Alfie Blackstack has his world turned upside down when he has to move from London into a village in the middle of nowhere called Little Snoddington to go and live with two aunts he hardly remembers. Alfie doesn't like adventure. He is unsure of everything. And there is something strange about his aunts. And the village. And the shop owned by the mysterious Mr Fingerhut. And the local teashop. And if that isn't enough the circus comes to town and Alfie discovers that perhaps adventures aren't something to be scared of. I really loved this book and fell in love with its batty array of characters. I am a particular fan of Rafferty (and I now want a cat just like him). The story picks up in pace as the plot unfurls and before you know it you've devoured half the book! I have also decided that I want a library ghost. It seems like a good thing to have! I also really hope that there are more stories to follow as Alfie and Calypso are such a great team. Perfect if you like: magic, crazy aunts, witches Familiars, high thrill circus acts and finding your best friend.
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Alice Tod Hunter Moon lives with her Dad and her mysterious Aunt in a fishing village where they have lived a quiet life away from the hustle and bustle. But everything changes when Tod's Dad fails to return from a fishing trip and she is taken into care by her Aunt. Not everything is what it seems and Tod must follow her instincts and try to find out what is happening. This book is magical and fantastic and, if you are a fan of the Sepitimus Heap books then you will simply love this. Not only do characters that you have met in the mentioned series but it doesn't matter if you know nothing at all about them either. The book is beautifully written with lovable characters and fast paced action. Recommended for aged 9+ Read if you like: mythical creatures, boat chases, magical powers, scary aunts and fantasy worlds. Book Review for Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson reinvented with doddles by Jack Noel (published by Egmont) This children’s classic should be the top of everybody’s must-read pile. This new interrelation of the much-loved story of Jim Hawkins who ends up going joining a mysterious crew and ends up sailing the seven seas looking for a long lost treasure. This new version is witty but keeps very much to the plot and language of the original Stevenson tale. The cartoons are laugh-out-loud funny but without dumbing down any of the content. For children that are perhaps a little reluctant to tackle the classics this is a super introduction to them as well. This is as fast paced as a comic book (in a fetching hue of blue, black and white) which will keep readers engaged for hours. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to readers aged 9+ Great for fans who love pictures as well as writing, pirates, lost treasure and talking parrots There are not many certainties in life but I simply knew that the last book in the Cursebreaker trilogy ' A Vow so bold and deadly' by Brigid Kemmerer was going to be worth the wait. The previous book had left the reader on a knife edge between the warring factions of Emberfall and Syll Swallow and the cataclysmic split between Grey and Rhen. I don't want to give anything away as there are so many twists, turns and heart stopping moments that I don't want to spoil it for anyone (particularly anyone who has fallen for any of the beautifully constructed characters that Kemmerer uses to tell the story through). The story is fast paced and an absolute page turner. I devoured this book in a matter of days and I recommend this book to anyone that loves adventure with a touch of romance and a sprinkling of magic! If you'd like to know about the author, click here Support your local bookshop and buy a copy here
Second book in the Todhunter Moon series. An egg is about to hatch and the Orm inside could spell disaster for all at the Castle and the world of Magik. There are many waring factions at work and only the new Extraordinary Wizard’s Apprentice, Tod, seems to have the power to stop the world being controlled by Dark Magick. This book is just as fast paced as the first one with the same lovable characters. There are many elements that will suddenly surprise you and it will keep you guessing right to the very last pages. I loved the fact that the book counts down the hours until the Orm hatch is expected to hatch as it adds an extra element of suspense and fear. Read this if you like: fantasy, dragons, transforming jinns that have bags of attitude and wizards apprentices that go AWOL. To find out more about Angie take a look at her website here Grab your copy here and support an indie bookshop.
Pierce flatlined when she was fifteen and she met a guy. Things happened and she managed to escape the underworld and come back to the real world. However this upset a balance and the beings of the underworld want to put it right. Pierce just wants to be a normal teenager but she knows that she is different. And it doesn’t help that the guy that she met keeps turning up at inopportune times and messes up her plans. This book is darkly funny with characters that you instantly warm too. They are flawed but nonetheless you would want to hang around with them because of their sass and attitude. Pierce has fight within her even though she doesn’t completely understand what is happening. She is street smart and just wants to make people happy. This book reveals its plot and its intrigue bit by bit and before you know it you are halfway through the story. I loved this book and the atmosphere is so real that you will be wondering whether the mysterious man might just be lurking around the next corner. If you like: gothic style stories, the undead, hot but mysterious men, flawed characters and rosette spoonbills this is the book for you! Part of a trilogy. Aged 13+ To find out about Meg Cabot have a look at her website here Support your local indie bookshop and grab a copy here
The world is a confusing place for the Boy sitting in the caravan in the woods. There are so many things to learn while John is away and so many secrets to keep hidden. You have to be smart and keep your wits about you especially when the wolves are stirring deep underground. The story is deeply unnerving and at times you have to hold your breath just to make sure that the characters within the pages are kept safe. It is about a world that is without boundaries but not without morals and explores the inner workings of the human mind and its existence. This book left a deep impression on me for days after I put it down and I still catch myself questioning some of the motives of the characters. I was sent a proof of this book but the real thing looks even more intriguing with some amazing artwork done by the author which I think will add an extra layer to the story. Well recommended if you like a story that is dark and thoughtful. If you would like to learn more about Jason you can find his website here If you would like to order a copy of We Were Wolves, please support your local independent bookshop and order through www.bookshop.org
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