Review: Dracula & Daughters by Emma Carroll

*Written by Emma Carroll*
*Integrated illustrations by Marta Bertello*
*Published by Faber & Faber Ltd*

Dracula & Daughters is the start of a superb, spellbinding new series by the queen of historical fiction, but this one has a supernatural bite!

It’s midnight on a starless night and Mina is on a mission that she doesn’t relish, but it’s one she hopes will help her on the path to becoming Temstown’s first female doctor. When she gets to her destination, she is discovered by a girl who accuses her of an illegal activity, but Mina has not had the chance to complete her mission as the person she has come to collect has already broken out of her coffin …

It’s been twenty years since the contagion struck, but its effects have resonated throughout Temsworth ever since with strict protection rituals being followed including eating garlic, spreading salt and carrying silver. But will these protections be enough to stop a vampire who has come to hunt?

So begins an absolutely gripping gothic adventure as Mina, her younger sister, Buffy and their cousin, Bella, discover a family secret that will change their lives and lead them on a hunt, not to cull, but to heal vampires with the help of a special book – and their own incredible powers. This is an edge-of-your-seat, high-stakes adventure brimming with danger, revelations and deliciously dark twists and turns that will bring gasps … Are the vampires the villains or the victims? Could those with their own agenda have brought danger back to Temsworth?

This is a brilliantly atmospheric read with the increasing air of icy coldness permeating the city, the pervading hold of ever-increasing peril, the stifling control exercised by the Watchmen and the uncertainty of the fate of friends.

I absolutely adored the three cousins who each have their own strengths which they combine brilliantly when solving the mystery behind a famous death, and stopping the contagion spreading through the city. They are a strong, courageous and tenacious team who support and give strength to each other. Underestimate these girls at your peril!

As well as being a superb supernatural adventure, this story feels like it is set in an alternative 19^th century with references to grave robbing, anatomy lectures and stalwarts of gothic literature – with a twist! There is also reference to gender inequality within society, something that is particularly evident as Mina wants to have the same rights as male students to have access to medical training, and as female scientists have not had their work valued. It is so wonderful that this story celebrates strong female characters who are intelligent, gutsy and who are determined to forge their own path in life.

A compelling, dark gothic adventure, with family and friendship at its heart, a story that pulsates with danger, secrets and hope.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

May Wrap-Up

Wow! We’re almost half way through the year – and I’m about to start my final half term with my wonderful Year 3 class – that definitely flew by! It’s been great to have a relaxing half-term break as I know next term will be hectic as it’s report writing!

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 18 books this month. My highlights were Shadow Thieves and the Greenwild books (middle-grade), Sunrise on the Reaping (young adult) and The Women (adult).

NetGalley:

I have four books on my Netgalley shelf with two new requests this month. My feedback ratio is at 97%.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 9 books by publishers this month. I have read and written reviews for 7 of these with some of my reviews being posted next week as part of Blog Tours.

Books Bought:

I’ve bought 6 books this month:

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

Graphic Novel Review: Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye

*Written by Guy Bass*
*Illustrated by Pete Williamson*
*Colour by Kat Cass*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Stitch Head: The Pirate’s Eye is the second graphic novel in this gorgeously gothic, darkly humorous adventure series.

In Castle Grotteskew, the 311^th monster has been created by Mad Professor Erasmus and it’s reaching its tentacles towards his first creation, Stitch Head. Trapped with his friend Creature, all seems lost for the two friends until Arabella Guff comes along with her kicking boots – and she’s not afraid to use them! Luckily, these are not needed as Stitch Head’s Serenity Salve kicks in instead turning an angry monster into a perfectly polite creature in search of a moat.

When Stitch Head and his friends find his old play room, Arabella finds Dash Flashpowder’s journal and is convinced that the Professor has not only got hold of the famous pirate’s journal, but also his eye – which he’s given to Stitch Head. Could he be part pirate? With his trusty sword, companion and crew, Stitch Head is ready for adventure – just as long as he doesn’t have to leave the castle.

But when his master receives a mysterious letter that takes him away from his creations, Stitch Head and his friends are quickly forgotten for a life of fame and fortune. Left on their own, Stitch Head, with some encouragement from his friends, decides to embrace the pirate life and head towards an ocean load of almost-life adventure … until he makes a discovery that brings his adventure crashing down before it has even begun …

I absolutely adored this deliciously dark and monstrously fun adventure brimming with danger, daring, discoveries and dastardly deeds. Stitch Head is such a wonderful creation: kind, thoughtful and courageous – even if he doesn’t always believe in himself. He has learned to fear the world outside the castle so is unwilling to venture outside until his fantastic friends encourage him and build his confidence. The friendship between Stitch Head, Arabella and Creature is just gorgeous – loyal, supportive and encouraging. Both Arabella and Creature bring so much humour to the adventure through Arabella’s tough-girl ‘It’s kick-o-clock’ insults and Creature’s not-quite-accurate-but-very-funny use of language as he teams up with his ‘crusty crew’.

