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Starfell #1

The Book of Chaos

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"A FANTASTIC middle grade adventure that will keep your kids and even adults hooked from page one!" ★★★★★Twelve-year-old Fable Nuthatch has something that nobody else in Larkmoor has—magic. But living under the roof of her overprotective aunt, she's forced to hide it from the world.When a strange book lands in her lap and her cousin vanishes into its pages, she follows, hurtling into an enchanted forest far from the rolling hills of her home. Starfell is filled with unusual people and mystical creatures. Here, she's accepted for who she is, and she's finally free to embrace her powers.But not everything is bright in Starfell. A darkness looms over the land, and her cousin is still missing. After following a trail of clues about other disappearances and the mysterious Fae Witch, Fable and her friends are confronted with a deadly secret—one that's connected to Fable and her family.With help from her peculiar new friends, Fable must learn to trust in herself or risk losing her cousin forever. Can she face the wicked secret hunting her and save him before it’s too late?"Fantastic books to read to my girls. They are enchanted by these stories!" (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★"Zero sexual content. No gruesome, gory violence. Just a well written mystery/adventure book." (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★"This is an awesome book for girls and boys alike." (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★"She finished it in a week!!!" (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★"I am truly in LOVE with the world of Starfell!" (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★"Purchased for my daughter and she loved it so much we ordered the 2nd book!" (Amazon Reviewer) ★★★★★Children's Literary Classics 2019 Middle Grade Gold Medal WinnerBook Excellence Awards 2019 Children's Fiction Gold Medal WinnerReaders' Favorite ★★★★★

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2018

592 people are currently reading
718 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Renwick

10 books88 followers
Jessica Renwick is the author of the award winning The Book of Chaos, the first book in the fantasy series, Starfell, for middle grade children (and adults who love fantasy, magic, and adventure!).

She enjoys a hot cup of tea, gardening, her pets, consuming an entire novel in one sitting, and outdoor adventures. She resides in Alberta, Canada on a cozy urban homestead with her partner, tiny monster dog, four chickens, and an enchanted garden.

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5 stars
203 (44%)
4 stars
129 (28%)
3 stars
89 (19%)
2 stars
23 (5%)
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10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Profile Image for Jinghay (these.blank.pages).
779 reviews36 followers
July 1, 2020
An adventure filled middle grade, perfect for fantasy lovers of all ages!
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Fable is such a strong yet caring heroine, and I loved her character from the first page!
It felt like I was exploring the whimsical world of Starfell right alongside her and I really enjoyed meeting all the different characters! (Arame and Star the hen were my favourites ❤️)
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The magic and world-building reminded me of a classic fairy tale, and I think the villain had the right amount of creepiness 👌(although my sister would beg to differ 🤣)
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I ended up speeding through the book with my younger sister at bedtimes, and I'm really excited to check out book 2. 😊 Would definitely recommend as a short and fun read!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐
-April 5th 2020

~Thank you to @mlc_tours and Jessica Renwick for providing a review copy, and allowing me to be a part of this booktour! All opinions are my own.

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Reread: Just as brilliant the second time round! Moving straight on to the book 2!! 😍✨
-30th June 2020
Profile Image for Jenny.
48 reviews68 followers
November 5, 2018
What a fun story! It's full of adventure, friendships, bravery, and magic. I may not be the target audience, but I enjoyed this read. I loved all the characters. They were my favorite part of the book, and I hope we get to see more of some of the minor characters (like Star the hen) again. I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Fedilmid and Alvar, because I really loved them. Some parts of the book gave me an Alice in Wonderland vibe, with all the different talking creatures Fable and her friends came across, which I enjoyed. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the Starfell series 🙂
Profile Image for Caroline Noe.
Author 9 books81 followers
March 3, 2019
This is a true jewel amongst children's books. Fun characters, engaging plot, laugh out loud moments and poignant emotion. Fun plot, well told. Read this one to your children or, even better, have them read it to you.
Profile Image for Ian Amos.
Author 1 book1 follower
January 8, 2019
This book is absolutely fantastic, starting with the cover graphics and running right through the story line and I loved the ending.

There are lots of characters, all of which have their own personalities, are lovable in their own way and all play an important role in the story (Arame is my favourite).

The Starfell world is really interesting but also relatable and the book allows you to explore lots of different parts with the characters, from the mystery and darkness of Lichwood to the comfort and safety of Rose Cottage. The places feel unique and you look forward to uncovering what the next new place has in store.

Although the age range is targeted at children, I think anyone could read it and enjoy it but be warned, its one of those books where only reading one chapter turns into 3 or 4 (or in my case half the book).

