The Deathless Girls is an intoxicatingly compelling, dark gothic read; written with such exquisite mastery that I couldn’t bear to put it down. 

Seventeen-year-old twins, Lil and Kizzy, are Travellers, a people who are treated with disrespect and disdain, by many of the Settled who are prejudiced towards their way of life.  On the eve of their divining, when they would have found out their future, their family is ripped from them by the careless cruelty of the local Boyar (ruler). 

Although they are enslaved by their captors, they are still determined to be the diviners of their own fate, and fight against their new life.  The girls are sent to work in the castle kitchens, in preparation to become serving girls at the whim of their male master, a master who ‘ … looked, like the worst monsters often do, like a normal man.’

Enduring terrible hardships, they also build bonds with the other kitchen girls, and the Cook, who has her own secret past.  Lil, who has known only familial love, feels drawn to Mira, a Settler slave:  their burgeoning relationship is beautifully portrayed. 

Whilst in the castle, the sisters discover more about the seemingly mythical creature, the Dragon, a creature who strikes abject terror into the population.   The girls’ fates are inextricably linked to each other, and to this cruelly mesmerising creature, a fate which takes them on a final terrible journey.

Throughout, the girls’ emotional states shift between blazing firebrands and smouldering embers, and this dichotomy kept me emotionally invested throughout.  Unwavering fierce sibling love, tempered with disappointment and anger, is a powerful driving force in their story.  It is this endlessly enduring love which leads to heart-breaking sacrifices by both girls.  And their re-awakening as The Deathless Girls, two of the ‘Brides of Dracula’.

The atmosphere is imbued with a sense of fear and threat, building almost unbearable tension, which makes the courage, dignity and strength of the girls, and their friends, all the more excruciatingly awe-inspiring.    There is a real feministic tone throughout as the girls fight against a life they have not chosen to live, fight against the people who exert control over them, and fight to have power in a seemingly powerless situation. The inexorable fate of Lil and Kizzy is all the more tragic and poignant, knowing their story:  their pain, their love, their sacrifices. 

This really is an inspired imagining of the untold story of the ‘brides of Dracul’ by an inspiring author:  a story that will linger with me for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Children’s Group for an e-ARC of The Deathless Girls.

This is a weekly meme now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week’s theme is Favourite Books Released in the Last Ten Years (one book for each year).  I thought I’d give this a go – just to see if I can!  I’m new to book blogging and keeping lists on Goodreads, so it has taken me a while to compile a list, but I like a challenge – especially one that has allowed be to search out some old favourites, most of which are still on my bookshelves!   I had to include my 2019 favourite YA so far as well!

2009:  City of Glass by Cassandra Clare.  This is the third book of The Mortal Instruments, and if I could go back to 2007, I would have included City of Bones!

2010:  Fallen  by Lauren Kate.  This was recommended to me by my teenage niece – she knew it was my kind of book!

2011:  Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.  I came to this series after watching the first episode of Trueblood, and spent many happy hours immersed in Sookie’s life!

2012:  Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas.  I only found this series last year, following a recommendation by a Waterstones bookseller, and I’ve loved it so far. 

2013: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding.  I’m not sure this is a favourite book, but I didn’t want to repeat one in a series I have already read!  I remember reading the first two Bridget Jones books many years ago, and I guess I loved this one more as a throwback to my younger days! 

2014:  The Queen of the the Tearling by Erika Johansen.  This is one of those epic fantasy novels that completely immersed me in Kelsea’s rise to power.

2015:  Uprooted by Naomi Novik.  This was another bookseller recommendation.  I loved the mythical, magical quality of this book.

2016:  The Witch’s Kiss by Katherine and Elizabeth Corr.  I can’t help but love a book about witches, and this one is steeped in an historical context, so just perfect.

2017:  Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend.  This is the incredible story of Morrigan Crow who was meant to die on her eleventh birthday, but instead goes to Nevermoor!

2018:  The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.  I’ve always been fascinated by books about the Faerie world, and found this one dark and intoxicating. 

2019:   The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.  This has not yet been released (September), but I managed to get it on NetGalley.  It is an imagining of the story of two of the brides of Dracula, twin sisters Kizzy and Lil.  From the opening pages it enthralled me:  it is a story of the strength needed to face horrific situations, an exploration of female bonds, loyalty and sacrifice. 

I definitely have a penchant for fantasy books.  Does anyone have a recommended fantasy book for 2013?  I couldn’t find one I’ve read, that wasn’t in a series or by an author I’ve already mentioned!

This is the most delightfully uplifting book I’ve read this year!  It perfectly conveys the ‘feel-good’ factor of a summer blockbuster – in words!  It is reminiscent of simpler and more innocent times, when children made their own entertainment:  this took me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling the many times myself and my brothers and sisters put on ‘shows’ for our long-suffering parents on our rural farm!  But clearly not in such style as Luna, Margot and Fabien! 

The Butterworth family are in a dire situation after they are evicted from their home.  Luckily, Luna has entered a competition to win an island courtesy a very generous billionaire – and they do!  Rook’s Island is a remote island in Scotland, and is just what the family needs to help them heal after the death of their Gran, which has left their father depressed, and unable to connect with his family. 

