This fantasy takes us to an island of three civilisations and the areas in between, and if it does nothing it introduces most of them to us pretty darned well. In one, Kayla is annoyed that her people's big celebration day has been cancelled – not only is the Scourge disease a threat to the city, hence a lockdown, but the prince's flying beast has vanished, probably stolen. Kayla is happy to think she has found what happened to it, but that doesn't mean this young flyer is not in way over her head. A second community surrounds an active volcano, and while isolated by that it too is also hit by the Scourge. Alethea thinks she has stumbled upon the cure for it, but being new to the medical business – her father only recently dying of the illness himself – she cannot be sure. And Rustus, one of the lads whose family has a prestigious place in the ranks of protecting that city, is having qualms about the day he has to prove his mettle. But if he can't compete well enough, and become a spider slaughterer, he will be cast out, into the horrid realms between the three communities – the Beastlands...

Where this wins, beyond the set-up, is the detail that packs this world out and makes it realism. And no, I didn't say that just because this is that rarity among these long quest books where somebody actually needs a loo stop, but for the fact that the place is packed with animal and plant-life. The characters are – not to spoil anything – keen on engaging with, or avoiding, the same, and the whole does feel like some fully-fledged ecosystem. At the same time, the book could have gone too fanciful with what critters there are and what they can do, but it prevents itself from going OTT with the imagination.

I ended up really appreciating a lot of this. It balances three strong characters by having them the focus of a chapter in turn, and it doesn't apologise when it might end up a bit rum – instead, it just powers on with massive amounts of readability and chutzpah. It doesn't say sorry when the characters meet in kinda clunky ways. It doesn't regret the fact you know from a helluva way before the end that so much will be unresolved and we need the sequel like yesterday. It doesn't even blush when a lot of this turns out to be a coronasniffles metaphor.

Other books can have a lot of invented animals, or medicinal plants; many others have followed Scott Westerfeld in doing series where the glee of flying on an animal's back is paramount to the fantasy. Many others have invented a trio of characters with an untold destiny, and worn it lightly enough for us to enjoy seeing the characters find this out. Ultimately, this does a lot, both old and new, in a winning combination, and yes, that demand for that sequel is fully justified. This is a delight. Four and a half stars.

The island of Ramoa used to be an ecological paradise, with mighty and magnificent beasts roaming freely. Now it is home to three realms: The Fjordlands, The Southlands & The Ashlands, in which the people are locked in & nature is locked out.

Kayla is a sky cadet trying to track down her beloved Pangron, Faro, who has been stolen from her.

Rustus has been exiled by his own family after failing this initiation to become a scorched warrior of the Atarian Army.

Alethea is a young healer on a mission to find the cure to The Scourge, a deadly disease sweeping across Ramoa.

Destined to meet, the three of them set off into the forbidden Beastlands on a dangerous quest to Frostfall Mountain to find the answers to their problems, and restore peace to the Beastlands…

This was such an epic read, jam-packed with adventure, mystery, friendship and of course lots of fantastical beasts.

Beastlands is an absolute celebration of imagination. Jess French has created such a wonderfully unique world that will leave you wanting to race to Ramoa and discover the rest of the island's secrets.

What made this book even more special were the environmental messages, highlighting the importance of nature, and how if we continue to destroy it and lock ourselves away from the natural world, we will lose it all together.

Such a brilliant first installment to an exciting new series - I can’t wait to see what beasts we’ll meet in the next book!

A must-read for any fantasy lover - no matter what age they may be.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bonnier Books for the DRC

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain is a well-paced, exciting story about three characters that come together amidst their own personal journeys. I loved this story, particularly having alternate chapters focusing on one specific character. I also loved how the messages about caring for the nature world and finding wonder in some of the spectacular natural settings our world offers us were thought-provoking but subtle.
All three characters were well fleshed out, with unique characteristics and background stories. As we learn about them and their motivations, the three learn about each other. The story also very quickly gets into the action, which is important in books for children as they don't always have the stamina to keep going with a book that doesn't grab them immediately. The settings and story are also fantastic/magical enough to get them hooked without being over-complicated. Lots of my class are already reading this after I shared the premise with them and we were fortunate enough to take part in a live online event with the author as she told us about the inspiration behind the book.
The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job too, so I was always able to differentiate between who was speaking.
A great, exciting read perfect for UKS2 readers.

Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain is the first book in an exhilarating, epic, fantasy adventure that completely gripped me as I was taken on the most incredible quest with three courageous children seeking their own truths.

Kayla, Alethea and Rustus live in insular, walled cities on the island of Ramoa, cities which are surrounded by the wildness of the Beastlands, a forbidden place which citizens have been taught to fear as terrifying beasts roam freely there.

