Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - MAY 2026 - UK Post

 

Fiona Dixon - Crow: Thief of Magic - Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books (7 May 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008717360 - Paperback - Age: 8+

Twelve-year-old Crow is a thief.

Scraping a living on the winding streets of Starsgard, Crow works for the leader of the criminal underworld, stealing from the city’s wealthy ruling class. But when a routine job takes Crow to the home of a mysterious sorcerer, his whole life is turned upside down – and after a planned heist goes wrong, leaving Crow alone and with nowhere to turn, he finds himself a new position as the sorcerer’s apprentice.

Before long, Crow is introduced to the ancient art of dream magic – catching dream essence and using it to create dreams for the rich citizens from whom he once stole. But when Crow learns of an ancient strain of nightmare magic that threatens to unleash devastation on Starsgard, he must make a terrible choice… and decide who he can really trust.

With a stunning, richly-detailed world, an incredible story, and a wonderful cast of characters, Crow: Thief of Magic is an extraordinarily exciting fantasy debut – perfect for fans of Impossible Creatures, His Dark Materials, and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.

David Solomons (Author), Hazem Asif (Illustrator) - The Ministry of Manners - Published by Piccadilly Press (7 May 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1835873175 - Paperback - Age: 8+

Be quiet. Be polite. Or be silenced.

Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners, where politeness isn't a choice - it's the law. And one wrong word can change your life. He knows how to stay out of trouble, but she has never been one for quiet obedience.

When the Ministry takes Margot, everything changes. Inside the Manners Retreat, she fights to stay herself in a place built to erase her. Meanwhile, Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced - those who still dare to speak. But the Ministry has plans of its own. And if they succeed, rebellion won't just be punished. It'll be impossible.

Curtis Jobling - Vampire Empire: Red Tide - Published by Fox & Ink Books (7 May 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1917894050 -  Paperback - Age: 11+  

In 900 AD, Shetland, a fearless Norse girl and a blacksmith’s son must fight for survival when a supernatural Viking warband descends on their island, bringing terror, blood, and an unquenchable hunger. The first in a brand new duology from bestselling author, Curtis Jobling.

The people of Unst, Norse and Pict alike, enjoy lives of relative peace – none more so than Hilde, daughter to Jarl Frida, and Cormac, the blacksmith’s boy. Hilde yearns for a life of adventure, like the one her mother had before her, carving her name in the great sagas as a legendary shieldmaiden.

But Hilde should be careful what she wishes for. When a terrible Viking warband arrives upon the island, shrouded by an otherworldly fog and hellbent upon horror, Hilde and Cormac’s worlds are turned upside down. They bring with them terrors and secrets, the likes of which a Norse girl and a Pictish boy could never have dreamt of in their worst nightmares.

For when the Harrowed Men come raiding, there is no escape from their cruelty – or their hunger.

And no amount of blood will slake their thirst …

Penny Boxall - Letty and the Mystery of the Word Thieves - Published by Puffin (28 May 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241657478 - Paperback - Age: 8+

LONDON, OCTOBER 1775

Lettice Breech is itching to go on another adventure.

But her beloved Pa is sick, and their home is in danger. Letty needs money. She needs treasure.

So, when a mysterious socialite appears in London, promising more treasure than she can imagine, Letty finds herself embroiled in a thrilling new mystery right in her home city. Baffling poems, puzzling clues in dictionaries, and curious notes from a mysterious group known only as The Alphabetters lead Letty on a whirlwind adventure through the streets of London. And then there is - nearly – a murder . . .

Can Letty use her deductive skills to unravel the mystery of the word thieves?

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's/Kids Book Picks - April 2026 US Post

Brandon Mull - Forbidden Mountain - Published by Labyrinth Road (April 14, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593712047 - Deluxe Hardback - Age: 8+

READ SAMPLE. 

