Title: Maggie Blue and the White Crow

Written by:  Anna Goodall

Illustrated by: Sandra Dieckmann

Published by: Guppy Books

Maggie Blue and the White Crow is full of mystery and intriguing characters. It was great to be able to return to this well-orchestrated world with a fascinating history. The front cover is just memorising.

Maggie Blue is adjusting to a quieter life, back living with her aunt Esme and hanging out with friends Ida and Will as well as her beloved Hoagy the cat. She tries to forget about the events of the previous year – but she’s being watched, and one day a small white crow appears won’t it leave Maggie alone. Little does she know that the Dark World is waiting for her to return… and when her mum is kidnapped and taken there, Maggie only has no choice but to go back. With the help of some new friends by her side, Maggie must go back to the place that she never wished to see again, if she’s ever to see her mum – or gain control of her own life – again.

Blurb from the PR statement

Each character had their own pros and cons and I was quite taken with Oz and wanted more scenes with him in. In contrast I found it difficult to warm to Maggie as much as I had done in the first book, Maggie Blue and the Dark World, which was shortlisted for the 2021 Costa Children’s Book Award, the Sheffield Book Award and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Maggie has become more sullen and bitter than previously and I found her attitude to her mother’s mental illness quite unsympathetic. This may have been of design as a reflection of Maggie’s age as she reaches her teenage years.

The way we got different points of view as we travelled through the chapters giving us first-hand information of what was happening in the real world and the Dark World was well instigated. The significance of the shape shifters in the trees watching Maggie was a joy to discover. Instead of Hoagy she is accompanied on her adventure by the white crow. The action took a long time to pick up but there was a lot of deep character building that made you think. I never quite trusted the over-enthusiastic Jean and I reckon she has her own agenda. In fact, all the way through I got the distinct feeling I did not know who to trust and which side was actually the right side. Destroying a whole world, even if it is corrupt felt like a misguided goal.

It was evident from very early on that this book was going to leave me wanting more and end on a juicy cliff hanger. Although, I was disappointed that the novel was not a complete story in itself but rather a long introduction to Book Three.

Brilliant world building and riveting characters who make you want to read more.

I have also reviewed this book on Amazon, NetGalley and Goodreads.

To read my review of Maggie Blue and the Dark World by Anna Goodall take a look at: Book Review: Maggie Blue and the Dark World