The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers is a children's book full of surprises, adventures, friendship and, above all, lots of water. Ideal for younger readers to see that everyone has the courage to be a hero, no matter how small.

Dive in with Effre for this story and join her on a journey to save her little brother Fleet. In this book, you will already have no shortage of proverbs with water, watery references and new proverbs from the Larkers. A world of wonders and river magic.

The story itself is heartwarming about courage and friendships from unexpected quarters.

A quick MG read about a people with gills, who live by a river (also on and in the river).
We follow the 13 yo Effra, the girl with gills, as she saves her brother, the legends and the community from the evils.
3.5 stars.
Great for 8-12 yos.
The plot and the concept are not at the level of complexity to engage adult readers a bit more.
Its morals and the metaphors on the importance of loving and protecting the nature and the environment and all of this coupled with legends and fantasy was a great fit for young readers.

The Girl with Gills is a richly imagined, atmospheric tale set in a watery world that feels both familiar and otherworldly. Becca Rogers crafts a lyrical story about survival, loyalty and courage through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Effra, a resilient young larker living in secret along the river with her brother Fleet.

Effra's journey begins in grief and desperation but quickly transforms into an unforgettable adventure. With danger at every turn, including a terrifying larker turned villain and the mythical Mother River herself, Effra must rely on new friendships and her own cleverness to face impossible odds. I particularly enjoyed the bond between Effra and Bow, as well as the delightful sentient sewer rat who adds both humour and heart.

What stood out most for me was the beautifully woven sense of place. The river feels alive, pulsing with magic and menace. Rogers blends folklore and environmental themes with skill, creating a unique backdrop that lingers long after the last page.

This is a book for readers who love character driven fantasy with a strong emotional core. Effra is the kind of heroine who stays with you, determined and full of heart. I was completely swept away.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I really enjoyed this book. It felt like a whole new being was created in the Larkers, and that's a rarity. The main/good characters were delightful, and I loved (minor spoiler) that the main character obtains a rat companion called Clay, after her initial negative impression of the rats.
The story itself feels unique and different from a lot of the other children's Fantasy I've read, and it just overall so appealing. I had a great time reading about this unusual side to 'our' world and the Larkers that hide there.

This was a delightful little read.

Aimed at younger people, this offers a perfect introduction to fantasy stories and will charm, delight and scare in turn. It moves along at a brisk pace, effortlessly setting the scene and then moving from one adventure to another as our main character tries her best to save her brother. She might not consider herself the bravest or strongest, but her love for her brother, her friends shines through brighter than anything else.

The Rivermun makes a delightfully scary villain, more so by his suit, how it makes him more mysterious and foreboding. He is the bogyman of legend and adds an extra layer to danger. The Rat Queen was also entertaining, although I wish more had been done with her and her fate.

Clay owns my heart, he is an absolute sweetheart and deserves all the cake in the world. All the characters were entertaining and well crafted.

It was like something out of a fairy tale at times, the cadence of the story, the pitch and speed. Highly recommend to anyone, old or young.

This book is full of found family, adventure and fun and is suitably aimed at children 8-13+, and I did throughly enjoy it as an adult. It is fast paced and creative. I particularly enjoyed the Rat Queen.
We follow Effre and her mission to save her brother Fleet, this story is filled with water, excitement and drama and I think will be a perfect introduction to fantasy for children .

A twist on mudlarking. I've read a few mudlarking books - which is fascinating, however this twist is of course: the girl with gills - she is a Larker. A part of the world, but hiding their gills in case of capture and experimentation.

This book mixes fantasy and the real world.

The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers is a masterpiece! Omg! I really couldn't put it down for a second. I started reading this book 13h ago and I can tell you it was perfect!