) is so distracted by the flair, the sleight of hand and the misdirection that we forget to keep our guard up. So, what’s the trick?

One of the world’s greatest magicians, The Great Fox, has died. He has no heirs, so his legacy is to be bestowed upon the winner of a TV show contest, which fans are competing to enter. Flick Lions is one of them, and she will do anything to win.

But she doesn’t care about his legacy. The Great Fox ruined her life when he stole her father’s greatest trick, and Flick is determined to get it back.

What follows is a delicious, mystical romp through the great magician’s mansion where danger looms, and dark secrets are revealed.

The Great Fox Illusion is the debut novel of author Justyn Edwards, a modern-minded writer who has clearly been listening to what parents and teachers have been crying out for – more diverse characters! He portrays Flick’s struggles with her disability – her amputated leg – realistically. Flick’s prosthetic leg does slow her down sometimes and causes her pain from time to time, but it is not her defining characteristic. That characteristic is her no-nonsense determination, and she displays it wonderfully.

Middle-grade readers will fall in love with Flick and the world within our own that she inhabits throughout this story, for The Great Fox Illusion would be nothing without its setting. Much Hogwarts and The Deucalion Hotel, The Great Fox’s mansion is as much a character as is Flick or The Great Fox himself. The book would be a completely different tale without the talking lift, movable walls and the Fox Files digital library.

This brilliant debut novel will leave readers scratching their heads trying to figure out what just happened. The Great Fox Illusion is a magical story brimming with adventure, illusion and friendship, perfect for those who loved the magic and wonder of Alice in Wonderland or the mystery and adventure of Skulduggery Pleasant. Luckily, the second book in the series is currently being edited, and rumours of a third are brewing!1 BooksForTopics145 47

The Great Fox Illusion is the first in an enthralling new series from debut author Justyn Edwards and illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino. Readers are challenged to help to solve the riddles posed by each magic trick, including that of the climactic finale.

Author Justyn Edwards successfully weaves a life-long love of magic through a story of heartbreak and slices of exciting action. The narrative continues to involve the reader throughout, not just emotionally (who wouldn’t want to help Flick and her teammate Charlie as their own struggles are revealed?) but also by drawing out the suspense of the big reveal for each illusion. Combine this with the fantasy backdrop of the Great Fox estate and you finish the book wanting more, while being tempted to start right at the beginning and read it again, just in case you missed any clues!

Great as a class read, this book could also start discussions about inclusion, teamwork, choice of language to portray a character, the subject of right and wrong (is there ever a right time to do a wrong thing?) and even an alternative research topic – the history of magic and illusion.


Thank you to the publisher for sending us an early review copy. Our review features on our Spring 2022 Ones to Watch list: https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/o.... 1 MrsD271015 D216 5

I really enjoyed this book and definitely see it appealing to children (and adults).

I love that it has so much representation for children elements that make the characters who they are but don’t limit or define them.
Flick is a determined person who doesn’t let her prosthetic leg stop her (although the book doesn’t sugar coat her situation and shows the painful side and the challenges she faces).
Charlie is equally determined and his story touches on sibling illness.

I found the challenges they faced in solving the mysteries of each trick fascinating. I have to say I didn’t actually figure out any of them on my own. I flew through the book though I wanted to keep reading on because each element added to the excitement. It was a fast moving story and I also d that the chapters were short. They were only as long as they needed to be and this helped keep the pace of the story.

I am intrigued to know what is coming next especially how things will pan out with Flick and her family. 1 Mrs Walsh575 5

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Just amazing from start to finish. A constant stream of twists and turns that I just never saw coming! 1 Becs1,447 50

This book is so much fun. If you have even the slightest inclination towards magic, or the curiosity to explore it alongside children then you will just adore this. There is something so classically British about the dry, deliberate humour that I really appreciated (although I am British so I would say that) and there's a fun, adult slant to the tone too which makes what is ostensibly a middle-grade book feel totally accessible to an adult market too.

In this book as changeable as the walls within, we see a famous illusionist, The Great Fox, die and open up a world of possibility. Now, as TV is wont to do, there's a competition for the next big magician. Flick, our protagonist, is in the running and whilst you might think, "oh here we go, another trope infested competition where the protagonist of course wins", you'd be wrong. Sort of. It is trope-infested, make no mistake, but Flick is no ordinary character. Flick is vengeful and her agenda for winning is certainly more than it seems.

