Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

I don't remember exactly when this book hit my radar, but I knew from the minute I heard the title that it was going to be my kind of thing!

Capable girls doing magic (and learning that they are powerful with or without that magic) is my favourite thing in middle grade fiction, so I pretty much adored Willow's journey in Starfell. Yes, she goes on a quest to find out what happened to last Tuesday (no one can remember it!), but she also finds self-confidence, self-esteem, and a new-found appreciation for the power even her seemingly small magic gives her.

Willow can find things that have gone missing, but in a family of large, loud talents involving fireworks and talking to the dead, she's rather underappreciated - it takes no-nonsense and slightly intimidating witch Moreg Vaine to show her how to get out from the rut her community has forced her into. I loved the practicality of Moreg, and how she refuses to let Willow's self-deprecation stand, and it's great to see Willow blossom under the mentorship of someone who takes her seriously. Willow, allowed to shine, becomes someone who you want to be on an adventure with: quick-thinking, talented, and kind (all of which she was before, but perhaps didn't realise). I don't know if nine-year-old me would have wanted to be her best friend or just to be her!

When Willow sets off on her quest with Moreg, she takes with her the monster from under her bed: the grumpy kobold, Oswin, who insists he is not a cat, and complains vehemently about the indignity of being shoved into a carpetbag and taken adventuring. I adored Oswin - his little 'oh no's from the carpetbag made me giggle so much! I love a magical cat, and I love a grumpy animal sidekick, so Oswin ticked all my boxes. All the characters are brought to life amazingly by the inset black and white illustrations by Sarah Warburton - Oswin in particular is so characterful, and has some amazing facial expressions! 

The mix of whimsy and practicality reminded me of both The Worst Witch and The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and Starfell would be an excellent read for those moving on from Mildred but a little young to meet Cimorene. The text is filled with different fonts, sizes, and styles of lettering, so it's got a lot of energy and is begging to be read out loud, but it's substantial enough to appeal to older readers too. There's humour, and plenty of snark, but also some sensible messages about preparedness, friendship, and the power of realising what you're worth.There's a mysterious Brotherhood who hate magic (because of course, in this tale of women believing in themselves and their power, the antagonists are men who want to take that away). There's also dragons, and trolls, and capital-R Rules, and witches, and female friendship, and magic plants, and familial love. It's a book about magic, but also about finding yourself and making your own space in the world.

It's absolutely fantastic, and I really really loved it! I can't wait to return to Willow's world in book two! Five out of five stars!

A dazzling debut, I cannot wait to join Willow on her next magical adventure! Perfect for fans of Nevermoor!

This is such a special book: a truly mesmerising read! I utterly adored everything about it: the superb world-building, the colourful characters, the fast-paced action and the warm humour.

Willow Moss is born into a family of witches, but does not have any of their exciting powers. Finding lost things does not seem a very important magical trait until a whole day – Tuesday to be precise – goes missing, and the most powerful, feared and revered witch in Starfell comes asking for help!

How can Willow refuse? Whilst on the outside she is sensible, deep down she craves an exciting adventure. And an adventure she must have to save the world. Of course, she needs to take her only friend to help: the monster under the bed, Oswin. Oh my goodness: Oswin! He is just brilliant – grumpy, easily offended, unwittingly hilarious… and did I mention? – absolutely adorable!

Will Willow be able to find the Lost Day? Who is responsible for taking it? Will the magic-loathing Brothers of Wol thwart her mission? To find the answers, the reader must journey with Willow and her companions on their incredible action-packed adventure through Starfell which crackles with action and sparkles with humour. What’s not to love about engine-powered brooms, a portal cloak, cloud mountains, tree houses and lost spells! The landscape of Starfell is vividly detailed and wonderfully imaginative, each part having its own unique character and inhabitants, from the broom-making part-elves of Radditch to the forbidden City of Beady Hill to the trolls of Troll Country.

Willow is just perfect! She is kind-hearted, helpful, brave and adventurous. She does not need her magical power to find some truly wonderful companions along her way including the kind-hearted cloud dragon, Feathering; the eccentric visionary, Nolin Sometimes; and, Calamity the sensitive hygiene-conscious troll.
There are some powerful messages in this story about discrimination, segregation and misuse of power, encased in a delightfully enchanting story full of friendship, determination and the power of good.

This is a perfect read for children of 8+ who I’m sure will adore the world of Starfell and its inhabitants.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for an e-ARC.

The story within this book is as beautiful and as colourful as the cover it’s presented with. It’s an enchanting and easy read that finds the right balance between world building and character development.
I cannot wait for more.

Starfell is the first in (hopefully) a long series of books set in a magical world full of witches and exciting funny creatures. We first read this back in November last year, with no cover picture or illustrations and we knew it would be special. The illustrations add even more to this beautiful story.

We think every character is gorgeously named, from the endearing Essential Jones to the unfortunate Calamity Troll, Feathering the Dragon and the ever unsteady Nolan Sometimes. Best of all is Oswin. Who is a monster. And DEFINITELY not a cat.


It’s a vividly imagined whimsical adventure with action, drama and very funny puns, ending with a literal, then emotional bang. Young readers will adore this new world packed with invention, and will come away spellbound.

We can’t wait for everyone else to have a read, our lovely reviewer, Emma (10) has written a brilliant piece for us.

“Young Willow finds herself going on an unpredictable adventure with evil and mystery around every corner. She must travel afar with Moreg Vaine (a powerful witch who is known to eat children with pickled ginger!) to find out who took the missing day and why? (like who would want Tuesday for their collection).

She meets a wide range of people, creatures, and a bloodthirsty dragon who isn’t really bloodthirsty! From flying brooms to hilarious dragons, this book has bucketfuls of laughs, A few handfuls of adventure and a pinch of mystery!

My personal favourite character was Feathering. He was amusing, fun and just a pleasure to read about. He is rather silly, a bit like every humorous character every book just needs to have. But behind all his silliness he has a heartbreaking tale, about an egg that didn’t hatch. It made me cry, it was that sad!

You could of asked a thousand authors to tell this story, but none would have told it better than Dominique Valente. Dominique has a real talent, Starfell is nothing like any book that I’ve ever read, and that is what makes the book exciting. If Dominique had a secret magic power, it would probably be the power to write witty and unpredictable books!! I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!