‘Ista Flit and the Impossible Key’ is the sequel to ‘The Many Faces of Ista Flit’. In the first book Ista used her tide-blessing, the ability to adopt other people’s appearances and gifts, to save Shelwich from the sinister grilks and return all the missing people. Unfortunately her father is still missing and her only clue to his whereabouts is a mysterious key.
This book begins when Ista uses the key to open a magical doorway to Glass Island, across the estuary from Shelwich. In addition to the human villagers, it is home to the marsh-spinners – dangerous shapeshifting creatures who can appear as humans or insects. Ista has always believed that the marsh spinners were just a bedtime story – luring humans with music to join their revel, but as soon as you taste the food or start to dance you would be trapped there forever. But Ista’s quest takes her, and her friends Nat and Ruby, on a perilous journey into the heart of the Marsh Queen’s enchanted court to finally rescue her father.
‘Ista Flit and the Impossible Key’ is another captivating fantasy adventure, beautifully imagined and masterfully written, with lovely lyrical illustrations by Kristina Kister.
This book feels a little like an MG version of Holly Black’s faerie universe, and it is perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge’s ‘Unraveller’.
Thanks to Clare Harlow and Puffin for the advanced copy.