Hurry up and write the next one Jessica :)
Profile Image for S.E. White.
Author 1 book2 followers
October 12, 2018
Twisted, original, magical fun. Fable is such a strong young heroine, I was totally rooting for her! The wicked witch is creepy and just the right amount of awful. The magic is unique and the worldbuilding really well fleshed out. I could picture the wood, and the wizzards Fable sees. Overall the action filled plot and the occasional silliness reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones. I can't wait to see what Jessica Renwick comes out with next!

Recommend for: the young at heart, magic/fantasy fans, Adults who want a fun book to read with a middle-grader.
3 reviews
October 30, 2018
Alright, I may not be the target audience of this book but I loved reading The Book of Chaos! As soon as I got into it I was instantly hooked, and read the whole book cover to cover in a few hours. Now I can't wait until the author releases the second book in this series!

This book has whimsical characters, interesting story locations, and a villain well deserving of the name. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone, especially if they have children! I have nieces and nephews that are certainly going to get this for Christmas this year.
Profile Image for Kayla Maurais.
2 reviews5 followers
March 11, 2019
This is the kind of story that 12 year old me would have loved, and the kind of story that 26 year old me still enjoyed and appreciated. Fable is a curious, kind and gentle soul navigating the unique, enticing, and well-developed world of Starfell. There was an array of characters and whimsical locations that made you feel like you were exploring alongside them. Perfect for middle grade readers with vivid imaginations and inner magic of their own. I can’t wait for book 2!
Profile Image for Patrick McNulty.
Author 14 books28 followers
October 30, 2018
Amazing start to a wonderful middle grade series!

Really impressed! Renwick weaves a wonderful story filled with twists and turns and exciting new characters that are definitely going to draw in even the most reluctant readers in your household. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
11 reviews
October 30, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and the characters that Renwick created.
Profile Image for Tiki Kos.
Author 7 books106 followers
September 22, 2018
The Book of Chaos was a fun read. A must for children and adults who love Harry Potter and Hocus Pocus. I definitely will read Book Two and will buy a copy of BoC in paperback. Jessica Renwick has a magical talent for twisting words into an exciting adventure.
Profile Image for Anita.
1,066 reviews9 followers
July 14, 2022
A mysterious but clearly evil creature plants The Book of Chaos in Fable Nuthatch's nursery, long before she can read, and waits. The vines on the cover disguise it as a fairy tale book, but it's far from it.

When Fable's much older and the book is ready to "harvest" her and her magic, it falls into her lap -- and through a streak of luck (or misfortune), sucks her cousin into its pages, not Fable.

But there's no magic in the village of Larkmoor. Fable has magic and has used it on occasion, despite risking her Aunt Moira's disapproval, mostly to defend herself against the bullies that torture her and her cousin, Timothy.

But she's never practiced it, so her magic fizzles when she tries to stop the book from taking Timothy. Fable doesn't give up. She follows Timothy into the book, but it spits her out far from Larkmoor. A talking chicken, called a Firehawk, recommends Fable find the Fey Witch and ask for her help.

Along the way, Fable meets Thorn, a blue-grey giant girl who joins Fable, and the two become fast friends. At a local tavern, the girls learn others have disappeared in recent weeks and local speculation is that the evil witch, Endora, may have returned.

A petty thief cons Fable out of some money, and the girls chase after him. When the boy's arrested for stealing and they learn the penalty is having a hand chopped off, Fable uses her magic to engineer his escape. They all end up on Fable's quest for the Fey Witch who turns out to be…

I won't spoil it!

For an interview with the author, visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, amb.mystrikingly.com

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?

Visit my blog, The Fabric of Words, for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Profile Image for Tiffany Martin.
440 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2020
Loved this exciting, unique, middle grade fantasy adventure! First, I want to thank the author, Jessica, for my signed copy. I adore it and cannot wait to get the rest of this series! I am truly in LOVE with the world of Starfell!

Fable Nuthatch lives with her Aunt Moira, her younger cousin, Timothy and her adorable (huge) mastiff dog, Grimm. They live a quiet, peaceful life until one day, a mysterious book shows up and pulls Timothy down within it's pages. Fable goes in after him.

Fable finds herself taken, via the book portal, far from home and with the help of some amazing friends, and her magic, she goes on the quest to find and rescue her cousin (who is nowhere to be found). But, as it turns out, many have disappeared and it is a great mystery that needs to be solved.

