Voyage Lost Spells is a collection of magical spells that have been lost to time. These spells are believed to have originated from ancient civilizations and have been passed down through generations of spellcasters. The collection includes spells for various purposes, such as healing, protection, divination, and communication with spirits. The main idea behind Voyage Lost Spells is to revive and preserve the ancient magical knowledge that has been lost over time. It is believed that these spells hold immense power and wisdom, and by rediscovering them, we can tap into their potential and enhance our own magical abilities. The spells in Voyage Lost Spells are not your typical spells that can be found in modern spell books.
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.
The spells in Voyage Lost Spells are not your typical spells that can be found in modern spell books. They are ancient and mysterious, often requiring intricate rituals, specific ingredients, and deep knowledge of the metaphysical world. Some of the spells may even involve journeying to other realms or dimensions to seek guidance and assistance from powerful entities.
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.
The collection of spells in Voyage Lost Spells is vast and diverse, catering to practitioners of different magical traditions and paths. Each spell is accompanied by detailed instructions, explanations, and historical context, providing a deeper understanding of its origins and purpose. The main idea behind Voyage Lost Spells is not just to provide a mere collection of spells but to inspire and ignite the imagination of spellcasters. It encourages exploration, experimentation, and the development of personal magical practices. The spells in Voyage Lost Spells are meant to be a starting point, a foundation upon which spellcasters can build their own unique magical journey. Overall, Voyage Lost Spells is a valuable resource for anyone interested in magic, ancient wisdom, and the preservation of ancient knowledge. It provides a glimpse into the mystical world of our ancestors and offers a path for modern practitioners to connect with their magical roots. By exploring these lost spells, we can unlock hidden potential and tap into the vast power of ancient wisdom..
Reviews for "Unknown Destinations: The Journey of Voyage Lost Spells in Ancient Societies"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Voyage Lost Spells". The story felt repetitive and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and it was hard to connect with them. The magical elements were also poorly developed and I couldn't suspend my disbelief. Overall, it felt like a rushed and uninspired book.
2. Mark - 1 star
I couldn't finish "Voyage Lost Spells". The writing was confusing and the plot was all over the place. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be whimsical and ended up with a convoluted mess. The pacing was slow and I found myself losing interest quickly. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was excited to read "Voyage Lost Spells" based on the description, but it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was weak and the magical system was inconsistent. The dialogue was unnatural and the characters felt flat. The story had potential, but it lacked the execution to make it engaging. I was left feeling underwhelmed and uninvested in the outcome.
4. Michael - 1 star
"Voyage Lost Spells" was a waste of my time and money. The writing was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors. The characters were cliché and predictable, and the plot was unoriginal. It felt like a poor attempt at imitating better fantasy novels. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and immersive fantasy experience.
5. Laura - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Voyage Lost Spells", but it failed to deliver. The story lacked cohesiveness and was difficult to follow. The pacing was inconsistent and it made it hard to stay engaged. The magical elements weren't explained well and left me with more questions than answers. Overall, it felt like a mediocre attempt at a fantasy novel, and I was left unsatisfied with the reading experience.