Well, the typical thing happened – I downloaded a review copy in full ignorance that I said I might never bother with that series again. Not on this occasion because the books are poor – they're a long way from that, but because the first two in this series made a tidy pair and I got to a happy end point at the close of the second one. Have I goofed in trying Book Three, having said it was less necessary than some?

Well we're very much on familiar territory, with the heroes going to the secret cave of magical beasts to find the main vet swamped with jobs, and then the huge peril everything's under making itself known. Here it is a mysterious cosmetics magnate, and the peril is happening in the Brazilian rainforest, so the kids have to get kidnapped and taken there before things can really start.

After that the drama is the usual full-throttle stuff, with pages of action flying by, and a nice sentiment with it, especially at the close. And at the end there is no proof that this series will continue, although I sincerely expect it do so. The world is opened out a lot, the episode changes quite a lot that cannot be undone, unless, you know, magic was in this fictional world, and it's all warm and warmly-received excitement. Will I come back for the fourth time? Knowing how unreliable my memory is, that's to be seen. But these books certainly are reliable, and the expected four stars are earned here yet again.

As Ember, her friend Arno, and Forty Winks the nibblesqueak are about to discover, the death of the evil Jasper Hornswoggle does not signal safety for the magical creatures that the duo are learning to look after (as assistant vets to Rusty Fizzbang, magical vet extraordinaire).

A truly nefarious group of criminals is after magical creatures with the aim of using them as cosmetic ingredients. And now they have kidnapped Ember and Arno!

In an adventure where some bad guys really get their just desserts, we discover just unicorns are capable of, and Ember new ally, the story telling is as engaging as it is creative. Elphinstone is remarkably skilled at world building and her characters feel like friends to the readers who are devouring their exploits. Not to be missed!

EMBER SPARK AND THE UNICORN'S SECRET is another caper through the world of magical creatures and protecting them from the unscrupulous.

This book introduces a new villain, a cosmetics creator who's exploiting magical animals for profit. I liked getting a new baddie to square up against, one who is in many ways worse than the last as she's directly harming creatures, not palming them off to others to exploit. This allows the book to look at greed at the expense of nature and the cruelties the cosmetic industry can visit on animals in pursuit of products and (a manufactured) fear of growing "ugly". it is a nice way into discussing the topic with children.

It is also just another fun adventure, taking it far from the places we've already explored and into the depths of the Amazon rainforest. It is as lush with life as the real Amazon, just with a sprinkling of extra magic - and a new vet to meet! Tufferty was such a nice addition to the cast (and perfect for making Ember feel inadequate so she had to grow in self-confidence, but do so in a positive manner.) I do hope Tufferty returns in a future book.

There are new creatures too, with unicorns being the obvious ones - and winged ones at that. I loved the riddle aspect of them, forcing the characters to think rather than run, jump, and hope.

Another excellent adventure full of magic, mystery, new friends and foes to encounter. Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret has so much warmth, humour and dazzling creatures within it, .Five stars. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The Ember Spark series are such lovely books about Ember and Arno, unlikely friends who become apprentices to a magical vet. In all the books they have to learn to work together to rescue these magical creatures from adults who are trying to get their hands on their magic, but in this latest instalment we really see how Ember and Arno have to work around their very different personalities to triumph.

Abi Elphinstone is my favourite children’s author (her imagination is just incredible) and she writes so beautifully. The creatures she has created are so much fun and really appealing to children. The underlying themes of adventure, friendship, perseverance and tolerance are carefully crafted and there are lovely messages throughout the story. In particular, I loved how patient and kind Arno had to deal with the impatient and bossy Ember - it felt like many situations that children come across in their lives and showed that you do have to stand up for yourself as superheroes come in all different forms.

Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret is the third marvellously magical, fizzingly exciting adventure for the apprentice Vets to Magical Beasts.

