The Threads of Magic by Alison Croggan

Pip (Pipistrel Wastan) is a pickpocket living off his wits on the streets of a city that feels like 18th century London but is fact an invented city called Clarel. Late one evening Pip sees two men attacked in a dark alley in a poor part of the city. A small box slips from a pocket and Pip pounces. Back at home, with his sister, the pair examine this elaborately decorated silver box. At first it seems they will not be able to open the box. Pip and El (Eleanor Wastan) are sure it must contain real treasure. Finally El suggests Pip should ask the box politely.  "All right then. Please, box, let me open you up."

There is a tiny click and the box opens to reveal something very strange. It looks like a small shrivelled-up heart. 

Who is the owner of this object?
Why was it in such a special box?
What is happening to Pip - the heart feels as though it is alive?

This object is indeed very valuable. There is a man, not the King of Clarel, who desperately wants this heart. When people look directly into the eyes of Cardinal Lamir they see some thing utterly horrible. The Princess also sees this in the eyes King Oswald who has come from Awemt intending to take Princess Georgette as his bride. Both men have eyes that are empty, empty without a soul.

Good and evil are at the heart of this story as Pip, El, Oni who is the daughter of a witch, Princess Georgette and the owner of the heart, Clovis, race to discover the truth, race to stay alive and race to save the whole kingdom.

There are 379 pages in this book and I almost read it from page one to the end in one sitting..  Yes, as I have said before when I gobble up a book, this means I loved it and yes, this book is THAT good. You will need to wait until March 2020 to pick up a copy of this book but I do suggest you add it to your shopping or 'to read' list right now.

The publisher, Walker Books, list this title for ages 9+ but I would suggest it will better suit an older reader of 10 or 11+.  The torture scenes are quite disturbing, there is a gruesome murder, there are elaborate details of court politics and the final battle between Lamir and Oswald is violent. The vocabulary used in this book is also quite sophisticated and I think beyond the understanding of a reader aged 9.

Here are a few examples of the vocabulary: intimidating, incalculable, uncanny, sensual, rampant, rustics, assailant, unerringly, domicile and grimoires.

I am excited to have found this book. Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my Advanced Reader Copy.  The Threads of Magic is sure to be a 2021 CBCA Notable title and possibly short listed for our Australian Book of the Year award.

I would follow or pair this book with The Book without Words by Avi; The Boy who flew by Fleur Hitchcock; The Barnaby Grimes series by Paul Stewart; and for a very mature reader Fire Girl by Matt Ralphs.