Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Harley Merlin is a supernatural adventure series, that is perfect for young adult fantasy fans. Written by self-confessed fantasy fan Bella Forrest, the nine-book Harley Merlin series is set in a hidden world of mystery, magic and monsters.

Harley Merlin is a nineteen-year-old with a difference - she can read people’s feelings. Her special powers make her perfect for a job spotting crooks at the local casino, but she has no idea where they came from. Abandoned at a young age to live in care, all that remains from her parents is a cryptic note from her father, but when Harley witnesses a vicious monster attack she is thrust into the world of magicals, beasts and covens and starts a journey to trace the source of her own powers. Helped by the charismatic young warlock Wade Crowley, she sets out to trace her magical heritage, which is wilder than she could have imagined, fighting the dark forces at work within the coven who want to stop her unravelling the mystery.

As the series progresses, any answers Harley discovers about her family and her magical abilities are only met with more questions. In the meantime, she has to guard the ancient Bestiary, protect the young magicals from her enemies and, most importantly, look out for her friends. And then there is the annoying question of her feelings for the charming but arrogant Wade…

Bella Forrest's books are perfect for voracious YA fantasy readers and fans of the supernatural. It is fast-paced and easy to read with plenty of twists, romance, mystery and danger. The secret covens and band of fiercely loyal friends give the series a nostalgic feel for Harry Potter fans too. To get the most out of it, the Harley Merlin books should be read in order, so start with book one Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven and keep going until book 9 for the ultimate showdown between evil Katherine and Harley and her friends.

All the Harley Merlin books in order:

Book 1: Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (2018)
Book 2: Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (2018)
Book 3: Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (2018)
Book 4: Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (2018)
Book 5: Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (2018)
Book 6: Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (2018)
Book 7: Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (2019)
Book 8: Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (2019)
Book 9: Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact  (2019)
Book 10: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (2019)
Book 11: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (2019)
Book 12: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (2019)
Book 13: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (2019)
Book 14: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (2019)
Book 15: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (2020)
Book 16: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (2020)
Book 17: Harley Merlin: Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary (2020)
Book 18: Harley Merlin: Persie Merlin and the Leviathan's Gift (2020)
Book 19: Harley Merlin: Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (2020)
Book 20: Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (2020)
Book 21: Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (tbc)