Every Anoran child dreams of the day they will enter the sacred bonding hut and match with a guardian—a spiritual guide who grants magically enhanced abilities. A lucky few will bond with Advocates, who promise greatness and glory. Others will be tempted by forbidden offers from the Accursed—dangerous spirits who bring nothing but destruction and a penalty of death to any Anoran who chooses them. But when Mako discovers that the worst of these agents of chaos has returned to spread an ancient evil through the empire, he faces an unthinkable choice: Will he bond with one of the Accursed to gain the power to stop another?

Halfway across the empire, Arden has no guardian and no prospects of adventure…until she infiltrates an underground criminal network to find her missing friend. Relying on her knack for sensing the truth through even the smoothest lies, Arden finds herself at the center of a sinister conspiracy that runs much deeper than she ever imagined.

Soon Mako’s and Arden’s fates collide, and together they must face bandit armies, dark secrets, and untold dangers to fight an enemy who could destroy all they’ve ever known. 

Mats Strandberg (Author), Sofia Falkenhem (Illustrator) - Frank the Monster - Published by Gecko Press (April 7, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8348027285 - Hardback - Age: 6+

Frank is nipped by a dog on his ninth birthday, and his life turns inside out. His nights are filled with mysterious dreams and eerie adventures. A wild beast is reported roaming the town after dark. 

Frightening encounters lead to Frank’s discovery that he is a shapeshifter. But he can’t understand why everyone is afraid. Even in his monster form, Frank is still a boy inside―just one who feels a strong urge to have his tummy scratched.

Forced to own his new identity, Frank learns about the town’s secret underbelly. Beneath the library live other monsters, hiding from the humans. Perhaps he has found a place to belong. 

Frank the Monster is a gripping adventure about trying to belong, with a big, warm heart.

Deva Fagan - The Delta Codex - Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers (April 14, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665963572 - Hardback - Age: 9+ 

A girl whose subconscious contains dangerous ancient knowledge finds her voice in this gripping middle-grade sci-fi fantasy perfect for fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Scott Reintgen.

Is there safety in silence?

In the city of Danak-Tol, children known as codexes are chosen to safeguard echoes—fragments of ancient knowledge too valuable to destroy but too dangerous to use. Forbidden to speak lest she accidentally release her echo, codex Delta lives a lonely life. Still, she knows she must obey the wardens’ strict rules to keep her home safe from the vicious beasts, heretical Scrappers, and toxic blood storms that lurk beyond the city walls.

But when Delta breaks her vows to help a young girl escape a blood storm, she begins to have strange dreams, which lead her to question everything she knows to be true about herself and her city. To find answers, Delta must journey to the one place she most fears: the wasteland beyond the walls of Danak-Tol.

Together with her small but feisty mechanical companion Flick, Delta dares the perilous ruins of a long-abandoned skyship, the gullet of a ravenous sphincter worm, and even befriends a young Scrapper named Drii. But all these adventures only lead to more questions. What is the true danger that threatens her entire planet—is it really her echo, or is it the silence that has imprisoned the truth for so long?

Sarwat Chadda - Crow's Revenge (Storm Singer) - Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 21, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665962476 - Hardback - Age: 8+

Nargis faces deadly new foes and the unintended consequences of bringing back the rain in this riveting middle-grade fantasy sequel to Storm Singer from Rick Riordan Presents author Sarwat Chadda. 

A year has passed since Nargis overthrew the centuries-old tyranny of the winged garudas by freeing the storm goddess Monsoon and bringing the rains back to the desert. Now, Nargis has everything she could have wished for—fame, wealth, respect. But success comes with a price, and an old foe, the crow assassin Sickle, is sharpening her talons for a piece of Nargis…literally.

Instead of waiting for Sickle to strike, Nargis and her friends journey beyond Bharat to defeat the assassin once and for all. There, Nargis discovers the price of her success. The rains she freed have brought flood and devastation to villages across the country. And the vulnerability of that desolation has drawn the fabled bat-winged rakshasas, the ancient enemies of the garudas, out of hiding—hungry for garuda blood.

