This is such a delightful middle grade book that I flew through! Set in a sleepy but slightly mysterious seaside town called Edge, the story follows Freya as she tries to investigate a strange woman who has moved into her grandma's B&B. With her best friend Lin and her new friend Teddy, a strange boy she meets in a cave, they go on a mission to stop their town being sold to developers who will strip it of all its charm – but things aren't exactly as they seem on the surface. An exciting story, great friendships, and a fast-paced read for anyone age 8+!

I really enjoyed this book! It is a wonderful rounded story, centered around Fiona and her friends in a plot to save their small coastal town.

Fiona’s personal growth is an excellent storyline for younger readers, and there are mentions of non-binary students and a main cast featuring a lesbian and biracial couple. This LGBTQIA+ friendly book features a lovely story, a loveable cast, and a happy ending. What’s not to love?

Nosy Crow (publisher) recommend this for 9+ and I would agree. My only reason for a non-5-star-read is the fact that I never felt as if the town or the main characters were in any danger - but this could be a positive if you’re looking for a middle-grade level read.

Thanks NetGalley and Nosy Crow!

I enjoyed Freya's Gold and gave it 3 stars. This book is aimed at readers in the top end of middle grade.

The story was an interesting idea and I loved the fact there was an obvious baddie. The character of Freya was well written and showed she had both strength but also flaws. I loved the fact near the end she tackled her fears for the sake of the town. I liked her friendship with Lin it was well written.

The one thing I felt let the book down was the ending with everything major happening to the end of the book I felt it was quite abrupt.

Freya, a geeky, scaredy-cat twelve year-old, summons her inner lion and, with the help of her lovable, laugh out loud funny friends, outwits the deliciously evil, violet-scented villain to save her beloved seaside town from destruction.

What a wonderful read! Freya's Gold is a fast-paced tale, packed with mystery and suspense (not to mention pirate caves and hidden treasure), perfect for 8-12 year-olds. Warm and funny and frightening by turns, the tightly twisted plot keeps the pages turning and the vividly drawn setting bites as deep as the salt wind off the sea.

I can't wait for Fiona Longmuir's next visit to the Edge.

4.3 Stars
One Liner: Wonderful!

The seaside town of Edge flourishes in summer and goes into hibernation in winter. It is interesting legends about pirates, secret caves, and hidden treasures. A twelve-year-old Freya lives with her Granny Kate and runs a B&B in the town. She has a routine life and enjoys spending time with her best friend, Lin. Then, a mysterious stranger arrives that winter.
Soon, Freya has to face her fears or lose everything she holds dear. When it seems that the hidden treasure could be the only solution, Freya has to embark on an adventure to find it. But does the treasure even exist, or is she going on a wild goose chase?
The story comes in Freya’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’m always ready for an adventure with the kids. The cover has many elements related to the plot and offers an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead.
I like Freya’s characterization. Most kids in this genre tend to be brave (reckless) and jump into action without much thought. She is the opposite. She has many fears and struggles to even talk in front of a small crowd. This adds a layer to the narrative. I could empathize with her panic while urging her to give it a shot. The whole arc is kept quite realistic, which is a big plus.
Lin is a wonderful best friend! She is vibrant, fun, and understanding. Some side characters are well-defined, even if they are not detailed. It works well since the story is fast-paced and moves steadily.
The adventure has its share of risks, fears, danger, and panic. Yet, the kids do their best to overcome their fears and do what they can (the alternative isn’t good, after all!). There’s one worrying part with an injury (no details about how it was dealt with) that made me want to know more.
And there’s an instance where two friends fight. Quite common, obviously. However, only one of them apologizes when both are rude. That feels wrong. The other one also had to apologize for their behavior.
The setting is well done with a lighthouse, small-town charm, chilly winter winds, rain, and a generous hint of danger. There’s a nod to diversity too! I’m not surprised to find an Indian since our people do go to the remotest of places and live there. ;)

To summarize, Freya’s Gold is a fast-paced adventure filled with emotions, vulnerabilities, and kids trying to fight for the good. You can easily finish it in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Other links will be updated later.

Nosy Crow does it again, every book my daughter has read from this publisher has been a huge hit, she looks for the crow now in bookshops/libraries.

Thoughts from my 10 year old::

Freya's Gold was a brilliant story of mystery and secrets. I really liked the setting especially the sections in the cave. Freya and Lin were really good characters and I loved reading about them. This book was hard to put down, I read it way past my bedtime under the covers on my mum's kindle as I had to find out what happened.

I would recommend this to anybody who likes a mysterious story . Recommended for age 8+

Five stars, such a good read.

This is my second book by publisher Nosy Crow, and I'm a forever fan now. Freya's Gold is a perfect tale of adventure for middle graders, who will be entranced by the story of hidden gold in smuggler's tunnels in the seaside town of Edge. And what a cover! Highly recommended for readers age 9+ and adults still young at heart.