The full-colour illustrations are absolutely incredible and really capture the heart of this story with their expressiveness, humour and deliciously dark nature. I also loved the inclusion of both single-panel and multi-panel pages and enjoyed poring over them as I read.

I’m now eagerly awaiting the next adventure in The Ghost of Grotteskew.

A shining treasure trove of adventure, heart and humour which is guaranteed to sail into the hearts, and tickle the funny bones, of its young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Little Tiger for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Review: Tales from the Ocean: 20 Bedtime Nature Stories

*Written by Chae Strathie*
*Illustrated by Erin Brown*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Tales from the Ocean: 20 Bedtime Nature Stories is a beautifully illustrated collection of tales featuring a wide range of ocean creatures which are sure to capture the imagination, and hearts, of young readers as they learn more about ocean habitats and creatures.

There are tales from different parts of the ocean including: the reef; coastal waters and shallows; tropical and temperate waters; and, arctic and polar waters. Each short story tells the tale of a creature who lives in these different parts of the ocean from the smallest shrimp to the largest blue whale and a myriad of delightful creatures in between.

Each story includes a stunning, vibrant full page colour illustration as well as heading and border illustrations which are guaranteed to delight young readers and engage them even more in these wonderful stories. The pages themselves reflect the colours of the ocean making this a truly stunning book.

Each tale is a perfect length to enjoy as a bedtime story, or with a class, ranging between three and six pages. I have no doubt that these stories will be enjoyed both by younger children who will enjoy listening to them and older children who will love to read them on their own.

Each story tells a gentle tale which gives an insight into the life of each creature and many share an important message. There is also a four-line rhyming verse to finish each story which shares facts about the creature told from its point of view.

In The Perfect Home for a Clam a young Giant Clam is searching for the perfect home but is taught a lesson about the value of patience when making an important decision. In Manatee’s New Friend, Manatee is determined to make friends with grumpy Big Crocodile who learns that everyone needs a friend. In Little Turtle’s Long Journey, Little Turtle hatches from her egg and follows her brothers and sisters towards the ocean, learning to hide from danger. In A Seal in a Storm, harbour seal enjoys exploring new places further and further from his home until one day he gets caught in a storm far out at sea and learns not to take anything for granted. This really is a wonderful collection of tales that I have no doubt children will return to again and again as they find their favourites and learn more about these fantastic ocean creatures.

There is also a useful section at the end of the book which gives more factual, fascinating information about each of the twenty creatures included in the stories – a great catalyst to encourage children to find out more about these wonderful creatures.

A gorgeously illustrated collection of nature stories from the oceans, perfect for young readers of 5+.

Thank you to Little Tiger for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Pirate Academy: Sword Echoes

*Written by Justin Somper*
*Illustrations by Teo Skaffa*
*Published by uclan publishing*

Pirate Academy: Sword Echoes is the third book in the Pirate Academy series, and is another thrilling, sea-faring adventure that held me enthralled throughout.

Neo is on board Brave as the Waves with his mum’s friend, Captain December Wilder, following a trail of co-ordinates left by his mum which eventually lead him to another Pirate Academy and an incredible family heirloom: a sword with the power to unlock his past and even change his future.

Meanwhile, at the Pirate Academy, Neo’s Barracuda Class friends are left shocked when a favourite teacher rejects the rule of the Pirate Federation and joins the League of True Pirates, the LOT P who are determined to defeat the Pirate Academies and rule the oceans. Trying to find clues as to why their teacher has betrayed the Academy, Jacoby and his friends search his room only to discover evidence that one of their classmates might be the LOT P’s next target.

As the LOT P becomes an ever-increasing threat, Jasmine is determined to find her father, leaving on her mission with best friend Jacoby, a mission which leads them straight into incredible danger at the heart of the LOT P.

This is a fantastically thrilling, action-packed adventure that flows between dangers and discoveries both at sea and at the Pirate Academy as the friends from Barracuda class follow separate journeys. With the LOT P gaining more power and resources, the level of threat and peril escalates making this such an exciting, edge-of-your-seat read. Can Jasmine and Jacoby help the Pirate Federation stop the LOT P from fulfilling its secret mission? Can Neo harness the magical power of the Sword of Echoes to learn secrets that will help him fulfil his destiny?