With the shadow of war looming between the garudas and rakshasas, Nargis is faced with a choice—ally with the assassin sworn to end her life or watch Bharat be torn apart.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - April 2026 - UK Post

 

Alastair Chisholm - We are Dragon (I am Wolf) - Published by Nosy Crow Ltd (9 April 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1805131274 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

An outstanding, highly original and unputdownable read. Following on from I AM WOLF and I AM RAVEN, this is a bold, thought-provoking adventure perfect for fans of MORTAL ENGINES and THE LAST WILD.

Rieka’s world is on fire.

She’s lived her whole life aboard Constructs, giant mechanical creatures that battle each other for territory. Now a new enemy has swept across the land – DRAGON. And even with all the survivors united against it, Dragon is winning.

Technically brilliant, Rieka believes that she alone can turn the war. But the path she sets out on is dangerous, both for her and her friends. And all the while, there is a truth about herself she must face…

If she doesn’t, she could destroy everything she’s trying to save. See Book Review HERE!

Also written by the award-winning Alastair Chisholm:

• I Am Wolf - Shortlisted, Peters Children's Book of the Year award 2025 
• I Am Raven
• Orion Lost
• The Consequence Girl

Katharine Orton - The Traitor Moth (A Moon Realm Novel) - Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (7 April 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665982085 - Hardback - Age: 8+

A brave young moth sets off on an epic quest to save his clan and the kingdom from peril in this first book in the sweeping Moon Realm fantasy middle grade series--perfect for fans of Wilderlore and Erin Hunter's Warriors series.

Catclaw dreams that one day he will have the gift of prophecy, just like his Dreamkin ancestors. 

But many moons ago, the Dreamkins were exiled from the other noble moth clans for a crime too awful to even speak of, and their gift of prophecy was lost. No Dreamkin has seen the future in generations. So when Catclaw receives a vision telling him that all the moth clans are in terrible danger, he's branded a liar and exiled. 

Catclaw knows it's the right thing to protect his fellow moths, even if his own clan doesn't believe him, so he sets out alone on the long and treacherous journey back to Queen Adeia's Kingdom to warn them. 

But there is more to the moth clans' history than Catclaw ever knew, and the closer he gets to the kingdom, the more the danger grows.

Sophie Anderson - The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (9 April 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1803704364 - Paperback - Age: 7+ - See Book Review HERE

Brimming with fairy-tale magic, friendship and extraordinary adventure, The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away is the epic, spellbinding return to the bestselling, award-winning world of The House with Chicken Legs.

All Marinka's life, she has lived in her house with chicken legs. Running across the world on magical adventures, Marinka knows how her house is feeling, and it listens to her, too. But something is wrong. And before anyone can stop it, the house has pulled itself apart and run away. 

With her friend Benjamin and crow Jack, Marinka races after it to find answers. Travelling across far-distant lands, through new realms and magical places, Marinka must face up to her fears to save her friends. But her house might not want to stop running...

Mina Ikemoto Ghosh - Hyo and the Deep-Rooted Demon - Published by Scholastic Books (9 April 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0702328961 - Paperback - Age: 12+ 

"A vividly imagined fantasy like no other. With a plot that keeps twisting, Hyo will satisfy both the mystery and anime fans alike." - Eliza Chan, author of Fathomfolk

Meet the Hakai Family Hellmakers: Purveyors of artisan hells and unlucky days to inflict upon your enemies.

They'll make it personal... But for a price!

Onogoro is in the middle of electing a new chief - but, as the deadline looms, a sword-wielding serial killer comes to town. Hyo, busy trying to solve a kidnapping mystery, soon crosses paths with the serial killer himself, who reveals a sinister conspiracy with the future of the island at stake. Promising vengeance, Hyo embarks on her strangest special commission yet - and learns more about the powers of being a Hellmaker...