I REALLY enjoyed this book! It is fantastic! All of the characters are great! I especially enjoyed Fable's new friends she makes along the way, such as Star the chicken, Thorn the Folkvar giant girl and Brennus. I also really liked Arame and hope we see more of him in other books.

The evil Endora is actually very intriguing and I want to know more of her backstory and how she ended up such a powerful lich....and why?

It's a lovely book about family, friendship, bravery and maturity. I definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy fantasy! And I highly recommend it for young readers!
Profile Image for Stella Raven.
Author 3 books6 followers
May 9, 2020
Thank you to @mlc_tours and the author for providing me with a copy for the Instagram tour.

The Book of Chaos is a middle-grade, fantasy novel and the first book in the Starfell series. Little Fable has magic but that needs to remain a secret from the world. She craves for knowledge and the freedom to be who she is, unaware of the darkness that lurks above her since she was a baby. When a strange book drives nightmares into her dreams and her cousin disappears, Fable is determined to bring him back. The road is long and dangerous but she's not alone.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a lighthearted and interesting story with friendship and the need for self-expression driving it. Although the characters are young, the hardships they face need courage and resolve to be overcome. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the story weaved itself and the way the characters complemented and empowered each other. I loved the plot twist and the elements it brought to the story.

I look forwards to the next instalment.
4 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2018
The Book of Chaos has a fun cast of characters. They feel genuine and diverse, and show a great deal of bravery and empathy during their adventures. Renwick has designed an imaginative world for her story with rich details without letting description getting in the way of action. Book One of this series is a quick, delightful read that leaves you wondering what those kids will get up to next!
1 review1 follower
October 9, 2018
Fantastic read! Although I am not in the age group this book was written for I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The story has wonderful characters in a charming setting that kept me wanting to read more. I myself can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Ashley.
17 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2018
Filled with lovable, genuine, characters and vivid imagery, “The book of Chaos” is a wonderful story of mystery and courage; pulling you into the lives of the characters you’re reading about. This story definitely has some fear factor for the main characters; she takes you to the edge and allows the reader to feel why the characters would be scared, allowing it to never be too much for younger readers, while leaving the potential for a stronger effect on those a little older.

I am slightly (let’s leave it at that) over the demographic, and I really enjoyed this book! Highly recommend if you’re a middle grade reader, or not!
Profile Image for Madelyn Hernández.
19 reviews42 followers
September 26, 2018
While I was reading this book, I decided to think of myself as a ten-year-old girl, who's ready to be surprised by magic, friendship, courage. And I am very pleased to say it has the right effect on me. It was a gorgeous adventure to read this book.

If you or your kids love magic, as I certainly do, then this is the perfect reading for you.
Profile Image for ThatReader.
375 reviews26 followers
September 17, 2018
So, I read this book bearing in mind I'm far from being the target audience, but! I have a ten year old son, and this is the kind of books he favours - quests, magic, fantasy, he will devour it all!
Children will delight in it, I'm sure. There's a quest, of course. There's magic happening all around, dangerous and uncontrolable, with dire consequences if you're not carefull. There's strange, fantastical creatures and wizzards in the woods. There's a wicked witch who is really, really evil. And there's a brave girl, who only wants to sort the mess she got herself into and helo her friends. If you're looking for a good bedtime read with your kids, and if they're full of imagination and enchantment, this is the book you need.
2 reviews
November 26, 2019
The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking of my eight-year-old grandson. Would he like it? Would it be too scary for him? Maybe he’s too young. In some spots it was a little scary and I wondered if it would be too much for an eight-year-old, but those scenes were short and the story quickly moved on. I like that there’s lots of action and adventure, and new friendships being formed between characters from such different backgrounds. The story moved along quite well, and I think it will be hard for any young reader to put down. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to Jessica’s next one(s)!
177 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2020
it is an amazing book! it's not my usual genre of choice but i enjoyed it thoroughly.
the best things about this book are:
the family dynamics
friendships
storytelling
thrilling adventures
give this a read if you miss your childhood dream adventures into fairylands!
Profile Image for Becky Hoppe.
3 reviews
September 18, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There was darkness, adventure, friendship, fantasy... it pulled me in from the first paragraph to the last. I can't wait for the rest of the series!!
Profile Image for Jonathan Pongratz.
Author 8 books219 followers
August 4, 2022
Magical mayhem of middle-grade proportions

Four and a half fabulous stars for this book!

I've never read anything by this author before, but I needed something light, fun, and magical. That's exactly what I got with The Book of Chaos.

