‘Clash of the Totems and the Lost Magaecians’ by Yonnie Garber is a coming of age story for teenagers that focuses on Ellery Brown. The 13 year-old knows very little about her past and her family, growing up with her mother in a remote village with no recollection of her father or extended family. When her school is closed down by a fire, she finds herself in the Earth Science School for Magaecians, and her family history leads her on an adventure of spells and totems against the villainous Saxon Nash. I liked the strong ecological theme throughout, with the Magaecians focused on a life with nature at its heart, knowing that Humanity’s time is limited if they continue to destroy the earth as they do. I also liked the twist on the usual battle between good and evil tropes, with the Magaecians finding power and strength in words, and negativity and physical violence discouraged. I found some similarities in this book with Harry Potter and even the Power Rangers at one point, as the children are encouraged to meditate to “become” their animal totems and “unite” together. This is an action packed adventure and coming-of-age story with an inventive and unique twist, ‘Clash of the Totems and the Lost Magaecians’ is set up to be the start of an interesting new series.
Clash of the Totems and the Lost Magaecians Synopsis
We know we are responsible for slowly destroying our planet... but what if we're wrong? What if it's the planet that is slowly destroying us? The Earth's fate may well hinge on just one girl. Thirteen-year-old Ellery Brown has a mysterious past, brought up by her mother in a tiny remote village, knowing nothing of her father or of his family until she becomes intertwined with her mother's old friend, Hendrick Myerscough.
In a shocking twist, she learns that the mysterious Mr Myerscough is a teacher at a Magaecian school...where her father was once a pupil. When Ellery discovers that she possesses a rare gift, she finds herself in the centre of a dangerous power struggle destined to consume her if she ignores the advice of those she is closest to. Caught between obedience and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover the secrets of her past to understand her destiny in protecting humanity's future. It begins as a personal journey for Ellery, but develops into a united mission with her friends as they embark on an audacious adventure of spells, totems and nature's darkest magaec in a courageous attempt to bring back balance to Mother Earth...before everything shatters.
Yonnie Garber is a foot doctor (podiatrist) turned word-charmer (author). Her attention has inevitably progressed from ailments of feet to where those feet tread. An ardent member of the WWF she is passionate about increasing awareness of the destructive human impact on our environment through children's tales of adventure.
