Name: Spellbook of the Lost and Found
Rating: 4 (40 reviews)
ISBN: 9780525429494

Moïra Fowley-Doyle

"Six teenagers come together one stormy Irish summer and after they discover a tattered spellbook, find out they are connected in ways they could never have imagined"--

Spellbook of the Lost and Found

Moira Fowley-Doyle

One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it’s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won’t talk about. Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers: Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they’re mourning losses - and holding tight to secrets. When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it’s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found . . .

Lauren Tabor

I read the Accident Season a few years ago and fell in love with the atmosphere of that book and when I started reading Spellbook of the Lost and Found I found myself immersed into a world with that same spooky, creepy, atmosphere. The author somehow creates an intense mood that gives me dark, autumn vibes. I really loved this, it's fast paced and keeps you needing to know what is going to happen next. 
At times I found it hard to remember from who's perspective I was reading, I didn't feel like each voice was distinctive enough for me to know exactly who was talking and it confused me sometimes. Also just the fact that there were a lot of names to keep track of and that they were all nature-inspired names just made it all the more difficult to remember who was who. 
I like the feeling of magic this gives the reader and the constant question of is it really magic? Are these weird things happening because of magic or is it all just in their heads?? It's so great.

Jasmine Neville

Abbi Emens

A new way of looking at magic and the power it has over us. A beautiful, tense, intertwining story of lost and found things and how not every loss is a bad thing....and how some found things should never be found.

Chandler Primak

Slow progress through the story but HOLY LORD IS THERE A TWIST and it’s BEAUTIFULLY written.

One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it?s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won?t talk about. Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers- Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they?re mourning losses - and holding tight to secrets. When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it?s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found . . .

Grace O'Callaghan

*3.5 ⭐️

Waking up the morning after the town party, Olive notices that things have disappeared. Some more valuable than others. Her friend, Rose, may or may not have also lost something more important that she can’t talk about. They then meet Ivy, Rowan and Hazel. Three teenagers that ran away and have many secrets. When they find a spellbook that promises them ways to fix their problems, they can’t help but cast a spell that could do more damage than good.

I have to firstly say that I adore Moïra’s writing. She’s able to evoke such beautiful imagery and explain things in magical ways. I haven’t read many books set in Ireland (which I should do more of seeing as I live here) and she’s able to capture rural Ireland perfectly,

For what ever reason though, I found it hard to pick this book up. There was just something about the plot that didn’t have me hooked. It was perhaps a bit too long and too slow for me to be gripped by it. 

I did however think the ending was perfect. The mystery was extremely satisfying and shocking even if I don’t think the lead up entirely made sense. But I have been reading the book for a while so that might have been my fault.

While I like the characters in theory, the execution wasn’t there. I spent the majority of the first third of the book confusing them all. It didn’t help that the names sounded familiar but I don’t think it was just that. The characters didn’t feel that distinct from one another. I just never connected with any of them and wanted more from them. I do appreciate the representation in this book and how it was never the sole focus of the characters, just a part of who they are.

All in all, while I loved elements of this and the mystery, the characters felt distant and made me not care for the story as much. I’m looking forward to reading All the Bad Apples, hopefully I like it just as much as The Accident Season.

Laura Springall

I’ve spent the last couple days trying to find the words to describe this book. I’ve decided that there aren’t any. Five stars could never be enough. This book is poetry, it’s art, it’s magic, and it’s without a doubt a new favourite. Spellbook of the Lost and Found is one that I’m sure will stay with me for a long time; I could feel it lodge itself into my heart and soul from the very first sentence. I listened to the audiobook, and when I first hit play I actually had to start it over and listen to the first couple sentences a few times just to be able to take in how beautiful they were. I truly can’t find the words to describe the beauty of this book, you’ll just have to read it yourself!

This is a book that I’d recommend going into knowing little to nothing about it! Don’t read spoilers, reviews, or even the blurb first. Just dive right in and get sucked into the magic

Dakota Gigout

This magical book follows 3 sets of friends who are mysteriously intertwined when things precious to them become lost. Are spells real? Is there a logical reason behind their disappearances? 

I loved how well written this was! Each character is written with their own narrative and development. The plot twists and turns so that I was enraptured. Author has a new fan! 

TW: rape, attempted murder

Beth Bartholomew

What a fantastic magical realism adventure that was reminiscent of Neil Gaiman, I loved it! This was the perfect mix of bizarre, magic and teen struggles. I loved every minute of this and will be reading more by this superb author. 
 
I love the way magical realism doesn't quite fit into the fantasy genre, but yet as a reader we totally accept the bizarre things that are happening. I love books like this, they always end up being my favourite. This was totally helped too by some weird characters and a jaw dropping plot twist. This is another top box for diversity, looking at a female bisexuality, which I always think should be written about more. 
 
The plot had such a good build up to the end point, it had me on the edge of my seat to find out the ending and when I did, I loved it! The writing was intriguing at all points and painted a gorgeous picture of this Irish setting. This is definitely an autumn worthy book, if you didn't already get that from the beautiful cover - I want that woman's hair! 
 
I've kept this spoiler free so you will go and read it! Go on... read it...

Spellbook of the Lost and Found

Reviews

Highlights