This is such a brilliant book! Ember Spark is trying to get over the betrayal of her father's absence, which has left her and her mother alone to cope with their changed circumstances somehow. Determined not to be vulnerable to anyone else again, Ember avoids making friends at school, and with her mother working all hours to support them, she ends up not having much company.

Until several unusual incidents take place, that is. First, Ember comes across the mysterious little hamster that she rescues and names Forty Winks (or was that already his name?!). Then, her teacher sends her off on a bizarre quest to help Rusty Fizzbang, who turns out to be a vet for magical creatures in distress!

And as Ember finds herself in the unanticipated but delightful position of apprentice to a magical vet, she also discovers an unexpectedly familiar face accompanying her on this assignment. Which is just as well because there are a whole slew of baddies just as interested in mythical beasts - except *they* want to capture them for their own nefarious purposes...

This is an exceptionally exciting and creative story about highly relatable characters in highly unusual circumstances. The last time I enjoyed a book like this so much, it was Cressida Cowell's most recent offering. Abi Elphinstone is another such prodigious talent. So please, just read this book!