‘How much easier life would be without love,’
‘Love is beautiful until it isn’t. Until we lose somebody, or something. We put everything at risk for love. It’s the great chance we take, and we do not always win.'

This is a great children's book debut. Clearly, I'm not the intended audience. However, I'm always on the lookout for books for my children to enjoy when they're a little older.
I think they'll love this, and I'll enjoy exploring Wreathenwold with them.

I love the little nods to Greek Mythology with the labyrinth, the minotaur, and Ariadne. The book does a great job of illustrating how not every problem is one you can fix. In the book, Benjamiah's parents seem to be heading for divorce. By the end of the book, Benjamiah comes to the realisation, with the help of Elizabella and Hansel, that he can't fix everything. And just because adults aren't children anymore, it doesn't mean that they aren't frightened too.
I will definitely be continuing with The Impossible Trials.

‘You’re never too old to be frightened,’ he replied gently. ‘You only have different things to be afraid of. And you get better at hiding it.’

This book stands out from other magical tales thanks to its strikingly dark tone. Right from the beginning, it dives into a creepy, unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the story, only occasionally softened by flickers of warmth and light.

At its core, this is a story that honours the magic of books, curiosity, and imagination. The children’s journey is a testament to the power of reading and research, both as tools of discovery and as forms of escape.

Woven deeply into the fabric of the plot is the theme of grief. Like the twisting paths of Wreathenwold, the characters are caught in their own emotional mazes, grappling with loss in ways that feel honest and unflinching. The author doesn’t offer easy answers, which only adds to the emotional weight and resonance of the story.

Richly imagined, haunting, and layered with meaning, this book is an unforgettable read—and a strong beginning to what promises to be an extraordinary series.

A really great story, with lots of fascinating characters and creatures. Plenty of magical things happening and lots of mystery thrown in. I enjoy reading children's fiction now and again and this one was up there with my favorites. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Fascinating storytelling with mesmerising characters. A fantasy adventure which takes you through a magical world of power, secrets and most of all, friendship.

To give it its full title, The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found is a fully immersive and magical tale of whimsy, fantasy and magic, the perfect antidote to the harsh realities of the real world today!

Benjamiah Creek (what a great name, and I could only really picture him as a young Jonathan Creek!) is a firm believer in science and facts, albeit his only friends seem to be the characters from the books in family’s bookshop.

So when life throws him into a rather hard to ignore situation with a toy that comes alive, this challenges everything that he knows to be true and he finds himself suddenly embroiled in an exciting, magical and unpredictable world that turns his whole world upside down.

I found parts of this book reminiscent of Philip Pullman, and of the Labyrinth and while not a young adult myself I can see how appealing and engrossing it will be to that age group.

The plot itself is interesting but also tackles some lovely YA topics such as friendship, belief, family issues, and of course - magic!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Puffin for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Whisperwicks is a really good book. I love all the characters and artwork throughout the book. I cannot wait for book 2. Everyone should read this amazing story. Jordan has a real talent for world building and storytelling.

Adored this book, beautiful and thought provoking- really well written.

It’s dark and touches on themes like grief in a lovely way. The storytelling makes for a very good read.

"The Whisperwicks" presents readers with a whimsical and enchanting adventure that blurs the lines between science and magic. Benjamiah, a staunch believer in science and reason, is thrust into the mysterious world of Wreathenwold when he receives a magical gift in the mail—a doll that can transform into a bird. As he navigates this fantastical realm alongside the fierce and determined Elizabella, Benjamiah finds himself embroiled in a dangerous quest to uncover the truth behind her missing brother's disappearance.

The novel's strengths lie in its imaginative premise and dynamic characters. Benjamiah's journey from skeptic to adventurer is engaging, and readers will find themselves drawn into the labyrinthine streets of Wreathenwold alongside him. Elizabella's determination and brilliance add depth to the narrative, driving the quest forward and keeping readers hooked until the final page. Despite his initial disbelief in magic, Benjamiah's puzzling connection to this enchanted world adds an intriguing layer of mystery to the story.

