The Clockwork Crow

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So: I don't know what a kid would think of this book but as a permanently exhausted pidgeon with a severe case of the 2020s I am here to yell about how good I thought it was, why you should also be reading kids' books right now, and otherwise stir up the book recommendations on your Goodreads feed, hello. This is a kind book that is not terribly dark, reminiscent of The Little Princess. The message of individual responsibility to keep trying to be and do better shines through the book. It teaches lessons about being inquiring and not judging others at a glance, no matter the age. Once all the metal bits are in place, Seren winds up the mechanical bird, and to her utter surprise, the crow comes alive, starts to flap about, and cries out for oil.

I absolutely loved this story. I loved all the usual elements, the Fae, the magic, the Crow, the couplets at the start of each chapter, but this one had so much more. I really enjoyed the fact that Tomos got to take a more active part in this book, rather than just being enchanted by the Fae, as he was in the previous two. I can’t say too much without spoilers, but the ending was wonderful, with love and happiness for all. I sincerely hope this won’t be the last book in the series, but this feels very much like all the threads have been wrapped up. If so, I’ll be looking out for Catherine Fisher’s next book with great eagerness. The locations of the story are boldly cinematic and made my imagination run wild with delight. Some were especially comforting due to being recognisable as common tropes of such stories, while they still felt fresh and compelling. Other settings were full of gentle strangeness that made me close my eyes to try and imagine myself within them.The story introduces a new mystery, a box that Seren finds in a delightfully mysterious market, and new creatures of power who can help her. The idea of a quest to seek a favour is such a fairy story classic, and it works so well here. Catherine Fisher is clearly very familiar with the older source material, and how to twist it into her own stories to create beautiful new patterns and pictures.

Various little things just annoyed me (at one point she guesses someone was once a schoolteacher, and they were, and there's pretty much zero clues having pointed to that), and while I liked the snowglobe idea re weather, I doubt I'll be remembering this one in a year's time. The opening is good and compelling, and it gets less and less interesting as it goes along. Nach zwölf Jahren im Waisenhaus wurde Stella von ihrer Großtante Grace aufgenommen. Als diese verstirbt, muss Stella sich ihren Zukunftssorgen stellen. Doch auf der Beerdigung der Großtante sucht ein Rechtsanwalt den Kontakt zu dem Mädchen. Er überreicht ihr einen Brief von Stellas Taufpaten, Captain Arthur Jones und seine Frau Lady Mair. Das Paar hat sich in diesem bereiterklärt, nach Graces Versterben Stella bei sich aufzunehmen. Immer wieder wirft Catherine Fisher neue Rätsel auf. Was für Geräusche sind das, die nur Stella zu hören scheint? Was hat es mit dem geheimnisvollen Spielzeug auf sich und wo ist die Familie hin, die Stella eigentlich hier hätte erwarten sollen? I actually enjoyed this book more than the other two installments. My issues with both of the books prior to this one was I felt that Seren solved the problems she was facing too easily and the solution was something that I, the reader, couldn't have worked out from what I was told. This book was much better in this respect and I felt as a whole the story was an interesting magical adventure. It’s a marvellous book, and a book of marvels, shivery with suspense, snow and sinister magic – the most seasonal treat since The Box of Delights.’Catherine Fisher was born in Newport, Wales. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and a fascination for myth and history. She has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy.

Full of deep fairytale resonance, Fisher’s writing stands out in the mind’s eye like blood drops on snow.’If picture books and graphic novels are more your thing, the beautifully-illustrated, rhyming picture book retelling A Christmas Carol by Tony Mitton and Mike Redman is superb for introducing younger readers to the classic tale and the true meaning of Christmas. For older readers, the graphic novel of A Christmas Carol , illustrated by Brett Helquist, would be an equally brilliant choice. Woven within the tale are strong messages about friendship, family, belonging, empathy and resilience. Many of these messages come out through the actions of Seren and the choices that she makes. The first half of the book serves up the creepy elements – the forbidden room that Seren is told never to enter, a past tragedy, shadowy corridors and sinister servants – that are essential elements of any good Gothic novel. Lots of magic and mystery in here. Danger and close calls too. This is also historical fiction as it's set in the days of trains, horse drawn carriages and candles. Published this year is The Miracle on Ebenezer Streetby Catherine Doyle, who has breathed new life into the timeless tale through her charming reimagining and delightfully quirky cast of characters and modern, magical adventure storyline. This is a book that everyone should wish to find wrapped up under their tree this Christmas.