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Toxics
Fourteen year old Felicity Penfold is swept unwillingly into a mystical world where plants and beasts are equal, and all is heard.
There she meets an Orion boy, Reuben,whom she must help in order to return home. His quest? To save his beloved Old World from the threat of the Toxics – led by Arrass, their venomous leader.
Felicity is slowly drawn into this primitive, powerful Old World, and as the quest becomes a race to the Sacred Caves, she begins to understand her strength, helped by the creatures and plants who become her friends.
With Reuben enticing her further into the folds of the Old World – his story becomes her story.
But did she arrive in time?
There she meets an Orion boy, Reuben,whom she must help in order to return home. His quest? To save his beloved Old World from the threat of the Toxics – led by Arrass, their venomous leader.
Felicity is slowly drawn into this primitive, powerful Old World, and as the quest becomes a race to the Sacred Caves, she begins to understand her strength, helped by the creatures and plants who become her friends.
With Reuben enticing her further into the folds of the Old World – his story becomes her story.
But did she arrive in time?
258 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
503 people want to read
About the author
Isabel Burt
4 books25 followersAUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Isabel Burt writes fantasy and fiction for young readers and early teens.
She supports the conservation of wildlife, and her themes of adventure, romance and mysticism developed from her love of the natural world, and its infinite possibilities!
TOXICS and OCEANS are her first fantasy novels, and introduce The Old World to a new generation of readers.
She blogs at isabelburt.com
Isabel Burt writes fantasy and fiction for young readers and early teens.
She supports the conservation of wildlife, and her themes of adventure, romance and mysticism developed from her love of the natural world, and its infinite possibilities!
TOXICS and OCEANS are her first fantasy novels, and introduce The Old World to a new generation of readers.
She blogs at isabelburt.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2014
An enjoyable adventure in a world that is both fabulously strange but also believable.
September 20, 2014
I have to confess to not being a fan of fantasy but was intrigued to read Toxics having been drawn by the beautiful cover and very positive reviews. As a children’s author myself I was also interested to see what others are writing about in the age range I write for.
My verdict? Well if I were a fantasy fan I would probably give this 5 stars – so that fact that I’m giving it 4 hopefully goes some way to indicate how strong an impact the Ms Burt’s imaginary world made on me. She writes beautifully (truly beautifully) and the world she creates, and into which we see 14-year-old Felicity thrown, is highly visual – one reads and experiences as if watching a large-screen movie in the style of Avatar….
The cast of ‘plant’ and animal characters is well-rounded and often very amusing, albeit a little difficult to keep up with at the start… But this quickly settles down and as the journey they find themselves on together to save the Old World progresses they start to feel like wonderfully familiar friends. (I especially enjoyed Georges – the ancient huffing and puffing Taureau – not least when we finally see him with his new ‘mate’ towards the end).
The intricate details of Ms Burt’s imaginary world – foods, rituals, character cast, Old World history and origins – leave an indelible impression (I had vivid dreams each night that I was reading it!) and will be relished by fantasy fans.
Which age is this right for? Well, on reading the opening sampler I had thought it likely suitable for age 9-12. Now having read the book I would agree that this is best suited for fantasy fans from age 11 and beyond, although bookworm accomplished readers from age 9/10 who love fantasy will undoubtedly enjoy it too.
Tip - there’s also a Glossary at the end of the book which I wish I’d discovered sooner!
My verdict? Well if I were a fantasy fan I would probably give this 5 stars – so that fact that I’m giving it 4 hopefully goes some way to indicate how strong an impact the Ms Burt’s imaginary world made on me. She writes beautifully (truly beautifully) and the world she creates, and into which we see 14-year-old Felicity thrown, is highly visual – one reads and experiences as if watching a large-screen movie in the style of Avatar….
The cast of ‘plant’ and animal characters is well-rounded and often very amusing, albeit a little difficult to keep up with at the start… But this quickly settles down and as the journey they find themselves on together to save the Old World progresses they start to feel like wonderfully familiar friends. (I especially enjoyed Georges – the ancient huffing and puffing Taureau – not least when we finally see him with his new ‘mate’ towards the end).
The intricate details of Ms Burt’s imaginary world – foods, rituals, character cast, Old World history and origins – leave an indelible impression (I had vivid dreams each night that I was reading it!) and will be relished by fantasy fans.
Which age is this right for? Well, on reading the opening sampler I had thought it likely suitable for age 9-12. Now having read the book I would agree that this is best suited for fantasy fans from age 11 and beyond, although bookworm accomplished readers from age 9/10 who love fantasy will undoubtedly enjoy it too.
Tip - there’s also a Glossary at the end of the book which I wish I’d discovered sooner!
March 3, 2016
"Toxics" an innovative and imaginative fantasy is set in a primitive Old World where a race of angry, troubled Toxics plan to destroy all the knowledge buried in the "Roots" hidden in the Sacred Caves. Swept into a mysterious world where plants and animals have a symbiotic relationship, fourteen year old Felicity Isabel Penfold joins Reuben, an Orion boy and seven friends on a quest to stop the bitter and destructive Toxics from wiping out all the traditions and laws of the Old World.
Isabel Burt builds a unique world where plants and animals live in harmony until a law is broken and a Toxic is born. As time progresses a new species emerges that's embittered, angry at being shunned and despised, and unleashes destruction and chaos in the Old World. In a story filled with bizarre races of animals and vegetation that seem human in thought and actions, the author takes Felicity on a journey through a mystical world filled with exotic foods, an absorbing history and strange rituals.