Ember Spark is spending the start of her Christmas holiday with her Dad, his girlfriend, Sally and Ember’s best friend Arno Whisper in the fishing village of Slumber. When her nibblesqueak, Forty Winks, starts trying to steal Sally’s beauty products, the children discover the initial ‘TB’ on the items. Could they have found a connection to one of the elusive collectors of magical beasts? Could a collector be using magical beasts to create beauty products with almost magical abilities?

Deciding to share their discovery with Rusty Fizzbang, a Vet to Magical Beasts, they visit him in Stonechatter Cave where he is surrounded by magical beasts needing help, including a very determined pygmy dragon, Whirlwind, who is intent on eating his beard! Rusty advises them to visit their teacher, Mrs Rickety-Knees, to undertake some internet research on the company behind the beauty products. But, on their way to visit her, they are kidnapped and find themselves aboard a flight to the Amazon rainforest.

And so begins another terrifically thrilling adventure as Ember and Arno find themselves at the mercy of a cold-hearted, cruel villain intent on causing harm to magical beasts. Can Ember and Arno come up with a plan to foil this villain? Can they escape their clutches and save the magical beasts who are in desperate need of their help?

I absolutely loved joining Ember, Arno and Forty Winks on their daring, action-packed adventure which is brimming with excitement and danger, with old friends and new, with incredible courage and moments of fear as well as plenty of humour and warmth. I was utterly gripped by Ember and Arno’s perilous adventure, their determination to defeat a merciless villain and her minions and their courage and resilience when faced with dangerous and difficult situations.

As always with Abi’s stories, I adored the richly imagined world with its own fantastical creations, the array of magical beasts, the brilliance of the names such as Whirlwind, Tuggetty Vine and Loose Cannon. I never fail to be awestruck by the imaginative delights, the warmth and humour, the wonderful messages and the astounding adventures that greet me in Abi’s books. So, it is no surprise at all that Ember Spark was the first class story I read to my new Year 3 class and they absolutely adored it as they have Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix. This is a series that the children are eager to continue, and to re-read, with some even telling me that they have pre-ordered the third book. I even had a parent telling me that Ember Spark was the first book her child insisted she bought for him and they’re reading it as a bedtime story. Now, if that’s not magic, I don’t know what is!

I absolutely adore both Ember and Arno who have very different natures with Ember being more feisty and impetuous whereas Arno is more cautious and considered. Their friendship feels really genuine, including the disagreements that they have and how they work through them to put the well-being of the magical beings at the forefront, learning that working as a team is better than working alone.

As always, the illustrations throughout are gorgeous and complement the magic, excitement and warmth of this adventure perfectly.

A mesmerising, magical adventure, brimming with warmth, peril and humour, that will undoubtedly continue to ignite the hearts and imaginations of its readers as they wait eagerly for Ember Spark’s next adventure – just as I am!

This book could very well be the high point in the childrens Easter holidays. I offered them Easter eggs or the new Ember Spark book and without a seconds delay they all answered Ember Spark ! I really could not have let them read it before the holidays as apparently they need sleep and with all of Abi Elphinstones books, the children forget this and read through the night. All of them thought it was the best book they had ever read (I suspect even grumpy grandad enjoyed it , he said that he was helping the younger ones but they all have reading ages beyond ours). All in an excellent read for all ages.

I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible the language is in this book. I am a fan of the author and her works usually are more suitable for UKS 2 students or up but this one is surprisingly less challenging. The story is fun and exciting and the heroine is absolutely adorable.

I am a huge fan of Abi Elphinstone and was really looking forward to the third installment of Ember Spark. I think this one might just be my favourite. Set in the rainforest, Ember and Arnold go on another adventure to save magical creatures.
Thoroughly recommend.

