Starspill

Set in a fog-bound town where the cats can talk, this imaginative story features falling stars, a labyrinthine Map and a Wolf that swallowed the Sun (barring three embers which a cat saves by scattering them across the world). Thanks to this action, cats have entrance to every house in Starspill.

It’s been 140 years since the Wolf swallowed the Sun, so why are all the cats in the dark, fog-shrouded town of Starspill bothering Zac about it now? He just wants to stay warm, listen to stories, and work hard for his brother Gryff as an apprentice starsmith, who has a shop to sell lamps powered by star power. There are occasional ‘Star Gathers’, which is when Gryff leaves Starspill to find fallen stars which are full of menace to keep the tension high.

But the cats want Zac to steal one of the three legendary Embers of the Sun from the town museum for them, and they’ve taken his precious secret, gigantic and magical map to make sure he’ll agree! He enlists the help of his best friend Alys to break into the museum ….but that is just the start of their adventures. Together with Alys, mysterious bookseller Aurelian and precocious black kitten Jinx, Zac sets out on an exciting adventure. But what will be waiting for them at the far end of the journey – could it be the Wolf himself?

The pervasive fog is portrayed as a menacing presence, blanketing the town and creeping into people’s homes, crawling into cupboards and hidden places. Some even say it has a mind…reminiscent of old fairy tales and mythology.

Starspill is a great fantasy – imaginative and different to many fantasies for this age group – and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended for Year 4 and above.