Royal Orchid The Death-Hunters
Denika Mead
Scribble Ink
Pub. 2019

March 29, 2021

Royal Orchid The Death-Hunters by Denika Mead is the first enchanting book in the Royal Orchid series about a group of courageous teens.

The story begins at an orphanage in New Zealand near Aoraki where 14-year-old Ivy is found with only a note and a penguin bookmark. While holding the bookmark, something happens and Ivy is teleported to Ghost Orchid and finds a group of powerfully built, armed men set on freezing the world! She then finds another group of teen rebels fighting to save the icy land.

Ivy, Zack, Anthony, Ash, and Wolf have faced countless challenges and countless more to come. As orphans, they have been through a lot of distress and trouble. They call their group the Birds of Hope.

Ivy, a quick learner with a bit of a temper, was separated from her parents at a very young age and forced to come to Ghost Orchid. Zack, a boy around her age, takes an instant disliking to her as soon as she steps through their door. He’s a good swordsman and excellent at glaring at Ivy.

Anthony is a sweet and courageous guy who is nice to Ivy. He’s another swordsman although not as angry as Zack, but still a valuable asset to the team.

The only other female is Ash, a fierce girl who uses two long knives and becomes Ivy’s best friend.

The leader of The Birds of Hope is a wonderful boy called Wolf. He’s kind but by far the best swordsman in the group, much to Zack’s annoyance.

The group are against another – The Death-Hunters – who are trying to freeze the planet and this involves a few fights and a treacherous magician. The Birds of Hope keep many secrets from one another which cause skepticism and suspicion.

This book is written in a beautifully clear sense that made it all the more interesting to read. From the beginning, I was captured by the story, and it felt as if I was the one falling through the bookmark.

If Denika Mead aimed to create such a lively book that keeps me turning the pages to find out what shocking truth was about to unfold, then she achieved it. The book was written with lots of descriptions making it seem alive. I can’t wait for the next book.

Finally, I’d like to recommend this book to young readers but overall, to anyone who would like to take a trip to the Royal Orchid.

• Sana is 12 and lives in Hamilton.