Blurb
A dark, gothic adventure set deep in a Bavarian forest, with angels and owls and magic and a boy who isn’t all that he seems to be…
A cherub is blown into Cassie Engel’s bedroom during a thunderstorm, triggering a series of terrifying events. Cassie must discover if its arrival was an accident or part of something more sinister.
With a self-obsessed opera singer for a mother, a strange taxidermist father, and a best friend who isn’t quite what he seems, Cassie is forced to unearth the secrets of her family’s past. As the dark forces gather around them, can Cassie protect all that she holds dear?
Review
Fledging was one of my most anticipated MG reads this year and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Wow!
It is simply amazing and left me feeling on a high once I’d finished!
The writing is atmospheric, dark and full of tension. Although aimed at MG audiences I can imagine readers of all ages being captivated and absorbed by it.
Even though the story is quite a dark one, there is so much love and friendship between the characters of Cassie and Raphael, even between Cassie and her family with their strained relationships there is still an underlying bond between them. I loved the eccentricity of Cassie’s family with the taxidermy obsessed father, operatic mother and great-great grandfather that built such a mad house in the first place.
The story feels very classic in one way but also very unique and different. There is action from the start which just keeps coming, never a boring moment! It is creepy and scary with twists in the tale which I didn’t anticipate at all, that are both shocking and brilliant.
An absolutely terrific debut! I hope to read more from Lucy Hope in the future. I will be purchasing a copy straight away for our library and recommending to all.
Thank you so much to publishers Nosy Crow for sending me the copy to review.
Author Bio
Lucy Hope grew up in North Wales, though now she lives in the Cotswolds. After jobs ranging from managing telecoms products to working in schools, she did a master’s degree in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa university. Fledgling is her first novel.
Twitter: @lucyhope_author
Katrina Reads 