I really enjoyed The Kingdom Over the Sea. It is a magical story that pulled me in from the very beginning, with great characters and an engaging plot. There are strong themes and messages which are applicable to the real world, for example the way the book addresses refugees, and these themes are woven in skillfully in a way which does not deflect from enjoyment of the story. 

As an adult I did find it a fairly predictable plotline, heavily inspired by many children's books which have come before, but it was very well executed and particularly impressive for a debut. I had a great time reading the book and will definitely be picking up the sequel.   Recommended.