The children are incredibly believable, and likeable, with distinct personalities.  Margot is the more serious, matter-of-fact sibling with a penchant for planes.  Luna is entrepreneurial, determined and an eternal optimist with a desire to open a donkey sanctuary. Fabien is the impulsive, gregarious, knitting-loving instigator of many genuinely hilarious moments:  where Fabien goes, chaos seems to follow!  The relationships between the three siblings are wonderfully heart-warming:  realistic, loving, supportive and humorous.

Once they arrive on the island, the children are determined to organise a secret festival in the hope that it will cheer up their Dad.  Of course, things don’t go exactly to plan:  cue escaping cows, interfering yoga guests, and underaged ice-cream van driving.   And so much more! 

I loved the sense of community, the episodes of comedic genius and the heart-warming relationships.  Although there were some sad and poignant moments relating to their Dad’s depression, this is ultimately a joyously uplifting read.  The inclusion of Dad’s depression, handled so deftly by the author, gives families, and teachers, a perfect opening to address some mental health issues should they choose to do so. 

I can’t wait to return to next year’s festival!  I have no doubt this story will be loved by both adults and children, and am really looking forward to sharing it with my class after half term.    

Time for another #SixforSunday hosted by A Little But a Lot.  I’ve taken this to mean books that have not yet been published this year, but which I really want to read.  With the wealth of new middle-grade fiction being published by both new and more established children’s authors, it is no wonder my TBR pile is ever-increasing.  These are the books I am looking forward to adding to my home bookshelves initially, and then to my class library.  No doubt, I will find, and purchase, many others between June and October! I’ve listed these in order of publication date:

6^th June:  The Longest Night of Charlie Noon by Christopher Edge (Published by Nosy Crow).

Description from Publisher:

“If you go into the woods, Old Crony will get you.”

Secrets, spies or maybe even a monster… What lies in the heart of the wood? Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are determined to discover the truth, but when night falls without warning they find themselves trapped in a nightmare. Lost in the woods, strange dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. As time plays tricks, can Charlie solve this mystery and find a way out of the woods? But what if this night never ends…?

A timeless novel for anyone who’s ever felt lost. From the award-winning author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright and The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day.

I absolutely loved The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day:  it has one of the best plot twists I have ever read in a children’s book, and really earns the title ‘unputdownable’ and ‘unforgettable’.  This makes me incredibly excited for Charlie Noon and, in fact, I have already pre-ordered it.

13^th June:  The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell (Published by Bloomsbury)

Description from Publisher:

Vita set her jaw, and nodded at New York City in greeting, as a boxer greets an opponent before a fight.

Fresh off the boat from England, Vita Marlowe has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather Jack has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack’s spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again, so she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home.

She finds a young pickpocket, working the streets of the city. And, nearby, two boys with highly unusual skills and secrets of their own are about to be pulled into her lawless, death-defying plan.

Katherine Rundell’s fifth novel is a heist as never seen before – the story of a group of children who will do anything to right a wrong.

I loved both The Wolf Wilder and The Explorer, both very different books, but Katherine’s story-telling is incredible, so I know I’m going to love The Good Thieves.

13^th June:  The Garden of Lost Secrets by A.M Howell (Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd).

Description from Publisher:

October, 1916. Clara has been sent to stay with her aunt and uncle while England is at war. But when she reaches their cottage on an enormous country estate, Clara is plunged into a tangle of secrets… A dark, locked room, a scheming thief, and a mysterious boy who only appears at night.

Clara has a secret of her own too – a terrible one about her brother, fighting in the war. And as the secrets turn to danger, Clara must find the courage to save herself, and those around her…

Secrets, mystery and bravery meet in this gripping historical adventure.

Reading this, I am reminded of The Secret Garden which was one of my absolute favourite books growing up, so I am intrigued by this one.

4^th July:  The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike (Published by Oxford University Press).

Description from Publisher:

A stunning fantasy debut, enter the unique world of the Spell Breathers.

Rayne had always known that word magic was powerful, but she didn’t know how fragile it was. Not until the day she dropped her mam’s spell book and brought the monster plague to Penderin.

My absolute go-to genre is fantasy, and this sounds like it will be a very special read with some unique magic-making.  And, I want to know more about the fox on the front cover!

5^th September:  The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson (Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd).

Description from Publisher:

They call me Yanka the Bear. Not because of where I was found – only a few people know about that. They call me Yanka the Bear because I am so big and strong.

Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins: from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.

Interwoven with traditional stories of bears, princesses and dragons, Yanka’s journey is a gorgeously lyrical adventure from the best-selling author of The House With Chicken Legs.

I am a huge fan of folklore (I grew up in Ireland and was immersed in Irish folklore), so am fascinated by Sophie’s use of Russian folklore in her stories.  I can’t wait to find out more about Yanka!  I have pre-ordered this one, and have received a gorgeous hand-stamped print. 

17^th October:  Shadows of Winterspell by Amy Wilson (Published by Pan Macmillan)

Description from Publisher:

Enter the thousand worlds of Amy Wilson in her captivating novel, Shadows of Winterspell, sparkling with frost and magic.