* The second YA fantasy from author and illustrator Mina Ikemoto Ghosh. * This beautiful package is highly illustrated with Manga-style art. * Perfect for fans of Six of Crows, Iron Widow and Spirited Away.

ROSS MACKENZIE - THE NOWHERE EMPORIUM NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION - BOOK COVER REVEAL + COMPETITION - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Are you ready to rediscover The Nowhere Emporium? 

Exclusive book cover reveal!

Today, we are really excited to REVEAL the stunning new book cover for Ross MacKenzie's illustrated edition. We will be sharing it here and on social media (Facebook, X, and Instagram @Enchantedbooks) to win a great prize. See below for more details.

Ross MacKenzie's beloved, Blue Peter award-winning fantasy adventure has been capturing young readers' imaginations for over a decade! Now loyal fans and new readers alike can explore the magical Emporium like never before, in this stunning new illustrated hardback edition, published 24^th September 2026.

Today, we’re excited to reveal the spectacular new book cover, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum. Plus, enter our giveaway for the chance to win the first-ever signed copy of the new book!

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the thousandth time, step inside the mysterious Nowhere Emporium as it arrives in Glasgow, where orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it quite by accident. Before long, the 'shop from nowhere' and its owner, Mr Silver, draw Daniel into a breathtaking world of magic and enchantment.

With the help of Mr Silver's daughter Ellie, Daniel explores the Emporium's vast labyrinth of passageways and rooms -- rooms that contain wonders beyond anything Daniel has ever imagined. But when Mr Silver disappears, and a shadow from the past threatens everything, the Emporium and all its wonders begin to crumble.

Can Daniel and Ellie save their home and their friends before the Nowhere Emporium is destroyed forever?

This modern classic has been reimagined for a new generation with magical, atmospheric illustrations by Mariano Epelbaum. A unique die-cut hardback design invites readers to open the door and step inside the fantastical shop from nowhere. Just bring your imagination!

WIN THE VERY FIRST SIGNED COPY of The Nowhere Emporium illustrated edition! All you need to do to be in with a chance to win is simply like, share and comment on this or any of our social media posts. The winner will receive their prize by the end of August 2026.

If you would like to preorder a copy using this link to take you to the publisher's (DiscoverKelpies) website HERE

Alastair Chisholm - We Are Dragon (I Am Wolf) - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

The highly anticipated final book of the series, We Are Dragon, hits the shelves on April 9th, 2016, and it does not disappoint! This thrilling conclusion is a whirlwind of action, adventure, and unforgettable moments that will leave readers wanting MORE. 

The narrative unfolds with a relentless, cataclysmic energy that keeps you on the edge of your seat. From the very first chapter to the last, there's barely a moment to catch your breath as the plot hurtles forward. Rieka has lived her whole life aboard Constructs, giant mechanical creatures that battle each other for territory. Now a new enemy has swept across the land – DRAGON. And even with all the survivors united against it, Dragon is winning.

Technically brilliant, Rieka believes that she alone can turn the war. But the path she sets out on is dangerous, both for her and her friends. And all the while, there is a truth about herself she must face…

Are you ready? Prepare for a journey that leads you through treacherous landscapes and heart-stopping encounters. The characters face challenges that test their limits, making for an engaging and emotional ride. The author has brilliantly built a new distant world that feels alive and vibrant. Every detail is carefully crafted, making it easy to lose yourself in the rich setting and dynamic surroundings.

The growth of the characters throughout this series has been phenomenal. You witness their final transformations as friendships are forged and loyalties are tested. The emotional stakes are incredibly high, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them until the very end.

We Are Dragon is not just a conclusion; it’s an experience that encapsulates everything we love about the series. With its fast-paced action and breathtaking narrative, it sets a new standard for storytelling. Don't miss this must-read adventure that promises to leave a lasting impression! 

Mark your calendars for **April 9th, 2016. Published by Nosy Crow Books. 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - March 2026 US

Matteo L. Cerilli - Fathom Fall - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (March 3, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1547616527 - Hardback - Age: 12+ 

The Maze Runner meets Fortnite in this action-packed young YA about a boy who finds out the monsters from his favorite video game are real.

