"This captivating quest-driven story is infused with natural-world magic and mythological spirit."
September 2024 Debut of the Month
“There were daemons in the garden”. So begins Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star in characteristically intriguing style, kickstarting a spellbinding fantasy quest that sees a young heroine strive to save the daemons of her beloved White Woods, and beyond.
At once delicately direct and poetic, Rowan Foxwood’s writing has commanding sway as she tells the story of Anise Star, a Heartseer who can see daemons and deities, and is responsible for helping humans and daemons co-exist in peace.
All is well in the wondrous White Woods, until Mr Babbitt declares he’s Anise’s legal guardian and has plans for her future: “You’ve been living wild for too long, without proper structure or direction. It is high time you returned to school”. Worse still, Babbitt has possession of her land and house and intends to raze everything to the ground to build a factory. As a result, the daemons will be driven out.
And so, Anise and her daemon-dog Wolf embark on a dangerous quest to find the one entity who might be able to help — the High King — encountering much magic and a cast of vibrantly conjured characters along the way. As such, The Tale of Anise Star is a dream of a debut for fans of nature-based fantasy, Abi Elphinstone, and Sophie Anderson.
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A lush and lyrical folklore inspired fantasy adventure from a startling new talent, with a joyous magic reminiscent of Neil Gaiman and Studio Ghibli.
There are more deities and daemons in the world than stars in the sky. But only Heartseers like Anise Star can see them - because only they still believe... Anise's job is to help humans and daemons live happily together. But when the villainous Mr Babbitt tries to steal her home in the White Woods and drive the daemons out, she is forced to travel to the capital to ask the High King for help. First, though, she'll have to convince him that daemons still exist.
Accompanied by loyal daemon-dog Wolf, Anise sets out on a spellbinding and treacherous journey, meeting magical musician Robin and fox god Whin, and facing the cunning Magpie Queen and a deadly poisonous ink monster. In the midst of her battles she learns that it's not just the daemons of the White Wood she must save, but all the daemons of the world.
The first book in a series of standalone adventures set in the same fantasy world all featuring themes of magic, found family, and the natural world verses industry and innovation. Inspired by Rowan's love of folklore and mythology, fans of Neil Gaiman and Studio Ghibli will adore this uplifting and joyful fantasy.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Mystery / Mythology, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star is available in Paperback
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star was written by Rowan Foxwood and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd
Heartseer: The Tale of Anise Star has 315 pages
£7.19
