Jayben and the Golden Torch: Book 1

Product Information

If Jayben can find his own magic and ignite the torch with its fierce violet flame, his power will be unstoppable ... Can Jayben save the world before the lights go out forever?

Jayben and the Golden Torch: Book 1 | Better Reading Jayben and the Golden Torch: Book 1 | Better Reading

If your young reader is a fan of Francesca Gibbons and the Wizards of Once series, then Jayben and the Golden Torch will be right up their alley! I recommend it for children aged 9+.

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Jayben discovers that many moons ago, a giant put a dark spell on the golden torch, and the elves forgot everything that had come before. Now they hang precious memories in jars on trees, just to try to remember. On my journey to recovery, I realised that I had a great imagination and I loved coming up with stories. Then I learned that, before my accident, I loved writing. Though I had no clear memory of this, it made sense and I dared to dream of being an author someday. But my brain injury had stopped me reading and writing and, between my unreliable memory and my seizures, achieving this dream seemed completely impossible. The world of Jayben and the Golden Torch is rich with lore, flitting between our modern world and an elven world with magical powers, and the threat of a sinister villain who wants to make everyone forget. It is a classic children’s fantasy with fast-paced action and I cannot wait to see what comes next. There was a lot of action and at times I felt the story could do with a little slowing down. This was helped by the introduction of Jayben's medical condition which added another layer of interest to the story.

Jayben and the Golden Torch Book 1 - LoveReading4Kids Jayben and the Golden Torch Book 1 - LoveReading4Kids

I think this story could really do with a map at the beginning, laying out the world for the reader as it would be easier to visualise what we are reading. But no matter how alien their surroundings, the heroes I loved never forgot their names. They always knew what they'd done yesterday. And their quests were never rudely interrupted by seizures, forcing them to rest for many hours. No matter what they'd overcome or how impressive their victories, they all got there without my particular difficulties. When you live with a disability or illness that matters, especially in childhood.

So often seizures in fiction are depicted as the end or a sign of someone worsening, we so rarely get to see people living with seizures and living through them. There are so many people, especially kids, dealing with this right now who need a hero like Jayben, to see themselves. Inspired by the author's uniquely personal experience of memory-loss comes an incredible, immersive fantasy series about a boy with no memories and a world that only he can save. Perfect for fans of Francesca Gibbons and The Land of Roar. Apr 19 2023 Jayben and the golden torch by Thomas Leeds Hachette, 2023. ISBN: 9781444968637. (Age: 10-14) Recommended.