The Wizards of Once

The Wizards of Once takes place in an ancient British forest where two opposing groups - the Warriors and the Wizards - maintain an uneasy peace. The Warriors use iron weapons and hate all magic, while the Wizards wield magical powers but cannot touch iron without being destroyed. The story centers on Xar, a young Wizard prince who has not yet manifested his magical abilities, and Wish, a Warrior girl who possesses a forbidden object. Their paths cross despite the strict divisions between their peoples, setting off a chain of events that affects both societies. The characters must navigate dangers from dark magic, Warriors, Wizards, and legendary creatures as they uncover long-buried secrets about their world. Their adventure forces them to question everything they've been taught about their supposed enemies. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of prejudice, friendship across divides, and the challenge of living up to parental expectations. The story demonstrates how preconceptions can be transformed through direct experience with those we're taught to fear.

Readers describe this book as a fun adventure with detailed illustrations, though not as engaging as Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon series. The humor and imaginative world-building appeal to both children and adults. Liked: - Hand-drawn illustrations throughout - Creative magic system and worldbuilding - Strong female protagonist - Playful narrator voice - Fast-paced action sequences Disliked: - Plot can be hard to follow - Character development feels rushed - Some found the writing style choppy - Several readers struggled to connect with main characters "The illustrations add so much personality," notes one Amazon reviewer. "But the story jumps around too much for younger readers to follow easily." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) Most recommend it for ages 8-12, with several parents reporting their children lost interest partway through.

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🔮 Cressida Cowell also wrote the hugely popular "How to Train Your Dragon" series, which was adapted into successful animated films by DreamWorks. 📚 The main character, Xar, is dyslexic - reflecting Cowell's commitment to creating heroes who struggle with reading, as she herself was diagnosed with dyslexia. 🎨 The book features distinctive black-and-white illustrations done by Cowell herself, who studied art at Saint Martin's School of Art and Brighton University. 🌳 The story's setting was inspired by ancient British woodlands and Iron Age hill forts, particularly those found in Sussex where Cowell spent much time as a child. ⚔️ The conflict between Magic and Iron in the book mirrors historical tensions between the Bronze and Iron Ages, when new metal technology changed society forever.