Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

I loved how Jess combines animal expertise with infinite imagination to create an unputdownable fantasy adventure. * A. F. Steadman, author of SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF *
I absolutely loved this book! It's perfect for fans of Skandar and Fireborn, with brilliant world building, great characterisation, heaps of peril and a subtle but knowledgeable eco angle. * Hannah Gold, author of THE LAST BEAR *
Hugely exhilarating and wildly imaginative, BEASTLANDS is a truly magnificent new fantasy series. Prepare to fall in love with Alethea, Rustus and Kayla as they embark on a heartstopping adventure packed full of intrigue, twists and a multitude of magical creatures. * Aisling Fowler, author of FIREBORN *
Beastlands is a fabulous adventure! Three kids - a sky rider, a warrior and a healer - journey into the forbidden Beastlands to find a lost creature and a cure for a plague. High-stakes action, gripping storytelling and a multitude of magical beasts! * Abi Elphinstone, author of SKY SONG *
BEASTLANDSis a triumph of imagination and animal lore. A non-stop thrilling adventure, Jess French has combined her training as a vet with a vibrant creativity. She has built a world with words that readers will marvel at, creatures they'll long to meet, and characters they'll adore journeying to Frostfall Mountain with. I could not put this book down, and I'm as hungry as a salinka for the next one. * M. G. Leonard, author of BEETLE BOY *
I adored this adventure so much! It has it all - excitement, fantastic characters and technicolour world building. Young readers are going to fall in love with Beastlands! * Jasbinder Bilan, author of ASHA AND THE SPIRIT BIRD *
A smart, imaginative fantasy, packed with magical creatures, which asks us to think about the damage we may have done to upset the ecological balance in our own world. * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice *
This captivating tale with incredible creatures and settings ... [is] an epic adventure brimming with friendship and peril that will grip UKS2 readers. Beastlands blends a winning potion of magic, fantasy and fast-paced adventure. We can't wait for the sequel. Highly recommended for 9-12 year olds. * School Reading List *
One of the most original, engaging children's stories I have read in ages. Jess French has conjured up something really special - a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of incredible characters and memorable, truly fantastic beasts. I can't wait for the next instalment! * Jules Howard, BBC Zoology Correspondent *
Beastlands opens up a whole new realm of mystery, adventure, and magical nature. It's impossible to not love this book. * Professor Ben Garrod *
The world Jess has created here is stunning; so thoroughly explained to the reader, the world-building is as thorough and as rich as those worlds seen in Skandar, Fireborn and The Land of Roar. You will get lost amongst vegetation, fantastical beasts and immersive biomes as we meet three children, who begin as strangers but find friendship. * Check 'Em Out Books *
With an ending that leaves you wanting more, this is a series not to be missed. It has action, adventure, thrilling creatures and a bond uniting our three heroes! -- Erin Hamilton * My Shelves Are Full *
Tingling with magic, danger and mystery, and with a timely environmental twist, Beastlands is both a thrilling journey into a forbidding other-world and a celebration of conservationism and the idea that adventure and exploration together provide a form of subtle education. -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *
There is an interesting directory at the end of the book describing the various beasts with drawings -- Janet Fisher, school librarian * Reading Zone *
Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm is a wonderful new fantasy adventure story perfect for middle-grade readers. It is gripping, exciting, fast-paced, compelling and full of magic and mythical adventure with wonderful characters, that you will just love being a part of this incredible new world as you whizz through portals full of endless fun and imagination. This is very much an unmissbale story of 2024 and is going to be hugely popular. This book is perfect for any upper primary and secondary library/classrooms and will make a wonderful class read and will be of interest for fans of Percy Jackson, Nevermoor and the Artemis Fowl books. I look forward to reading what the author writes next. -- Emma Suffield * Little Blog of Library Treasures *
Amazing. * Myleene Klass *
Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain is a thrilling roller-coaster that will enthral middle-grade fantasy lovers, and quite possibly covert some readers who haven't yet felt the appeal of the genre. The island setting is excitingly brought to life. Even the plants are vividly described, and the creatures are wonderful works of imagination. [...] The book has a powerful environmental message. It strongly hints at the need to question perceived wisdom and to collaborate to create change. Friendship, kindness and courage are key themes. -- Anne Harding * Armadillo Magazine *
Norfolk-based Jess French is a qualified vet, author of more than 20 books for children and presenter of wildlife show, Minibeast Adventures with Jess. Now she's published the first in a series of fantasy novels, Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain, peopled with magical creatures and three young heroes, Alethea, Rustus and Kayla, who head into the wilderness from barren cities which keep nature out. Kayla is on a quest to rescue her winged pangron, and Alethea, a young healer, is searching for a cure for a disease which is sweeping across the realms. * North Norfolk Living Magazine *
Exciting new fantasy * The Week Junior, Science and Nature *
This is a must-read book for all those who love fantasy and quest stories. [..] It is an action-packed story that had me reading ever faster in order to keep up with the storyline. This series will be a firm favourite with key stage 2 afficionados of the genre as well as new followers. * The School Librarian *