The king has declared a competition: the first person who can deliver to him a complete map of the world will receive whatever they wish, be it money, power or fame. After Quinn is picked to train as a mapmaker, he soon finds himself aboard the Libertas, bound for adventure. But surviving the treachery of the other contestants will be hard enough, even without the dangers of undiscovered lands.

Part fantasy quest, part peril on the high seas, Race to the End of the World is rollicking fun. Not since Emily Rodda’s Deltora Quest series has there been such an exciting adventure tale from an Australian author. Echoes of Robinson Crusoe make this feel like a classic with a new twist, and it’s perfect for readers aged 8 to 12 who are looking for some escapism in the sea of contemporary stories. Monsters, stowaways, jealous courtiers and lost islands – this is a great start to a series that promises a lot to come.

Holly Harper