Title: Gargoyles: Guardians of the Source

Written by: Tamsin Mori

Cover design and llustrations by: David Dean

Published by: Uclan Publishing

Tamsin Mori returns with another thrilling instalment in the Gargoyles series. I was excited to rejoin Callen and his friends, Yasmin, Raf and Angus, for Book 2 of the Gargoyles trilogy. The Watcher picks up where Guardians of the Source left off, plunging readers straight back into the magical world of Gargoyles Rest, where danger is rising once more.

Callen may have bonded with Zariel the gargoyle, but his training as a Guardian is far from complete. When Oculus, the organisation that oversees all magical sources, hears of his appointment, they send a Watcher to assess whether he’s truly up to the task. Failure could mean losing both his gargoyle and the home he has just begun to love.

But Callen has more to worry about than impressing a Watcher. A kelpie named Gem has gone missing since the final battle at the source and all signs point to Jake, the villain who escaped. Worse still, magic is blighting the local countryside and village again, twisting the land with dark energy. Callen, Yasmin, Raf and Angus suspect another source is being corrupted and if they cannot stop it in time, The Watcher will seal it and magic everywhere for good.

With the future of the world’s magic hanging in the balance, the group sets off on a new mission to uncover the truth behind the tainted sources and rescue Gem. Along the way they encounter other Guardians and magical creatures. Their journey is full of high stakes, fast-paced action and deepening friendships as they race to stop the spread of darkness before it consumes everything.

Callen and Zariel start training, practising gargoyle riding whilst his parents teach him archery and sword fighting. His inexperience is a constant obstacle, but it makes his courage and growth all the more compelling. He learns through his mistakes and begins to understand what being a Guardian truly means. The threat is bigger this time and so is the world, with the magic system expanding beyond the grounds of Gargoyles Rest.

The only thing missing is a map. With such a rich setting and a growing cast of characters, a visual guide to the grounds and surrounding locations would help readers stay grounded in the action.

Once again Mori delivers a gothic-tinged fantasy packed with charm, danger and imagination. Full of magical creatures, mysterious secrets and heartfelt moments, The Watcher is a spellbinding adventure that keeps the heart of the first book while raising the stakes.

An original and exciting continuation of the trilogy, perfect for fans aged 8 and up who love atmospheric fantasy with humour, heart and a dash of darkness.