Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer

Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer is Ollie George Clark’s debut and introduces an author with a talent for writing fast-moving, funny, super-readable fantasy adventures. Youngest Faircrest lives in the permanently stinky Bogsmarsh with his mum and five older siblings. The book opens on the even of the Deciding, when the town’s children are allocated their destined career and its matching cloak. Youngest is desperate to become a guardian, like his capable mother, but instead, his worst fears are realised. Amiable, well-meaning, but with no discernible abilities, Youngest is assigned dearth. There’s only ever been one Dearth before, a scarecrow named Steve. This is too much, even for someone as long-suffering as our hero, and he sets off – full of reck – into the wilds beyond Bogsmarsh to steal back the magic Dragonstone from the sorcerer Neffaria. He’s accompanied on this reckless journey by Satchel, his pet piglet, and – which is what really gives this story its spark – his best friend Agnes, Decided Chronicler. Agnes is our narrator, describing the action in a thoroughly no-nonsense manner, though still allowing her affection for her best friend to creep in. She might be impatient with Youngest sometimes, and irritated by his lack of planning, but she is well aware of what makes him special, and so readers are too. Her asides, caustic comments and useful explanations, sometimes as ‘a mini-chapter in a main chapter’, keep pages turning at a rapid rate, and give the narrative its distinctive feel. The story itself is very good with lots of moments of tension and some real surprises. It’s liberally illustrated throughout by Tom Knight, who does as good a job as Agnes in conveying moments of drama, friendship and humour. A sequel is promised, which will be eagerly awaited by readers.

Read our Q&A interview with Ollie George Clark.