I’m just about to start reading City of Stolen Magic which is one I’m really looking forward to.

I finished reading Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency which was brilliant fun – review shortly. I’ve just finished the third book in the Alex Neptune series, Alex Neptune Monster Avenger which is a wonderfully action-packed, exciting read. I will post my review shortly. Finally, I finished listening to A Flash of Fireflies which was the most wonderful story and like nothing I’ve read before. I loved the use of fairy tales and the fireflies as a way to explore Hazel’s disorder which is so sensitively handled. A really beautiful, heart-warming story.

I think I’m going to read Willodeen next.

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

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!

The Unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she was no longer the careless colour of sea foam, but rather the colour of snow falling on a moonlit night. But her eyes were still clear and unwearied, and she still moved like shadow on the sea.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

She was magical, beautiful beyond belief—and completely alone…

The unicorn had lived since before memory in a forest where death could touch nothing. Maidens who caught a glimpse of her glory were blessed by enchantment they would never forget. But outside her wondrous realm, dark whispers and rumours carried a message she could not ignore: “Unicorns are gone from the world.”

Aided by a bumbling magician and an indomitable spinster, she set out to learn the truth. but she feared even her immortal wisdom meant nothing in a world where a mad king’s curse and terror incarnate lived only to stalk the last unicorn to her doom…

Have you read this? What did you think?

I’ve finally managed to start this, and think it’s going to be a fun – if rather bizarre – read!

I’ve finished reading Mountainfell which I really enjoyed, especially the environmental message as well as the magical creature. I’ve also finished the audiobook of the first Ruby Redfort book which I did enjoy, but not sure if I’ll pick up the rest of the series. I also read The Song That Sings Us which I absolutely loved – definitely a book of the year for me. I’ve posted my review as part of the Blog Tour. I also finished The House Trap which is a spooky read with a brilliant premise which I loved. I have posted my review.

I’m hoping to read City of Stolen Magic next.

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

The Song That Sings Us is a powerful, visceral and lyrical masterpiece:  an environmental thriller that completely gripped me and took me on a heart-wrenching, but ultimately, hopeful journey. 

Harlon’s home is brutally attacked by those the family have been trying to avoid:  Automators.  She has been raised by her mother to defend her younger siblings, twins Ash and Xeno who are Listeners, having the ability to communicate with animals.  Her fierce, loving mother has told her to find an island lost in the deepest part of the island and as bullets ring out, the children leave their home, chased by the Animators, and fearing that their mother has been killed.

And so begins a heart-pounding, unforgettable and gripping adventure as the siblings become separated from each other, finding themselves on different paths but always with the hope of being reunited.  Xeno is taken first following an avalanche, and faces terrible danger from Doada Sisal, the Head of Intelligence for the Animators as she has a power he wishes to both corrupt and harness.  Harlon and Ash are prepared to put themselves at risk in order to save their sister, but their plan is shattered when Harlon is captured and taken on board an Animator Transporter, and Ash is transported to a tar work station in an icy tundra.  Will they be able to escape their captors?  Can they find each other again, and discover the island that may hold the key to renewal?

The action is relentless, devastating and heartbreaking but also magnificent, awe-inspiring and latent with hope.  Danger, discoveries and threat lead to incredible acts of daring, courage and connection.  The story is told mostly from Harlon, Ash and Doada’s perspectives through a third person viewpoint, weaving together an intriguing and authentic narrative where pace is masterfully controlled, and where revelations, twists and turns lead the reader on an irresistible, tense journey through this epic adventure. 

This is a story with nature at its heart, and I really felt the reverence for the environment throughout as Harlon, Ash and their friends fight against environmental annihilation.  Nature is being usurped by an authority who fear it and who wish to not only destroy animals and plants, but to manipulate and control people, moving them into cities to rely on industry and poisoning their minds against any balance with nature.  There is a chilling cruelty and sense of desperation in Doada’s single-minded desire to destroy not only his, but others’, connection to nature.  Balanced with this sense of loss and hopelessness is nature’s inimitable will to fight back against this human betrayal through the threads of a song that brings humans back to nature:  a song of hope and regeneration.  Thank goodness there are those already on her side, fighting alongside her!

