Published By: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books
Pages: 304
Released On: 27/10/2026
Illustrated By: Olivia Lomenech Gill
Reading Age: 8+
‘One last word revealed itself to them stitch by stitch, across the top of the map, until it shone like gold: Whisperfell.’
Emmy doesn’t believe in miracles. In her experience, hoping for extraordinary things never ends well. So, when she is separated from her parents by a blizzard in the mountains of Mongolia, she assumes that she and the holiday are well and truly over.
But from out of the shadows of the cave she shelters in steps a snow leopard cub. An animal even more lost than Emmy. Then along comes a boy who believes in impossible things. And suddenly, Emmy finds herself on a quest to find a secret land, where wild animals live in peace. But can Emmy, along with a dreamer and a snow leopard cub, reach Whisperfell before the hunters close in?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Books for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven’t read any of Abi’s books before, although I do own quite a few. This really reminded me of Hannah Gold’s books – which I love!
The majority of images weren’t visible in my e-arc so I can’t really comment on them but I’m hoping they’ll really add some extra depth to the story, especially for younger readers.
I didn’t particularly take to Emmy as a main character – at least at first. She felt a bit brattish and I don’t know…just wasn’t very likeable. I know part of that is her character trait – she is a self-confessed pessimist – but she was just a bit…it’s hard to explain, I was just on the edge with her. She became more likeable as the book went on and her characteristics were developed more.
I loved the connection between Emmy and the wildlife, that was a great theme and that’s what reminded me of Hannah Gold’s books. It’s about love and family and righting wrongs, and protecting nature; it’s a beautiful story with important messages that doesn’t push them on you.
It’s not a particularly short book – nor is it overly long – but it’s so effortless to read that it just flies by, and I think it will even for younger, slower readers.
I also loved the focus on snow leopards. They’re not really an animal you see a lot in TV shows (mainly because they’re so endangered) or in books in a fictional sense, so I love that she’s put them front and centre.
Magic is a controversial topic in this story (no spoilers here) and Abi has captured that well. The disbelief, the disregard, the confusion, the fear, but also the….well, the magic of it all. And as well as literal magic, she’s captured the magic of nature, of wild animals, of the lang, of saving others, of friendship, and love.
How to explain this without spoilers…Whisperfell is mentioned in the synopsis so it’s not a spoiler to say there’s this mystical land and it just sounds absolutely gorgeous and idyllic.
There were elements I felt were less than perfect but we’re being really picky here. They definitely weren’t enough to alter how I feel about the book overall. It was beautifully written, fabulous storytelling, deep emotions, interesting – if sometimes annoying – characters, magical magic (I can’t think of a better word), fascinating descriptions of wild animals and nature. It’s just so uplifting and comforting and I would highly recommend it to children and adults alike.
Books By Your Bedside 