However, while "The Whisperwicks" offers an enjoyable and magical adventure, it may lack depth in certain areas. Some aspects of the plot feel rushed, and certain elements of world-building could be more fully explored to enhance readers' understanding of Wreathenwold and its secrets. Additionally, the resolution of conflicts towards the end of the novel may leave some readers wanting more closure or development. Despite these minor flaws, "The Whisperwicks" is a solid three-star read that will appeal to fans of whimsical fantasy and mysterious quests, offering an entertaining escape into a world where science and magic collide.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

This book was an utter marvel to read! I haven't read a children's book like it for sometime and I think it gives Harry Potter a good run for its money. The world building was so beautifully done, I could picture everything so clearly in my head.
The labyrinthian world, the Hanged Men police, the poppets - everything was so so so good and I cannot think of a single fault.
I cannot sing this books praises enough - everyone needs to read this.

I loved this! I am a huge fantasy fan and this was the perfect addition to my collection.

The world-building is so detailed the atmosphere is so magical which in my opinion absolutely makes a book. Having the main character, Ben, fall into a magical world when he has such cynicism about magical made for an interesting journey for the reader.

I liked the fact that it dealt with heavy topics whilst being a fantastical read - perfect for young adult readers.

Thank you to NetGalley fort the arc.

A tale of fantasy that incorporates the importance of family and friendship. When you’ve been made to face unimaginable fears, others are put into perspective.

Benjamiah is a loner; his friends the numerous books that he’s surrounded by in his family’s bookshop. He loves facts and science and rather prides himself on always knowing about a great many things. He is currently worried as his parents are not getting on and is terrified by the thought of them splitting up and the impact that will have on his life as he knows it. What will happen – how will his life be if his parents aren’t together? So he is unimpressed when a doll suddenly arrives in the post for him and even more unimpressed, together with a huge sense of bewilderment when the said doll turns into a monkey and wreaks havoc on his room. A few days later he is unbelievably following it down into the cellar, where he passes through a door that he never even knew existed…. and into a completely different world.

In this baffling world full of magic – and Benjamiah most definitely does not believe in magic, he wanders lost with his doll transforming in a monkey and a bird and demolishing the market that he finds himself in. That lands him at the police station where a kind stranger rescues him – taking him home. There, his kind benefactor’s daughter Elizabella very much resents his presence as she feels he is replacing her lost brother. Elizabella is very much set of finding her brother Edwin. Benjamiah is pulled reluctantly into going with her and there begins a huge and dangerous adventure. Spurred on by Elizabella’s determination to find her brother and Benjamiah’s reluctance to leave her to do it alone, the children face challenge after challenge, surviving betrayals and overcoming more fears then they could ever have imagined.

The book is pacy and has some lovely twists and unexpected turns. There are enough clues to suspect where the plot is leading yet it still retains a few surprises. As we go through, we experience Benjamiah’s fear of his family life as he knows it breaking up and his gradual realisation of how being a ‘know-all’ isn’t always the best thing. It’s a book that can be read and liked equally by boys and girls given that both sexes are represented as key characters. There are various discussion points that can be pulled from the book. Family an obvious one, friendship another, as well as the idea of magic vs science and the escapism of fiction vs the usefulness of non-fiction. It is a long book, so will perhaps work better for book clubs rather than formal classroom settings.

First of all i just wanted to thank Jordan and publishers for the penguin random house UK /puffin for such a wonderful read .

I really enjoyed the world building in this amazing book ,it also filled me with so much excitement, and trust me this book was full of it and plenty of magic .
i really loved the growth of the friendship between Benjamiah and Elizbella they made me just feel so much happiness which really helped me connect more to the story ,

the book over all i thought was enchanting ,cosy , fast paced , warm , fun loving with so many plot twists which i love having the carpet pulled from under my feet it did that for me ,spine chilling and opened a whole new love for me in to middle grade books .

Jordan writing i found refreshing i really need that , i will be reading more by Jordan . i think i have just found a new favourite author .

i'm giving this wonderful fantasy 5 stars

Most of what I read is crime but always had a soft spot for fantasy and wow did this deliver. Everything about it sang - the world, those in it, and such an amazing premise.. can’t wait to read what comes next.

