Today, I’m delighted to share the gorgeous cover image for the exciting conclusion to The Lucky Diamond trilogy: The Great Forest by Valinora Troy. The cover art is by Phan Duy.

The Great Forest follows on from The Lucky Diamond and Revenge of Queen Rose.

Synopsis:

“Everything here hates you. The trees long to consume you, the ground to swallow you, the plants to poison you, and as for the creatures who live here… Your only chance of survival is to do exactly as I say. Clear?”

Twins Cathy and Alan are thrilled to be asked by the king of the Diamonds to enter the Great Forest on their eleventh birthday to complete the cleansing of the land. After all, Queen Rose is dead and all darkness gone from the trees. But when their home is attacked by a horde of vicious boars, and Alan and Cathy are unwillingly taken to the Great Forest, the twins realise that evil remains there. Now they are faced with a terrible choice: escape from their captors and take their chances at survival, or find out who is waiting for them in the centre of the forest, and why?

Cathy and Alan are about to face the deadliest battle of their lives, against the forest, the monsters, … and each other.

This exciting finale to the series will be published on 21^st June. The ebook is currently available here for pre-order at a special price of .99 cent/.99 pence.

About the Author:

About the Author:

Valinora Troy has been writing since she was a child. Her first story popped into her head when she was 5 or 6, about a little girl who found a magic diamond. Recently she completed a M.A. in Creative Writing, specialising in Children & Young Adult fiction. Her short stories for adults have appeared in numerous venues. She has also served as a panellist for the CYBILS award, visits schools and libraries, and occasionally run writing classes for talented young authors. She hails from Blackrock, Co Louth, Ireland, and after living in Dublin for a number of years, recently returned to Louth to live in a magical writing cottage. Find out more at Valinora Troy – Children’s Fantasy Writer.

I’m almost finished Legends and Lattes and have really enjoyed this. I love that Viv’s visit to a goblin coffee shop has led to her fulfilling her own dream. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out perfectly for her. I’m about three quarters of the way through listening to the audiobook of Ghostlight which is just incredible. This is brilliantly scary and tense. Just as I thought things might work out ok for Gabe and his friends, the plot took an unexpected twist and now I don’t know if they’ll all be ok, so not sure what to expect, but am desperate to find out. I’ve just started Away with Words which is so different to anything I’ve read before, but I think it’s one I’m going to enjoy, and learn from!

I read Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones which is the second in this wonderfully heart-warming and humorous adventure: I have posted my review. I also read My Name is Sunshine which I absolutely loved. It brought smiles and tears. I am currently writing my review. I also read The Kingdom Over the Sea which was exactly the kind of adventure I enjoy. I really liked the fantasy element with sorcerers and alchemists and loved the elemental magic, but I also enjoyed the underlying themes rooted in the modern world. I have almost finished my review! Finally, I devoured Small Bites Back and loved being back with Harvey and his giant friend, Walloping Toenail as they try to save their friends from a never-ending contract performing in the Unspeakable Circus, not to mention the school being over run with zombie lions. This is a joy of a story: playful, genuinely funny with gorgeous friendships. I will be posting my review as part of the upcoming Blog Tour later this month.

I’ve had a proof of this on my TBR for a while now, and it’s one I’ve really been looking forward to, so I’m aiming to get to it over the weekend!

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

This feels like it has been a good reading month. I’ve had the Easter holidays which meant more physical copies read, but less audiobooks as I only listen to them when driving to and from work.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 20 books this month (I think this is the most I’ve read in a month!): 16 physical, 3 e-books and 1 audiobook. I’ve also read another 5 books from my Beat the Backlist Challenge (33 left!):

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 6 books by Publishers this month.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 97%. In April, I requested and was approved to read three books. I have already read two of them: Jodie and The Silver Road.

Books bought:

This has been a quiet buying month for me: I’ve only bought 6 books!

How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

Emba Oak and the Beckoning Bones is the second thrilling, action-packed adventure in this fantastic series which starts with Emba Oak and the Terrible Tomorrows.   

Rather than being able to rest after their long journey home – from defeating the evil sorcerer Necromalcolm – Emba, Odolf and Fred discover that there are intruders, and a red crack has appeared in the sky:  a warning that danger is not far away.  When they enter the cave, they discover that their home has been wrecked, but luckily the Tome of Terrible Tomorrows has not been taken.  Worried that intruders in their home means that the threat from Necromalcolm has not gone, they decide to consult the Tome for a helpful prophecy.  It rather cryptically points them towards the legend of a hidden crypt holding lost treasure in the Petrified Peaks …

And so begins another fast-paced, exciting adventure as the trio find themselves on a quest to find the missing treasure, a quest that takes them to both scary and friendly places, but where trouble is never far away.   As if facing the dangers presented by these places wasn’t enough, they fear that they are being followed.  Could Necromalcolm’s henchmen be on their trail?  Will they reach the Petrified Peaks safely and, if so, what awaits them there?  And why are Emba’s dreams being haunted by beckoning dragon bones – do they mean harm or help?

I loved the twists and turns as the trio ventured into danger and discoveries with an ending that has made me desperate to find out what happens next.  There are so many brilliant locations visited which are all so aptly named from the Screeching Swamp to the Stone Circle of Certain Doom to the Pretty Pond of Peace and Pleasantness.  There are also some really rather terrifying creatures and some not-quite-so-terrifying creatures, especially a certain buzzing wasp-snake with a penchant for lizards.  I also really enjoyed the camaraderie and humour between Emba, Odolf and Fred and loved how familiar their relationships felt to me which made this such a delight of a story, and is one of the reasons I love books in series.

I absolutely loved following this daring, loyal and courageous trio who might not always agree, but who always look out for each other.  I adored the loving relationship between Fred and Emba with Fred always being quick to reassure Emba when she questions herself.  Odolf is a wonderfully loyal and supportive friend who is not scared to share his suspicions with Emba, even when this causes issues in their friendship.  Emba is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is facing both emotional and physical changes which she doesn’t fully understand.  She fights to control the dragon fury which burns within her, a fury which can both cause harm and protect.  Emba knows she is different and, when she meets another who readily accepts, and even seems to admire, her differences, she is keen to develop a new friendship, despite her friend’s apprehension.    

An absolutely fantastic, fast-paced adventure, brimming with humour, heart and friendship, sure to captivate young readers of 9+. 

Thank you to Maverick Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.