I love Riddell's intricate storytelling and the way the illustrations are integral to the written story and not mere extras. He has a timeless way of writing and a sense of humour that really appeals to me.

I was lucky to get an arc of Guardians of Magic by the wonderful Chris Riddell which is first in the series of middle grade books called The Cloudhorse Chronicles via Netgalley. I have to admit that at the time I did not think I would get an arc so I pre-ordered the book anyhow. Guardians of Magic is so magical and whimsical there are flying horses, tin men, giants and giant slayers as well as magical items. This is all you need to know and the illustrations of Chris Riddell are so stunning it really gives this wonderful book the edge and if I could I would give it a 10 star waiting but unfortunately I can't but give it a five star. This book has got me hooked I will be auto buying the next book when it is released.

A truly wild and wonderful read; Guardians of Magic has everything you could possibly want in a children's book - magic, adventure, danger and three fearless heroes who believe in the impossible. You're in for an enchanting, imagination-soaring, thrilling treat with this one!

I loved this fairy tale that shows it roots in traditional fables dropping little reminders throughout such as the giant’s shoe that Bathsheba grew up in and the Pied Piper who seems to have lost his way. I loved the different denizens that appear from the goaty people to the dark furred bears that tend the Forever tree. The heroes are strong characters who know right from wrong and aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in. This is all accompanied by beautifully detailed illustrations that make me think it would be a beautiful hardback. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chris Riddell can’t do wrong it seems, political cartoonist poetry curator, author and sought after illustrator. These gorgeous blue hued illustrations set off a magical story, that although didn’t have a lot for me to latch on to, as a 38 year old man, it’s not aimed at me, nor should it be.

The readers in our shop have adored the characters setting and horse drawings, and the most consistent thing said about it by our little customers is ‘when’s the next one coming out?’

I have long been a fan of Chris Riddell's work and this first installment in the Cloud Horse Chronicles did not disappoint.

Introducing 3 initially unrelated children Guardians of Magice teaches that magic is real and is in danger. Each child discovers a gift bestowed upon them by the Forever Tree that complements their own skills and talents. Zam is an excellent baker, Phoebe a skilled musician in a cat orchestra and Bathsheba is from a long line of giant slayers. Individually, they feel slightly out of place in their home but as they flee the evils that threaten their homes, they find that together they might have what it takes to save magic.

This story is full of magic, fantasy and adventure. With detailed illustrations in Riddell's familiar style, I was quickly drawn into the world of Thrynne and grew to love the brave lead characters within a few pages. With detailed description accompanying the illustrations it was easy to picture the settings and characters depicted through the book.

It was fun to read, challenging the stereotypes often associated with lumbering bears and golden-haired princesses! It also recognised that places where people are different might often be the places you find safety and a sense of belonging.

I will eagerly await the next installment in the Chronicles and go out on the hunt for a beautiful hardback copy to share with children in school.

I received an eARC of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Well, this is lovely, if you like a bit of whimsy and some glorious illustrations. It felt completely wrong to be reading it as an e-book - this deserves to be read in proper book form, curled up with an apple or two, maybe some gingerbread.

I enjoyed the gentle prodding of gender roles, and the fact that golden-haired princesses are not always what they seem. The underlying message is of understanding and enjoying life, which has to be a good thing.

Chris Riddell's illustrations are a joy - so detailed and delicate and joyful. I like the way he takes words and ideas we know from other children's fiction and throws them into the mix, so that the story seems familiar but new at the same time.

The leaders of 3 cities in Thrynne are set on destroying the magic Forever Tree, but a child from each is destined to receive a gift from the tree to help them try to save it. They are to be the Guardians of Magic. With ballet dancing bears, professional princesses and flying cloud horses, this book is full of magic and illustrated with Riddel's signature/beautiful drawings.

