Magical destroyers, also known as "destr0yere op," are powerful beings found in various mythologies and fantasy worlds. These beings possess immense magical abilities capable of causing great destruction. Unlike ordinary wizards or sorcerers who primarily use magic for defense or healing, magical destroyers harness their powers to wreak havoc and devastation. Legends and stories about magical destroyers can be found in different cultures around the world. These tales often depict them as fearsome and formidable opponents, capable of toppling kingdoms and overpowering armies with their supernatural abilities. Some may even possess the power to manipulate nature itself, summoning storms, earthquakes, or unleashing other catastrophic events.
It is the perfect epic adventure with heart and excitement, Moonchild has firmly placed Aisha Bushby for me amongst the greats of this golden age of middle grade literature.
I d add that I would often catch or hear a single line of a spell in my mind, and then deliberately not write it down, to see if it stayed within earshot or earsight, as it were. It s caught on fast, and we ve already seen whole classes on their feet chanting it out; Jackdaw rap-battles between kids; flock recitals where one person does one stanza and one another and the national Poetry By Heart initiative has added it to their project.
Some may even possess the power to manipulate nature itself, summoning storms, earthquakes, or unleashing other catastrophic events. Magical destroyers are often portrayed as individuals with a tragic past or a corrupted soul, which drives them to seek power and ultimately become agents of destruction. Their lust for power leads them to delve into dark and forbidden arts, unlocking arcane secrets that grant them unparalleled magical prowess.
Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found by Aisha Bushby
I am so grateful that this book landed on my doormat because this book, my goodness, this book has something incredible within its pages, something that stirs the soul and reaches in for the magic buried deep inside us.
If you love the way that Sophie Anderson threads oral storytelling and folk tale tradition into accessible and engaging tales, Moonchild is certainly the book for you. Beautifully different from Aisha’s stunning debut A Pocketful Of Stars which features magical in mundane yet retains the same warmth and brutal honesty about the frustrations of tipping over into adolescence.
With illustrations by Rachael Dean sprinkled throughout adding magic and wonder, and just the right balance of gentle care and imagination for the middle grade audience.
Cover illustration by Rachael Dean
Twelve year old Amira has spent her life on board the Tigerheart as her sea witch mothers steer course through the Sahar Peninsula. Ever accompanied by her jinn Namur a magical cat, she can read the stars, sea and sky and human emotions.
But after a terrible storm forces them to make port, Amira realises that something is brewing and she is at the centre of it, as she finds adventures with mermaids, jinni, a boy Scientist, a Midnight Souk filled with magical spells exchanged for tales, and an adventure to rescue what is most precious and in the process find herself.
Later that night, when the moon was at its highest and the lingering clouds had faded into the darkness, Amira and her mothers gathered for a story.
What I particularly loved about this book is the wide spread of mythology and stories both traditional and modern that Aisha has drawn on for this world. From Scheherazade’s 1001 Arabian Nights to Studio Ghibli there is something that will pull at the soul, but especially for those well indulged in the beauty of storytelling.
As a fan of Studio Ghibli myself my heart flipped in joy at subtle references such as to Kiki’s Delivery Service and the inspiration from Ponyo in how Leo meets his jinn amongst others.
My soul soared at the way Aisha blends World mythology such as of djinn, Firebirds, mermaids and enchanted islands but in a beautifully fresh and exciting way… this is not dusting off tired concepts to hit trends, they are born anew in Aisha’s mind and hands wrought perfectly for the tale yet retaining the magic that makes these tropes so eternal.
She fought against her anger, even though it lived inside of her. She could feel it spark, like a fire, and she tried hard not to let it out.But sometimes it felt that if she held it in the fire would light within her. It felt as if the spark would spread through her insides and she would turn to ash.
One of the things I love the most about this book is the way Aisha uses her characters to work through one of the most controversial emotions- Anger and how we need to respect and understand our emotions rather than hide or reject them.
It is one of the most powerful and empowering books I have ever read for female anger, something that is too often seen as a ‘bad thing’ leading to so many problems with repressed feelings and guilt. I’m so pleased to see a book that explores anger in a positive way and frames the focus in a healthy way for life rather than compromising the self for the sake of others’ comfort or ego.
