Click here for downloadable pirate story resources.
Brine Seaborne is a girl with a past – if only she could remember what it is. Found alone in a rowboat, clutching a shard of the rare starshell used for spell-casting, she’s been keeping house for an irritable magician and his obnoxious apprentice, Peter, ever since.
When Brine and Peter get themselves into a load of trouble and flee, they blunder into the path of the legendary pirate ship, Onion. Before you can say “pieces of eight” they’re up to their necks in the pirates’ quest to find Magical North, a place so shrouded in secrets and myth that most people don’t even think it exists. If Brine is lucky, she’ll finally find out who she is. And if she’s unlucky, everyone on the ship will be eaten by sea monsters. It could really go either way.
Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month July 2016
Federation of Children’s Book Groups Children’s Book Award Shortlist 2017
Also available in the US:
Reviews
In what is hopefully the first in a long series, Voyage to Magical North mixes together orphans, pirates, spells and an evil magician and in a way that feels fresh and sparky… Original, packed with excitement, humour and moments of quiet insight too this is a real treat. Love Reading 4 Kids
A rollicking adventure with a nice balance of danger, excitement and humour, and a couple of young characters who go through just the right amount of squabbling, confusion, jealousy, and uncertainty. The Book Bag
There are oceans full of danger, plenty of knockabout humour, some brilliant plot twists and the strains of a few sea shanties here but there is also a feisty, book-loving heroine, heartwarming friendships and a brilliant bunch of pirates. Lancashire Evening Post
With memorable characters, extraordinary adventures, and a world that will stay in the reader’s mind long after the book is closed, The Voyage to Magical North is one of the best middle grade fantasy books of the year so far. Barnes and Noble Kids’ Blog
Welsh author Claire Fayers buoys her seaworthy series debut The Voyage to Magical North with agreeably understated humor, over-the-top sea monsters and nuanced characters. This finely spun adventure is the very definition of swashbuckler, but also thoughtfully examines ideas of story, good vs. evil, instinct vs. rules and self-discovery. A treasure. Shelf Awareness starred review