They came for our water, but they'll settle for your blood.

On Fathom Fall's leaderboard, player Wyatt “DoctorDoctor” Docherty ranks at number three. In real life, he's seen only as the privileged kid of head engineers at Hydrexo, the company that supplies 75% of North America's water. He has easy access, while others must line up to pay exorbitant prices at public water taps, and he feels totally useless. 

To prove he's more than a spoiled Water Baby, Wyatt wants to win the upcoming Fathom Fall competition and finally make a name for himself. But when he starts seeing Bluddites – the water-guzzling monsters from the game – in real life, Wyatt suspects that the tournament is about more than just prize money.

Wyatt wants to win, but as the tournament approaches, he starts to worry: Why won't anyone tell them what's really going on? Why would the game – the military, even – be training kids to hunt monsters for them? And how far is he willing to go to prove himself?

Set in a near-future, water-scarce Toronto, Fathom Fall is a high-octane speculative thrill ride that questions the ethics of new technology and how it defines our very reality.

Micah Johnson (Author), Durk van der Meer (Illustrator) - Aku: Journey to Ibra - Published by Random House Books for Young Readers (March 3, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593811788 - Hardback - Age: 7+

Aku has always dreamed of becoming an astronaut. It’s easier to picture life among the stars than deal with the bully at school—or the pain of his grandfather’s mysterious disappearance. But when a strange space helmet shows up in his basement, Aku is pulled into something far bigger than he ever imagined.

The space helmet doesn’t just look cool—it teleports him to Ibra, a distant planet under siege. There, precious Lunaberries are being stolen by a ruthless space militia, and Aku’s grandfather may be the key to stopping them. With the help of his best friends and a few unlikely allies, Aku must dream bigger than ever before, find the courage to lead, and discover that bravery isn’t about having no fear—it’s about rising above it.

Ross Montgomery - Small Wonder - Published by Candlewick (March 3, 2026) - ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1536252468 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

Remember everything I taught you, Small Wonder. Take care of Leaf. Take care of Pebble. I’ve done all I can. The rest is up to you . . .
Tick, called Small Wonder by his grandfather, lives peacefully at the edge of Ellia, along with his little brother and faithful horse. But then a deadly assassin and an invading army arrive. The kingdom is in danger and Tick has six moons to get to King’s Keep and warn their ruler. Traveling through forests and over mountains, encountering bandits and rogue knights, Tick is determined to honor his grandfather’s last words of advice . . . Make it count. Can Tick warn the kingdom in time and protect his little brother from the dangers they encounter? As they make their treacherous journey through Ellia, Tick starts to uncover a long-buried history that will change everything he thought he knew.

Christina Uss - Midnight Mayhem - Published by Holiday House (March 3, 2026) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0823456352 - Hardback - Age: 8+  

Kaz Jakobsen can’t sleep.

Ever again.

Kaz Jakobsen knows things will never be the same after his family’s sudden move to Philadelphia. He’ll have to make new friends, which isn’t his strong suit. But an even bigger change arrives at a restaurant where he orders a bagel sandwich. Kaz eats a potent combo of the world’s greenest mustard and rootiest rootbeer and loses his ability to sleep.

Scientifically, brain + no sleep = kablammo. The longest a human insomniac has gone without sleep is eleven days. What will happen to Kaz without sleep for more than seventy years? How will he survive the lonely boredom?

Kaz luckily meets Floyd, a fellow non-sleeping kid, at a sleep study lab. Floyd thinks being sleepless is a super-power, a chance to try a million new things. He takes Kaz on madcap midnight adventures, introducing him to all the things kids are allowed to do at night in Philadelphia. And a few things they aren’t. The bad news: his ideas always seem to lead to mayhem.

