The Lost Book of Magic

The Lost Book of Magic by Amelia Mellor (Affirm Press 2024.) Middle-Grade hardback RRP $22.99. ISBN 9781922863973

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Amelia Mellor has done it again - crafted an absorbing tale, weaving historical fact into fiction. Set in 1895, this story takes place two years after The Grandest Bookshop in the World, which is also fantasy woven with fact. The basis is the fantastic Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne. The story's timing is set during a huge downturn in living pressures. It was the end of the Gold Rush; extreme weather took its toll on production, and many people faced starvation, unemployment and disease. However, at a time when many businesses closed, Cole’s Book Arcade persevered, providing accessible education and entertainment to a city deeply in need of joy and encouragement. Our world is also facing challenges, and the author has drawn on the past to tap into the present in a relevant way. She wants this novel to remind readers that “if history teaches us anything, it is the power of human resilience and ingenuity in uncertain times.”

The Coles family is facing a crisis. Mr Cole and his wife want to sell the grand arcade and move to new premises in Sydney. Of their five children, only the oldest, Linda, knows of the plan. Eddie, Vally (Valentine), Pearl, and Ivy are horrified. Surely there must be some way to save the arcade and stay in Melbourne!

It’s the only home the children have known. In the first book, they managed to save the arcade from the nefarious Mr. Maximillian, aka The Obscurosmith, who wields powerful magic. It seems he is gone, but everything is not as it appears.

As 12-year-old Pearl wanders the arcade in distress about the possible closure and move, she ventures into a 3D living diorama created by her father called The Endless Wonders. There is a presence in this magical world who offers her a way to fight and save the arcade. But again, it is not all as it seems. This presence is a ghostly figure who calls himself Autonomous Wraith. It transpires that Mr Maxmillian has accidentally split himself in two, and now Autonomous Wraith has been created. He is absorbed into Pearl’s body and takes control of her entirely.

Thus begins a monumental battle of magic that must be sourced and defeated. Pearl’s siblings are set seemingly impossible tasks to recover items that will lead to the discovery of The Lost Book of Magic, and hopefully a way to reverse things. But it has disastrous consequences, and neither Mr Maxmillian nor Autonomous Wraith will stick to what they have promised. Assisted by the arcade’s manager Mr. Pyke and his childhood friend, Kezia Kwon, Vally pushes through extreme obstacles to win the battle. But will he? Kezia has powerful magic of her own, and the unlikely three team up to try and defeat the evil Mr. Maxmillian and his equally terrible counterpart.

This is a tale of grand adventure that will keep middle-grade readers aged 10-12 turning the pages. For those who would like to know more, there is an interview with Amelia Mellor on the Just Write For Kids Australia FB page: https://www.justkidslit.com/the-quick-six-interview-with-amelia-mellor-on-the-lost-book-of-magic/.