Description

“I absolutely loved this book! It’s perfect for fans of Skandar and Fireborn, with brilliant world-building, great characterisation, and heaps of peril.” – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

BEFORE THERE WERE PEOPLE, THERE WERE BEASTS . . .

The island of Ramoa was once luscious and populated with mighty beasts. Now though, it is home to barren and tamed cities, where nature is locked out and trouble is brewing.

When Kayla’s beloved animal companion, a rare winged pangron, is stolen, she’s determined to get him back. But to do so, she’ll have to leave her city and journey into the wild and forbidden Beastlands.

There, she meets Rustus, an exiled young warrior, and Alethea, a healer desperately seeking a cure for a mysterious disease. As their quests unite them, they’ll adventure across the lands they know so little about, leading them to discoveries both great and terrifying. Not least that the beasts they’ve always been taught to fear might not be so terrifying after all…

The first instalment in an epic new fantasy adventure series for readers of DRAGON REALM, FIREBORN and SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF.

Publisher Review

I loved how Jess combines animal expertise with infinite imagination to create an unputdownable fantasy adventure. * A. F. Steadman, author of SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF * I absolutely loved this book! It’s perfect for fans of Skandar and Fireborn, with brilliant world building, great characterisation, heaps of peril and a subtle but knowledgeable eco angle. * Hannah Gold, author of THE LAST BEAR * Hugely exhilarating and wildly imaginative, BEASTLANDS is a truly magnificent new fantasy series. Prepare to fall in love with Alethea, Rustus and Kayla as they embark on a heartstopping adventure packed full of intrigue, twists and a multitude of magical creatures. * Aisling Fowler, author of FIREBORN * Beastlands is a fabulous adventure! Three kids – a sky rider, a warrior and a healer – journey into the forbidden Beastlands to find a lost creature and a cure for a plague. High-stakes action, gripping storytelling and a multitude of magical beasts! * Abi Elphinstone, author of SKY SONG * BEASTLANDS is a triumph of imagination and animal lore. A non-stop thrilling adventure, Jess French has combined her training as a vet with a vibrant creativity. She has built a world with words that readers will marvel at, creatures they’ll long to meet, and characters they’ll adore journeying to Frostfall Mountain with. I could not put this book down, and I’m as hungry as a salinka for the next one. * M. G. Leonard, author of BEETLE BOY * I adored this adventure so much! It has it all – excitement, fantastic characters and technicolour world building. Young readers are going to fall in love with Beastlands! * Jasbinder Bilan, author of ASHA AND THE SPIRIT BIRD * A smart, imaginative fantasy, packed with magical creatures, which asks us to think about the damage we may have done to upset the ecological balance in our own world. * The Bookseller, Editor’s Choice * This captivating tale with incredible creatures and settings … [is] an epic adventure brimming with friendship and peril that will grip UKS2 readers. Beastlands blends a winning potion of magic, fantasy and fast-paced adventure. We can’t wait for the sequel. Highly recommended for 9-12 year olds. * School Reading List * One of the most original, engaging children’s stories I have read in ages. Jess French has conjured up something really special – a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of incredible characters and memorable, truly fantastic beasts. I can’t wait for the next instalment! * Jules Howard, BBC Zoology Correspondent * Beastlands opens up a whole new realm of mystery, adventure, and magical nature. It’s impossible to not love this book. * Professor Ben Garrod * The world Jess has created here is stunning; so thoroughly explained to the reader, the world-building is as thorough and as rich as those worlds seen in Skandar, Fireborn and The Land of Roar. You will get lost amongst vegetation, fantastical beasts and immersive biomes as we meet three children, who begin as strangers but find friendship. * Check ‘Em Out Books *