Kayla is a cadet Sky Rider, training at the Sky Academy in Sophiatown. She has a close bond with her winged pangron, Faro, her only friend. When Faro is stolen, Kayla is determined to rescue him and finds herself in the Beastlands …
Alethea is a healer living in the poorest district of Ataria. A terrible disease, known as the Scourge, is rife in the city, taking the lives of many of its people. When Alethea’s beloved grandmother catches the disease, Alethea pledges to find a cure, a cure which can only be found beyond the Beastlands …
Rustus is determined to follow in the footsteps of his family, despite their disdain for him and his own misgivings, and become one of the Scorched: elite warriors who protect the city. But when he fails the initiation, he is banished to the Beastlands …

These three children were never meant to meet, yet destiny has forged a path for them, a path which brings them together in an incredible quest: a race to reveal truths which threaten to endanger their world, truths that the children don’t yet know they are racing towards …

Wow! This is the most incredible, action-packed adventure brimming with danger, secrets and revelations that kept me desperately turning pages as I raced with the children to Frostfall Mountain. What secrets is the island hiding? Are the creatures of the Beastlands really a threat to the cities, or is there greater danger from elsewhere?

The world-building is fantastic, and I really felt immersed in both the cities (with their military, districts and politics) and the Beastlands which explains the genuine shivers of fear and the apprehension I felt for the children as they race to find answers … I adored exploring the Beastlands and its inhabitants, both flora and fauna, (even if some of its inhabitants were quite scary!) and loved the message of respecting and finding harmony with both rather than seeking to harm and exploit.

I really enjoyed that the story is written from the perspectives of the three children which gives an insight into all three children as they deal with their own problems. Kayla, Alethea and Rustus have very different personalities and upbringings, but they do have in common that they understand what it is to be treated differently by others and to have others criticise and not believe in them. I really enjoyed the slow building of the friendship between the children as they learn to work together, open up to, and trust each other. They are all strong, sympathetic characters who face their fears, work for the greater good and have a wonderful respect for the creatures and plants that others’ fear and exploit.

Be prepared for a heart-pounding race through dangerous forests and perilous mountains in this absolutely thrilling, unmissable adventure.

What an epic adventure story this turned out to be! With mythical beasts is gave me Impossible Creatures vibes, with adventure across an island it had me thinking of Land of Roar and parts of this were a little bit Hunger Games (but age appropriate).

An epic adventure that brings together three characters, from three different life experiences, to rescue a lost beast, find a new purpose and cure an epidemic (I feel like this was written during covid times!). I did initially find the three different perspectives took a bit of getting used to and found this worked better once the three characters were all on the same page (literally).

I enjoyed the way the message about the human effect on nature and environments was woven into the story (it didn’t feel didactic at all) and as this was written by a zoologist (and nature nonfiction writer) you feel like that expertise has gone into creating the world and the animals, even though both are mythical!

There seems to be a current trend in children’s books towards mythical beasts, but this is a story, adventure, quest that is not to be missed!

In three words: beasts, quest, adventure

If you're looking for a novel that's full of danger, pacy adventure, thrilling beasts and exciting flora and fauna then this is an absolute must-read. Despite reading a lot of 'magical beast' stories recently, the imaginative world-building and confident writing of this fantasy novel hooked me in faster than a beast could bite me. Not only that but the narrative, as fast-moving as a river, kept me absolutely gripped. As the story of three different main characters evolve, their stories soon collide in a epic quest of discovery and realisation.

Before people, there were beasts. But now people have arrived on the island of Ramoa, beasts are feared and the cities keep the citizens locked in and the terrible beastlands outside. But when sky-rider Kayla's beloved pagron is stolen, she is desperate to find him. Alone in the beastlands, she soon encounters a failed warrior, Rustus, and a healer, Alethea, who are each on their own missions. Can the three of them unite to find what they are looking for and have they been told the truth about these terrifying beasts?

Although a fantasy novel, the expertise of author Jess French - who is a veterinary surgeon, zoologist and children's TV presenter - is plain to see. The world-building is edgy and the beastlands are fierce and yet there is a plethora of exciting beasts and plants for the reader to encounter. Each of the three main characters bring something different to the novel in terms of personality, drive and motive and there are certainly fireworks when their paths cross. I loved the plotting and the pace and found myself thinking about the world long after I had finished reading.

In terms of theme, there is a definite exploration of the impact humans have on their surroundings. Fear, survival, prejudice and disease are also prominent as is social hierachy and control. I loved the character's burgeoning respect as they unravel the truth and also the gentle eco message. This is a cracking novel and definitely one to watch.

A rip roaring start to an exciting and exhilarating new fiction series by Jess French.

