The July theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Summer Reads and today’s prompt is for:  Books and the Seaside. When I was growing up, I used to love going to the seaside in County Donegal and County Antrim, both geographically in the north of Ireland, but in different countries! I remember how stunning the coastline was and still love going home to visit.  With this in mind, I’ve decided to go back to the country of my birth and base my SixforSunday on Irish writers whose work I love.  I’ve been wanting to do a post on Irish writers I admire for a while, and this seems like a perfect opportunity.

1.  Sinead O’Hart has written two fantastic stories:  The Eye of the North, steeped in mythology, and The Star-Spun Web with a sci-fi twist.  I really hope she does a sequel for each of these!

2.  Celine Kiernan is the writer of The Wild Magic Trilogy.  I read the first two books, Begone the Raggedy Witches and The Little Grey Girl over the course of a weekend and am waiting ever so patiently for the final book. 

3.  Catherine Doyle has written two books in the Stormkeeper series:  The Stormkeeper’s Island and The Lost Tide Warriors, which are both set on the magical island of Arranmore which is inspired by her real-life ancestral home of Arranmore Island in County Donegal, my home County!  The third book is one of my most anticipated releases for 2020.

4.  Padraig Kenny has written Tin and Pog.  Tin is still on my TBR, but I loved Pog and the exploration of real grief contained within a fantasy setting.

5.  Oscar Wilde.  His Stories for Children, including The Selfish Giant, The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose are timeless classics, and are still capable of making me cry, and smile, every time I read them.

6.  C S Lewis who wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, all of which I loved reading growing up, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which I’ve re-read a few times.

This is a delightful treasure trove of a story, which I enjoyed enormously.  The gorgeous illustrations by Nicola Kinnear complement the story perfectly.

Ariki is an apprentice Star Walker living on Turtle Island (having washed ashore as a toddler) with her Guardian, Arohaka and her mischievous pet pig, Bad Boy.  She is a wonderfully carefree young girl who wants nothing more than to have fun and explore the ocean, for which she has a deep affinity.   

Adventurous and strong-willed, she decides to ‘borrow’ a boat so that she can go exploring with her best friend, Ipo and Bad Boy.  Unknowingly, they sail into the eye of a storm, cast adrift for many days, until they eventually come ashore on an island. 

It is not long before she meets a castaway who has been living on the island with only the company of its incredible native species, including the wondrous Giant Bowerbirds who are vital to the survival of the island.  Crusoe McRobinson is a fantastic character whose deep-rooted love of, and respect for, nature is obvious. 

However, the idyllic, peaceful island is being threatened by something non-native, and rather scary, which has the power to destroy the island.  Can Ariki and her friends save the island? 

I loved Ariki!  She is adventurous, quick-thinking and courageous with a wonderfully exuberant personality, and a real affinity and empathy for nature, with the incredible ability to communicate with animals through her thoughts.

Whilst the story is a real celebration of the beauty and awe of nature, there is a timely warning that we cannot take it for granted.  The underlying themes offer an excellent opportunity to explore what happens when non-native species are introduced to an environment and the impact this can have on the natural ecosystem, including threats to habitat and the danger of the extinction of native species.

This is Ariki’s second adventure, with Ariki and the Giant Shark being published in 2018.  I can’t wait to find out more about where Ariki has come from, and join her on further adventures. This is a perfect read for children of 7+.

Each of us carries the map of our lives on our skin …

This is a truly captivating story, steeped in mythology, and told with a beautifully lyrical quality, full of action, tension and deep emotions.  Both utterly entrancing and terrifying!

Isa lives in the town of Gromera, on the Island of Joya, with her cartographer father, under the harsh rule of the interloper, Governor Adori who has cut the town off from the rest of the Island, but no-one understands why. 

Isa is best friends with the Governor’s daughter, Lupe, until the day they have a bitter fight as Isa accuses Lupe of not caring about the horrific murder of one of their classmates.  This fight between the friends provides a catalyst which sees Lupe determined to restore her friendship by leaving the town to track down the murderers that her father is unwilling to hunt for. 

The Governor may not care about the death of one of the islanders, but he will not abandon his daughter, so he leads an expedition to enter the Forgotten Territories to find her.  Filled with guilt, Isa is determined to help track her friend and offers to be the group’s navigator.  Despite her apprehension, she is excited about the opportunity to map the island as her father has taught her a deep-seated love of cartography.

As they wander deeper into the island, the tension intensifies as they find a blighted landscape and deserted villages.  It is not long before mythology seeps into reality as Isa’s map of Joya reveals hidden mysteries, inhuman teeth are found and sudden attacks are made, but are the attackers the feared Banished or the return of something more terrible?  Something the islanders believe are mere stories, stories of the Fire Demon Yote tying the island to the earth, stories of his ferocious fire dogs …

As the search for Lupe becomes more desperate and hopeless, the tension escalates masterfully… my heart really was pounding as I raced through the action, and felt the emotion of Isa and Lupe as they fight for their own survival … and the freedom of the island.

