Tabitha Plimtock and the Edge of the World by Erica McGann and Phillip Cullen

Tabitha Plimtock lives in a house at the very edge of the world. She is a go-getter - that is, a dogsbody forced to go and get things - for her nasty relatives, Gower, Gristle, Bertha and Cousin Wilbur.

One of Tabitha's endless chores involves descending the cliff face, via a net that hangs from the back of the house, to collect eggs, nuts and other things from the inhabitants of the wall. When rumours begin to circulate of monsters climbing from the base to gobble up unsuspecting wall-dwellers, Tabitha is worried for all her friends.

Determined to save them, Tabitha seeks out the elusive and eccentric Dr Sherback. The doctor introduces her to a whole new world at the base - one that is dark, dangerous and absolutely thrilling - but not even Dr Sherback's vast knowledge can slow the terrible creatures climbing to the top of the wall.

With a clever plan, and not a small amount of courage, can Tabitha stop the monsters and keeps the people she loves safe for good?

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What's that? You didn't know the world has an edge? Well, it does. It's not easy to find, but if you can, you'll find a house, on the edge of a cliff...the Wall, they call it...and a few brave souls who live there. Tabitha is one of them, a foundling used as slave labour by her 'cousins' in the house. Her friends on the Wall keep her smiling and kind. Until she discovers that everyone is in mortal danger. It will take all of her strength, her courage...and her friends...to help solve this problem and keep everyone on the Edge...and everyone in the World, for that matter...safe and sound.

This is a brilliant read. I've read books by Erica before, but this is a different style; the narrator chats with the reader, giving extra facts and gently reminding us of things we might have forgotten. The characters are fantastic; the cousins are right out of Roald Dahl (Cousin Wilbur may be out of Terry Pratchett, I haven't decided yet.)

The story is great, moving along at just the right pace, introducing us to everyone without confusing them at all. I'd love to read more ... everyone must have fascinating backstories, including Tabitha! The only person we really get any history on is Dr Sherback. There must be more adventures to come, I very much hope.

I loved the illustrations; they add the perfect note to the story, and there's so much detail in them. Kids will love poring over them to pick out things they missed or find clues to the story.

I loved this, I'm going to love selling it (look at that cover!) and I really, really hope there's more to come. But if not, this was a fantastic read.

Tabitha Plimtock and the Edge of the World publishes on the 6th of September, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.