The Wizards of Once - Book Review

The Wizards of Once (The Wizards of Once #1)
by Cressida Cowell

What is it about:
Once there was Magic, and the Magic lived in the dark forests.

Wizard boy, Xar, should have come in to his magic by now, but he hasn't, so he wants to find a witch and steal its magic for himself. But if he's got any chance of finding one, he will have to travel into the forbidden Badwoods.

Xar doesn't realise he is about to capture an entirely different kind of enemy. A Warrior girl called Wish.

And inside this book, at this very moment, two worlds collide and the fate of the land is changed forever.

Xar and Wish must visit the dungeons at Warrior fort, and face the evil Queen.

But something that has been sleeping for hundreds of years is stirring...

What did I think of it:
So this was totally a cover buy, although the story sounded fun as well. When the book arrived it turned out it was full of beautiful illustrations as well.


The book is a children's book, but a treat for any fan of Fantastical stories. I very much enjoyed the antics of Xar and his companions, and I really liked Wish and her bodyguard assistant Bodkin.

The illustrations show scenes in the story, but are also used as a storytelling device. Like in the part of the books that shows Xar's spelling book.

The story is both fun and suspenseful. Xar and Wish have to team up to get themselves out of trouble and to keep horrible things from happening. This book ends with some major storylines resolved, but also leaves enough open to keep you guessing what things might come next for Xar and Wish.

All in all a very enjoyable and action-packed read, and a beautiful addition to my keeper shelves.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautiful and fun Fantasy read.


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