MG Takes on Thursday

This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books, now with a re-vamped banner!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

While she loved their new home with its wonky cottage and charming meadows, she found that now the thrill of a new place had worn off Pendlewick was possibly a bit too nice – a place lacking in adventure.

This book in three words:

SISTERHOOD, ADVENTURE, WINTERY

A Storm of Sisters is the fourth book in the A Pinch of Magic series which just keeps getting better and better.  This is a deliciously eerie, exciting and intriguing adventure that kept me utterly captivated:  an irresistible page-turner!

Now living in the village of Pendlewick, Betty Widdershins is craving another adventure so, when a letter arrives from cousin Clarissa telling them that she has broken her leg, Betty is only too keen to venture to Wilderness with her Granny and sisters, Fliss and Charlie to look after her.

With not enough room in her home, Clarissa assures the girls that they will be given a room at the local hotel, Echo Hall.  Of course, the sisters are excited at the prospect of staying there unsupervised, attending the winter market and possibly even a masked ball.   When a mistake occurs with room keys, Betty follows the maid only to see her disappear through a wall!  Could the rumours of a ghost haunting Echo Hall be true? 

It is not long before an adventure finds the sisters as they become entangled in discovering the truth behind a local legend which they are told by Clarissa.  A legend of a highway robber, known as Jack Frost, who lost life, love and treasure on an ill-fated theft from a fortune teller.  Does the legend live on in the ghostly sightings that tell of danger for loved ones?

This is such a brilliantly tense, eerie and exciting adventure that had me on the edge of my seat as I was completely caught up in the pulsating danger, tantalising twists and incredible revelations. 

I loved how richly atmospheric this was with a cold wintery setting, winter markets, a frozen lake hiding secrets, hauntings:  a perfect mix of eeriness and frozen beauty sprinkled with peril, intrigue and revenge.  I just have to say that I also loved the place names from Wilderness to Frostbite Lodge, Echo Hall and especially, Shivershock Lake – they give a real sense of the spine-tinglingly spooky and wintery heart of the story.

The bond of sisterhood between the girls is such a strength of this series.  It feels completely natural and full of love, support and camaraderie. The girls have such different personalities, but all are incredibly likeable, kind-hearted and courageous.  Granny is such a brilliant character with her penchant for a tipple, her straight-talking manner, and her clear love for her grandchildren. 

This is a dazzling addition to this incredible series brimming with wintery wonder, magical writing and heart-warming sisterhood.  I absolutely cannot wait to join the Widdershins on another adventure. 

Thank you to the Publishers and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!