I loved the bonds of friendship between Barracuda class and how supportive different members are towards each other – even when it’s not entirely sure who can be trusted! They show real courage, loyalty and determination when facing dangerous and difficult situations. I also loved the connections and re-connections made between family and friends as the story unfolded, especially the connections Neo made through memories. And with that ending, I can’t wait for the next adventure …

The partial-and-full-page illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful, capturing both the excitement and peril of the adventure perfectly.

I also really liked the ‘Story so far …’ which captures the events of the previous books so that readers can start with this book although I definitely think this will whet their appetite to go back and read the whole series if they haven’t already.

An action-packed, perilous pirate adventure with a heart of friendship and courage, perfect for young readers of 8+.

Thank you to uclan publishing for providing me with a copy. It was my decision to review the book and all opinions are my honest opinion of the story.

Review: Shadow Thieves by Peter Burns

*Written by Peter Burns*
*Published by Farshore (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

Shadow Thieves is a terrifically thrilling adventure set in an alternate world of danger, intrigue and high-risk that kept me on a tightrope of tension and excitement throughout – an absolutely gripping, unputdownable read!

Thirteen-year-old Tom Morgan was born in the workhouse, no stranger to its harsh and brutal conditions, so he is determined never to be incarcerated there again. When Tom is almost caught by a workhouse agent, he is helped to escape by the man whose shoes he is shining. Tom returns to the abandoned workhouse he lives in with his friends, street children who survive by, amongst other things, pickpocketing and shoe-shining, hopeful that he has escaped the workhouse snatchers …

When the snatchers track down the warehouse, Tom is helped to escape their clutches by one of his friends but the other children are taken. Tom suspects that they have been brought to Guttknot workhouse and climbs on to the roof of a nearby print house to seek proof … but someone is waiting for him, someone who offers him the opportunity to change his life and the hope that one day, he will have the means to rescue his friends.

The Corsair is from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, or Thieves School, and he wants to recruit Tom to train there. Hoping that this will provide him with a means to save his friends, Tom agrees to attend the school. And it is not long before he finds himself in a zeppelin, flying to start a new life as the school’s latest recruit.

And so begins an exhilarating, explosive adventure as Tom finds himself adapting to life in a school where there are those who accept him and offer friendship, but also those who look down on him as he’s not a legacy student, one who comes from a well-off, powerful family. Whilst learning to navigate friendships, Tom makes a discovery that leaves him feeling betrayed and unsure who he can trust, but is there even greater peril from dark forces intent on bringing change to the Shadow League and the world? Can Tom unmask the culprits behind a long con before it is too late? Can he save both his fellow pupils and rescue his friends from home?

I absolutely loved this intricate, richly woven adventure brimming with intrigue, peril, twists and revelations that kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages to discover more. I really enjoyed the alternate world with three empires who are held in balance by the Shadow League incorporating schools of thieves, assassins, politicos and spies who compete against each other during the International Shadow Cup which has real effects and consequences on what happens within the empires. This is the start of a series, so there are threads within the story that I really hope are followed in the next adventure, especially relating to Tom’s family history and something else that I can’t mention for fear of spoilers but what if?

Tom is an incredibly strong, resilient and courageous protagonist who never forgets the friends he has left behind at the workhouse. He has had to use his quick wits, resourcefulness and determination to survive on the streets of an alternate London, avoiding capture, traits that enable him to survive in the Thieves School, a place where failure could have dire consequences for him.

A breath-taking, action-packed, high-octane adventure set in a richly imagined alternate world of danger, daring and deceit, perfect for readers of 9+

Review: The Curse of the Silvan Oaks by Georgia Channon

*Written by Georgia Channon*
*Cover Illustration by Richard Johnson*
*Published by Pushkin Press*

The Curse of the Silvan Oaks is an enchanting fantasy adventure that completely captured me as I stepped through a portal into a magical world which has been cursed …

When exploring the castle, eleven-year-old Prince Cory of the Kingdom of Silvanland, great grandson of Queen Titania, discovers hidden steps behind a fireplace. Stinging from the memory of his older brother calling him a coward, he goes down the steps, determined to show the courage he has been accused of lacking …

Meanwhile, Oli Gill has gone to Foxley Hall with her mother and has discovered a secret opening in a bookcase. When she climbs inside, she looks through a window into a forest where she sees a young boy being kidnapped …

Prince Cory has been taken by cruel Queen Hellebore’s soldiers and thrown into the castle dungeons. Whilst the Prince is a descendant of Queen Titania, Queen Hellebore is a descendant of King Oberon, intent on continuing the feud that has brought a terrible war and wreaked havoc on Silvanland’s sacred woods with its great oak trees cursed, their spirits dying.