Beautifully written the plot heats up when Felicity, Reuben and their team have to find the Sacred Caves before the army of Toxics destroy the wisdom of their world hidden for ages in the Roots of the Old World. Tension builds in a harrowing journey as they face an avalanche, an ocean crossing on the backs of Oceanids and the poisonous spines of the Toxics along the way. Yet amid all the confusion, uncertainty and uproar Reuben not only falls in love with Felicity, but both mature so they can be together. And just when you think all the questions have been answered, the plot ends with a twist that begs for a sequel.
Included in a wonderful cast of unusual characters that infuse the drama with excitement and energy is the strong, blustering and massive Georges; the chattering sapling Scratt; the gentle compassionate Toxic Gus; the self -sacrificing lizard-like Sib; the bountiful spirit of Little Green and the warrior Lupatas,Wolfgang and Pippi. I liked old-fashioned, kind and courageous Reuben who was born without a tail and the smart,spirited Felicity Penfold whose strength of characters grows as the quest progresses. But wicked Anass and vicious Demet, the Toxic leaders lend a chill to the story as their army prepares for war.
This is a young teen fantasy that's inventive and stirring as Felicity, Reuben and their team find love, friendship and hope in their quest to save the Old World. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequel.
Isabel Burt builds a unique world where plants and animals live in harmony until a law is broken and a Toxic is born. As time progresses a new species emerges that's embittered, angry at being shunned and despised, and unleashes destruction and chaos in the Old World. In a story filled with bizarre races of animals and vegetation that seem human in thought and actions, the author takes Felicity on a journey through a mystical world filled with exotic foods, an absorbing history and strange rituals.
Beautifully written the plot heats up when Felicity, Reuben and their team have to find the Sacred Caves before the army of Toxics destroy the wisdom of their world hidden for ages in the Roots of the Old World. Tension builds in a harrowing journey as they face an avalanche, an ocean crossing on the backs of Oceanids and the poisonous spines of the Toxics along the way. Yet amid all the confusion, uncertainty and uproar Reuben not only falls in love with Felicity, but both mature so they can be together. And just when you think all the questions have been answered, the plot ends with a twist that begs for a sequel.
Included in a wonderful cast of unusual characters that infuse the drama with excitement and energy is the strong, blustering and massive Georges; the chattering sapling Scratt; the gentle compassionate Toxic Gus; the self -sacrificing lizard-like Sib; the bountiful spirit of Little Green and the warrior Lupatas,Wolfgang and Pippi. I liked old-fashioned, kind and courageous Reuben who was born without a tail and the smart,spirited Felicity Penfold whose strength of characters grows as the quest progresses. But wicked Anass and vicious Demet, the Toxic leaders lend a chill to the story as their army prepares for war.
This is a young teen fantasy that's inventive and stirring as Felicity, Reuben and their team find love, friendship and hope in their quest to save the Old World. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the sequel.
January 5, 2014
Isabel Burt has a clever imagination as she makes her rich fantasy world come to life. I would loved to have read this gentle tale as a teenager. A classic quest interwoven with a coming of age sub-plot, it lays out challenges and emotional quandaries, but is never gratuitously violent.
The emerging relationship between Reuben and Felicity is finely drawn and the maturation process of each character is mysterious while deftly handled. I liked the variety of characters and smiled at the author’s evident time spent in France in her names - taureau, taurelle, greenesse, for instance.
The theme of being in balance with nature is very important. By making the inhabitants of this world live naturally within it, the author has avoided the classic trap many fantasy writers fall into of ‘info dumping’. Ms Burt winds the detail into the narrative.
I understand this is the first in a series and the ground seems well laid for further adventures.
The emerging relationship between Reuben and Felicity is finely drawn and the maturation process of each character is mysterious while deftly handled. I liked the variety of characters and smiled at the author’s evident time spent in France in her names - taureau, taurelle, greenesse, for instance.
The theme of being in balance with nature is very important. By making the inhabitants of this world live naturally within it, the author has avoided the classic trap many fantasy writers fall into of ‘info dumping’. Ms Burt winds the detail into the narrative.
I understand this is the first in a series and the ground seems well laid for further adventures.
June 16, 2014
By Bree Wolf, author of Fireflies
Dragged into a fantastical realm, Felicity finds herself tasked with saving a world she doesn’t know.
This book guides the reader through a wonderful, even magical land where plants and beasts live in harmony … so far. Enter the toxics. A fellowship gathers, setting out on a quest that holds danger and possible destruction. But even in such a perilous situation friendships are formed and bonds forged.
I really liked this book and the idea behind it. While it generally reads well, drawing the reader in, the occasional explanations detailing the rules of this new world sometimes have a lecturing, instructing character. Other than that it’s wonderful.
Dragged into a fantastical realm, Felicity finds herself tasked with saving a world she doesn’t know.
This book guides the reader through a wonderful, even magical land where plants and beasts live in harmony … so far. Enter the toxics. A fellowship gathers, setting out on a quest that holds danger and possible destruction. But even in such a perilous situation friendships are formed and bonds forged.
I really liked this book and the idea behind it. While it generally reads well, drawing the reader in, the occasional explanations detailing the rules of this new world sometimes have a lecturing, instructing character. Other than that it’s wonderful.
August 3, 2016
Toxics was an funny kind of read. I had a read through as I won the sequel through Goodreads. The world building is fantastic and delightfully unique. It is a world of harmony in nature, well thought through. However, the story itself suffers from the same problem as many prophecy -driven plots: everything happens easily without being driven by the characters. Still, it was engaging enough that I will read the sequel.
March 23, 2014
Fantastic children's fantasy novel, even at 18 I enjoyed this beautiful, funny, creative book. Can't wait for the sequel!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews