Fablehouse: Heart Of Fire - E L Norry

 

Heather and her friends in care at Fablehouse hope they've found their forever home, alongside courageous knight Pal.  The children's magical powers are growing - but Heather is struggling to control the fire at her fingertips.  The suspicious attitude of the local community only fans her flames.  And her friendship with Arlene is tested by the arrival of newcomer Rose.  As the threats ranged against Fablehouse increase, can Heather control the fire raging within her to protect the friends who've become her family?

Having loved Fablehouse when I read it last year (you can read my review here), I was thrilled to be heading back to see how Heather and her friends at were getting on.

At first, things seem to be going well: Pal is settled into his new role at the home and Heather and the others are enjoying the outdoor space that Fablehouse affords them; however, the unexpected arrival of an inspector and the continued negative opinions of the locals towards the occupants of Fablehouse soon unsettle things, and Miss Isolde is visibly shaken by the idea that the home may have to close.  Amongst all of this, Heather is desperately trying to control her new-found magic.  Whilst the others seem to be managing their skills without any trouble, Heather's ability to create fire in her hands is causing all sorts of problems and is infuriating Heather (which in itself causes problems).   When Rose arrives, Arlene instantly feels a bond with her, but is she everything Arlene feels she is?

With Pal convinced that the Questing Beast has arrived from King Arthur's England to trouble everyone, magic and myth are once again interwoven into the book and provide intrigue and excitement.  With the book being based on historical facts, the injustice of 1950s post-war racism is explored in a way that readers will understand which is important. 

With characters that show courage in the face of adversity, and a plot that will intrigue and entice, Fablehouse: Heart of Fire is a wonderful read and reminds us that family is what you make it to be. 

Fablehouse: Heart Of Fire publishes on the 25th April.