But when hope seems lost, fate intervenes, bringing a young girl through a portal from the mortal world and into Silvanland, a young girl who has a connection to this world and to an ancient prophecy that she has no knowledge of. When these two children, Cory and Oli, come together, they form a firm friendship and show real courage in the face of overwhelming danger. Can they save Silvanland and break the curse over its forest? Can they escape the cruel clutches of a Queen who will stop at nothing to obtain a precious stone capable of giving her the power to rule Silvanland? And, can they bring to an end an age old feud that started with a quarrel over a child, a child who was lost to another world?

This is a wonderfully intricate, richly imaginative and action-packed adventure, brimming with danger, tension and daring, and is one that I really enjoyed. I loved the association with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of my favourite Shakespearean plays. The adventure involves the descendants of many of the main characters in that play including Oberon, Titania, Puck, Cobweb and the Indian Boy. And it was wonderful to see their connections. I also really enjoyed the mystical element of the story, the tree spirits and talking animals including shapeshifters as well as the message about the importance of nature and man’s selfishness in exploiting the natural world.

A magical, mesmerising adventure into a feuding realm where those with courageous hearts form firm friendships and fight to break a cruel curse on the land. Perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Pushkin Press for sending me a copy of this book. It was my decision to review it and my review is my honest opinion.

Picture Book Review: Wild written by Katya Balen and illustrated by Gill Smith

Wild is a beautifully illustrated, inspirational hardback picture book which celebrates the wonderful wildness of nature and the joy and freedom to be had in our connection to it.

Written in first person, this story follows a young girl who enjoys the freedom and wildness of the woods. Climbing into the branches of a tree to get closer to the sky, she sees the birds flying above her as she shouts her name into the air – just joyous! The woods is a place where her imagination ignites and she sees both secrets and stories around her. Her love for this wild place shines brightly through both the lyrical language and the beautiful illustrations.

But one day, the little girl leaves her wild woods behind. Moving to the city, she is surrounded by grey buildings taller than trees and loses her wildness, feeling her own loneliness and that of the city. Until one day, a friend calls to her and takes her on a journey to discover the hidden wildness in this urban environment … can she find the wildness within herself?

This is an incredibly inspirational and uplifting story that shows us that the natural world can be found in the most unlikely of places if only we are prepared to notice the small things, the hidden treasures, and to search for the wildness that lies within, and close to, the urban landscape.

I absolutely loved the poetic imagery within the story: I can’t climb [buildings] fish scale sides, gulls scribble themselves into the sky, a twist of fox. I also really enjoyed that it is written in first person and in the present tense which brings a feeling of immediacy, taking us into the world of the little girl to connect with her experience as she explores the city and finds the wildness within.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning and perfectly express the changing mood of the little girl as she enjoys the colourful wildness of the woods at the start of the story, changing to the dull grey of the city with her bringing the only colour into this landscape. As she connects with her wildness again, the colour palette moves through a blend of colour and greyness to a much more colourful palette. I also loved the endpapers with their repeating images of plants, leaves and insects – perfect for young children to use as part of a nature trail to see how many of these they can find.

A stunning tale of the wild beauty of nature and our connection to it in unexpected places, bringing joy, hope and a wildness within.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Gargoyles: The Watcher by Tamsin Mori

*Written by Tamsin Mori*
*Cover and illustrations by David Dean*
*Published by Uclan Publishing*

Gargoyles: The Watcher is the second action-packed, perilous adventure in this mesmerising, magical trilogy, an adventure that completely captured me as I returned to Gargoyle’s Rest to join young Callen and his friends as they search for a missing magical creature…

Eleven-year-old Callen has just begun his Guardian training with his gargoyle, Zariel, when his Dad reveals that Oculus, the organisation who oversee all magical Sources, is coming to visit. Ahead of their visit, they are sending a Watcher to ensure that the magic now flowing from the restored Source beneath Gargoyle’s Rest is no longer tainted by dark magic. This Watcher will also assess Callen to ascertain whether he has the qualities needed to be sole Guardian with the responsibility of keeping the Source open to protect the magic which flows from it bringing to life the gargoyles and other magical creatures that live close to the Source.

