Reviews

The Treekeepers by Kieran Larwood

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bettyhayter's review

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

vickylovesreading's review against another edition

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5.0

Every light tree has a shadow tree that will one day destroy it. The rot will come for the city unless the light tree makes the ultimate sacrifice, giving up its heart to save the city from the shadows. Arboven’s tree is under threat and Liska, a shapeshifter, knows she must save it. Armed with secret knowledge, she sets off on what seems like an unimaginably perilous quest to save her tree. With the support of her companions, Lug and Elowen, will she manage it, or will Arboven be lost to the shadows forever?

Let me start this review by saying that I adore Kieran Larwood’s writing. The Podkin and Uki series are magical and Podkin is one of my favourite ever books. And you know what, The Treekeepers immediately goes right up there too. I think the first thing I said when I finished was ‘wow, just wow’ and that encapsulates the sheer marvelousness of this book. Kieran has this way of transporting the reader quickly to a magical setting and building a glorious world around them. I felt like I was part of Arboven and I truly want to live in one of the mage circles – though obviously being an arbomancer would be the best. The Treekeepers follows Liska’s perilous quest and this is on similar levels to quests in epic fantasy – like Lord of the Rings etc. Kieran does this so well for a younger audience – keeping the story age appropriate, but with genuine fears and real senses of danger throughout.

There’s a fantastic cast of characters to follow too. Heroine Liska has the incredible power to change into a gryffix. She spends so much of the book desperate to prove herself to her family and to the other warriors, just wanting to be accepted. Lug, her sidekick, has the not-so-amazing power to call up and talk to worms as a vermispex, but he completely underestimates his own abilities! Elowen is a ghostly girl who is so much more than she seems (no spoilers here from me). But my particular favourites are Fishbone and Myrtle. Fishbone is just hilarious throughout and provides the most epic support, but you better remember that they are a kittimew and most certainly not a cat! And Myrtle the wyvern is a supportive companion for perhaps the most unlikely of the heroes.

I am really hoping for more adventures in Skyra and following these characters. The Treekeepers is a phenomenally rich and thrilling story you won’t be able to put down! 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you so much to Faber for my review copy.