The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

Twelve-year-old Flick Hudson moves to a small village and discovers the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, an establishment that uses magical suitcases to transport people between worlds. The shop's young proprietor Jonathan invites Flick to join the Strangeworlds Society after learning she can see the multiple layers of magic within each suitcase. Together, Flick and Jonathan explore different worlds through the suitcases while tracking down missing magical artifacts. Their mission becomes urgent when they uncover signs that multiple worlds may be in danger, forcing them to navigate complex magic systems and face unexpected challenges. The story combines classic portal fantasy elements with modern sensibilities, examining themes of friendship, responsibility, and the ripple effects of choices across interconnected worlds. This middle-grade fantasy addresses questions about belonging and identity while maintaining focus on adventure and discovery.

Readers highlight the imaginative world-building and creative take on magical suitcases as portals to other worlds. Many note the book fills a gap between younger middle grade and YA fantasy. Liked: - Fast-paced adventure that builds momentum - Complex family dynamics and friendship themes - Main character Flick's determination and growth - Vivid descriptions of different worlds - British humor and wit throughout Disliked: - Some found the start slow before the action picks up - A few readers wanted more depth to side characters - Several noted similarity to Doctor Who and other portal fantasies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Storygraph: 4.1/5 "Perfect for fans who've outgrown The Magic Treehouse but aren't ready for darker YA," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review noted: "The concept is fresh even though portal fantasy isn't new - it's what the author does with it that matters."

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🌟 Author L.D. Lapinski wrote The Strangeworlds Travel Agency while working as a library assistant, drawing inspiration from being surrounded by books every day. 🌟 The magical suitcases in the story were partly inspired by the author's own collection of vintage luggage, which they started collecting during their university years. 🌟 Like the book's multiverse concept, the scientific theory of parallel universes suggests there could be an infinite number of alternate realities existing alongside our own. 🌟 The novel took four years to write and underwent several complete rewrites before reaching its final form. 🌟 The main character Flick's full name, Felicity Hudson, was chosen specifically because it could be shortened to a more adventurous-sounding nickname, reflecting her journey from an ordinary girl to a magical explorer.