Illustration by Rachael Dean
The representation in this novel of both children of colour, Arabic culture and language and LGBT+ should not be underestimated for its quiet power either.
Aisha beautifully includes these factors without making this the issue or story, in such a beautiful move that allows children of colour and with LGBT parents particularly married mothers to have the kind of adventures that has traditionally not been open to them in Western Literature without their ‘difference’ being the purpose or theme of the book. In addition, for those children who may or may not be aware of their own LGBT+ put simply this is the kind of book that could give those children the realisation or in future the anchor that they are not excluded from having a family, something that wasn’t and hasn’t been there for so many in the past.
Have you ever felt a tingling sensation at the back of your neck? Has something ever grazes against your cheek, but you couldn’t find the source? Have you ever get a shiver down your spine that came as if from nowhere?
Moonchild has earned a place on the all time favourites shelf, and is a book that I have been reading Tinyfae as her ‘fall to sleep’ book, she strains each night to listen as she is enjoying it so very much and talks about the characters and her thoughts and worries about them.
Some parents ache to read to their children The Hobbit and similar tales that have passed into ‘Classics’, for me Moonchild and it’s planned follow ups will be books I will want my children to remember and live as much as I do.
It is the perfect epic adventure with heart and excitement, Moonchild has firmly placed Aisha Bushby for me amongst the greats of this golden age of middle grade literature.
Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found by Aisha Bushby is published by Egmont.
Many thanks for my review copy.
RM: Do you know, I hadn’t even seen that the Jay spell is characterized by interjection: “Jay, Jay, plant me an acorn / I will plant you a thousand acorns…” D’oh! Thank you. You’ve changed my understanding of it as a jayish spell. I am a big fan of the corvidae generally, and so we have the Jackdaw Spell and the Jay Spell here, and a Raven Spell and a Magpie Spell (the “Magpie Manifesto”; “interrupt, interject, intervene!”) in The Lost Words. All are shouty, convivial, chatty, chattery, confident spells, just like the birds they name. Here in the UK I laid down a “Jackdaw challenge” to children and schools; could they remember that 57-line spell by heart, and perform it from memory? It’s caught on fast, and we’ve already seen whole classes on their feet chanting it out; Jackdaw rap-battles between kids; “flock” recitals where one person does one stanza and one another… and the national “Poetry By Heart” initiative has added it to their project.
In many narratives, magical destroyers serve as antagonists or formidable obstacles that heroes must overcome. Their immense power and destructive capabilities make them memorable adversaries, challenging the protagonists both physically and morally. The heroes often face a moral dilemma while combating magical destroyers, as they must decide whether to find a way to redeem or ultimately destroy these beings to restore peace. The concept of magical destroyers can also serve as a metaphor for the potential dangers of unchecked power or the consequences of succumbing to hubris. These characters often explore themes of power, corruption, and the choices one must make when faced with overwhelming temptation. Overall, magical destroyers represent a fascinating trope in mythology and fantasy literature. They embody the darker aspects of magic and the incredible destructive potential it holds. Whether they are tragic figures driven by their own demons or malevolent forces seeking chaos and domination, magical destroyers leave a lasting impact on the stories in which they appear..
Reviews for "Expanding Horizons: Exploring the Limitless Possibilities of Destr0yere OP's Magic"
1. William - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical destr0yere op". The story was lacking depth and development, with cliché plot twists that were predictable from the start. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions were often illogical. The writing style was also quite weak, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found the whole reading experience to be quite unsatisfying.
2. Emily - 3/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical destr0yere op" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes. The world-building also lacked detail, leaving me with many unanswered questions. The main character was difficult to connect with and didn't undergo any significant growth throughout the story. It had some enjoyable moments, but overall, it left me feeling underwhelmed.
3. Ethan - 2.5/5 stars - "Magical destr0yere op" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The writing was subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The narrative felt disjointed, jumping from one event to another without proper transitions. Additionally, the dialogue was often forced and lacked authenticity. The story had moments of potential, but overall, it fell flat and left me wanting more depth and coherence.