The Appletree Animal Agency: Collie Chaos is the second book in this absolutely charming, cosy adventure series for young readers.

The Appletree Animal Agency is having an official meeting in its headquarters which just so happens to be the most wonderful tree house. Mattie and best friends, Zoe and Casper are eager to help everyone in the village find their perfect pet and help them with care and training tips. The team are keen to re-home rescue animals Algernon the terrapin and Crumpet, a ginger cat, but could someone else also be in need of a new home?

On their way to help out at Dr Polly’s vet surgery and animal rescue centre, the children discover three-legged collie, Domino who has, once again, escaped from his owner, Mrs McDonald. Whilst Mrs McDonald clearly adores Domino, she is finding it hard to handle this rather naughty puppy who is set on having his own adventures, but could Domino have a reason for leaving his new home at every opportunity?

When Domino, once again, escapes during a snowstorm, the team are determined to find him before he lands himself in real trouble. But, when they finally find Domino, they discover the real reason he has been leaving home …

This is the most delightful adventure, filled with humour, heart and friendship – and plenty of chaos from Domino as he seeks his forever family. The village of Mossdale sounds absolutely idyllic and I loved that this time we visit during the lead-up to the Christmas Fête with snow falling – so cosy and definitely made me want to snuggle up with a hot chocolate – which I think is the perfect way to read this adorable adventure.

I adore the close friendship between Mattie, Zoe and Casper and their pets. The children clearly adore animals and take on a lot of responsibility in re-homing animals, working hard to ensure that they are with their perfect matches! I loved that the team didn’t see this as the end of their responsibilities but continued to help the new owners as they care for their pets, especially through their dog training sessions.

The black and white illustrations throughout are absolutely wonderful and complement the warmth and charm of this story perfectly, making it a fantastic chapter book for young readers.

Another heart-warming, delightful and fun-filled adventure from The Appletree Animal Agency that is guaranteed to enchant young readers of 7+.

Thank you to Walker Books 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:

Witchlight is the enchanting sequel to Witchspark: a magical, mesmerising adventure glowing with heart, warmth and friendship, with danger, daring and dastardly villains, a story that held me spellbound as I ventured back to the Magic Isles …

Miss Hegotty’s Secret Society for Witches is meeting in none other than sentient house, Huswyvern, but poor Hus has got a cold – and its sneezing is causing chaos. Eglantine, who is magically bonded to Hus, is searching for a cure in her Grimoire – but it keeps directing her to a page that has been torn out!

Meanwhile, Miss Hegotty is determined to expose the truth about the binding of magic in young girls, and boys from poor backgrounds. Could the Department of Isle-Spark Regulation be involved in the binding in order to retain power amongst society’s wealthiest, and most powerful, men? As two courageous society members go undercover to seek answers, Eglantine and wyvern-butler, Arthur, are tasked with a new mission: to welcome a new society member.

Making their way to Edinburgh via lightning-carriage, Eglantine and Arthur meet aspiring journalist Myrtle who reveals that she is investigating a flu amongst magical creatures that is putting them in terrible danger. But magical creatures, and sentient houses, cannot become sick, so could they be affected by a magical curse? And who could be responsible for placing such a terrible curse upon them?

And so begins the most incredible, magical adventure as Eglantine and her friends enter a fight against injustices, a fight to help those who are being wronged and a fight to ensure a fair society with rights for all, including magical creatures. Can they find a way to counter a curse capable of great harm? Can they expose the truth before time runs out? And, can they save each other from power-hungry villains who will stop at nothing to keep the power to which they feel entitled? Be prepared for time and portal travel, disguise spells and genie wishes, ghosts and magical beings, including a book dragon!

It was wonderful being back in the company of Eglantine and her best friend, Princess Victoria, two incredibly courageous, resilient and determined young ladies who are resolved to stand up against injustice and to fight for those they love despite the danger this places them in.

The illustrations, including framed chapter headings and full-page illustrations, are gorgeous and really complement the magic, warmth and peril in this adventure.

A spellbinding, magical adventure which glows with warmth, hope and friendship, perfect for readers of 8+.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for sending me a copy of Witchlight. It was my decision to review it, and my review is my honest opinion.

Aliens Made me do it! is a hilarious, heart-warming adventure, a gigglesome delight, perfect for young readers of 7+.