The book has bags of personality, inclusivity, fun and a world of imagination. Have you seen it before? Sure, some of it. Does it matter? Hardly at all; only a tiny bit.

ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.arc-s childrens-books 1 Insert Name Here342 7

I used to love Paul Daniels, back in the day, but I never really spent a lot of time wondering how anything was done, and I haven't kept up with magic - I don't know who the famous magicians are now. I wasn't sure how well I'd this, since I don't know a lot about magic and how it works.

Answer: I d it a lot. Justyn is clearly a magic fan, if not a magician himself, but since all the main characters are children, everything is explained at a level they can follow. The concept itself is fantastic - I love the moving walls! - and the characters are brilliant. Flick is a totally matter of fact amputee, which is important for children to see and gain experience of. Charles is fantastic; we all know a Charles, I think, and if we don't we should, he makes everything better. I didn't figure out any of the answers, but someone who knows magic might do better than I did.

I'm looking forward to reading more about these characters - because there has to be more, right, Justyn? That wasn't just a hook with no reward at the end? There'll be another?20221 laaibahhh :)93

4.25

i’ve always been curious about how magicians pulled of their tricks so easily so it was really cool to learn more about the techniques!! i haven’t really encountered that many books about magicians and magic tricks so i found it rather unique :) i love how flick doesn’t let being one-legged limit her and just keeps going on. i d how the book had short chapters, it made me want to keep on reading until i’d finished the book :D i hope the sequel comes out soon because i really need what happens next!1 Aria Harlow1,443 53

This is a really great read that I couldnt put down. It had everything that I love in fiction, magic, mystery, friendships and above all else characters that I took to my heart. I am so happy this is the first in the series and I cannot wait to getmy hands on the nest installment. I loved it.1 Ann Sei LinAuthor 2 books147

Great fun with exciting twists and turns! Flick is great, determined young heroine that many young readers will love. 2022 middle-grade1 book.nerd7910 2

Thoroughly enjoyed this story - the ending had me gripped!! Cant wait to see what happens with Flick & Charlie in the next book!!1 Claire Coverley67

Entertaining and colorful, but lacking in depth and a very rushed ending.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review1 LynAuthor 5 books4

The Great Fox Illusion is replete with mystery, a very strong (differently-abled) female protagonist, heinous villains and a beautifully restored English castle, full of space-age secret chambers and trapdoors. What’s not to love?

Brilliantly written with classic British dry wit, the book also contains lots of action and a tender heart. It traces the journey of Felicity (Flick) Lions as she hopes to beat other aspiring magicians to win the television show contest so that she can bring her father home.

I especially loved Justyn Edward’s “About” blurb at the end of the book: “He realised that what elevates the trick a magician performs is the story that he tells his audience. And in turn, stories themselves are a kind of magic trick, with the author choosing when to reveal his secrets to the reader.” Indeed.1 Jo Bardgett74 2

The Great Fox Illusion
By Justyn Edwards
Published by Walker Books UK

What a treat to read a story full of magic and illusion centred around one truly gritty & strong willed female character!
Meet thirteen-year-old Flick Lions, who having won a TV competition competes with three other youngsters to win the legacy of the Great Fox.

But all is not what it seems in this fast paced tale, where the author teases us with behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of illusionists' tricks and methods.

Because Flick NEEDS something more than the end prize.
This is also the tale of a young girl's bravery and courage in the face of disability, and of the value of friendship in the face of adversity.

Thanks go to Justyn Edwards for pushing boundaries, creating heroines and giving girls (and boys) Flick the platform to say “I can do anything!”

With the creative flare of words and tricks formed in your mind you are in for a treat of a read no other.

Joanne B - Year 3 teacher of littlies, lover of books.
#Netgallery
#WalkerBooksUK

1 Ruth948 15

Read & reviewed for The Bookbag http://www.thebookbag.co.uk//T...1 New Kid on the Book Reviews18 5

The Great Fox Illusion is an exciting, magic-filled adventure with an interesting main character and some surprising twists. The magic is not the supernatural kind, however, but the magic trick kind!

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