Name: UNTITLED FANTASY
ISBN: 9781913311278

ELLE MCNICOLL

UNTITLED FANTASY

Ian Brakspear

Amna A.

I found that middle grade books are perfect to get back into the flow of reading, managed to read this one during my 9 month old's 30 minute catnaps. Like A Charm is set around Edinburgh and features some of my favourite bookstores. Has the perfect balance of magical realism and feels very fresh and original, though maybe too preachy for my liking towards the end. Overall a short fun read.

This is another Superb McNicoll book and a Fairy tale for the modern day. Ramya loses contact with her maternal grandfather after she refuses to play the piano for a beautiful & charismatic woman who is at a family party. Ramya’s mum is furious, but grandad tells Ramya she is brave and clever. Mum throws grandad out telling him she, “Can’t go through all that again!” Ramya has no idea what this means and is distraught at the thought of never seeing grandad again. Fast Forward 7 years and Ramya is pulled into her Family Secrets and on the move to Edinburgh things start to change. She attends the same school as her cousin, who she connects with. School is not easy for Ramya; she has a diagnosis of dyspraxia. 
 
Elle has a way within each of her books to make you fall in love with neurodivergent main characters and this book is in no way different to that. Ramya is such a Character that you can see how her mind works and It’s lovely to see the ND Community have books that we can fall in love with. 
 
A beautiful story that yet again gives a voice to those who are often ignored, or told they are wrong. This book is all about Magic! Witches, Sirens, Kelpies, Vampires… oh and greyfriars Bobby. This book also makes me want to go to Scotland even more!
 
“When you’re wired a little differently,” she says quietly. “You learn pretty quickly to rely on yourself. You can only be told ‘that’s a stupid question’ too many times so you stop asking. You go it alone”
 
I can’t wait for the sequel next year! 

UNTITLED FANTASY

Reviews

Highlights