Hero the Highway Girl is an exhilarating, action-packed historical adventure set in the Georgian era that completely captivated me.

Notorious, but charming and courteous, highwayman, Gentleman Jack Giles gallops towards a carriage whose occupants he intends to relieve of their money and jewels. Expecting the usual screams when he fires a warning pistol shot, he instead hears laughter from inside, and finds himself facing a pair of pistols. Hero Devine introduces herself as the richest girl in England, presents Jack with a box laden with jewellery and demands to be taken to his secret hideout so that she can begin her new life – as a highway girl.

And so begins an incredibly thrilling, action-packed and perilous adventure that had me on the edge of my seat as together Hero and Jack undertake daring robberies, facing ever greater risk as patrols are increased, and with any mistakes increasing the chance of being caught and hanged. When it becomes clear that Hero is being hunted by someone intent on returning her to her family at any cost, the danger for the pair becomes intense … Can these two escape the fate that seems to be racing towards them and instead fulfil their dreams? Can the breath-taking discoveries that they make change their lives forever?

I enjoyed the twists and turns, the ever-increasing danger, the sense of threat and the fast-paced action throughout. The short chapters made this a real page-turner and it was impossible not to keep reading as I was completely gripped by this incredible story as I have no doubt young readers will too.

I really loved that both children had loyal animal companions (Hero’s wolf, Flow and Jack’s stallion, Diablo), who are both such a central part of the story. I adored the loving and powerful bond between animal and child which was beautifully and, at times, heart achingly, portrayed. These animals are the only friends that Jack and Hero had as they both grew up in terrible, albeit very different, circumstances, and it is no surprise that they are each others’ support and protection.

I absolutely adored both Hero and Jack, two children who have lost their parents, and who find each other when it seems time is running out for both of them – for different reasons. I really enjoyed that the story is written as a dual narrative which allowed me to get to know both children; this also helped me to understand the nature of their fractious friendship – and to hope that they would come to trust each other enough to open up to each other and find the friendship they both need. Hero presents with a tough, brash and demanding exterior, but there is a real vulnerability underneath this bravado which makes her incredibly endearing. She is determined to fight against what society has deemed acceptable for a woman and to follow her own path – even if that is a dangerous one! Jack is determined to fulfil his dream, and to provide for Diablo, so he becomes a reluctant highwayman, well aware of the danger of getting caught, but determined to take enough money to provide a better life for himself and his horse. Both children show incredible courage and strength by facing dangerous situations in order to give themselves a chance at a different life – at freedom.

This story delivers an incredible adventure, brimming with daring and danger, with friendship and hope, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Firefly Press for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

When the Storm Comes is a gripping, thought-provoking adventure where facing storms, both outside and inside, have a huge impact on the lives of four children who find themselves trapped in their school.

Mali (Amaryllis) is having a difficult time at school: his best, and only real friend, has left, he’s being bullied and can’t face going to school. When he does return, it is with an invitation to attend an after school Book Club by his Form Tutor, Ms Devine, to help shortlist books for a new award. Despite the hailstones and thunder, Mali reluctantly makes his way to the library where he meets talkative Jonesy, quiet Fara – and Petey, the boy who has been bullying him.

When the storm worsens and the electricity goes off, they decide to leave, but the automatic doors will not open, leaving them, and their pregnant teacher, trapped in school with a storm worsening around them. Can this group find a means to work together to escape from the school? Is there a way that they can build trust, and even friendship, as their situation becomes ever more treacherous as the storm rages relentlessly?

This is an incredibly gripping adventure, with high levels of tension and danger, as the children find themselves trapped in a flooded school, searching for food, for a means of escape and desperately hoping that help will come as they watch the rising water levels both inside and outside. When their teacher needs aid urgently, they have no choice but to take incredible risks to get her the help she needs, risks that put them all in even more danger …

The effects of the storm, brought about by climate change, is evidenced by the damage to the natural environment, to buildings and to the lives of people living within its reach. But I think the children are also facing their own storms within their personal lives for different reasons. Names are important parts of our identity, and Mali’s given name has heart-breaking yet beautiful significance for him, but he doesn’t feel he can use it. He hides himself from others for fear of getting hurt and an uncertainty about whether he is deserving of friendship, but can the dire situation in which he finds himself be a catalyst to change and finding friendship? As the children open up about their lives outside school and learn more about each other, they also open themselves to developing lasting connections and bonds beyond the urgent need to get help which initially brings them together.

A powerful, thought-provoking and uplifting adventure, perfect for readers of 9+.