In this novel we follow a twelve year old named Fable. She lives at Rose Cottage with her Aunt Moira and cousin Timothy peacefully until one night a mysterious book she's never seen before falls off her bookshelf. When the book spirits Timothy away with magic, Fable follows after, finding herself in a strange land. Can Fable find her cousin and help her unlikely new allies in the process, or is Timothy gone forever?

I loved this book. So many elements just worked for me.

The characters were great. Fable is rambunctious, curious, and speaks her mind, all admirable traits for a MC. I liked her personal journey. It made sense since Timothy is family, and in the process she learns more about herself and her magic.

There were some really great supporting characters along the way too. My favorite is Thorn. She's a Folkvar, a tall being with copper hair and practically superhuman strength. I loved that proper manners are lost on her and that she doesn't always play nice. Star the fire hen was a close second. I just loved her personality, and I hope we haven't seen the last of her.

I greatly enjoyed the world of Starfell. It's got tons of magic, which makes a great break from reality. The magic system may be a bit simple for my taste, but it's full of whimsy and won me over pretty quickly. This fun world made for a great adventure, and that's exactly what you'll get should you try this book out. I can't wait to continue on this journey with Fable.

Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Hannah Kaye.
Author 5 books38 followers
April 22, 2020
A fun, easy read for lovers of classic fairytales (the Grimm kind, not Disney, haha.) The Book of Chaos is a tale of discovery that follows the “adventurers’ journey” tradition, peppered throughout with a few glittering descriptions that will stick with me for a long time (particularly the galaxy under the floor —gave me chills!)

The world of Starfell is unique blend of modern and fantasy (imagine a tavern where you simultaneously are required to hang your battle axe at the door but also are able to order a cheeseburger and fries.) It threw me off a little at first to be reading in a world where magic, forest people, video games, talking chickens, cars, and knights in plate armor all coexist, but once I got my bearings in the story I thoroughly enjoyed it.)

My favorite part of this book was its cast of characters. From Feldimid in his rubber ducky pajamas to Thorn’s fight to control her own strength, the characters were distinct, unexpected, and colorful! I’m excited to see where their adventures take them next!

*I received a free electronic copy of this book from the author. My review is completely voluntary and all opinions are honest and my own.*
Profile Image for Sirah.
2,989 reviews27 followers
August 31, 2023
magical and a bit chaotic

For her whole life, Fable has been forbidden from using the magic that sparks at her fingertips, but unbeknownst to anyone, an evil book has been waiting for the right moment to whisk her away. The magic goes wrong, and Fable’s little cousin is kidnapped instead, but finding herself in a magic land with a talking chicken, Fable is determined to save Timothy, no matter who gets in her way.

I’m delighted to say that this book lives up to its magical cover and title. It had only a few copy editing errors, and while the plot was just a bit canned, it was still an engaging read with a lot of great ideas. The world building was creative, and the writing vivid and exciting. If I ever see the sequel available, I’ll be sure to pick it up.
Profile Image for Clare O'Beara.
Author 25 books371 followers
March 3, 2023
This is a nice story about the traditional orphan, a girl who is being raised by her aunt and learning to craft a little magic. When an old book mysteriously draws her cousin into its pages and he vanishes, there's only one thing to do - jump in after him. But maybe this wasn't such a great plan as there is no plan. An assortment of fellow travellers and residents liven the pages.

I didn't like the first few pages, as it seems like the author thought the start wasn't scary enough and added a horror type prologue. This is out of touch with the rest of the tale and would put me off. You can safely skip the couple of pages.

This is an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Abiran Raveenthiran.
Author 6 books7 followers
May 9, 2020
Jessica manages to weave a story that reminded me of Harry Potter, the Wizard of Oz and the Hobbit. This children's story had strong characters and even stronger animal characters with their own twist that makes them evermore loveable. My personal favourite was Grimm and had me imagining what my own dog would do to enjoy the fruits of magic.
Profile Image for Ben Gartner.
Author 4 books392 followers
July 20, 2020
From my 12-year-old son:

I liked the magic in this story. Fable had to hide her magic in Larkmoor and she was able to use it freely in the Burntwood forest and other places. I liked the action with the hounds and the people risen from the dead. The mystery of Fable’s parents intrigued me and I thought the ending was well done. It made me want to read more.
Profile Image for Michelle Wright.
Author 12 books5 followers
September 15, 2020
I got this book for my daughter, who read it in a few days. Despite an event she described as “scary,” she liked the book enough to read it more than once (and get over the “scary” part). These were her words: “I liked it and it made me want to read it again and again. And the book of chaos is cool because it’s magic and smoke tentacles came out of it.” She went on to ask me for the next two books in the series. I’d say she’s a satisfied customer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews

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