This is a follow up story in the series, and it as great as the first book. It is worth reading and sharing the love of engaging in reading a novel series. I love the way that the characters are developed and kept alive, and relationships are maintained and extended. You would also be able to enjoy this book even if you haven’t read ‘The wind child’ yet! But it is worth reading both books.

Mara and her friend Torniv are constantly on the move, running from Koschei the Deathless and his ruthless spies. Caught in the middle of petty rivalries between the gods, they have to use all their courage, wit and resourcefulness to survive and to defeat their unstinting pursuer. Suspense filled and full of action, this exhilarating and enthralling novel creates a totally credible world rooted in Slavic mythology, with memorable characters that the reader will root for. A magical adventure story with friendship at its heart, this will have great appeal in our school library and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review
Have not read the first book so reading this blind. I do think it’s a very good read on its own and the continuation is easy to grasp. An enthralling adventure all around with a hint of darkness that is both clever and crafty. I have to say that I immediately loved Mama Bohyna. And the Sudiki. Off to read the first book now!

THE STORM CHILD is another charming tale of adventure and danger woven from Slavic myths.

The book is full of action - it starts right in the middle of a chase, in fact, and the pacing rarely lets up after that. Between vengeful gods and unhelpful ones, Mara and Torniv are up against a lot of trouble, needing to outsmart goddesses and hold their ground if they're to get the items - and then there's stll the matter of Koschei to deal with.

There are all sorts of little details like clothing and food that really help to bring the world of this book to life. As well as the myths present on the page in the action, there are also hints at others in dialogue, which also help to flesh out the world and the sense that there is more than just what can be found in the book itself.

If THE WIND CHILD was a book about grief, THE STORM CHILD is a story of family - blood and found - and the ties of loyalty between them. Mara has her own complicated godly family and Torniv's may not be as simple as he thought. Not to mention that the pair face the decision of staying together or finding new paths to tread alone.

I think, based on the ending, this is the end of the series. I would not say no to another story as Mara has ended up in a situation where her enemy is gone but a new burden is on her shoulders...

The children had read the previous book in this series and were very keen to get started on this book. I however had not read the previous book but there was still pleanty for me to enjoy as the book gave some information as to what had gone before.

I didn't realise this was the 2nd book in a series when i started reading it, but luckily there was a little of a throwback peppered into the story, so you weren't totally lost when it came to some of the characters and their relationships with one another.
this meant that i was able to enjoy the book as a whole, and it was really a very good book. I loved the inclusion of the slavic folklore and lifestyles. the characters themselves were enjoyable to read about, and never felt too generic.
I think i'll go back and read the first book, as the setting was really great, and got me excited to learn more about the slavic myths!
definitely worth a read!

I was given the ARC of Storm Child and got 25% of the way through before I realised it was a sequel. Luckily I was enjoying the story so happily purchased Wind Child to start the story at the beginning.

The duology follows Mara, the daughter of a wind goddess and a human.

Her father’s death in book one begins her quest to rescue his soul and bring him back before it’s too late.

Book two continues the story after she loses her human soul and her friend Torniv has been cursed to be a bear by day and human by night.

Along the way, she meets several mystical creatures and deities from Slavic folklore.

I really enjoyed this duology.

Mara was a very likeable character and her courage and resilience throughout her journey was admirable.

For a middle grade book, it had quite dark themes and made it a solid 4 star read for me.

Another beautiful story of adventure by Gabriela Houston, this book adds to the first instalment and further develops not only the characters but the setting and world building that was created in the first book. Being able to see the characters develop more and seeing their friendship flourish in the midst of the growing world and exploration of the myths that fuelled the narrative was perfect.

The Storm Child builds on the world of Slavic gods and monsters introduced in The Wind Child and allows readers to spend more time adventuring with Mara and Torniv. The events follow on from that of the first book and their quest to try to get Mara's father back following his death, but this time Koschei and his servants are hot on their tail. What ensues is a rip-roaring journey with magic, folklore, friendship, an ensnaring world with even more lovable characters and an intrinsic warmth and comfort that made the first book popular amongst so many readers - young and older alike.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.