The golden tower by Belinda Murrell

Belinda Murrell is probably most familiar to readers of the popular Lulu Bell and Pippa’s Island series. The Golden Tower, a time-slip fantasy story, transports the reader to the land of Tuscia, a location inspired by the Italian Renaissance.

Sophie, has been spending time with her grandmother in the English countryside while her younger brother, Archie, is attending a camp at Oxford University. She feels overshadowed by him and somewhat jealous of his adventure.

Nanna is a comfort to Sophie and introduces her to the magic and mystery of some nearby Roman ruins and suggests that she explores a bit on her own.  Nanna seems to sense that her granddaughter’s bravery is soon to be tested. This is a good beginning to a well-structured story; Murrell, quite effortlessly, takes Sophie to Tuscia, and the readers with her. By accident, Sophie saves Isabella, the daughter of a wealthy family, but things are not so straightforward. There are shades of fairy tales with the presence of a dominant stepmother, a talking cat and Pegasus horses.

The author’s descriptions of time and place are excellent and the characters met by Sophie are drawn well.  The adventure has just the right mix of intrigue and enjoyment. The theme, though, is one of bravery and facing one’s fears: Sophie learns to overcome her feelings of inadequacy and not worry about what others may think of her.

This is a delightful, uplifting read.

Themes: Magic, Blended families.

Julie Wells