Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, 2022.

This is the second and final title in The Cloud Horse Chronicles series; it follows on from the wonderful Guardians of Magic. Ten years have past and the three Guardians of Magic – Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba – have disappeared from Thrynne, leaving the kingdom in the icy grip of a powerful sorceress. In order to save Thrynne from the curse of endless winter, Young Tiggy Thistle sets off on a quest to find the lost Guardians and their exquisite cloud horses.

This is another glorious book. I love the world building and the magic, the imagination and the originality. I was completely absorbed in the tales of this enchanted land which came alive so vividly on the page. I also like how Chris Riddell twists the familiar; he includes well-known characters from fairytales and bends their stories to fit his. A particular favourite being the Stiltskin brothers: Rumple (of straw-spinning fame) and the lesser-known Crumple and Trumple (and, yes, his is a portrait which bears an uncanny resemblance to a former US president!). Chis has created a brilliant cast of his own characters too, each with the most magnificent of names: Grizell Barkfire and Mote Mulchfoot especially.

The book itself is an absolute joy to behold. It’s packed with gorgeous two-colour pencil illustrations. It’s such a treat to have so much of Chris’s fabulous artwork all in one place. As well as the character portraits and settings, there are maps and cross sections too. Heavenly!

Lose yourself in Tiggy Thistle’s world; I whole-heartedly recommend it.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 8+

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for sending me this book to review.