Tag: jodie brownlee

Ruby tugged the trapdoor open and peered into the darkness.
‘Let’s get inside before someone sees us,’ said Avalon, bracing herself against the wind.
Ruby swallowed hard then stepped inside. Avalon and the magic carpet crowded in behind her. A sudden gust blew them forward and the trapdoor slammed shut. All was black.

Ruby Rosemount and her friends are off to Babylon to begin their studies in magic at the Academy of Peace. But then Ruby’s Mum and Grandma disappear and a terrible Doomsday Curse has been invoked which may mark the end of the world.

As Ruby, Jaffa and Avalon try to uncover who is behind the curse and how it can be reversed, Ruby also has to unravel her family’s history. Could it be that her father, who she thought was dead, is still alive.? And if he is, is he behind that curse?

This is the third title in the Ruby Rosemount series, and has a wonderful blend of magic, mayhem and humour. In earlier stories, Ruby is twelve when she discovers she is half genie. Now, she faces a battle to get her mother to allow her to learn magic and grow up as a genie rather than return full time to the human world. At the same time, she needs to build her confidence in her magical abilities if she is to stop the Doomsday Curse from taking full effect.

There is lots to enjoy here, and will appeal to readers from age 8 up.

Ruby Rosemount and the Doomsday Curse, by Jodie Brownlee
Omnibus, 2008

Ever since Ruby discovered she is half genie. She has been desperately trying to improve her magic skills. Granny is helping by sending her magic lessons on the mail wind, but these don’t seem to be helping. Ruby hasn’t mastered any of the magic skills a good genie knows. Then when her mother forbids her from using magic in the house, it seems she is destined not to ever get good at magic.

But Ruby finds it hard to follow her mother’s instructions, and when her next door neighbour Mrs Pinkus disappears through Granny’s travellers telescope, Ruby knows she has to use magic to get Mrs Pinkus back. This is only the start of her adventures, involving flying camels, a genie oasis and an enemy who’ll do anything to stop her.

Ruby Rosemount and the Travellers Telescope is an action filled fantasy for upper primary aged children. A sequel to Ruby Rosemount and the Magic Carpet this title can be read as a stand-alone, with enough back story to place the action for the new reader, while those who have read the first will enjoy seeing what is happening to their favourite characters.

This is a fun fantasy read.

Ruby Rosemount and the Travellers Telescope, by Jodie Brownlee
Omnibus, 2006