He took her hand. Cas’ foot had barely touched the top railing when the girl leapt off, taking him with her. Wind rushed past them in a cacophony of chaos. Passers-by on the bridge gasped and cried out in shock. But Casander barely heard anything before they hit the river, the grimy water swallowing them whole.
Casander Darkbloom is a mysterious young man – as well as living outside a curiosity shop, he has no memory and he experiences random surges of energy in his limbs. When he ends up on the run with a girl named Warrior, he discovers another world in need of saving. Can Cas learn to master his magical abilities at Wayward School for Most Prestigious Others?
When I read the blurb for Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power, I knew I had to buy it. With a tantalising mix of mystery, adventure and magic, I was particularly keen to learn more about Casander’s condition, as inspired by P.A. Staff having Paraoxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathetosis (a condition causing jerky movements in her right arm and leg which she can’t always fully control). It is crucial for books to be mirrors for children so it is great to see further representation here, with an excellent message around celebrating our differences and the power it gives us.
The pacing in Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power is insane – the story moves at break-neck speed and really immerses you into life at Wayward. I loved the hilarious Harry Potter reference as the school does have some Hogwarts-sque similarities (but I’d much rather go to Wayward). And oh my word, wait until you get to the end – it’s amazing to see such a sophisticated story aimed at children which can equally shock me. That shocking climax involving the Master flipped the story on its head and left me stunned. An ingenious, mysterious tale of power and magic, I can’t wait to read more from P.A. Staff. You can. You must. You will read this.
Suggested reading age: 9+
Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power is written by P.A. Staff. It is published by Walker Books and is available now.
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