I don’t read all that much fantasy or kind of fairytale novels but this was a refreshing take on the genre. It’s the turn of the century and one night in the midst of a storm something is blown through the window of Cassie’s bedroom. Instantly she feels a connection and rapport to this little being and tries her hardest to take care of it. Though around this same time her best friend Raphael starts acting strange. Little does she know he is slowly transforming into something very special. With her lovingly negligent family Cassie seems to be dealing with all of this situation on her own. But evil beings called the Sturmfalke are on the wing as Raphael slowly turns into a very special being. Cassie is scared but to save her family and Raphael she has to be brave and stand firm. Brilliant written with great characters and a huge dose of myth and legend make this a compelling read.

A gothic tale set in 1900 in Bavaria. Cassie Engel lives in a towering house on top of a tall rock that looks down upon the small town of Edenburg. Extra storeys have been added to give space to various collections including one of stuffed owls. Her mother is an opera singer, but she’s not well and stays in her room most of the time, and her father is a taxidermist. Cassie only has one friend, Raphael, who lives down in the town. One night there is a bad storm, and Cassie hears tapping on the window. She tries to open the window just a bit to see what is making the sound, but the wind catches the window and it is thrown open wide, wide enough for something to come flying in and land on the bed. It’s a creature but Cassie can’t work out what it is. It looks like a baby bird of prey, but she and Raphael soon discover it’s a cherub. Why is she here? Why is Raphael acting so oddly? Cassie must research her family history and secret past to look for answers. This is a wonderful debut story by Lucy Hope, with echoes of Skellig and angels. It’s very atmospheric with vivid descriptions of the house with a roof that opens, the library with its smell of ancient tobacco and a zip wire that works between floors. Thank you to Nosy Crow for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This sounds like a wonderful story! It immerses a reader in a universe full of possibilities that are so unbeknownst in reality. I love the name of the book and the little phrase about tiny wings on the front cover. It makes the protagonist seem young and innocent and unprepared to take on the world. The summary of the book was entertaining as well with a family full of secrets and strange hobbies like taxidermy, it makes you question what their secrets are if that is the type of thing they take pleasure in. The design of the front cover is also very pretty and eye-catching. If i seen it in-store, i would absolutely be drawn to it by design alone. It seems like one of those books that you can just get straight into, no slow entrances or anything to deter you. Straight to business! I cannot wait to read more at some point. It is very impressing.

This sounds like a wonderful story! It immerses a reader in a universe full of possibilities that are so unbeknownst in reality. I love the name of the book and the little phrase about tiny wings on the front cover. It makes the protagonist seem young and innocent and unprepared to take on the world. The summary of the book was entertaining as well with a family full of secrets and strange hobbies like taxidermy, it makes you question what their secrets are if that is the type of thing they take pleasure in. The design of the front cover is also very pretty and eye-catching. If i seen it in-store, i would absolutely be drawn to it by design alone. It seems like one of those books that you can just get straight into, no slow entrances or anything to deter you. Straight to business! I cannot wait to read more at some point. It is very impressing.

I read Fledgling by Lucy Hope in two sittings as it was just a beautiful story, written with care. It reminded me of fairy tales I read as a child at primary school! Set in the Bavarian Forests, Cassie notices something fly through her bedroom window. It turns out to be a tiny cherub who she wants to care for. Cassie's family members all have their individual needs which means Cassie ends up caring for them too and dealing with issues. Like all fairy tales, there is evil. This evil threatens Cassie's family and her best friend Raphael. But can a girl like Cassie fight evil and actually win? You will have to read this beautiful book that will take you back to your childhood of fairy tales and myths to find out. But don't worry, there is also a dash of humour thrown in by the author! I can't believe this is a debut novel and so look forward to reading more by Lucy Hope - an author able to weave magic with her words.