This really is a must-read, unforgettable adventure:  a story for our time, a story to speak to our heart and sing us back to nature. 

#GIVEAWAY : You can also go to my pinned tweet (@marysimms72) to enter a giveaway to win one of three copies of this stunning book which will be sent to the winner by the Publisher.

Thank you so much to Firefly Pressfor inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of The Song that Sings Us in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour below to read exclusive content from the author:

The House Trap is a deliciously scary, intriguing mystery that is spine-tinglingly thrilling:  an adventure that kept me utterly enthralled throughout. 

Deliah McDeery is visiting her best friend Claude before his move to Cornwall but, rather than spending time with him, she finds herself alone whilst he plays Escape Room II with his new best friend, Sam.  When Claude’s mum sends them outside to spend some time together, they are joined by his younger sister, Amity. 

Whilst the older children become involved in an argument, Amity wanders off into Badwell Woods (which is strictly off limits due to dangerous sinkholes and missing children) to find wood to build a den.  Once the others realise that she is missing, they go in search of her, and soon find her scarf close to a large, dilapidated, ivy-covered house.  Although Claude senses that something is wrong, when he hears a scream from inside, he nevertheless rushes in followed by Deliah and Sam. 

They find themselves in an opulent entrance hall laid out for a party, a hall with no stairs and locked doors – and there’s an invite to play a game with riddles and puzzles to solve.  When Deliah accidentally finds a way to unlock one of the doors, they find a frightened Amity hiding under a bed.  After she shares that she is hiding from the ghosts of lost children, the group are eager to leave, but the front door is now locked, and they are trapped in the house, caught in a deadly game that they have no choice other than to play …

Oh my goodness!  This is the most incredible story that took me on a heart-racing adventure as the children learn the secrets of the house that has stood still in time since the 1930s, a house that seems to be alive, and intent on stopping them leaving.  I was completely fascinated by the mechanics behind the moving house and the engineer who lost himself to his work coupled with the notion of a curse and a lost daughter.  I really felt the tension, building of fear and the sense of running out of time as the house changed as time seems to have caught up with it.  There are definitely some moments that sent shivers down my spine with the eerie atmosphere, the screams and unexpected twists and turns.  Oh – and the insects – and the dolls!  This is a story where friendships are tested, danger is around every corner and where it is unclear who is friend and who foe.  It’s a brilliantly twisty, creepy mystery, with both poignant and heart-warming moments, that kept me entranced and eagerly turning pages. 

The characters in this story are all brilliantly captured from the more instinctive Claude to clever, logical Deliah with her love for maths and puzzles.   Whilst they had been best friends, they have grown apart when they started secondary school and this had led to both awkwardness and arguments.  Will it take being trapped in a dangerous house to bring them back together?  Sam, Claude’s new best friend, enjoys playing computer games, football and has a bit of a tough-boy exterior, but is there more to him than meets the eye?   Then, there is Amity who is just adorable – impulsive with a heart of gold and an inner strength.  All four children show great courage and determination despite their fear, and learn that teamwork makes them stronger.

This is an unputdownable, exhilarating, spooky adventure that is sure to delight and spook readers of 9+:  will you dare accept your invite to play against the house trap?

Author Information

Emma Read was once a very sensible biologist, and now writes children’s books. Milton the Mighty was her first novel and was shortlisted for the 2017 Bath Children’s Novel Award. She lives in Bath with her young family and many, many notebooks.

Twitter: @emmydee73

Website: https://www.emmareadauthor.com/

Thank you so much to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour!

10 more teaching days, and I’m crawling to the finish! I am, however, very excited that Vashti Hardy is coming to visit our school tomorrow. Then, there’s just SATs results, production, leavers’ celebration and assembly to complete as well as finishing off topics. I haven’t done an awful lot of reading in June, but I did venture in to London on my own (a first!) for the launch of The Boy Who Made Monsters which was brilliant, not least because I got to meet some wonderful bloggers IRL. I really hope we get to meet up at future events.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 9 books in June: 5 physical copies, 2 e-books and 2 audiobooks. None of these are from my Beat the Backlist Challenge so still 30 to go!

