“I bought this book to read to my 9 yr old brother. We can’t put it down. He’s never asked me to read to him so much in his whole life! we read 7 chapters in one day yesterday! the twists and turns keep you on your toes and you WANT to turn the page to see what happens next. I’m enjoying it as well as he is and I’m 22

I would definitely recommend this book. I know I’ll be treasuring my own copy for years to come to read to my own children. Great book. Can’t wait for the next one!

Great job Jasper “

Melodie Charbonneau, aged 22
Portland, USA

Candara’s Gift is such a masterpiece of fantasy writing that it’s hard to believe this is Cooper’s first book.

Like any good children’s novel, it contains all the necessary ingredients: beautiful imagery, hidden treasure, an epic battle between good and evil, the essential cast of wizards, a dragon, a king, queen and prince and princess, and a journey into the dark unknown.

The story reminded me of the Narnia Chronicles or Lord of the Rings, but it’s more exciting, shorter, and more accessible. Cooper has an easy style that flows and reads easily, making it ideal for today’s short-attention-spanned youngster, yet with its own complexity and with some clever innovations such as optional riddles and puzzles.

The characters are powerfully vivid, and Cooper lets his imagination run wild, weaving in unicorns, the odd mysterious character, and a fantasy land full of colour and mystery. But most striking of all is the goodness this book exudes — and its good humour.

It’s a book that will not only inspire and entertain children, but educate them at the same time. In short, this is a made superb start to children’s story writing – a book that could well give JK Rowling a run for her money.

Edward Pentin
Rome, Italy