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Member Reviews
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In the sequel to the very brilliant Artezans: The Forgotten Magic, Ed and Elodie are setting off with their dads to visit Norway and secretly hunt down the remaining two Artezan masters that could help control the magic that has been out of control since the twins received their powers.
The first Artezans introduced us to the world of magical powered families where magic had been dwindling until the twins Elodie and Ed inherited their powers and magic flooded back in uncontrollable ways. Whereas book 1 was Ed’s story this sequel is focused on Elodie’s point of view. When the twins end up ship wrecked on a hidden Artezan island the initial welcoming from the community starts to look like it’s hiding some dark secrets. Elodie's abilities to hear the voices of animals are furthering develop and a mysterious whispering voice begins stalking her around the island.
I adored this, even more than book 1. There is fantastic and effortlessly inclusive rep throughout the world, from the twin's dads to the fact the Eloise is described as fat, which is never negative. I love that the twins inherit their powers even though they are adopted into the magic family. I don’t want to talk much about the plot at risk of spoilers because this is a tour de force of twists and turns. The dads are back being wonderful and supportive and I loved the focus on Elodie whilst still exploring Ed’s developing powers. It expands the world and history of the Artezans and there were genuinely moments in this where I exclaimed out loud (slightly alarming my partner who was driving at the time). And as for the ending…I cannot wait for book 3!
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Ed and Elodie Crane are back. And they are going away 'for the summer' although they don't really know for how long. Having found out that they are Artezan masters they need to find more Masters and the place to start is the North - Norway to start with, Their fathers having decided that Elodie's fear of flying is worse than Ed's fear of the sea have arranged for a boat from Scotland across, the captain is an artezan as well.
But things go very wrong when they are caught in a storm - and the boat is wrecked, they go into the water but Dad makes Elodie leave her beloved cat because they cannot hold him, however they are picked up by boats from Eilan Diomhair. The problem is it's an artezan island and no-one knows where it is because it's not on a map.
On the island they meet Laurie - they wear gloves and are staying with two islanders - but why. There is something strange about them and about the other islanders. When things go very obviously wrong they find out something important about Laurie. And they all want to leave - quickly...but some one arrives, who they think will help but who causes more problems than they expected. One problem is very big and the children have no idea how to fix it.
How can they get off this island?
This is a perfect sequel to book 1, family, magic and a new and special character who is going to be a very important part of book 3. Again the book ends leaving us wanting more. I need book 3!
This series is so good. We definitely need it at school.
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In this second book about the Artezan children, Elodie and Edward, they are on their way to Norway on the hunt for Artezan masters. However, they become stranded on a small island, due to heavy storms. After the storm fails to abate, the children start wondering about the strange island they find themselves on. The story gradually unfolds strange happening and there are some twists at the end that will have you gasping in horror. Despite the limited cast of characters, this is a fast paced story, where you can't always know who you can trust. I am looking forward to the further adventures.
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Artezans: The Whispering World by L.D. Lapinski – Spoiler-Free Book Review
Elodie and Ed Crane are twin Artezan masters granted extraordinary magic powers - Ed is the Laird of Dreams and Nightmares, while Elodie hears everyone's thoughts. Though lately, since uncovering their status as Artezan masters, she’s struggling with the constant noise and sinister Whispers. They embark on a quest to find the remaining lost Artezan Masters but are shipwrecked on an island hidden to anyone who isn’t an Artezan. Despite the Islanders’ kindness, the twins’ suspicions are peaked and not just by their new friend Laurie’s secrets. With Ancient magic back in the world for the first time in centuries, can the Crane twins save magic, regulate its power and, most importantly, get off the Island…
Artezans: The Whispering World by L.D. Lapinski is released on 13th March 2025 by Orion Children’s Books.
The opening of this novel made my cry. That is as upfront as I can be without giving too much away, but if I would’ve been reading a physical copy, I would’ve been upset with myself for tear-staining the pages so quickly. This is one of many examples within the novel showcasing Lapinski’s exceptional talent for packing a punch with words. I don’t think I’ve read a book in a long time that had me in tears that fast.
The Crane twins continue to sparkle in their magical way throughout The Whispering World. Elodie gets to shine this time round as the lead protagonist in the novel, after Ed’s turn last time, and this was a genius move. The Crane twins are so distinctly different that it’s intriguing to see an entirely different perspective of the world we fell in love with in The Forgotten Magic. I enjoyed this take and I’m invested in both of them wholeheartedly because they’re one of the most realistic sets of twins out there on the children’s fiction market.
Laurie is a wondrous addition to this cast of characters, and I think they are one readers are going to love. Their light in what, at times, can be quite a dark story, radiates endlessly and I’m excited to see where their journey takes them should their adventure coincide with the twins in Book 3 (Again, this is a no spoiler review). They remind me of a lot of people in my life growing up, who unfortunately felt restricted by the beliefs of others, but still managing to be a positive influence on everyone around them, so I loved them instantly.
The plot of this novel really does take you on an emotional journey. I was especially prepared as I reread The Forgotten Magic immediately before (something I would recommend to anyone planning on reading The Whispering World), and I have to hold my hands up and say it still wasn’t enough preparation! I cheered, I cried, I screamed, I laughed, I clapped (yes, out loud), and at one point had a touch of motion sickness. This read will have you on the edge of your seats, but don’t worry, there are a couple slower paced moments too to add to the ebb and flow and allow reader recovery. All in all, The Whispering World is an adventure I’d recommend everyone take!
L.D. Lapinski has crafted a perfect sequel and one that I’m sure will have new and returning readers engrossed. As the first sequel I’ve read this year, if The Whispering World is setting the precedent then the bar is incredibly high! While you head on to your preferred bookseller to pre-order a copy, I’m off to check there’s no little red boxes lying around… (In the words of River Songs, ‘Spoilers’)
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I read this with my 11 year old daughter and we absolutely loved it! Full of adventure and great plot twists; it kept us hooked and ready for book 3!! The world building is fantastic and my 11 year old said she felt like she was there! Definitely recommend to anyone who is a lover of fantasy and magic!
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LD Lapinski deftly returns us to the world of the Artezans - magicians hidden among us. Ed and Elodie Crane are a year older and magic is starting to go haywire after the events of the first book. The twins are, along with their dads, on the hunt for the other Artezan Masters in the hope of bringing balance back to their troubled world.
This installment introduces a whole new cast of beautifully drawn characters, including the wonderful Laurie Fern whose casual and universally accepted use of non-binary pronouns is a masterclass in how to write inclusively. As with all the best second installments, the end of the book leaves you desperately wanting to know more.
As ever, Lapinski's writing is evocative and the plot races along. Highly recommended for KS2 and lower KS3.
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Back with Ed and Elodie, into the world of Artezans and an ambitious quest to to save Artezan magic.
This one was absolutely filled with excitement, drama and high stakes action. The more I read, the more I got sucked in and it was such a compelling story.
I love these characters and there is always great representation in L.D Lapinski’s books. By the end I was left reeling at the events that had taken place and by goood, it’s set itself up to be one fab and epic conclusion in the next book. There is so much at stake and so much to fight for, I can’t wait.