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 14 books by Publishers this month which I think is the most I’ve ever received in a month. I have read and reviewed the first 6 in the image below, and will catch up on the others over the summer holidays. There are a couple which aren’t being released until September so I have a bit more time for them.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 96%. I requested and have been approved to read two books.

Books bought:

I’ve bought four books this month, but who knows when I’ll get to read them!

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

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!

Harlon sees the lantern beams slicing up the mountainside towards her home. They’ve come at last, the people called the Automators. The red symbol on their black uniforms is a fist closing round the earth and now it’s closing round her family too: they’ve come to take her brother and her sister, Ash and Xeno. But she and Ma won’t let them.

Any ideas?

I’ve just finished this incredible book which I have no doubt will be a book of the year for me.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When animals talk, it’s time humans listened: Harlon has been raised to protect her younger siblings, twins Ash and Xeno, and their outlawed power of communicating with animals. But when the sinister Automators attack their mountain home they must flee for their lives. Xeno is kidnapped and Harlon and Ash are separated. In a thrilling and dangerous adventure they must all journey alone through the ice fields, forests and oceans of Rumyc to try to rescue each other and fulfil a mysterious promise about a lost island made to their mother.

Calling the Whales is an uplifting story of courage, friendship and trust that echoes with a powerful message of caring for our coastal environment. 

Tulsi and her best friend Satchen live in the fishing town of East Shawle on the Scottish Coast.  Looking forward to the summer holidays, they are enjoying a night-time race up the Craig, an ancient hill with a replica monument of a whale’s jawbone.  As Tulsi looks out to sea, she senses that something is out of place, so the best friends decide to investigate …

Rowing out to the island, they hear strange noises as they begin their search.  Could the cries be coming from the seabirds, or something else?  When the children discover that a magnificent sea creature needs their help, they are determined to save it, despite the danger they face from an incoming storm … Will they be in time to save the creature, or will they be the ones in need of saving?

I loved this gorgeously told story with its appreciation of the wildness and beauty of nature, with its message of caring for the environment, and with the hope that is given through the children’s courage and determination in protecting the environment from the harm that is being caused.  I also loved the element of spirituality and the bonds of friendship that form.

Tulsi and Satchen clearly care deeply about the environment, and especially the harm that is being done to the seas and the creatures who live there through pollution and commercial fishing.  These young conservationists take part in beach cleans and sponsored events to raise money.  This is a great way for children to become aware of ways in which they can help care for the seas and oceans.  I liked the inclusion of a section at the end of the book which gives readers ideas for ways they can help, including supporting charities like Authors4Oceans and learning more about oceans and marine life.

The black-and-white illustrations are stunning and really evoke the wildness and beauty of the coastal environment; the dangers faced by sea creatures and the need to protect our wonderful world; and, the close friendship between Tulsi and Satchen.

This is an exciting adventure for readers of 9+ with a heartfelt environmental message radiating throughout.

This book is published by Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages.  This one is for ages 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy of this wonderful book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m still reading Mountainfell as my evening read and am really enjoying it, especially Erskin link to the animals including Sorkel -definitely a magical read. I’ve just started listening to Ruby Redfort Look Into my Eyes which has been recommended by a superfan in my class. I think this is one I’m going to enjoy. I have spent a good part of today reading The Song That Sings Us which is the most gripping read. I’m completely invested in this story and can’t wait to see where it takes me. The writing is just brilliant.

I finished listening to Bite Risk which is definitely one of my favourite reads this year. I loved the premise of the story and the unexpected twists that really did take me by surprise, and the ending was just perfect! I also read three short reads over the weekend: Crow and Calling the Whales from Barrington Stoke and Tiny the Secret Adventurer the start of a new and adorable series. I have posted my reviews for Crow and Tiny and will be posting my review of Calling the Whales tomorrow.