I really admired Isa who is not an infallible friend, and is prepared to accept when she has made a misjudgement, and actually do something about it, despite her fear.  I loved her courage, determination, and her deep-rooted belief in the mythology of the island.  The Governor also intrigued me: he is clearly cruel and a despot, yet obtains a certain level of redemption in his later choices, although these cannot excuse his tyranny and his failure to help the people of Joya. 

I adored this incredibly powerful story of redemption, sacrifice and remembrance, interwoven with a marvellous myth, and bursting with tension and terrifying action.  Kiran Millwood Hargrave is a must-read author whose writing captures my imagination and holds me spellbound every time I pick up one of her books.

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Yes. There is a witch in the woods. There has always been a witch. Will you stop your fidgeting for once? My stars! I have never seen such a fidgety child. No, sweetheart, I have not seen her. No one has. Not for ages. We’ve taken steps so that we will never see her. Terrible steps.

Any ideas?

This is on my TBR. I love books with witches, and especially books about good witches. Goodreads synopsis:

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. 

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.

The Maker of Monsters is a terrifically fast-paced, action-packed story, with a wonderfully realised cast of characters, which kept me engrossed throughout. 

Brat works for his master, the banished Lord Macawber, in his castle on an island, isolated from any other human contact.  His only companions are two of his master’s failed creations, Sherman and Tingle.  Brat’s master is driven by an all-consuming need for revenge, disguised as a desire to rescue his daughter, which makes him cruel and unable to see the terrible mistake he is making … until it is too late!

The horrific, yet somehow pitiful, monsters that are created through Lord Macawber’s magical ability all have one single-minded goal:  the destruction of mankind.  Brat must overcome his paralysing fear of water in order to warn the citizens of the Domed City.  The monster Army’s pursuit of Brat and his friends, led by the aptly named Wrath, is genuinely tense and scary.  Just when it appears all hope is lost, an unlikely rescuer appears.  Molly is a wonderful character, readily accepting of Brat and his companions.  She is brave, loyal and full of a sense of adventure.

And I’d rather die trying than live wondering what might have happened if I hadn’t tried …

Brat, Molly, Tingle and Sherman find themselves in a terrifying race for their lives … to get to the Domed City before it is overrun by the monsters.  A real sense of danger permeates the action as the monsters close in, which kept me on the edge of my seat, willing the companions to succeed, against all the odds. 

I adored both Tingle and Sherman who are incredibly loyal, brave and affectionate with hearts of gold, proving themselves to be true friends and giving Brat the courage he needs at some difficult moments.  They also inject the narrative with some humour to lift some of the darker parts.  Brat is an incredibly sympathetic character who I absolutely adored.  He has a real sense of justice and is determined to right the wrongs of his Master, no matter the cost to himself.  Even though he is full of self-doubt and can’t see his own courage through his fear, Molly can:

Brave is doing something even when you’re frightened.

I found the themes in this story, including the misuse of power by those in authority, denial of freedom, the destructive force of revenge and the power of friendship to overcome adversity, incredibly thought-provoking:  they would make for excellent discussion.  Who are the real monsters in this story?

This is an immensely exciting story with plenty of suspense and nail-biting moments.  A definite must-read for fans of action-packed adventure with an expertly placed sprinkling of humour at just the right moments!

This is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.  It asks three questions:

1.       What are you currently reading?

2.       What did you recently finish reading?

3.      What do you think you’ll read next?

I’ve currently just started reading Malamander by Thomas Taylor.  This will be the ninth book on my #20BooksofSummer.

I recently finished The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Ariki and the Island of Wonders by Nicola Davies and The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell. 

I’m way behind on writing my reviews (there are 4 I want to do) as I just keep picking up the next book I want to read!  I’ve decided to catch up on my reviewing before choosing another book. 

What books have you read this week? Do you ever get behind with reviewing?

The July theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Summer Reads and today’s is: Books on your Summer TBR. I have so many books on my TBR so choosing was quite tricky. Here goes:

1. This is a group of books as I’m taking part in the #20BooksofSummer challenge. I’m just about to start my eighth of the middle grade books before moving on to my 10 YA/adult books. My list is at #20BooksofSummer.

2. The True Colours of Coral Glen by Juliette Forrest. I loved her first book, Twister and this one sounds great. I love the cover!

3. The Butterfly Circus by Francesca Armour-Chelu. This one has been recommended and has such a summery cover, I just had to include it.

4. The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike. I absolutely love the sound of this one with its unique sounding magical system.

5. The Secret Starling by Judith Eagle. I’ve really been enjoying some historical middle-grade recently so I’m looking forward to reading this one.

6. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. Her first book, An Enchantment of Ravens, is on my #20BooksofSummer – this one had me at ‘library’!

Have you read any of these? What is on your Summer TBR?

This book is a very welcome return to Arranmore after the events of The Storm Keeper’s Island, and one I have been eagerly anticipating for quite some time.  It certainly didn’t disappoint!  It is an action-packed read:  tense, chilling and emotional with some incredible revelations which readers should discover for themselves.  Trust me, they will be worth the wait!