Whilst Callen is understandably worried that he does not have enough training to pass the upcoming assessment, Zariel reassures him that she will always be with him as he undertakes his Guardian training, including learning to fly on a gargoyle and developing sword skills with his Dad. Callen is also worried about his friend, Angus, who is determined to find his kelpie who saved them from a grotesque created by dark magic, but has now disappeared … Can Callen convince the Watcher that he is a suitable Guardian? Can he help Angus find his lost kelpie and return this dream creature home? And, could dark magic be contaminating Sources as a magical blight spreads beyond Gargoyle’s Rest, enabling the ghasts to hunt again, but who has created them?

I absolutely loved this action-packed adventure which is brimming with excitement, danger and brilliant twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat as I was never quite sure who Callen could trust and in what direction peril came. Callen’s loyalties are tested as he strives to protect both the Source of magic and his friends who dream the magical creatures who rely on the flow of pure magic from the Source for their existence. I really enjoyed the fascinating magical system which is linked to strong emotions, some of which are capable of creating ghasts, creatures of dark magic, but I really liked that there is hope for those tainted by this dark magic. I also loved that the Source brings to life the most wonderful magical creatures including the gargoyles and the creatures created by Dreamers including kelpies, fairies and forest imps who bond with, and help, those who dream them.

Callen is a wonderfully courageous, loyal and determined young boy. He has become a Guardian to protect his family and friends, but is still learning what this role entails when he suddenly finds himself being judged by the Watcher who holds the power to take both his gargoyle and his new home if he doesn’t meet his high standards. Callen finds himself in a real dilemma when he is faced with difficult choices: is his loyalty to his friends endangering his duty to the Source, or could there be a way to ensure that he can protect both?

An enthralling, magical adventure brimming with wonderful friendships, fantastical creatures and the light of hope.

Thank you to uclan publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. It was my decision to write a review and my review is my honest opinion of the book.

Review: The Narzat and the Shifting Shadow

*Written by Luke Marchant*
*Illustrated by Rory Walker*
*Published by Everything with Words*

The Narzat and the Shifting Shadow is the next hilarious, heart-warming adventure for the Narzat and his friends – and what a rip-roaring, arr- mazing tale it is!

An ancient pirate ship, The Shifting Shadow, sails over the treetops of the Jumble Jungle Wood, intent on capturing more creatures to add to their monstrous menagerie before unleashing a terrifying takeover …

Meanwhile, the Narzat and his friends have just finished a day at the Jungle School where the Narzat’s favourite subject is monster studies led by the wise Giant Taught-Us. After school, they visit their favourite place, the Jumble Jungle Wood Cafe which is run by a grumpy gorilla, Pertinax, who loves cooking but not customers! As a storm blows up outside, the candles are blown out and the Cafe is plunged into darkness. Heavy footsteps approach … and the Gloom Badger, second-in-command to the legendary Captain Carver, reveals himself.

He has come for the Chatty Chirper, the only creature who can read the map that reveals the location of a great treasure, the eggs of the Gorgonaconda, a two-headed snake whose eyes can turn those who look into them into stone. And why should the Chatty Chirper agree to become the Captain’s navigator? Because the Captain has someone he thought he’d never see again …

The legend of Captain Carver has travelled far, a fearsome, terrifying pirate but, despite this reputation, the Narzat and Looky Lizard are determined to help their friend. But the Chatty Chirper does not want to lead his friends into danger although they may just have other ideas … Can these firm friends come together to defeat a vile, vicious villain? Can they survive aboard the Shifting Shadow and amongst its nefarious crew?

What a joyous delight! An action-packed, laugh-out-loud adventure that kept me utterly entranced! I absolutely loved the blend of humour and heart, the playfulness of the language, and the imaginative brilliance of the jungle creatures such as the retractable giraffe, the gossip gibbons and the dandy-lion … and so many more! What a fantastic opportunity for children to create their own jungle creatures and monsters! Oh, and did I mention the twists and revelations – just brilliant!

I absolutely loved being back with the irrepressible Narzat and his two best friends. They have so much to teach others about friendship, kindness, encouragement and working as a team. They show real courage, but will their bravery be enough to defeat a monstrous miscreant who rules by instilling fear in others?

The full-and-partial page illustrations are brilliant – energetic and expressive – and complement the humour and heart in the story perfectly.

Venture into the Jumble Jungle Wood for an adventure brimming with humour and heart, with daring and danger, a magical place where pirates prowl and friendships flourish.

Thank you to Mikka at Everything with Words for sending me a copy of The Narzat and the Shifting Shadows. It was my decision to review this title and my review is my honest opinion.