Simon Farnaby (author) and Claire Powell (Illustrator), The Warrior in my Wardrobe, Hachette, October 2021, 384 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN9781444954395
As much as young Rose squabbles with her infuriatingly annoying brother Kris, when she returns home to find their house trashed and Kris mysteriously vanished, she will do anything to get him back. That includes time travelling alongside her pooping pet guinea pig, Bubbles, back to the Dark Ages to rescue kidnapped Kris.
With the help of badly behaved wizard Merdyn the Great and his talking pet wolf, Rose and Bubbles navigate Transylvania in the year 521, tackling obstacles that only the darkest of magic could devise. Meanwhile, Kris is held hostage in Fort Doom by the most ferocious warriors and the most sinister witch of all time. Will Rose and her gang reach Kris before it’s too late? Or will they fall victim to the devilish magical traps in their path? One thing is for sure however, the most epic, mythical battle is about to take place.
The follow-up to The Wizard In My Shed this book is the perfect combination of history, fantasy and humour, bringing real events of the past to life in a fun, fantastical manner. The bold cast of characters are sure to evoke endless giggles from readers of all ages. Claire Powell’s wacky illustrations perfectly complement the text and provide welcomed detail. This fun, fast-paced upper-primary read is one far too entertaining to be missed!
Reviewed by Olivia Sammut
