Wildspark - Vashti Hardy

Wildspark - Vashti Hardy

Prue Haywood helps her parents run their farm, including keeping the mechanicals in good working order - it's something she loves doing, so when a stranger comes to the door looking for an apprentice for the Imperial Personifate Guild (a secret guild of inventors who have brought spirits from the dead back into the world in mechanical animals), Prue leaves her parents, heads to Medlock and becomes apprentice to Craftsman Primrose.  Her aim: to learn the craft so she can bring back her brother's ghost in mechanical form.  

K's opinion:

Beautifully written from the first page, this is a wonderfully exciting book book with its own vivid world: a magical city with new ways of travelling and inventions to marvel at - I was drawn in from the beginning and, every time I put the book down, I felt part of me remained in Metlock.  I quickly became connected to Prue and her cause: she's a strong and determined young lady who works hard but also holds her secrets close to her chest. She shows that sometimes you have to do what you think is best, despite your parents.  The three main characters (Prue, Agapantha & Edwin) show that bravery comes in all forms and I love their differences and the bond that grows between them; they are characters you will love and warm to.

     Wildspark is a story of family and friendship; of love and loss; of conquering your fears; of determination and hope.

.  It's an exciting book with some truly unexpected twists - it's the perfect adventure! 

O's opinion:

WOW!!! What a book! I found it to be an amazing combination of magic and exploration. With Prue leading me through the Guild, I felt like anything was possible, from harnessing dead spirits to finding magical rocks to power their bodies!!!

    I loved how Prue had a head for adventure when she was in the Guild, but always put her family first by trying to find her brother in all of her work there. I loved how she easily made friends and could manage anything she was told to do, and how, even if the outcome was slightly wrong, she was still proud of it.

This book is definitely Vashti's best and should be in every child's (and adult's) hands once it is released!!!