Marcus starts at Merlin’s, a new school with a bit of a difference! He is doing all he can to get expelled by getting up to mischief but then one day one of his pranks goes a bit too far!

My 8 year old son read this and said he enjoyed it, he liked Marcus and the idea of the school but that parts of the book weren’t as exciting as he would have liked.

Overall though he gave it a 4 out of 5 and said he would recommend it

This was another wonderful book from this author. A nice take on a Merlin/King Arthur story. Some great twists and quirky characters. A magical read.

I read The Day I Fell Into A Fairytale and loved it so when I got accepted to read an arc of this I was so chuffed.
The story is in two parts - the first half is about Marcus having a tough time at school being given a choice get suspended or go to a school called Merlin’s, who do things a little different than he used to, but a big twist that awakens something different about halfway through really changes the story.

A fun, fast paced book that keeps you hooked. I feel his style reminded me so much of Roald Dahl, a fun book with a sweet message in it. The gorgeous illustrations by the hugely talented Elisa Paganelli are a treat for the eyes and really adds to the magic of the book.

I always enjoy reading a Ben Miller and I’m never disappointed, even though they are aimed at children there is nothing wrong with adults losing themselves in them.

I read this within 24 hours. A fast paced tale of a boy whose parents have separated and who has gone a little off track. A new school, new friends and a giant help him find himself again. A great read, full of adventure, that I can’t wait to read to my Year 4 children at work. I’ve already bought the physical copy. Looking forward to the author’s next one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

I read this with my youngest daughter, who had really enjoyed two of Ben Miller's previous books - The Night We Got Stuck in a Story, and The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale. Pleased to say she really enjoyed this one too!

It definitely feels like a story of two parts - the first half is about Marcus having a tough time at school and so going to a new school, Merlin's, who do things a little different than he used to, but a big twist that awakens something different about halfway through really changes the story and I felt it really picked up pace from that point onwards. My daughter quite liked the first half, but we really had the begging for one more chapter after we'd read a couple at bedtime after that!

It's quite simple so good for younger children, and has sweet messages behind the stories and characters.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, pleased to say we honestly enjoyed it!

Marcus is a young boy troubled by his parents' separation and causing trouble at school as a result. Instead of expulsion he is sent to Merlin's, a specialist boarding school aiming to help him cope with his emotions. Once there, though, he uncovers a big secret and has to work with his new friends and blended family to save the capital.

This was a great read for younger readers, fast paced and fun. It has the feel of traditional children's literature by writers like Roald Dahl but with a recognisably modern setting and some good messages. Another hit for Ben Miller

I've read and enjoyed all of Ben Miller's children's books so far and this one was a treat to read at the end of a busy week. Marcus, the main character, reminded me so much of some of the 'characters' that I've taught. He finds himself in trouble yet again and is thrown a final lifeline in the form of a weeks camp at Merlins. This is a story about accepting change, discovering yourself and where you fit in. I love the line 'look for the magic in yourself' as this is something everyone should remember to do. The gorgeous illustrations by the hugely talented Elisa Paganelli are a treat for the eyes.
I can't wait to buy a copy and share this with my new class.

Magic, friendship, adventure and the definition of a page turner. My 9 year old adored this. She loved the how the story raced along and she said she felt like she was holding her breath when reading ( I think this was meant as a positive!) It also reminded her of how much she enjoyed The Day I Fell Into a Fairytale and she is currently rereading that.
Miller knows his audience so well and is a master at writing for this age group. I wish he was writing 30 years ago!

A huge recommendation from her, we will be buying this one as birthday gifts for friends. She loved it.

Although i am most definitely not the target audience for this book, i hugely enjoyed it. i am a huge fan of Ben Miller books and have now read them all.
In this latest instalment we meet Marcus, he's attending a new school Merlins, it's not your normal run of the mill school and Marcus is not enjoying it one bit, infact he's trying to get himself in as much trouble as he can to get himself sent home. When one of his pranks back fires he has to work fast to try and save the school he hated so much (and the rest of the country)

This is a review of a E~ARC obtained from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


Ben Miller is one of my favourite Middle Grade writers, his writing is filled with magic and really brings these stories to life, his books are a great experience to read with a child or alone as an adult for some escapism.

This book maybe his best yet,
In Once Upon A Legend we follow Marcus who is angry at life after his parents recent divorce and mothers new relationship, he is acting out at school causing many disruptions causing him to be suspended, in a last ditch effort his mum and headmaster come to an agreement where he will be sent off to Merlin’s for half term.
Merlin’s is a boarding school for troubled children to help them address their emotions, Merlin’s headmaster is weird and kooky and honestly just such a fun person to read about,
At Merlin’s Marcus tries his best to get into trouble yet no matter what he did this school wouldn’t just let him go and turn all his negative actions into positive actions.

This is a fantastical story about anger grief, friendship and bravery, Marcus while still a “troubled” boy still shows his true self and how if you are just willing to accept new things p, the world isn’t so bad.

I read this with my son, he liked the action and adventure. He found the plot well paced - but sometimes a little too fast and he wanted more details. He liked the Arthur retelling and found Marcus to be mischievous and funny. He liked the lore elements and how Marcus’ character developed so he ended up brave and kind.

Marcus is a young boy troubled by his parents' separation and causing trouble at school as a result. Instead of expulsion he is sent to Merlin's, a specialist boarding school aiming to help him cope with his emotions. Once there, though, he uncovers a big secret and has to work with his new friends and blended family to save the capital.

This was a great read for younger readers, fast paced and fun. It has the feel of traditional children's literature by writers like Roald Dahl but with a recognisably modern setting and some good messages. Another hit for Ben Miller.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review

#OnceUponALegend #NetGalley

FINISHED: I enjoyed this. Giants and magic; anger and friendship; change and acceptance. I don’t know that I’d be brave enough to face the King of the Giants by myself like… but with a gang like this, I think I’d be a little braver! Love a good legend!

We started reading this great book and got so engrossed that we all forgot to eat. A super look for reading together and I think that I enjoyed it just as much as the youngest in our family. Just enough magic to make it interesting , giants, tiger moths and bad behaviour to make the story hilarious without being ridiculous. We loved it.