About the Book
‘Cat didn’t notice a shadow slinking into the room and leaning in closer … as if it were listening.’
When Cat finds out that her cool new neighbour, Dr Becca Ryan, is a witch, she’s fascinated. Cat already loves magic – she has The Sight – and she’s sure she can learn loads from Becca.
But Cat has other things on her mind – her mum has a boyfriend and Cat’s not happy. When she turns to Becca for advice, she gets more than she bargained for. Cat and her friend Shane are sent off on a perilous quest for an ancient harp that, when played, can influence the thoughts of anyone who hears it – and it seems like Cat will go to any lengths to find it …
As they face shape-shifting wolves, demons and magic on the island of Hy-Brasil, Cat and Shane learn many things about themselves – and prepare to battle an ancient and terrifying power …
About the Author :
Alex Dunne is an Irish author living in Canada. She spends her time thinking up magical tales for children, teens and adults and drinking far too much tea. Alex has a BA in English & History from the University of Limerick and an MA in Literature & Publishing from NUI Galway. She is a co-founder of Silver Apples magazine, an online literary journal dedicated to showcasing the best of Irish and international writing.
Her first novel, The Book of Secrets, won the Eilís Dillon Award at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards in 2023.
You can follow Alex on Twitter and Instagram @alexdunnewrites
Shona Shirley Macdonald is an award-winning illustrator/author, originally from Scotland and now living by the sea in County Waterford. She studied stop-motion animation at Edinburgh College of Art, and now works mainly on children’s books. Her debut picture book The Pooka Party was selected for the IBBY International Honours List, and nominated for a CBI Award, Irish Book Award and LAI Award. Her illustrated titles include An Féileacán agus an Rí written by Máire Zepf, which won the Gradam Réics Carló, and The Moon Spun Round: W.B. Yeats for Children, edited by Noreen Doody. Her work has been exhibited throughout Ireland in both solo and group shows, and internationally at the Bratislava Illustration Biennial.
Review :
Lovers of Irish fairylore should try The Book of Secrets (age 9–12) by Alex Dunne. Set in contemporary Ireland at Halloween … Alex Dunne has created a sense of mystery and suspense in her debut novel, The Book of Secrets. Her descriptive language paints a clear picture of the town of Clonbridge, which comes alive at night when the fairies seamlessly drift into town to prepare for a celebration which coincides with Halloween. Cat and her friends, unaware of the supernatural mischief, spend the last day of school before midterm sharing scary stories and Halloween plans, although Cat is reluctant to share her secret that she has the 'sight’ … When fairy magic creates mayhem for her family, Cat has to unravel riddles and save her loved ones with the help of a true friend. A fast-paced quest steeped in the lore of fairies and magic, but also touching on serious themes such as death, family breakups, and the loss of adolescent friendships. The richness of Irish magic and folklore beautifully woven within the narrative adds a sense uniqueness to the novel which will particularly appeal to an Irish audience
Children's Books Ireland's Elaina Ryan recommends The Harp of Power and rising star Alex Dunne, Tommy Bowe says ‘one to watch out for’
… Hy-Brasil, a mythical island off the west coast which it is said only appears from the sea mist once every seven years and even then remains inaccessible to humans. Despite its elusivity, Hy-Brasil’s existence was once officially recognised and included on Irish maps, though its magic still shows no sign of losing its allure. The island rises of the from the mists once more in Alex Dunne’s modern take on various strands of Irish mythology, bound together into a fast-paced adventure for pre-teen readers … Cat, whose first magical adventure in 2022’s The Book of Secrets revealed her to be in possession of the ‘sight’, like her grandmother before her, is a magnet for all things supernatural, which here include demons of the air and shape-shifting wolves, as well as the odd talking stoat. Cat’s battles of a supernatural nature are balanced with her own present-day challenges
5 out 5 stars for The Harp of Power … A fantastic sequel to The Book of Secrets. It’s fast-paced and bursting with energy. With heroic and sometimes terrifying mythological creatures, it’s a truly fun world to get lost in!
effortlessly blends Irish mythology with the challenges of modern life in a narrative that is equal parts adventure, warmth, and humour
This sequel to The Book of Secrets is full of adventure, friendship and family bonds – and, of course, magic!
a magical new adventure inspired by Irish folklore … the eagerly-awaited sequel to The Book of Secrets
Is there any better book combination of Irish mythology, folklore, and magic? If you are a fan of both, then The Harp of Power is for you! This is a follow up to Dunne’s first book The Book of Secrets following Cat who loves magic and has The Sight. Cat has a new neighbour Dr Becca Ryan a witch with pink spiky hair and a familiar called Vinnie who is a stoat. Cat gets to know and like Dr Becca and wants to learn all the ways of the witching world from her; now she finally feels she has someone understands her sight, or does she? While Cat and her friend Shane are spending time with Dr Becca, Cat starts to notice a shadow skulking in the background. Dr Becca begins to tell her of the story of an ancient harp so powerful that it could change people’s minds. Cat can suddenly feel a change coming over her own mind driving her to set off on a quest to the island of Hy-Brasil, where the harp was last sighted, and not return until she has the harp in her hand. Can Cat locate the harp of power and return it to its rightful owner? Follow Cat and her best friend Shane as they find themselves in a wolf village, with beasts that walk as men, demons, and magic. This is the Irish equivalent of Harry Potter with all the wonderful combinations of old myths and folk legends. It is a book for igniting a child’s love of our Irish folktales
The Book of Secrets and The Harp of Power are engaging, wise and kind books, without sacrificing a second of fun and adventure. Reading these beautifully complex and loveable characters battle for their families and strengthen their friendships and try their best to do what is right was a truly lovely experience … It is authors like Alex, who care about their readers and want to share empathy and kindness within stories of adventure and imagination, who make me feel very hopeful for the future
