Philomella and the Impossible Forest

Philomella is walking home from school when she notices a street she’s sure wasn’t there before. As she sets off to investigate – after all, paths that magically appear happen in all the best stories – she finds herself inexplicably part of a wild (and sometimes dangerous!) adventure. She’s joined by a wild collection of characters: an ornery (and very needy) magical cloak; Mary, a were-dragon; Ash, a boy descended from trees; and Gertrude (never Gertie!), a deceptively innocent-looking grandmother with weaponised rolling pins, and her talking dog, Bill. Together they must rescue a contrary princess, battle trolls, and cross a dangerously enticing river on their quest to find out what is threatening the Impossible Forest – and defeat it.

Philomella, who considers herself an ordinary girl, finds herself inextricably linked to the Impossible Forest and the evil that seeks to conquer it. And despite her insistence that she is no one special, the Forest – and its inhabitants – seem to think otherwise. Philomella must defeat her enemy using her greatest weapons: her compassion and her brain.

Brett leaves no question that this story will be a fast-paced adventure; Philomella finds herself dragged into a magical world within the first few pages of the novel, and the story doesn’t slow down. I loved the glimpses we got of Philomella’s ‘real’ life interspersed throughout the story – Brett uses Philomella’s internal conflicts to enhance the magical ones she faces, and vice-versa. The lessons never feel heavy-handed, and readers will find themselves engrossed and captivated with Philomella and her friends. It’s empathy, kindness, and compassion that make Philomella (and this story) memorable and special. Perfect for readers 10+.