Kaz wants to keep Floyd’s friendship but lose the mayhem. When he learns there’s an antidote to a lifetime awake, he has a tough choice to make. If Kaz cures his sleeplessness, will he lose the best friend he’s ever had?

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - March 2026 UK

Beth O'Brien - Feather Vane - Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, 26 March 2026 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008642044 - Paperback - Age: 8+

In the village of Greeth-Under-Edge, magical creatures are causing chaos. A green-toothed hag lurks in the river, a nest of gnomes are up to no good and a scatter of salamanders threaten to set everything on fire.

Creirwy and Morfran, trainee sorcerers, have been sent to banish the creatures by brewing an almost impossible potion. To collect the ingredients, they’ll need to go on an adventure with dangers at every turn.

But as the twins journey through a moon fairy forest, into a hag’s watery lair and to the top of a giant’s beanstalk, they find that the most powerful magic is not always where you’d expect. 

M. G. Leonard (Author), Polly Dunbar (Illustrator) - The Adventures of Portly the Otter - Published by Farshore, 26 March 2026 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008667771 - Hardback - Age: 7+ 

Beautifully illustrated in full colour by award-winning illustrator of The Hug, Polly Dunbar, this gorgeous hardback gift book celebrates the 95th anniversary of EH Shepard’s iconic artwork for The Wind in the Willows. 

There is a time in a young otter’s life when they must be introduced to their river. For Portly, today was that day …

Told across four seasons in one year, little Portly has the greatest of adventures. Among other fur-raising encounters, the youngest of Mrs Otter’s pups learns to swim, battles a large trout, rescues a human girl, outwits the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood and sleeps in the care of the god Pan – a scene familiar to readers of the original book.

Full of all the charm, nostalgia and sounds of splashing in the river that fans of The Wind in the Willows have fallen in love with over the years, M.G.Leonard’s faithful spin-off will enchant an entirely new generation.

Catherine Doyle (Author), Rachael Dean (Illustrator) - Scare B'n'B - Published by ‎ Bloomsbury Children's Books, 12 March 2026 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526655141 - Paperback - Age: 7+

Spooky silliness reigns in Catherine Doyle's brand new series as Ted and Frankie team up to save their hotel from a ghostly duke and his restless spirits. Featuring hilarious illustrations from Rachael Dean. 

Ted McKenley would rather live anywhere than with Frankie "spawn-of-the-devil" Stark. And Frankie wouldn't go near a coward like Ted. Too bad - their parents just got married and blew their savings turning a creepy old mansion into a boutique hotel. At least it's big enough for the stepsiblings to stay far apart.

But when Ted encounters a disappearing housekeeper and Frankie runs into a screaming suit of armour, their feud becomes the least of their problems.

With cranky spirits on the loose, Ted and Frankie reluctantly team up to stop the devious Duke of Snoring from turning their new home into haunted rubble.

The battle for the hotel has begun!

• 
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Aaron Starmer - You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This - Penguin Workshop, 24 Mar. 2026 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593751091 - Hardback - Age: 10+ 
• There's always more to the story. 
  In the latest middle-grade speculative novel from Spontaneous author Aaron Starmer, Roman follows the twisted threads of bizarre family legends and magical secrets to write his own chapter in his peculiar family narrative.
  The Toe Beast looms large in the Barnes family lore--a tale concocted by twelve-year-old Roman's grandpa to explain his missing toe. But Roman has never actually heard the full story, and after his grandpa dies suddenly, it seems like he never will. 
  That is, until Roman is tasked with clearing out his grandpa's house and stumbles upon some strange things. An old mason jar full of formaldehyde, a mysterious handwritten book about a girl and a pack of dogs, a rusty metal bucket with peculiar abilities. And they all tie back to extraordinary secrets from the distant past. 
  By unraveling even more unbelievable stories that have been hidden from him, Roman is forced to rethink how he fits into his family's history. Now it's up to him to see his own story through to the end. Because the Toe Beast was only the beginning . . .