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The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair: The perfect illustrated children’s fantasy adventure

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An amazing and captivating, curl-up-on-the-sofa debut about a magical frost fair and the lasting power of friendship, perfect for fans of Tamzin Merchant, Abi Elphinstone and Anna James. The Frost Fair was a great historical element to this book, but the Other Frost Fair was a great fantasy element to add to it. I really enjoyed reading about this Other Frost Fair, the Frost Folk and Frost Beasts, even though I had a bad feeling about Father Winter from the start. However, I did really like the character of Inigo in the end. The other area where this book truly excels, and where it took me by surprise with the sheer amount of impact is that this story as full of magic and wonder and whimsy as it is, is also a complex, emotional exploration of grief and guilt, and how that experience can differ from person to person and how it can feed into other issues. Even from reading the blurb I hadn’t expected such a serious topic to be so central to the story, but I loved that it was, and I think it’s why this book will appeal to readers beyond the target middle grade audience. It’s also fantastic to see these topics being brought up for younger readers, and in such a way that it isn’t overwhelming and is balanced with warmth and understanding and acceptance.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was the writing, which treads the balance of readability especially for a younger audience, but also indulging in some truly fantastic descriptive prose. Hastings has absolutely got her finger on the pulse of winter, and all the different elements that we associate with that time of year, and the atmosphere she manages to conjure as a result feels like stepping out a cold winter’s day and into the warmth and light of a Christmas shop, with all the colours and smells, and nostalgia that comes with it. The author also uses all the senses throughout this book, particularly when exploring the sweetmaking aspect, and it got to the point where I could practically taste the creations that Anne and Thomasina were coming up (and I certainly want to try them). This skill with the description was also evident with all the fantastical elements, and it made it so easy to imagine the Other Frost Fair and the tendrils that were twining around the real one and Thomasina’s life; and the imagery for the Frost Folk and Father Winter was spectacular.This book delicately balances on the one hand a sense of magical wonder, and on the other, the genuine sorrow of a family, and a child who took it upon themselves to carry the weight of it. And despite all of the cold and darkness these characters face, this book is a deeply moving and ultimately warming one. I reviewed this book as part of GeekDis 2022 an event discussing disability representation in pop culture from the perspective of the disabled and neurodivergent community. Thomasina, our main character is still struggling through her grief, as well as her parents after the death of her twin Arthur four years previously. I really liked this main character from the start and found her very human, relatable and loveable. I also really enjoyed how she made a few very good friends during the book, which really warmed my heart. The year is 1683, and the River Thames is transformed almost over night by the Great Frost which sees what is usually a route for trade, become something all the more magical, wondrous and perhaps with more than a hint of bite to the ice….

Jerman said: "I fell in love with Natasha Hastings’story. With classic fantasy elements that nod to beloved favorites, an incredibly imaginative magic system based on sorrow and memories, a delightfully brave main character, and a fantastic setting, The Miraculous Sweetmakers will be a great addition to our HarperCollins Children’s Books list." Overall this is such a lovely story with an ending that is so good and also so beautiful and poignant at the end too. It’s a lovely tale and one I know I’ll be re-reading again. In fact it’s one of my favourite children’s books this year and one I would really recommend especially if you like the idea of magical night time frost fairs and historical fiction set in the 17th century. This is a story that is surrounded by magic and is so atmospheric with the cold and frozen Thames coming across perfectly making you shiver and requiring a nice fluffy blanket and a hot beverage whilst reading. I loved how this story took place in London during the winter of 1683. It was fascinating to learn how people lived turning that time – wildly different and yet familiar in many ways. I also loved how clever Anne and Thomasina were to create medicinal sweets to sell on the river!I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of the Frost Fairs on the Thames, so there was no way I was going to pass up a chance to read a fantastical twist on them, and I’m glad I didn’t because this book was an absolute delight and took me completely by surprise. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Publish Date: November 1, 2022)

Thomasina and her best friend Anne sell sweets on the frozen Thames, amid rumours of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find the fair, Father Winter himself will grant you any wish. The book's winter cold setting contrasts the warm, heartfelt message of this story. It's like a warm hug on a cold day. A winter-ful debut novel. An amazing and captivating, curl-up-on-the-sofa debut about a magical frost fair and the lasting power of friendship. And then we have the events of the story - full of twists and turns, a vibrant cast of side characters, and genuine surprises. Grief and loss underpins everything that occurs and I appreciated that there are no easy solutions suggested. Thomasina has a difficult time as do her parents and I thought their storylines were handled with real sensitivity. The period setting also allows for a look about how times have changed, particularly with regards to mental illness, depression and attitudes towards women, which I'm sure will horrify some young readers! The trials and tribulations of the time are further portrayed through the depictions of poverty and how ailments were treated in the past.

Published

On its surface, The Miraculous Sweetmakers is perhaps set apart by its setting - it's a magical tale set in a historic frosty London - where the river Thames has frozen over. This in itself is a unique location. But as book readers - both young and old - know all too well, a setting does not make a story! Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark... This may be a bizarre thing to say but I really appreciated asthma being a big part of the book. A lot of books have illness in, but I’ve never seen asthma in one. I’ve been asthmatic since birth and I don’t think everyone realises just how serious it can be, so it was personally, a nice touch.

HarperCollins Children’s Books has scooped a "stunning" magical-historical middle-grade series by debut writerNatasha Hastings.The Nottinghill Carnival takes central stage in this story about families, memories and the power of dance and festivals. Author Yaba Badoe tells... Blending adventure, fantasy and historical fiction, the wintry tale of The Miraculous Sweetmakers will be sure to entertain you this winter season!

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