Eleven-year-old Hillman Patel was not expecting his Dad’s prized 1978 Ford Anglia to be crushed before his eyes and he was DEFINITELY not expecting an alien spaceship to be the cause of the destruction. So, what exactly do you do when a Princess of the Galaxy, Cassiopeia, and her trigger-happy custard-nuking robot demand to be taken to see your leader? Well, of course, you take her to see your Grandad! Will he able to help to help her defeat her arch-enemy, Prince Perseus, whose armada is on its way to destroy Earth? Of course not! But Hillman just might …

Meanwhile, Prince Perseus and his robot have crash-landed and find themselves in the rather unfortunate position of sinking into a mountain of garbage. Luckily, they are rescued by a young girl, Roz, who turns down the prestigious Order of Medusa in order for their help with a daring bank heist to help her Grandad…

And so begins a fantastically action-packed and chaotically brilliant adventure that is guaranteed to bring giggles galore. Be prepared for bank heists with a difference, mutated shopping trolleys, a profusion of explosions, chases – and custard – lots of custard! I never knew something so delicious could be so dangerous!

Can Hillman and Cassiopeia find her armada (which she has accidentally miniaturised – could happen to anyone!) and return it to battle form before Perseus’s armada arrives to pulverise Earth? Can Roz be the catalyst that makes Perseus think twice about his determination to obliterate Earth? After all, she has saved him and given him the opportunity to show off his singing talent!

I loved the twists and turns, the fast-paced action and the unexpected surprises. As well as its madcap humour, this adventure has some gorgeously heart-warming moments showing the importance of family and friendship. The short chapters, together with the illustrations, will appeal to young readers as I have no doubt that they will want to read just one more chapter … and another …

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are fantastic and really complement the humour and wonderful wackiness and energy of this adventure.

A fantastically funny, action-packed adventure with family and friendship at its heart.

Thank you to Mikka at Everything With Words for providing me with a copy of this book. It was my decision to review the book and my review is my honest opinion.

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Aliens Made me do it! Today, I’m sharing a post from the author, David Macphail:

What inspired you to write this book?

One day I was stuck in traffic on a grey, grim, grotty road, the kind of place where even the pigeons look depressed. I happened to wonder if aliens were looking down, watching, perhaps from somewhere up on Alpha Centauri, little green folk with three eyes, maybe, sitting in front of a tiny little TV screen, monitoring the Earth. Which begged the thought, oh boy have you got the wrong channel! There must be something more exciting in the galaxy than watching a sad line of cars creep past a shabby discount carpet warehouse. “Have you tried Netflix, guys??”

But then it struck me. What if instead of watching, the aliens came to Earth? What if they came here on a desperate mission? What if the fate of the Earth was at stake? And instead of swooping into Washington D.C. or parking outside Number 10, they landed in a kid’s back garden in some plain, middle of nowhere town? The alien stomps forward, demands, “Take me to your leader!” And the kid, doing his best, marches the alien straight to the only level of leadership he has access to – his grandad, who’s sitting watching Countdown and picking hobnob crumbs out of his cardigan.

From that silly thought, the story began to develop. Maybe the fate of the world depends not on presidents or prime ministers—but on kids. And the action plays out in a town where their usual idea of drama involves the chip shop running out of vinegar.

In this book, the universe’s biggest crisis shows up in the most ordinary place possible—and it’s up to ordinary kids to save the day. Just as well. Let’s face it, if Earth is counting on us grown-ups, we’re all doomed.

Thank you so much to David for providing me with this post and to Mikka at Everything with Words for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

The Book of Stolen Dreams: The Final Battle is the powerful and compelling conclusion to this epic fantasy trilogy that has held me utterly enthralled from start to finish.

Life finally feels good for 13-year-old Rachel Klein. She is enjoying simple pleasures such as spending time with her family, the companionship of her dog and going to the cinema, something that was banned under the dictatorship of tyrant Charles Malstain who has now been defeated.

When Rachel arrives at the cinema to see her father’s favourite actor, Emil Bonfleur, in his latest film, she discovers that the showing has been cancelled as Emil has gone missing in the Sahara Desert – and the worst is feared. Imagine everyone’s delight when the charismatic actor arrives back in Krasnia five days later, safe and well. Everyone except Rachel, who has an unsettling feeling that leads to a terrifying truth. Can Rachel’s fame as a hero of Krasnia help her in her battle to defeat a return to tyranny and reveal the truth, or will a populist leader take the reins of power and manipulate and control both truth and freedom?

I was absolutely gripped by this epic adventure as Rachel finds herself returning to the Hinterland to expose the truth of what is happening in Krasnia before it is too late to prevent a return to despotic rule. I was on the edge of my seat as danger intensified, as democracy was inexorably, and all too easily, stripped, and as a return to a cruel, and feared, autocracy seemed inevitable. But, there is also hope as there are those prepared to expose evil, to stand up for justice and to battle for the rights of decent people who are easily influenced and manipulated by those who will stop at nothing to have absolute power.

