The idea that the four ‘elements’ – earth, water, air and fire – make up all matter was the cornerstone of philosophy, science and medicine for nearly 2,000 years. A London where magic sparks just beneath the surface – this book is set to ignite young imaginations. Indigo Donut was shortlisted for the Bookseller YA Prize and the Carnegie Award, was Book of the Week in The Times, The Sunday Times and The Observer, and was one of The Times’ top children’s books in 2017.

The different layers of history uncovered in this book are expertly handled and encourage the reader to think about what may have happened in an alternative universe or sphere if describing different causes for well-known historical events (such as the Great Fire of London). Exploring deep themes of slavery, child endangerment, and poverty in Georgian London through the eyes of two Black children, one enslaved and one an apprentice to her grandmother, is a very interesting premise and it was very well done.

Overall this is a really interesting and deep MG read, and I think it deserves more hype than it got!

Robert and Marisee were great main characters, and their journey trying to wake London from a Sleeping Beauty-esque curse by finding her missing Grandma was compelling. Instead, Robert's potential was wasted by a cluttered book that never really seemed to know what kind of book it wanted to be.

Iconic monuments take on unexpected shape: Hyde Park gives up ghosts; the Serpentine really snaaaaaakes.

Alex Wheatle, author of Cane Warriors “BRILLIANT… history and fantasy woven magnificently into a thrilling, magical adventure” – Sophie Anderson, author of The House with the Chicken Legs “A fantastic adventure, packed with rich world building and stunning elemental magic. A novel where the key characters aren't white, male and middle class and don't have to have special powers to be the heroes. This book is very similar to Lair of Dreams, so fans of that book should enjoy seeing the action moved across the Atlantic and further into the past. Their differing perspectives, where both are black but only one was a slave, made for some really interesting character dynamics and explained a lot about their different world views.Step into a London lit up by the Elemental spirits: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs. Plus, the 'finish' is wonderful: an illustrated map of London landmarks leads you in; backnotes include: factual sources; a breakdown of those Elements; a note on the real Jonathan Strong; a pickle of a riddle.