Reviewed by Faryal Jabbar (age 15) for Reader Views (2/17)

“Topaz and The Green Fairies” by Pat Frayne takes place in a magical world of green fairies, lovable animals, and a strong King Conjure Cat ruling over the desired land Knownotten. Bozel, a young green fairy must save his entire species from a treacherous storm that is threatening to destroy their island and its inhabitants. He embarks on a rocky journey, braving the desolate Barren Island, home to the black fisher bats. He makes friends and finds new species on his journey to find a new home for his people. Will King Topaz, Bozel, and the rest of the gang be able to rescue the green fairies before the island is swallowed by the great Slewnecky River?

While reading this novel I had the recurring feeling of warmth and intrigue, a perfect combination for a bedtime story. The book remindedof me of a big book of classic children stories I used to have and the magical animals that lived in those pages. Though I thought that the story was stretched to a slower pace in some chapters, this book would be excellent for fantasy loving children around the ages of seven to twelve. Bozel is easy to relate to and I think anyone could see a part of themselves in at least one of the diverse characters. The written thoughts of the characters helped me empathize with the characters, as I believe many children will. I would advise readers to go in without any presumptions–I went into the book with the image of talking animals who acted like people. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author added realistic animal behaviors to the characters making them feel more real.

Mrs. Frayne effortlessly switched through different points of views, each character nicely developed, however, I was left wondering about the mysterious spirit on Barren Island and King Topaz. I especially loved the beautiful imagery and the map included in the book. The morals I found in the book included friendship, family, and above all–not to judge a book by its cover. For those looking for an exciting story for their children, or frankly, anyone who loves a fresh classical adventure, I recommend “Topaz and The Green Fairies” by Pat Frayne.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1946084936

O.D. Book Reviews Gives Topaz and the Evil Wizard A Five Star Review

Praise for Topaz and the Green Fairies

Winner of the Literary Classics Silver Award

Topaz and the Green Fairies is Awarded the Silver Medal by Literary Classics

Topaz and the Green Fairies

Our Review......

An abundantly likable and enjoyable novel for the young and young at heart, Topaz and The Green Fairies is the latest release in an engaging series from author Pat Frayne. It’s often hard to find the right timbre when writing for a restless audience that’s short on attention, but Frayne imbues her pages with a quiet charm that hits the right narrative and emotional beats from the very start. With a whimsical mix of lovable characters that children will quickly warm to, the adventure is reminiscent of time honored classics. Imaginative and rich in detail, Frayne has a genuine flair for this genre, creating a beguiling world of magic and intrigue whilst careful to capture those human elements of fantasy fiction that make for the best of reads. Underpinning it all is Topaz. A wonderfully imagined character that captures the universal fondness of cats and proves amiably endearing as Bozel’s quest unfolds.

Delightful to the end, Topaz and The Green Fairies proves a magical read and one deserving of a place on your bookshelf. It is strongly recommended. - Book Viral Review

Topaz and the Green Fairies earns the 2016 Literary Classics Silver Award for Chapter Book

Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic literature which appeals to
while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations.  Judging is based upon the criteria set forth by Literary Classics’ highly selective awards committee which honors books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which possesses key elements found in youth,well-crafted literature.

The Literary Classics judging committee is comprised of experts with backgrounds in publishing, writing, editing, design, illustration, and book reviewing.   To learn more about Literary Classics, visit their website at www.literaryclassicsawards.com.

Topaz And The Green Fairies brings us to Cottersdamp Island, where the rising floodwaters threaten the lives of the fairy folk living there. It is up to young Bozel to find a way to Knownotten and seek help before everyone is washed away, but first he must face his inner fears and much danger if he is to find King Topaz. With no way back to Cottersdamp, Bozel must trust the conjure cat and his faithful friends, Daisy, Otis, and Dooley to think of a plan that will rescue all the Green Fairies and bring them safely to Knownotten.