This is an absolute magical treasury of a story which I utterly adored, from the wonderfully delightful characters to the interweaving of fairy tales into the fabric of the story. The illustrations are truly stunning and completely captivated me as I journeyed through this richly-drawn world, meeting the most fantastic characters, and becoming caught up in their lives and stories.
Following a wish upon the legendary cloud horses, each of the Guardians of Magic finds a magical item which has been specially made for them in order to help them protect the magic of Thrynne from those who seek to destroy it.
The Guardians, Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba live in different towns in Thrynne, each of which has its own problems, from mafia-like rats to tree-destroying Tin men to giant-slaying princesses …
Each of the Guardians becomes displaced from their home for different reasons linked to their magical items and happenings in their towns, but I won’t delve into this any more for fear of spoilers. Eventually, they find refuge and a home in the Tumbledowns – a place which collects people who don’t fit in elsewhere - where they come together to hatch a plan to protect the ancient magic …
I adored all three Guardians who are extremely likeable, brave, resourceful and determined to protect the magic of the Forever Tree. I loved that they wished on cloud horses: the granting of their wishes leads them on an action-packed, magical adventure which unites them in friendship and a shared path as Guardians of Magic.
The homage to fairy tales throughout this gorgeous story is just brilliant. I loved how familiar characters took on lives outside their tales, and were often represented in a completely different light to what a reader might imagine.
The heart of this story relays important messages related to the need to protect the natural environment from destruction, to fight against prejudice based on preconceived notions, and the importance of finding a place where we can belong.
The Cloud Horses are the creation of dreams – I can’t wait to see where their adventures with the Guardians leads them next. Oh, and don’t we all want our own cloud horse … just a little more wishing and believing in magic should do it!
This is a superbly enchanting and heart-warming adventure which is perfect for readers of 8+. I’m very much looking forward to introducing it to my class who I know will be just as entranced by the characters and adventure as I was.

I really enjoyed this book. Chris Riddell is a fantastic storyteller and his illustrations are amazing.
This is a book to keep forever and share with children in years to come.

There are not enough stars to properly convey just how much I love this book!
It's beautifully illustrated and the story is perfect for children of all ages!
There's adversity, bravery, magic, humour and then there's the Cloud Horses. Fantastic and fabulous - this is going to be the must read children's book for this Christmas.

Really enjoyed this tale! Lovable heroes and memorable villians, populated with interesting side characters too.
It has a fairytale quality and If I had to compare it I'd say Alice in Wonderland meets Doctor Who, but overall it has an originality. The world building executed perfectly. The illustrations beautiful as ever!

What a fantastic children's book. Guardians of Magic certainly lives up to the expectations of Chris Ridells books. I loved the imagery from the writing, the illustrations and such a great adventure with the children who become the guardians of magic.
I will definatley be recommending this book and shall buy a copy for my nephew as soon as it's released.

Loved reading the story of the three main characters in this first book, that is the introduction to the Cloud Horse Chronicles. We meet Zam Zephyr, Phoebe Limetree and Bathsheba Greengrass, three teenagers, each one with specific skills.

In order to find the place they actually fit in, they have to leave the comfort of their current homes and set out into an adventure into the unknown. In their current home towns, neither of them does have a place they fit in or are really welcome, and magic conspires to set them onto their way.

On their journey they come to realise that magic is real and that it needs help as all is not well in the world of Thrynne we get to know. The three teenagers have mighty opponents to face in order to preserve magic from being completely deleted from the world.

This is one lovely, enticing story with illustrations by Chris Riddell. I loved it.

In this book you'll find fairy tales and music, communication with animals and and a linking in with nature, as well as the re discovery of magic and the encounter of forces that oppose magic at all cost. And of course there are cloud horses, but that's not a storyline I would like to further spill. You'll have to read the book for that. Happy reading.

This review is based on an eARC I received from the publisher via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

This, the first of Chris Riddell’s new Cloud Horse Chronicles, is an enchanting, beautifully written and illustrated fantasy tale.

We are introduced to three children: Zam Zephyr (a young baker from Troutwine), Phoebe Limetree (a young musician from Nightingale) and Bathsheba Greengrass (the daughter of a giant-slayer from Beam). These children, with the assistance of the cloud horses, giants, lumberers and their magical objects, have been chosen to help protect the magic of the Forever tree. To achieve this they collectively need to rid their towns of the evil that want to destroy the tree and magic. These are King Rat and his followers, the Clockmaker and his mechanical henchmen and the Professional Princess and her gang of giant-slayers.

Riddell treats us to a story that is rich in descriptive text but also contains an intriguing cast of unusual and fantastical characters, which together with the beautiful maps & illustrations, immerses the reader completely in this magical fairytale world. This series is going to appeal to all children who love fantasy and fairytales. I would happily share this book within school and I wait in anticipation of the second instalment of this tale.