Twelve-year-old Eli is an apprentice librarian at the largest library in the world. But when his grandmother falls ill, he enters the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts to raise money for her treatment. This annual race is always held in the most perilous places and is full of spiky dangers. Most participants seek out unicorns and dragons to help them on their conquest. But not Eli. He embarks on this journey with his trusted pet and friend, Humphrey, his moon tortoise. Moon tortoises aren’t suited to racing and Eli is no natural adventurer. But he soon finds himself in an unlikely partnership with Raven, a rule-breaker and skilled archer, and her ice hare – one of the fastest animals in the world. If the two children put aside their differences and work together, they might just reach the finish line!
Format: Paperback
Pages: 352
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Publication date: 01/04/2024
Illustrator: McDonagh, Tim
The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts
by Alex Bell
Review by Rebecca
Eli was not the kind of boy to go on adventures, unless they were in the pages of a book. So when his Nana gets ill and there isn’t enough money to buy her the magic she needs, he enters the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, with his moon tortoise. Now he just needs to find a ship… good thing his friend Jeremiah has one. Brilliant!
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