We are huge fans of Jess French's non-fiction texts and were really looking forward to reading Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain in the hope that her knowledge of the animal kingdom, paired with the skill she possesses for engaging readers and immersing them in her chosen subject would result in an epic start to a new fiction series. She has not let us down.

Set on the island of Ramoa, where humans have stripped the lands of nature and beasts alike and now taken to the cities, and where anything beyond the city walls is classed as the Beastlands and is synonymous with danger. Three main realms exist and each is suspicious of the other, but when a deadly disease known as The Scourge is released into the world, there is a race to find a cure to save the cities.

All creatures have either been destroyed or domesticated and when hot headed Kayla, a trainee sky rider, has her rare, winged companion, a Pangron called Faro, stolen from her, she goes in search of her beloved beast. On her quest, she meets Alethea, a healer from another enclave, searching for a way to save her grandmother from the Scourge and Rustus, for whom the weight of family expectation has proven to be crushing. Each has something to find or something to prove and during their mission, they discover a sinister plot to create inter-species creatures, known as chimera, for use to achieve power and evil gains.

This beautifully written novel is fast paced, exhilarating and combines an exciting mystery with epic adventure. Jess's conservation work shines through in a subtle and non preachy manner. The overarching message to look after nature and avoid the catastrophic effects of stripping the environment and forced breeding is fed through the book yet is almost subliminal in its warning. There is enough escapism for children who have recently lived through the coronavirus outbreak to still see it as a fantasy novel but the message is likely to hit home.

We loved it. As fans of Dragon's Daughter, Into the Wild, Greenwild and Fantastic Beasts, we feel as though Jess has taken all of the best parts and created an all powerful chimera of her own. Our only complaint is that we have to wait until 2025 for the next instalment.

Thank you to Bonnier Books and NetGalley for sending this eBook for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

This is an excellent new middle grade series for those who like epic adventure and skilful world building. I love how the story seamlessly weaves in environmental issues, so the kids can learn and be inspired even as they are having fun and being entertained!

The characters are well-drawn, and each young reader will most likely find someone to relate to, whether it is Kayla with her short fuse, Rustus's desire to prove himself, or Alethea the healer's calm manner.

Once the home of many exotic animals, the island of Ramoa has seen some of them hunted to extinction or domesticated beyond recognition. Now, beyond the cities lie the Beastlands, which are far from safe.

The story is told from 3 points of view, as the three characters mentioned - youngsters who encounter each other in the course of their individual quests - discover some unexpected and disquieting truths about the place that is their home...

The conservation angle is well handled here, so it does not come across as boring or preachy. Overall, this book is quite entertaining, and should be well received by readers in the target age group.

An excellent environmentally based adventure story. The world is well developed and described and populated with interestingly diverse characters. A great start to a series. The children just loved it and could identify with and support the title characters.

It’s a very good start for a series. I’d say that the worldbuilding is amazing, slowly describing all the characters, while depicting the beasts and the realms. My fave charcater will be Alathea! She looks calm and steady while thinking everything through. While Kayla is short tempered, but relationships between three of them is fun to watch.

Enchanting fantasy with strong, diverse characters that you really root for. The plot twists and turns in an engrossing way that is sometimes predictable but sometimes unexpected, all leading to the tense, climactic end. Great world building with strong themes of conservation and friendship, this is a good start to a new series

Ramoa is an island of contrasts where the land has changed with ths dangerous Beastlands existing independently from its different cities which have become insular and suspicious. Protection is the most important everyday activity with any initiation ceremony a time of celebration and holiday.  There is however, a shadow across the island, a disease known as the Scourge which is devastating families and causing city leaders to lock their gates.

Outside the city limits are the Beastlands where three young people's paths cross as they find each other while undertaking vital individual quests. Alethea, a healer, who is desperate to find a cure for the Scourge before she loses any more family members, joins Kayla, a Sky Rider, who has been keeping the skies above her city safe until disaster grounds her. Alongside them is Rustus, a member of one of the leading families in Alethea’s home town who has a burning need to prove himself.

What they discover both shocks and dismays them, making their quests all the more urgent. With danger never far away, and uncertain who to trust, will they achieve any of what they set out to do or will the legacy of the Beastlands prevail?

This is the first part of Jess French's new series and is an engaging and exciting read. The three main protagonists are very different to each other and although not all are immediately likeable, they work well together and I wanted them all to succeed by the end of this initial installment. Not everything was tied neatly by the end and I look forward to reading what happens next. This book has the quality to become part of a must read fantasy series for readers aged nine and above.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bonnier Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it highly.