As a writer of children’s books, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the thought-out characters in this series. From the wise yellow conjure cat to the dangerous Buckwetcher, the Black Fisher Bats and the Spotted Gray Matoose, magic, adventure, and mystery abound in this tale. A perfect bedtime read for pre-teens and younger.                                   -Sandra Jane Maidwell, writer of children's and teen fiction

Another fantastic book by Pat Frayne! Topaz and the Green Fairies makes a great addition to the Topaz series. Topaz is back, this time to help the Green Fairies and cure his land. It is a beautifully written story that intertwines many different elements. I loved the different story lines and seeing how they all come together. With a great cast of familiar characters and terrific selection of new ones, Topaz and the Green Fairies is a wonderful story. It is a must read for any child!                -Robin C. Berry, Library Graduate Student

Children's Literary Classics Seal of Approval:

Bozel,  a genuinely likable young fairy, sets out on his own in an attempt save his family and their community.  Torrential rains are causing his village to slide into the river and their homes and land are being destroyed by mud slides. Young Bozel has been selected by the green fairies to find a safe-haven before they all perish.

Can such a young boy save his people? Does he have what it takes to overcome the obstacles and trials he must face? Youngsters will thrill at the adventure and excitement of this delightful fantasy for children.  Along the way Bozel makes new friends who will help him on his journey.  In their travels they meet Topaz,  a magical cat with mystical powers.  Together with his new friends they devise a plan to rescue Bozel’s community.

Author, Pat Frayne, introduces young readers to an eclectic group of animals, including the ever-so-unusualbuckwetcher, and the enchanting ghostbird.  With just enough suspense to keep children on the edge of their seats, this marvelous children’s book will enthrall young audiences.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

 Another superbly crafted and entertaining story from the pen of gifted and original novelist Pat Frayne, "Topaz and the Green Fairies" is very highly recommended as an enduringly popular addition to any community library Fantasy Fiction collection. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Topaz and the Green Fairies" is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99). - Midwest Book Review

Praise for Topaz and the Green Faires:

"Topaz and the Green Fairies" is a story that will evoke and enrich children's imaginations. Her characters are fascinating in the descriptions she gives them and the settings she describes will surely intrigue young readers as they envision what they are reading. Even adults will enjoy this book, which would be a great one for adults and children to read together. "Topaz and the Green Fairies" would also be a great stage play for young audiences.                           - Karen Despain, retired journalist whose career in the newspaper business spanned more than 30 years.

Topaz and the Green Fairies is a fun adventure story set in a magical land and is complete with brave quests, evil forces, natural disasters and daring rescues. This book is the third in a series about Topaz, a last-of-his-kind cat with ancient and mystical powers.   A young green fairy, Bozel, sets off alone to seek help for his family and community that is sliding into the river due to endless rains.  Along the way Bozel encounters dangers both natural and supernatural and makes friends who lead him to Topaz.   Topaz and his friends need to come up with a plan to rescue Bozel’s community while avoiding a dangerous island that had recently trapped a friend from previous books, Otis the owl. 

This book feels like a traditional magical adventure story from my childhood.  The imaginary world in which this book takes place is rich with detail and seems to extend beyond the map provided in the beginning of the book.  Topaz in Knownotten Forest knows little of Bozel’s Cottersdamp Island.  The plot moves quickly and even though the book begins with its characters in three separate locations, they are shortly drawn together in a united story. 

I liked the book’s sense of adventure and camaraderie among the cast of characters.  I liked the elements of the quest:  a people in danger, a hero who must go through danger to save them, dark and mysterious forces, and of course, new bonds of friendship formed.  Children can identify with Bozel’s uncertainty and revel in his new found friendship with the cat king.  I liked that while this is a fantasy adventure, it is straightforward enough that children new to fantasy can follow it and understand it.  It does not require a sophisticated understanding of mythological beings or philosophical questions of religion or the purpose of life.  

As this is the third book in a series, there is some advantage to having read the previous books first.  Reading this book as a standalone can be done, but it leaves the reader with some questions about Topaz and how he became king.  I wound up identifying much more with Bozel than Topaz simply because I felt I knew him better.  There are also a few frustratingly loose ends, such as wishing for any kind of resolution regarding Barren Island. Perhaps this will become a storyline for a further adventure. 

Topaz and the Green Fairies is an accessible fantasy for children ages 8-12.  Readers who like Erin Hunter’s Warriors series or Adam Jay Epstein’s The Familiars will like this book and series.      Review from Michele: Thanks so much for sharing Topaz and the Green Fairies.  I really enjoyed it.