LoveReading4Kids Says
September 2022 Book of the Month
Catherine Doyle has a rare gift for making it easy to slip into a magic world and, from that point on, for creating a romping adventure that is full of unexpected jeopardy and wonderful solutions.
Amy and Liam are sent to stay at the Granny's house for the summer holidays. Liam is all into science but Amy loves adventure and, especially, magic. Out exploring on their very first day, Amy steps into a waterfall that lies between her own world and Tir na n'Og - the land of eternal youth.
Suddenly she is in a magical kingdom where she expects everything to be wonderful. But it is not! In fact, everything is about to go horribly wrong. Can Amy play her part in making everything right again? Catherine Doyle is a great storyteller who's huge imaginative leaps are a joy to follow.
Reviewed by Julia Eccleshare M.B.EJulia Eccleshare has a lifetime of working within children’s books as a critic, an editor, an author and a commentator.
More reviews by Julia Eccleshare M.B.E About The Lost Girl King
Amy and Liam Bell have been packed off to stay at Gran's house in the wilds of Connemara for the summer. Out for a walk on the first morning of their holiday, they trace the flight of a hawk to a nearby waterfall - only to watch the bird disappear through it. Intrigued, the children follow and soon realise they've discovered the entrance to Tír na nÓg, the legendary land of eternal youth.
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Catherine Doyle Press Reviews
“A thrilling adventure — loveable characters, magical folklore and a seriously scary villain. Truly one of the best fantasy stories I’ve ever read.” A.F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
‘Few do page-turning, high-stakes, warm and witty adventure as well as Catherine Doyle, and The Lost Girl King is a writer at the height of her powers. You won't want to put it down!’ Kiran Millwood Hargrave, award-winning author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Waterstones Children’s Gift of the Year and the British Book Awards’ Children’s Book of the Year
‘Doyle is one of my favourite writers, and TLGK is another breakneck adventure full of folklore and family love. Prepare to be transported!’ Ross Montgomery, author of Costa-shortlisted and Waterstones CBOTM The Midnight Guardians
‘Nobody writes peril, wit and wonder as well as Catherine Doyle. The Lost Girl King is real magic - a novel brimming with the perfect balance of charm, humour and just the right amount of poetry in its prose. Doyle is a modern Diana Wynne Jones.’ Dave Rudden, author of Irish Children’s Book of the Year, Knights of the Borrowed Dark
‘A glorious gulp of a summer adventure.’ Piers Torday, author of The Lost Wild
‘Packed full of heart and humour, The Lost Girl King is the perfect mix of nail-baiting action and spellbinding magic.’ Anna James, author of Pages & Co
‘What a fantastic story! I was utterly gripped throughout. I loved the Irish mythology, the snappy and humorous dialogue, the Greencloaks, the Fianna warriors, the peril and pace and dear old Gran. So much to savour! The way Catherine catapults the reader into the adventure from the off is just fabulous. Kids are going to adore this rollicking adventure.’ Abi Elphinston, author of The Snow Dragon and The Unmapped Chronicles
‘Catherine Doyle is a beautiful writer with an extraordinary imagination, as proven yet again with The Lost Girl King. The adventure sings with Doyle’s signature heart, humour, and hope — it is the kind of timeless tale that readers of all ages will love. It truly made me feel like I had discovered the magical land of Tír na nÓg, and is a book I look forward to reading again and again whenever I once more want to return to Tír na nÓg.’ Katie Tsang, bestselling co-author of Dragon Realm series
‘An exciting fantasy adventure, inspired by Irish Folklore and packed with humour, imagination, and beautifully descriptive writing. The Lost Girl King echoes Lord of the Rings and Narnia, whilst being original and fresh. It’s sure to become a classic of its own.’ Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars
‘I fell headlong in love with this absolutely enchanting adventure. Catherine’s fantastical Tir na nÓg shimmers and bristles with magic and peril. With its roots in Irish Folklore and its heart bursting with valiant spirit, this book will whisk you away to another world…! I LOVED it!’ Tamzin Merchant, author of The Hatmakers
‘Forget Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring. If the world needs saving, I want Amy and Liam Bell and the Fianna on my team! The Lost Girl King is an extraordinary adventure, full of peril, magic, and magnificent characters who bring Doyle’s rich and vivid take on the mythical world of Tir na nOg to life.’ Clare Povey, author of Waterstones CBOTM The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre
‘I was totally transported by this book. Fizzling with folklore and fun.’ Francesca Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars
About Catherine Doyle
Catherine Doyle lives in the West of Ireland. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Publishing. Her award-winning and internationally bestselling work, which includes middle grade and young adult fiction, has been published in 30 languages. Her No.1 Sunday Times and New York Times Bestselling YA novel, THE DAGGER & THE FLAME, published in September 2024. Her bestselling YA trilogy, which includes TWIN CROWNS, CURSED CROWNS and BURNING CROWNS, is co-authored with Katherine Webber. A further solo standalone spin-off, KING OF BEASTS, will follow in January, 2026. She also writes the Blood for Blood mafia romance trilogy, which includes VENDETTA, INFERNO & MAFIOSA. Her children's fiction includes the STORM KEEPER trilogy, which is set on the magical island of Arranmore, where her grandparents grew up; THE MIRACLE ON EBENEZER STREET, a modern reimagining of A Christmas Carol; THE LOST GIRL KING, a magical adventure inspired by Irish mythology; and PIRATES OF DARKSEA, a swashbuckling tale of bravery and brotherhood.
Photo credit Julia Dunin
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