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A review by katykelly
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D. Lapinski
5.0
Exceptionally exciting idea, enticing start to a new series.
It's only now and again that a new children's series really captures my own personal interest and seems destined to be a big hit. I always hoped Artemis Fowl would become a filmed series, the Wundersmith books I hold out hope for junior Hunger Games/Harry Potter kindred spirits. Now this debut, I can already see on the cinema screen. And I really want book 2!
Flick has recently moved, with her often-busy parents and attention-sucking baby brother (whom, as 12 years his senior, she often ends up looking after). Stuck at home most of the time, Flick dreams of travel and adventure. And it seems possible she might be about to find it... in a travel shop...
Jonathan Mercator, young himself to be in charge at Strangeworlds Travel Agency, sees something both unusual and special about Flick when she ends up visiting his 'shop'. He reveals the long-hidden secrets it contains. The hundreds of suitcases each lead to different worlds, and the confidential society he curates are tasked with exploring, chronicling and safeguarding them all.
Flick is delighted and intoxicated to dip her toes into the suitcases of the Travel Agency, though her talents may be very useful when the pair discover that one world is beginning to disappear.
Clearly the first of several possible stories, Flick and Jonathan are set up here to be a partnership with flaws as well as endearing qualities, and a great potential as a team that will become stronger over time.
The world Lapinski conjures up for her readers is astonishingly original and easy to envisage. I loved the idea of the suitcases and the Society. Flick made a tough and empathetic heroine, Jonathan an unusual partner (18 or 19, not the worldly-wise experienced elder you would expect, and not a typical teenager). It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops, especially as Flick enters the teenager years herself.
Some lovely descriptions caught my attention: "Something prickled under her skin... if she'd had to describe it, she would have said it was curiosity mixed with oranges."... "the paint was a green-blue eczema of colour." This one made me laugh: "the game spread along the table like chickenpox at a soft-play centre."
Wonderfully imaginative fare for the age group, visual and exciting and definitely a sequel that readers will clamour for.
For ages 8-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
It's only now and again that a new children's series really captures my own personal interest and seems destined to be a big hit. I always hoped Artemis Fowl would become a filmed series, the Wundersmith books I hold out hope for junior Hunger Games/Harry Potter kindred spirits. Now this debut, I can already see on the cinema screen. And I really want book 2!
Flick has recently moved, with her often-busy parents and attention-sucking baby brother (whom, as 12 years his senior, she often ends up looking after). Stuck at home most of the time, Flick dreams of travel and adventure. And it seems possible she might be about to find it... in a travel shop...
Jonathan Mercator, young himself to be in charge at Strangeworlds Travel Agency, sees something both unusual and special about Flick when she ends up visiting his 'shop'. He reveals the long-hidden secrets it contains. The hundreds of suitcases each lead to different worlds, and the confidential society he curates are tasked with exploring, chronicling and safeguarding them all.
Flick is delighted and intoxicated to dip her toes into the suitcases of the Travel Agency, though her talents may be very useful when the pair discover that one world is beginning to disappear.
Clearly the first of several possible stories, Flick and Jonathan are set up here to be a partnership with flaws as well as endearing qualities, and a great potential as a team that will become stronger over time.
The world Lapinski conjures up for her readers is astonishingly original and easy to envisage. I loved the idea of the suitcases and the Society. Flick made a tough and empathetic heroine, Jonathan an unusual partner (18 or 19, not the worldly-wise experienced elder you would expect, and not a typical teenager). It will be interesting to see how their relationship develops, especially as Flick enters the teenager years herself.
Some lovely descriptions caught my attention: "Something prickled under her skin... if she'd had to describe it, she would have said it was curiosity mixed with oranges."... "the paint was a green-blue eczema of colour." This one made me laugh: "the game spread along the table like chickenpox at a soft-play centre."
Wonderfully imaginative fare for the age group, visual and exciting and definitely a sequel that readers will clamour for.
For ages 8-13.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.