I’m aiming to read The House Trap next.

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

I’m such a huge fan of Jenny Pearson’s heartfelt, humorous stories that have all found a place in my heart:  stories that bring both laughter and tears, written with such tenderness, warmth and hope.  The Boy Who Made Monsters is another absolute belter!   A beautifully poignant, humorous and hopeful story of family, friendships and the courage and strength it takes to face monsters. 

Benji McLaughlin and his older brother, Stanley have been sent to live with their Uncle Hamish on the edge of Loch Lochy in Scotland where he runs a holiday cabin lettings business.  Their parents have been missing-at-sea for over five months and, whilst everyone else believes them to be dead, Benji lives with the hope that they are still alive, and that they will be reunited as a family again.  

He instantly feels the magic of Loch Lochy, the place where his father grew up, and wonders if it could become a home whilst he waits for the return of his parents.  His brother Stanley is much more reluctant to give this new life a chance, especially when he discovers that his uncle is having money problems and is in danger of losing his home and business. 

Being a visionary and a believer in the impossible, Benji is determined to come up a plan to make enough money for his uncle so that he can pay off the debt he owes to the monstrous Gregor McGavin.  And what a plan he devises – all thanks to spotting a monster in the Loch.  What better way to draw in tourists than to prove that Loch Ness isn’t the only Scottish Loch with its very own monster!  The only problem is that the Loch Lochy monster is rather camera-shy …

Luckily for Benji, he has his new friends Murdy McGurdy (what a brilliant name!) and Mr Dog, to help him fulfil his mission.  Can they prove that there is a monster in the lake, no matter what it takes?  Cue action, hilarity and mishaps aplenty as these daring friends attempt to pull off the impossible whilst dealing with mean girls, runaway carts and water dunkings. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but suffice to say that tears of laughter are guaranteed alongside moments of fear and realisation that made my heart ache for both brothers – and Murdy.

Benji is just the most wonderful young boy:  curious, funny, chatty and an eternal optimist.  He is empathetic towards others and is a loving and kind-hearted brother, nephew and friend:  someone who is there for others when they need him.  Whilst his brother has accepted the loss of their parents and is struggling with the pain of grief and with feelings of guilt, Benji is in denial.  He is not prepared to accept that he will never see his parents again and hides his pain and grief deep inside where it sometimes escapes as feelings of sadness that overwhelm him.  His journey to truth, acceptance and the start of healing – with the help of family, friends and professionals – is honestly and sensitively portrayed. Children are shown that grief affects people in different ways and that it takes time, help from others and taking a first step to allow healing to begin.  This is a story that will speak to anyone who has lost someone they love, and encourage empathy in others.

I just have to mention Uncle Hamish who I absolutely adored.  He is dealing with his own grief at the loss of his brother and is surrounded by memories of growing up with his brother in their family home, a connection that Benji also feels keenly.  I can’t imagine how frightening and heart-breaking it must be for him to be in danger of losing that home.  Despite his own worries, he is determined to make a home for his nephews and make them feel welcomed.    He so obviously wants the best for the boys, and treats them with such kindness – even if they do sometimes take advantage of this!  There is something else he does that makes me teary just thinking about it!

The black-and-white illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful and complement both the humour and warmth of the story perfectly.

The Boy Who Made Monsters is a beautifully told story of family and friendship, of truth and acceptance, of love and hope.  It’s a story that utterly captivated me, and left me smiling through my tears with that fuzzy, warm feeling that makes this such a special read, and one I cannot recommend highly enough for readers of 9+.

Author Information:

Jenny Pearson has been awarded six mugs, one fridge magnet, one wall plaque and numerous cards for her role as Best Teacher in the World. When she is not busy being inspirational in the classroom, she would like nothing more than to relax with her two young boys, but she can’t as they view her as a human climbing frame. Her debut novel, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and selected as a Waterstones Book of the Month.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/J_C_Pearson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/J_C_Pearson/

Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Usborne for providing me with a copy of The Boy Who Made Monsters in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour below: