I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t got around to reading Amy Wilson before but her books have caught my eye, and this one didn’t disappoint. I feel like the fantasy element wasn’t too strong, in that anyone could read it whether they like fantasy or not, and anyone would enjoy Stella's story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I do love the children’s fantasy genre. From being brought up to the tales of Narnia and Harry Potter, I’ve read many stories of magic and distant lands. The quality varies but yet being able to disappear into one of these magic worlds is the best cure for the stressed world we all live in.

Amy Wilson is getting a name for writing eloquent and dreamy books that resonate with young and old alike. This book is no different. Starting with a girl, Stella, who lives on the edge of Winterspell with an imp called Peg and a ghost granny, you immediately are whisked into this intriguing book. Stella has never been to school and now at twelve, she decides she wants to go. Her Gran and Peg don’t want her to, but her stubborn streak comes out and she goes off to school in the nearby town. Here she meets and makes friends with Yanny and Zara.

This book is great fun to read and yet a decent story. The magic isn’t full on, which is great as it adds to the suspense that builds up. Stella, the main protagonist, is a head strong girl who loves her family and is strong enough to stand up to them when she feels it’s the right time. She’s a great character who has compassion and anger in equal measure flowing through her veins.

The story has great pace and the excellent writing by Amy Wilson shines through. This is a high class children’s book and a great model for any adult wanting to write fantasy for the age. Description is right on point, without going to long wordy paragraphs that adult fantasy goes.

This should be on the shortlist of any book awards list in the next year. Highly recommended to all young people. A refreshing book that stand out from the crowd.

This book was sent for a fair and honest review by the author via NetGallery . The resulting review is my honest thoughts after reading the book.

I have heard a lot of praise about Amy Wilson's books and so when I got the chance to read Shadows Of Winterspell I couldn't wait to get started. The story is about, Stella, a girl who lives just outside Winterspell with her nan. Her life is lonely and unfulfilling and all she really wants is to go to school and so when she gets the chance she can't wait but learns that there is much more to school than she'd first imagined.

I really enjoyed reading this story and finding out more about Stella's intriguing family and story throughout. I like that Stella is a strong character that knows what she wants and will be stubborn enough to try and achieve it herself even if there are consequences as I think it shows that you should always go after your dreams, even if they are a bit daunting at first.

I think the story is lovely with the beautiful setting and lots of fae magic mixed in. At some points, I would have liked more of the magic but I also like that it wasn't too over the top with it as it had a good mix, enough to make the book still seem very realistic and relatable for children. I loved seeing the friendships develop throughout the book and I like that their friendships built up with experience. Yanny is a character that, like Zara, intrigued me from the start and I am glad that Zara did get the chance to be a part of the secret that Yanny and Stella were holding onto as it gave the book a more intriguing aspect and I feel Zara is a character who would be very much like most of us readers!

I have loved reading this book, it is the perfect wintry book full of family, magic, friendships and great to encourage children to believe in themselves and follow their dreams (even if the adults are a bit doubtful!)