Beastlands: Legend Of The Crystal Caves

By (author) French Jess
Short description/annotation:
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Alethea, Kayla and Rustus are the only ones standing in the way of the evil Professor Penn, who is raising an army of beasts.

Desperate to protect their home, they split up to find a way to defeat the professor.
Description:

THE SECOND INSTALMENT IN A FANTASTICAL MIDDLE GRADE TRILOGY FROM DR JESS FRENCH: TV PRESENTER, VET, CREATURE EXPERT AND CHILDREN''S AUTHOR!

THE WINDS OF PROPHECY ARE WHISPERING. A NEW BEAST IS RISING . . .

Alethea, Kayla and Rustus are the only ones standing in the way of the evil Professor Penn, who is raising an army of beasts.

Desperate to protect their home, they split up to find a way to defeat the professor. Kayla tries to uncover Penn''s plans in the ruthless Southlands, as Rustus hunts for prophecies within the hidden Crystal Caves. Meanwhile, Alethea must journey to a new realm to unite the people against the danger ahead.

But the island is changing: plants and beasts are dying, volcanoes are erupting and waterways are drying up. Could it all be linked?

Alethea, Kayla and Rustus will have to trust the people and beasts they meet to help them on their way. And listen to the whispers on the wind that warn of an ancient legend ready to rise . . .

Perfect for adventurous readers of DRAGON REALM, FIREBORN and SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF.

Review quote:
With lots of twists and turns along the way, this is a truly magical storytelling journey and one that will have youngsters counting down to the final, fantastic Beastlands adventure!
Review quote:
It''s a fast-paced page-turner with plenty of surprises. 9+ year olds will love it.
Review quote:
Filled with fabulous, fantastical creatures and landscapes, this is a wonderful read and one in which young readers will very quickly lose themselves.
Review quote:
French''s vivid storytelling and imaginative world-building make this a must-read for fans of magical adventures.
Biographical note:
Jess French has made a career of working with animals. She is a qualified veterinary surgeon with a first-class degree in zoology, a naturalist and entomologist. She is the author of over twenty books for children and the presenter of hit wildlife show Minibeast Adventures with Jess. She is also a regular contributor to radio and film. Jess spent much of her childhood adventuring outdoors, which inspired her love of nature and animals. She has worked all over the globe, including at a gibbon rescue centre in Thailand, a monkey sanctuary in Bolivia, a home for orphaned kangaroos in Australia and a dog shelter in India. She currently lives in Norfolk with her family.
Promotional headline:
The epic second instalment in an adventurous fantasy trilogy featuring three unlikely heroes, a realm of mighty beasts, and a daring quest to save their island...
Feature:
The second instalment in an epic fantasy adventure series for readers aged 9-12, from Jess French, an experienced name in children''s books and TV.
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An environmental twist on the fantasy genre, celebrating conservationism and the idea that adventure and exploration are a kind of education.
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Bursting with wonderful and fearsome creatures straight from Jess''s imagination, as inspired by Jess''s vast zoological expertise.
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Accessible and pacey storytelling, told from three distinct POVs, giving every reader a character to connect to.
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Features an illustrated encyclopaedia of beasts in the endmatter
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Perfect for adventurous readers who enjoyed FIREBORN, SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and DRAGON REALM.