This may be an epic fantasy adventure but, like many great and lasting fantasy books which become classics of literature, there are powerful messages – and warnings – for our time. There is a line from the book that really struck me: People are good … But they can be so terribly misled. One of the most powerful messages I took from this is that democracy is fragile, and can all too easily be taken from people when one person can insidiously take control, seemingly for the good of the people but, ultimately, as a way to have total authority and power for their own gain.

As throughout this trilogy, I was in awe of the courage and resilience shown by both Rachel and her brother, Robert. They are prepared to fight for justice and truth and expose the evil of tyranny even when this leads them towards great danger and sacrifice for the sake of others.

Each chapter heading has a beautifully detailed illustration representing something from the chapter. There are also a few full-page illustrations which are absolutely stunning and complement the magic and adventure perfectly.

This is the perfect ending to a stunning, gripping and unforgettable adventure, a story of courage, family and friendship – and a must-read, powerful story for our times.

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for sending me a copy of this fantastic book.  It was my decision to review this book and my review is my honest opinion.

What a month September has been! Back at school getting to know a new class, establishing routines and the endless list of jobs to complete – think I might be getting too old for this! As always, my reading time is reduced as teacher tiredness affects me! But I did read some fantastic books this month!

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 12 books this month. My highlights were The King’s Witches (adult), The Poisoned King and The Book of Stolen Dreams: The Final Battle (both middle-grade) as well as Thirst (young adult).

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 99%. I requested one book in September so now have two books to read.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent 15 books by publishers this month.

Books Bought:

I have bought 9 books this month, including the gorgeous indie version of Dracula & Daughters and the Waterstones special edition of Impossible Creatures: The Poisoned King, both books I’ve read and loved.

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

After reading The Shoe Creeper, I’ll never look at a stray shoe in the same way again! A superbly dark, spine-tingling horror adventure: a perfect spooky season treat!

Twelve-year-old Ethan Halston has grown up on stories of The Shoe Creeper shared with him by his beloved gran. Of course, he doesn’t believe the stories despite his gran’s assurances that they are true. After all, there’s no way stories of a terrifying monster, who catches his victims by sniffing out their malodorous shoes, before feasting on their fear and taking their toes, can be real – can they?

As Halloween nears, life is changing for Ethan. His gran is moving in as she is becoming increasingly confused due to her deteriorating memory; his parents’ arguments are increasing and worsening; and, his best friend, Sam, has a secret …

When the local news reports that there has been an attempted kidnapping of a child in Ethan’s year, gran is convinced that the shoe creeper has returned and is seeking another victim …

And so begins a deliciously dark, tension-filled and creepy adventure as Ethan finds himself in a battle to save Seaton from the monstrous machinations of a creature intent on leaving nothing behind but the shoe of his victim … Will Ethan and his friends be able to defeat this monster before it takes someone from the town? Could Ethan’s gran know more about why the shoe creeper has returned than she is willing to share with her grandson?

I really enjoyed this horror adventure which definitely brings spine-tingling, scary moments, but there’s also plenty of warmth and hope, that makes it perfect for its middle-grade audience – and beyond. I loved the cliffhanger chapter endings that make it a ‘just-one-more-chapter’ book as well as some unexpected twists and turns that were just perfect!

I really liked both Ethan and Sam who have a wonderfully, strong, supportive and caring friendship as they team up to attempt to defeat both bullies and the shoe creeper. Ethan is such a courageous young boy who fears what is happening to his gran more than facing the shoe creeper. Ethan has a lot of changes to cope with but shows real maturity and sensitivity when dealing with these and shows himself to be kind-hearted and empathetic towards others who are also facing change.

A chilling, creepy read, with family and friendship at its heart, perfect for spooky season and young readers of 9+.

Thank you to the author, Ian Hunter, for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour and for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

The Feathered Book introduces a new detective duo to rival Holmes and Watson in this utterly delightful mystery adventure which completely enchanted me.

The Feathered Book, rumoured to hold the secrets of alchemy, has been stolen from inside a locked room in an ancient oak tree library. How could this crime have been committed right under the noses of the librarians? And, will the curse placed on the book by its creator, Prendergast the Raven, strike again?

Meanwhile, Monty the Fox has decided on the perfect new career: a detective. After all, he’s read enough detective books to make him an expert! His best friend, Nettle the Rabbit, is not convinced that Monty will stick at this any longer than his many other short-lived careers. But when Monty hears about the missing Feathered Book, he is determined to solve the mystery. The question is: can this case hold his attention long enough to catch the thief before he gets bored and moves on to his next career?