This story was a great adventure on the island of Ramoa which used to be the home of magnificent beasts. Now some have been completely destroyed and hunted like the Phaegra and others have been tamed like the Pangron. Each chapter is from one of the three main character's points of view - Rustus, who has failed a challenge to become a mighty warrior, Alethea who is a healer desperate to find a cure for the strange disease sweeping through her city and Kayla whose Pangron has been stolen. Kayla thinks she doesn't need friends and has a hard exterior and it is great to see how the 3 children become linked together, become friends and help each other out when they need it. This story sets up perfectly for the next book in this series and I cannot wait for more of their adventures and finding out more about the Island of Ramoa and meeting some more of its inhabitants.

Despite my physical TBR pile threatening to spiral even further out of control, I – like many other avid readers of children’s books – can’t help but check out the virtual shelves of Net Galley just in case. Checking the newly added section on at least a daily basis, I am sometimes disappointed for several days in a row but sometimes I strike gold and there are several titles I wish to read.

When I saw this had appeared, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover work created by George Ermos and when I subsequently noticed it was written by Jess French whose My Mum is a Spy – co-written with Andy McNab – I very much enjoyed last year, I automatically requested it and was thrilled to be approved a short while later. Not expecting to be approved so quickly, it did have to take its place in the queue but once I picked it up I was soon drawn into an exciting adventure – the first in a new series – packed full of wonderful characters who inhabit another world, one populated by the humans who live in its cities and the wild creatures which live in the dangerous Beastlands.

In one of the cities, Sophiatown, trainee Sky Rider Kayla is chasing after her pangron, Faro, as they make their way back to their quarters to comply with the curfew that has unexpectedly been put into place after the disappearance of another pangron. Curious as to what has happened, she soon sneaks out again on her winged companion and ends up flying out over the sea, where she and Faro are both shot down by a strange figure on a boat. Losing consciousness, Kayla finds herself separated from Faro and comes to on a strange black beach some distance away.

At the same time, in Ataria, healer Alethea is desperately trying to find a cure for the Scourge – a new disease which has claimed the life of her father amongst others – and decides that she must travel out of the city to collect a plant that she thinks might be of benefit. While this is happening, fellow Atarian Rustus undertakes the trial that will secure his place as one of the Scorched – an esteemed warrior – but it doesn’t go to plan and he finds himself an outcast and thrown out into the Beastlands to fend for himself.

Determined to do all she can to track down her pangron, Kayla heads inland and falls in with a bestiarist who is cataloguing the animals on the island and who offers to help her. Together they travel through the forest and stop at a hidden settlement, where they meet Alethea and Rustus and the three children fall in with one another and decide to journey together in their efforts to try to carry out their individual searches. Very soon, the three of them find that they have more questions than answers and that that the beasts of the island are not its most dangerous inhabitants. With the Scourge spreading through the cities, can Alethea find a cure for not just her own people but everyone and can Kayla find not just her own pangron but the stolen one too and establish who wants them, and why?

Being the first in the series, much of the start of the book is taken up with establishing the characters and their situations but once we have met Kayla, Rustus and Alethea, the narrative very rapidly picks up pace. All three of them find themselves in the Beastlands for very different reasons and they quickly learn that what they have been brought up to believe about the forbidden areas of their island is quite different from the truth.

Alethea and Kayla, who have their own quite different missions, are both equally determined to carry out them out, with Kayla so focussed on finding Faro at any cost that she often causes friction between herself and the others. Alethea, who is much more used to considering the needs of other before her own, goes about her own quest in a far more methodical and considered way, while Rustus – who is relieved to be away from the pressure of his family – does his best to help both of them.

With the story ending quite neatly, this will work well as a standalone but there are several unanswered questions, and the threat of a new danger to the island’s inhabitants on the horizon, meaning that many young readers will be desperate for Book 2 at the end of this, as I was. Ideal for confident readers in Year 4 upwards that are looking for reads filled with action and danger, this is a great read and one that will be worth hanging onto some Christmas Book Tokens for to treat yourself in the New Year.

My enormous thanks, as always, go to publisher Piccadilly Press and to Net Galley for my advance virtual read. Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain publishes January 18th 2024.

5 stars, wait. Can I give it 10?!

Beastlands was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was so entertaining and from the beginning it set itself up to be a right good read. It had all of the elements you’d look for in an epic of a children’s book (and me, as an adult, enjoyed it immensely so it isn’t just for younger audiences).


It has adversity, found friendships, evil villains and a dastardly plot to overthrow! We meet our three brave adventurers, Kayla, who, with her beloved Pangron Faro, training to be a Sky Rider. Alethea, a healer from Ataria who has picked up her fathers mantle and taken it upon herself to research a cure for the Scurge and finally Rustus, an Unscorched warrior embarking on his quest to become a scorched.


Honestly the world Jess French created in this book was utterly stunning!! It’s filled with the most exotic of creatures and beasts and was so well written to be completely effortless to pick up and enjoy.


Can say I am now thoroughly invested and will (very) eagerly await the next book because it promises itself to be a must read.