Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend
Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2024 Younger Readers Shortlist
‘The problem with growing up listening to bedtime stories about monsters, magic and myth is that you don’t really question it when a lake summons you…’
The lake has been calling to twelve-year-old Vivi Conway. On the day she and her Mams will move from Wales to London, she sneaks out to investigate what is calling her there. Instead of a quiet swim, she finds Excalibur (much smaller than she expected), a ferocious monster (much scarier in real life than in her mythology books), a new friend (which she doesn’t want at all) called Dara and a ghostly dog named Gelert (who can talk).
Gelert insists that Vivi is part of a magical group of children who share the souls of witches from legend and must protect the world from being taken over by the evil King Arawn of the Otherworld. Oh, and now she can magically control water.
With a little extra help from spiky Stevie and sweet-hearted Chia, can Vivi be brave enough to embrace true friendship and her magical destiny to help protect the world from evil? The first book in a fantastical series that combines a quest for magic and friendship with Welsh mythology and a pinch of science, all within a contemporary setting.
Media Reviews
“Lightly told and engaging, merging the modern and the traditional with warmth, wit and wisdom.” Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
“This enthralling magical adventure seamlessly blends ancient Welsh mythology with a diverse cast of characters in a contemporary setting. It is bursting with peril, treachery, humour and kindness, while the cliff-hanger ending will leave readers desperate for the next instalment.” BookTrust
“Inspired by the legends of King Arthur, this is a magical adventure with a memorable heroine.” The Week Junior, selected as Book of the Week
“A remarkable, heart-pounding, reinvigorated story of the myths you think you know – with characters you can’t forget and prose you will read again and again. Fun, fast, and Welsh legends have never looked this beautiful in print.” Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark
“Everything you could want from a fantasy story. A magical start to a legendary series.” Aisha Bushby
‘An edge-of-your-seat adventure underpinned by rich mythology and a brave heroine that will capture your heart. Hux has spun a classic tale for the ages.’ Laura Noakes, author of Cosima Unfortunate Steals A Star
‘A heart-warming and spellbinding book, with wonderful disability and LGBTQ+ representation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.’ Natasha Hastings, author of The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair
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