Maggie and the Mountain of Light: A Wayfinder Girls Novel

By Mark Snoad (Monarch Educational Services, 2023)

Genre: Fiction/Middle Grade

Pages: 212 (Paperback, incl. Epilogue)

Via: Author request

Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Light the path, lead the way…”

The Basics

Twelve year-old Maggie Thatcher gets more than she bargained for when her weekend at camp turns into a giant all-or-nothing race to save the world from a fate (and Fae?) worse than death in this charming middle grade fantasy.

Maggie and her BFF Anahira can’t wait for a weekend camp at the Dux Manor activity center in London. When the girls arrive at the center, Maggie notices a green-skinned thing-a-mah-bob staring at her from behind a tree. Now, it’s not every day you see something no one else can see. Or have to B.Y.O. food for an entire weekend away from home due to food allergies. Or are invited to become part of a super-secret group of five girls who are tasked with saving the world from invasion by some Really Nasty Critters from another dimension.

Wait. Is that Rod Serling?

So yeppers, it’s a pretty full weekend for Maggie Thatcher (yeah, we got the historical allusion). Especially since the reticent, retiring Maggie thinks she pales in comparison to her outgoing and effervescent friend, Anahira. Maggie is convinced she doesn’t have much to offer.

And that’s where Maggie Thatcher is dead wrong. (Without giving too much away, let’s just say that what follows along these lines is one of the best and most uplifting parts of the whole book.)

Strange Doin’s

Because a creepy green-skinned dude isn’t the only strange thing at the Manor. Maggie soon learns that the Wayfarer Girls includes a secret organization called “the Guardians.” Their purpose is to protect the Earth from other worlds. Naturally, the confident and capable Anahira is a shoo-in for selection to this super-secret, uber important society that guards the world from “interdimensional threats.”

Beam me up, Scotty!

Suprise!

So Maggie is like, humongously surprised when she’s offered the opportunity to become a Guardian, too. Then Maggie must decide if she wants to do so or not. How will she protect the earth when she “can’t even tie a knot”? Can Maggie face her fears and journey into the unknown to save humanity? How? And what’s up with green skin dude and black dragon tattoo guy?

Uh- Oh

Next, Maggie learns that she has until All Hallows Eve – two days hence – to find a magical talisman stolen from the Fae and return it to their world. The future of the realm and possibly the entire world hangs in the balance. So no pressure, okay?

“I’ve got you.”

Clever, Agile

Told in the first person from Maggie’s POV, this clever and agile story is a witty and whimsical blend of history, mystery, and magic. It includes ancient treaties. Contanim nation. Homework. Soy or coconut? Ravens. Diamonds. City cruises.  The Tower of London. An ancient magical talisman stolen from the world of Faerie. Alert readers will get a chuckle out of the movie-ish chapter headings. (Yeah, we noticed.)

Hmmm…

While we’re on the subject – sort of – what exactly is a “chilly bin,” anyway? And while we’re still at it – sort of – it may be Barcelona and Manchester United football elsewhere, but here in the States that sport is known as Green Bay Packers or San Francisco 49ers, et.al. In this book’s context,  “football” is more like the Seattle Sounders. In case you’re wondering.

Kimber: The illustrations in this book are Delicioso! Just sayin’. Also, the door is left open for a sequel. We can’t wait! Beam us up again, Scotty!

Watch Out World!

We got a little tired of some of the P.C. stuff. And there was that weird part on page 96 where an entire paragraph is duplicated. But overall, this is an enjoyable read that’s tightly written, moves briskly, and is tons of fun! And yeah, we also have a close family member who carries an epi-pen everywhere. So watch out world!

Our Rating: 4.0