Valverda and the Firelight Thief

Published on 28 December 2025 at 15:15

Valverda and the Firelight Thief

🏰✨💎🔥

by Ally Mac

★★★★

Things I loved:

✨ Magical and imaginative world

🐸 Fun creatures and magical items

🏰 Enchanting Valverda setting

😂 Funny, brave, caring characters

💎 Journey to become Valverdians

🎨 Illustrated chapters and detailed cover

📚 Perfect for confident magical readers

At a glance

✍🏼 Author: Ally Mac

🎨 Cover artist: Luiza Laffitte

📅 Release Date: 1st December 2025

📚 Book type: Chapter, 383 pages

🌟 Reader level: Confident readers

Dive Deeper

Review

I read Valverda by Ally Mac after receiving an amazing book package from the author, and I knew straight away I was going to love it. The blurb instantly pulled me in, and as a big fan of fantasy stories, I couldn’t wait to start. I’ve also seen people compare it to the Skandar series (which I love!), and I can definitely see why.

Ally Mac has created a wonderfully magical world packed with exciting creatures, clever magic items and imaginative ideas. From Whisperflits and Freeze Frogs to Lime Lava, the world feels alive and full of surprises. Most of the story is set in the enchanting land of Valverda, but there are also some daring and dangerous adventures into the Beorgan — home to what sounds like the world's greatest bagel shop!

The characters are one of the best parts of the book. There’s a brilliant quartet who balance each other perfectly: funny, smart, brave and kind. They truly have each other’s backs and stick together through every challenge, even when the danger is real and they risk losing their place at Valverda forever.

I loved following their journey through the challenges to become official Valverdians and bond with their amulets. The story is charming and funny, with moments of emotion and suspense that keep you turning the pages. Each chapter is neatly illustrated, and the front cover becomes even more meaningful as you read on.

I would definitely recommend Valverda to confident readers (it’s around 400 pages!) and anyone who loves magical adventures. A great choice for UKS2 readers who enjoy rich worlds, strong friendships and plenty of excitement. ✨📚

Blurb

Elena Zarlenga was meant to become the perfect Distinctum recruit - obedient, fearless, and ready to follow the path laid out for her. Instead, she wants freedom.

On Selection Day, she gets it… just not in the way anyone expected.

Chosen by Valverda, a hidden academy guarding the realm from a secret danger, Elena enters a world of magic, mythical creatures, daring training and fierce friendships. But when her amulet refuses to bond, everything she hoped for begins to crumble - because if she cannot complete her training, she and her friends may be forced to leave the place they now call home.

Then the blood moon rises, and whispers of a mysterious thief spread through the land. Shadows begin to stir. And Elena uncovers a truth she was never meant to find - a truth that could change everything.

With danger closing in, Elena must decide: accept she is powerless… or become the hero she was never meant to be.