posted on 30 May 2024

The Lighthouse at the World’s End by Amy Sparkes

The last time we entered the House at the Edge of Magic was back at the beginning of 2023 when we reviewed The Bookshop at the Back of Beyond (you’ll find the review of that here). Now our feisty hero, Nine, is back again – along with the wonderful skeleton-friend, Bonehead; the loyal and gentle, Eric the Troll; Cas the gargoyle; and, Flabberghast, the wizard who owns the house but has lost his magic powers. But now they also have Flabberghast’s sister, Bewilda with them – and she’s got plenty of powers and a determination to use them.

This time the House is heading for the mortal realm to reclaim a gold locket, a family heirloom, from Nine’s old sparring partner, Pockets. The locket is precious because it’s made of a substance called Stargold which, when it’s properly reactivated, will give the owner extraordinary power.

The locket was given to Nine’s mother by Bewilda before the two had a great falling out and now the witch is determined to get her hands back on it – but she needs Nine to help retrieve it and the reactivate the locket. But Nine, who at this point doesn’t really know the full story behind the locket, does know one thing – her mother’s last wish was to never let Bewilda get her hands on it.

But this is only one part of the big picture because there are two other powerful witches are whizzing through the World Between Worlds, Ophidia and Griselda, who also want the locket and will do pretty much anything to get it.

The secret to the reactivation of the locket lies in the Lighthouse at the World’s End and so everyone is heading in that direction with no idea what to expect. I’m not going to fill you in on the story because it will puncture the excitement for you: suffice it to say that Nine will find out her real identity, Flabberghast will have a near death experience, Eric the Troll will be a star and the witches will have a mighty battle. I hope that’s tempting enough for you to want to discover what more happens.

It's a book full of fantasy, magic, jeopardy, friendship and tons of humour: anyone fancy having a wrestling match with a toilet? 

Available now from Walker Books, you will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop – who will, of course, order you a copy if they don’t have it on their shelves.

 

Terry Potter

May 2024