Ember and Arno are back for their third adventure. This time, it's the start of the Christmas holidays and after a trip to see Rusty, the pair are on their way to meet Ember's dad for lunch when they are kidnapped and flown to the depths of the Amazon rainforest, where the evil Tabitha Bone hopes to use their skills with magical creatures to develop her wonder skincare company. The pair will need to have their wits about them if they are to save the creatures and themselves.
Anybody who knows me, will know how much love I have for Abi's books and this series captured my heart from the first book. (You can read my review of Ember Spark And The Thunder of Dragons here and Ember Spark And The Frost Phoenix here) so the chance to read an early copy of Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret was too great to resist.

Once again, the book is full of love and joy, wrapped up in Abi's uniquely wonderful way of writing (I will always adore the names she creates for characters). However, this time, danger lurks from the beginning, with a kidnapping and a a host of magical creature's lives at stake as well as their own. Ember and Arno are opposites who compliment each other perfectly: whilst Ember is feisty and loves the thrill of adventure, Arno is measured and prefers to plan everything, and it's this combination that helps them to navigate the danger they face.

It was wonderful to be back with so many familiar characters as well as getting to know some new ones. There are some truly dastardly characters that readers will love to hate Ember Spark And the Unicorn's Secret is everything I hoped it would be and more: full of magic and possibility, reading it is like being wrapped in a warm embrace, catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while, and the perfect escape from reality.

Publishing 24th April, Ember Spark And The Unicorn's Secret is a book that needs to be pre-ordered.

This is one series I can say with my whole heart I absolutely adore. Ember Spark’s adventures continue to get more and more magical as the series progresses and Unicorn’s Secret is no exception. Abi Elphinstone has created a universe with so much possibility, fun, action and comradery that I hope there are plenty more adventures of Ember Spark to come!

I have to admit, I did find myself wondering who TB could possibly be at the end of the last book, and I was made up to find out their identity. It was a direction that I could’ve never seen the book going but I am so glad I did as there’s a much bigger lesson for children and adult readers alike to learn there. Additionally, their villainous demeanour and characterisation make them the perfect archenemy for this sequel, and I LOVED it. Supported by Armpit and Monkfish, they were a trio I enjoyed seeing our own trio go up against.

A surprising turn I didn’t foresee but liked wandering along with was the friction between Ember and Arno in this book and how they navigate that. With Ember having become used to being the hero, it was interesting watching her understand that sometimes the hero isn’t always the hero and superheroes don’t work alone. I think there were multiple lessons younger readers can take from this about sharing responsibility, handling jealousy, taking accountability and moving on. This was a brilliant development point from Abi Elphinstone.

Finally, where would this series be without the new characters we’re introduced to in every book. Tenterhooks, Rascal, Tuggerty Vine, and more, alongside a deeper look into Ember’s father, were wonderful additions to the series. When supported by the returning faces and creatures, it made this world feel truly endless with possibilities and I cannot wait to see where Ember Spark heads off to next!

Ember Spark and the Unicorn’s Secret is the DREAM third instalment in this miraculous series. Ideal for readers aged 7-9, I think this will be a brilliant Spring/Summer read for any animal lover, adventure grabber, and fantasy fan alike! If you haven’t yet, go preorder while I ponder whether I’m too old to see a unicorn!

Ember is the small but mighty superhero I love reading about. Her fantastic adventures while being an apprentice vet for magical beasts are perfectly written.

In this adventure, Wmber and Arno are on the trail of the next magical beast stealing villain when they are snatched into the sky and taken to the rainforest in Brazil. There they meet Tabitha Bone, creator of Glamtastic, new beauty products made from magical beasts. She wants to take all their magic and leave them for dead. Ember and Arno must make some bold decisions, trust in each other am and boldly go into the jungle in search of a riddle, a secret and each other.

Meeting Tuggety Vine is a revelation for Ember, as she is just like, Gutsy z wonder,her favourite superhero. Tuggety helps E,her to realise that promises are made to be kept. She helps her see that superheroes don’t work alone as well.

Enchanting, adventurous and perfect!