Possibly my favourite book of the year so far...and well up there on top releases in the last few years!!! This is a joy to read...I've not been a young adult for many years, but I feel my life would have been enriched had I been at the target catchment age! In fact, forget ages...this is a fantastic book for anyone...The world (s) are richly imagined, and magical in a unique way....The main characters have excellent traits and induce empathy...you find yourself willing them on their dangerous journey. I was surprised to read at the end that this will be the first book in a series as closure seemed obviously completed, however I'll be in the queue for the next episode to find out....unless of course the author wishes to send me another advanced read, in which case I'd gladly review that one too. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author...take a bow Mr Lees, this is a magnificent read, thank you! Do yourself a favour and make your life just a little brighter!

Jordan Lees debut novel - The Whisperwicks is a fabulous read.
As a teacher, I am always searching for engaging novels that will keep older children hooked and The Whisperwicks does exactly that. Filled with adventure and intrigue it definitely keeps the reader absorbed in the story.

Benjamiah doesnt believe in magic, he believes in facts and he believes that his parents will resolve their rocky relationship. He spends his days in his grandma's bookshop until one evening a doll appears - Ben doesn't know where this doll has appeared from and he definitely doesnt believe that the doll can transform into a bird. The bird takes Ben into another world where Ben is surrpounded by magic and it's in this new world where he meets Hansel and his daughter Elizabella - a twin who is searching for her brother Edwid.

Elizabella and Benjamiah set off on the most treacherous of journeys - searching for the Whisperwicks that Edwid has left behind - hoping that once they have located them all - it will lead to Edwid.

A truly wonderful tale with a twist at the end - perfect for UKS2 children.

It took me a little while to get fully immersed in this one, but sticking with it paid off - i enjoyed Benjamiah's cynicism as he stumbles into a magical labyrinthine land, and there were some fun twists on familiar tropes and myths throughout. Would have absolutely died for a poppet when i was ten years old, and I'm excited for further books set in these two worlds.

A beautifully written, dark and epic fantasy for YA readers, I adored this and devoured it so fast. Well rounded characters.

A great new series for younger readers! It’s magical, it’s creative, it’s exactly what I look for in a fantasy series for kids. I loved the idea of the poppets and the labyrinth itself, it made things feel so magical, even though it is not the kind of world I’d like to live in.

This book explored a lot of deep themes, including grief and divorce. Benjamiah’s parents are going through a divorce in the book, which Benjamiah is very against and it shows a lot of his feelings about it. Elizabella is coping with the disappearance of her brother and all the grief and emotions surrounding that. I feel that this is a good way for children to be introduced to these themes in a fantasy setting.

This was a really great start to the series. I really enjoyed it and was completely gripped from the start. I can’t wait for people to discover it too.

A compelling and gripping read that will appeal to a certain type of reader. Fans of Philip Pullman will be thrilled to have a new world of dark mazes to get involved with! The concept of the writer and the atmosphere also reminded me of ;The Shadow of the Wind' but for children. It is a chunky read though so it will be more able readers with stamina who can see it through.

Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found took us to a new and inventive world where people live in a labyrinth where, were they to step away from their local vicinity, they become completely lost. People in this world are also accompanied by poppets, which kind of remind me of daemons from the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman or the characters met by Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

While, overall, I enjoyed the story, I did find it a bit of struggle to get into at first. As the story developed and I began to understand the idea more fully, I became more invested in the idea and it is a great way to draw parallels with Greek mythology.

I liked the idea of the main character dealing with his own challenges back home and how the process of being in this new world helped him develop and grow and deal with his own worries but I never really felt that I became properly invested in him terribly and I missed that emotional connection. I did appreciate the development that explained how Benjemiah happened to come about the poppet as for much of the story, this just didn’t make sense to me.

Overall, an enjoyeable read that I would recommend to my learners, especially those who enjoy this sort of adventure a would have the stamina to keep going until the story kicks in.