The new Storm-Keeper of Arranmore, Fionn Boyle’s dreams are being haunted by the sorceress Morrigan who is intent on overthrowing the Island using her truly frightening followers, the Soulstalkers.    As Morrigan’s feared return draws ever closer, more and more Soulstalkers arrive to do her bidding.  The portrayal of the Soulstalkers is masterful from their insidious arrival to their palpable terrorising of the Islanders. 

The tide of time is against the Islanders as they only have until the Winter Solstice, in three days, to stop the Soulstalkers from raising their leader.  Tension builds inexorably as time passes and more and more of Morrigan’s followers arrive on Arranmore.  Fionn knows there is only one way to stop them … summon the army of merrows using the Tide Summoner, but it hasn’t been seen for many years.  Fionn intends to find it … but have the Islanders lost faith in him, or are they trying to support and help him in his battle? 

 There is no weakness in knowing when to ask for help.

The use of candles, which harbour memories, as conduits of magic is ingenious.  It allows the Islanders to come together to defend themselves whilst their Storm Keeper is fighting his own battle with his magic. Despite struggling to ignite his magic, which he can feel burning inside, Fionn takes his responsibility as Storm Keeper and protector of the Island seriously.  Although he is embroiled in confusion and self-doubt, he shows incredible bravery and fortitude, especially as he is fighting against some of the other Islanders as well as Morrigan’s bound followers. When an ultimatum is given to the Islanders by an unwelcome arrival, will they all stand behind their Storm Keeper, or will he be betrayed?

The relationships between the characters are incredibly heartfelt and authentic.  Fionn clearly has a wonderful affinity with his Grandfather and their relationship is full of trust, humour and respect.  There are heart-breaking moments as Grandad’s memories fade and sacrifices are made, yet what shines through is their enduring love for each other.  Whilst Fionn has spates with his sister, Tara, they are there for each other when needed as are his friends Shelby and Sam. 

Only I’m allowed to be mean to you.

I really admired Tara’s strength and her willingness to take risks to use the candle magic to stave off the Soulstalkers and help her brother.  Fionn’s best friends, Sam and Shelby, are willing participants in his desperate search for the elusive Tide Summoner.  All three friends show an incredible amount of courage as they travel through time to retrieve it, but will they be successful?  Although hopes are raised, and dashed, the power of these friendships keep the children from giving up when all seems lost …

I loved the fact that Fionn was not a ‘perfect’ hero; his imperfections make him such a likeable character.  He struggles with his magic from the beginning and suffers from very human emotions of guilt, fear, regret and self-doubt, yet through all this negativity towards himself, he has a deep-rooted inner resilience and drive to protect the Islanders.  He does not shy away from his destiny, even when his destiny seems to be leading him towards a terrible fate.

The ending of this second book is terrifically thrilling, and left me awaiting the final outcome of the battle with Morrigan and her Soulstalkers with bated breath … and it was all I wanted it to be, and so much more.  The ending sets the next book up so beautifully that I am already desperate to read it.  Really desperate!

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

Like a witch’s lair in a fairytale the ancient manor house crouches in its tangled garden.  I can’t take my eyes off the ivy-choked window above the front door.  It was from that window in 1913 that 16-year-old Maud Stearne watched her father set off down the steps with an ice-pick, a geological hammer – and murder in his heart.

Any ideas?

This is on my #20ReadsofSummer, and it’s getting close to the top of this group.  Goodreads synopsis:

1906: A large manor house, Wake’s End, sits on the edge of a bleak Fen, just outside the town of Wakenhyrst. It is the home of Edmund Stearn and his family – a historian, scholar and land-owner, he’s an upstanding member of the local community. But all is not well at Wake’s End. Edmund dominates his family tyrannically, in particular daughter Maud. When Maud’s mother dies in childbirth and she’s left alone with her strict, disciplinarian father, Maud’s isolation drives her to her father’s study, where she happens upon his diary.

During a walk through the local church yard, Edmund spots an eye in the undergrowth. His terror is only briefly abated when he discovers It’s actually a painting, a ‘doom’, taken from the church. It’s horrifying in its depiction of hell, and Edmund wants nothing more to do with it despite his historical significance. But the doom keeps returning to his mind. The stench of the Fen permeates the house, even with the windows closed. And when he lies awake at night, he hears a scratching sound – like claws on the wooden floor…

Wakenhyrst is a terrifying ghost story, an atmospheric slice of gothic, a brilliant exploration of the boundaries between the real and the supernatural, and a descent into the mind of a psychopath.

This is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words.  It asks three questions:

1.       What are you currently reading?

2.       What did you recently finish reading?

3.      What do you think you’ll read next?

I’m currently reading The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.  I love her writing and this one has been recommended to me by a few people.  This will be the sixth book on my #20BooksofSummer.

I recently finished The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle.  It was everything I expected it to be – and more!  The ending has me craving the next book!  I’ve also read The Maker of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory this week.  Such a great read, full of courage, friendship and scary moments – and Tingle – just adored Tingle!  Reviews for these coming shortly.

I’ve chosen to read The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell and Ariki and the Island of Wonders by Nicola Davies next.  These are both short reads, so I’m hoping to get both read in a week.