And so begins a really rather brilliant and completely charming, cosy crime caper as Monty and Nettle set out across the Lake to solve a seemingly impossible crime. Whilst hunting for clues and trying to unravel how the crime could possibly have been committed, they face peril from pirates, booby traps and labyrinths.

This is such a clever mystery that has plenty of twists and turns, red herrings and a tantalising trail of clues. I loved following Monty and Nettle as they worked together to try to solve this puzzling mystery of how the Feathered Book could have disappeared from a locked room whilst finding themselves facing more and more danger. I really enjoyed the humour, the fantastic character names (Ticklepenny, Pecksniff and Rokeby to name a few) and that the story was told through anthropomorphic characters, something that I think will appeal greatly to young readers.

Monty and Nettle are firm friends and make a brilliant sleuthing duo, each with their own strengths to bring to solving the tricky case. Whilst Nettle prefers peace and quiet and would rather not be involved in crime-solving, Monty has a way of finding trouble, so Nettle feels she needs to go with him to look out for him when he chooses this new, and dangerous, career path. I loved Monty’s effusive enthusiasm, confidence and optimism even when things don’t quite go to plan. Coupled with Nettle’s tetchiness, sarcasm and sensible nature, there is plenty for the friends to squabble about but it is obvious that they care for each other deeply.

I love books with maps and this has a wonderfully detailed, illustrated map of the The Lake, an archipelago of wooded islands, again with brilliant names such as Spigglewick and Muzzleplash. This detail is continued in the absolutely stunning chapter borders and full-page illustrations which captures both the mystery and charm of this story perfectly.

An action-packed, thrilling mystery adventure, with oodles of humour and heart, danger and daring, perfect for young readers of 9+.

Thank you to Mikka at Everything With Words for providing me with a copy of The Feathered Book. My review is my honest opinion of this book.

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for The Feathered Book. Today, I’m sharing a post from the author, Charlie Nutbrown, about the friendship between Monty the Fox and best friend Nettle the Rabbit.

MONTY AND NETTLE: A COMPLICATED FRIENDSHIP

The relationship between Monty the Fox and his best friend, Nettle the Rabbit, is central to my middle grade novel, The Feathered Book: a locked-room mystery set on a world known as the Lake. Monty, as the detective, is supposedly the protagonist. But just as Sherlock Holmes is lost without his Dr Watson, so Monty wouldn’t survive a day without his more worldly friend – and nor would the story. For as much as it is a mystery novel, as much as it is an adventure story, the book is also a study of this crimefighting duo’s loving yet complicated friendship.

When a cursed work of alchemy goes missing from a labyrinthine library beneath an oak tree, Monty decides on a new career as a detective. Inspired by his love of detective fiction, he is ready to throw himself into the role with gusto – and assumes that Nettle will come along for the ride. The problem is, Nettle has seen this all before. Time and again, Monty has found a new dream, which briefly consumes him. But, as quickly as these passions flare up, they are put aside and forgotten. For Monty, an easily distracted dilettante, always gives up the moment his hobby becomes difficult or boring.

In contrast to the childish and big-headed Monty, Nettle is sarcastic, irritable, and down- to-earth. She has no interest in adventure – she would much rather be enjoying a nice cup of tea in her cosy burrow. So, Monty is a dreamer, Nettle is sensible. He is changeable, she hates change. He gets carried away, she keeps her feet firmly on the ground.

Unsurprisingly then, when Monty drags an unwilling Nettle off on his investigation there are plenty of quarrels and squabbles. Monty, self-absorbed and cocky, is exasperating company, driving poor Nettle out of her wits. However, beneath the bickering, beneath the teasing and the name calling, there is warmth and love. For Nettle, despite her eyerolling and muttering, is fiercely loyal to her friend. She has the fox’s back even when he is dragging her into pirate ambushes and booby traps, book mazes and stinking swamps – in fact, she has his back especially when he is doing those things. And Monty, though he has an odd way of showing it, loves Nettle deeply, trusting her with his life. There is hopefully a touching, even inspiring, quality to their friendship.

Indeed, I’d like to think that there is something inspiring in the story in general – in Monty’s unembarrassed pursuit of his dreams, his refusal to get deflated, his childlike enthusiasm. For while the book has no message, I do think that curiosity is wonderful; that ambitions are essential; and above all, that if you throw yourself at a project with enough passion, enough determination, then your preposterous dream might just come true – just as mine did, with the publication of The Feathered Book.

Thank you so much to Charlie for providing me with this post and to Mikka at Everything with Words for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour: