Originally published in 2019, Alex and the Alpacas Save the World was shortlisted in the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. It is a fast-paced middle-grade fantasy set on a farm in Tasmania. Alex and her mum are about to spend the summer holidays visiting her cantankerous grandfather on his property. As her mum and grandfather have a difficult relationship, Alex has never been there before but from the moment she arrives, strange things start to happen.
Alex discovers she is the Fortieth Sun, destined to defeat the evil spirit Kialia who is bound inside an olive tree in her late grandmother’s olive grove. She also finds that she can talk to the four alpacas on the farm, which are not what they appear. Working out what the key is and how to defeat the evil threatening the world takes all the ingenuity of Alex, her friend Leeuie from the property nearby, the grandfather who turns out to be a Guardian and the alpacas. However, the epilogue casts a shadow over the ending of the book and the good vs evil battle continues in Alex and the alpacas ride again.
This is a well-written story with a fast-moving plot and well-drawn characters. The alpacas in particular are warm, endearing and funny. Whether the fantasy scenario is plausible enough for the reader is up to them to decide.
Reviewed by Lynne Babbage
Age Guide 9+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryn has story in her blood. Her great-great-great-uncle was Jane Austen’s inspiration for one of literature’s most well-loved figures, Mr Darcy. She writes fiction novels and screenplays, and nonfiction content for some of the world’s top brands.
Kathryn has a first class honours degree in Art History from the University of Melbourne, a PhD in Marketing from Monash University, and is a graduate of UCLA’s professional screenwriting program. She not-so-secretly wishes she lived in a dance movie.
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