Stella has been living behind the magic of the forest for most of her life. Lonely, she enrolls at the local school, and as she begins to make friends, she discovers that she is even more different than she thought. But as autumn turns to magical winter, Stella realizes that uncovering her own family secret is the only way to release the forest from the grip of a dark and old magic.

I read Snowglobe last Christmas and loved the story of Clementine and her magical connection to the house of snow globes!   This sounds like it will be another perfect wintry read from Amy.

Has anyone already been lucky enough to read any of these?  What did you think?

The Umbrella Mouse is one of those truly special books, whose characters are so brilliantly realised that I was completely immersed, and invested, in their adventure which is of epic proportions:  full of action, tension and heroic deeds, interspersed with the building of heart-warming friendships.  And all this from animals who fight in tandem with the humans, although they are unaware of the vital efforts, and sacrifices, the animals are making to help win the war.

It is 1944:  meet Pip Hanway, an inquisitive, daring and rather impetuous young mouse who is living in an antique umbrella, with her parents, in James Smith & Sons Umbrella Shop.  When a bomb strikes the shop, her world is brutally shattered:  the only link that remains to her family and home is the umbrella which becomes a powerful symbol of remembrance and hope of re-connection with her only remaining family. 

The grief, longing and loneliness Pip experiences as a result of this horrific experience is heart-breaking, so it is such a relief when she meets the kind-hearted, caring and protective Dickin, a Search and Rescue terrier, who alongside GI Joe, a homing pigeon and Hans, a German rat, become her steadfast friends.

Pip soon joins Churchill’s Secret Animal Army, an underground animal resistance movement, and so begins her daring mission to help the Allied powers, a mission which takes her to war-torn France … where she is caught up in the brutality of the war alongside her French Counterparts, Noah’s Ark.  Will she and her friends survive unscathed from the war raging around them? 

Pip absolutely engenders the indomitable spirit of our war time heroes, and I adored her for it!  Despite her small stature, her fortitude and sheer determination is so uplifting as is her strength in building, and protecting, lasting friendships with her new family. 

I was really struck by how the horror and futility of war is realistically portrayed and not watered down for a younger audience, yet because of the use of animal characters and the skill of the narration, it is entirely suitable for its audience. 

I don’t normally share quotes from books, but these are just too meaningful to leave unshared, and really had an impact on me:

“I just need to find the courage in my heart to begin something new.”

“Without mistakes, your life will never know adventure.”

What powerful messages to be giving to young readers – in fact – to readers of any age!

Sam Usher’s wonderful illustrations complement the story perfectly.  I was also very touched by the Author’s Note which shares her inspiration, and motivation, for the story. 

I cannot recommend this story highly enough, and think it would be a perfect book to use alongside a unit on World War II – or just to read because it is exceptional     story-telling!

This is my first time to take part in #SixforSunday hosted by A Little But a Lot.  This one grabbed my attention as my TBR is getting ridiculous due to the enormity of fantastic books being published, making it incredibly difficult to choose which book to read next. 

I have every intention of reading all the books I have bought, but I also know I will keep adding to it as more and more books I MUST read are being published! 

I have just finished reading The Umbrella Mouse by Anna Fargher which I absolutely adored and will be reviewing soon.  My next read is The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave which I’ve been given through NetGalley.  This is one I want to savour!

I’ve chosen my #SixforSunday from my current TBR, which are sitting on my bookshelf, ready for me to read before putting them in my class library.  I intend to read these six over half term.

Here goes:

We Won an Island by Charlotte Lo:  I attended Charlotte’s Book launch in Waterstones, Reading yesterday.  She talked about her inspiration for the book and also did a reading.  I’m really looking forward to this one as I’ve heard such good reviews – and it sounds like the perfect summery read.  I’m also lucky enough to have Charlotte coming in to my school to work with my class, which I’m very excited about!

The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum:  I’ve had this one for a while:  again, I’ve read many great reviews, so am looking forward to reading, and reviewing it, myself.

Malamander by Thomas Taylor: I bought this one in Waterstones with the gorgeous edging.  I can’t wait to uncover the secret of the malamander! 

The Maker of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory:  I had just finished reading another book about monsters, The Monster Who Wasn’t, when I saw Lorraine Gregory doing a fantastic reading of her new book through Twitter.  She totally persuaded me to buy this one!

WildSpark by Vashti Hardy:  I absolutely loved Brightstorm, and couldn’t wait to get this one.  I just can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read it.  I’m so looking forward to visiting Medlock over half term.

The Lost Tide Warrors by Catherine Doyle:  The Storm Keeper’s Island was one of my favourite books of last year, so was very much looking forward to this one.  I ordered it from Scholastic and was really pleased they sent it out before the official publication date. 

Has anyone already read any of these?  I’d love to hear your thoughts on books from this list you have read, or which are on your TBR!

It’s been a while – a long while- since I’ve read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but I still have fond memories of the madcap characters and quirkiness of the world created by Carroll.  And I guess these eleven authors do too!  For me, this fabulously written anthology takes me on a trip down memory lane, a nostalgic return to my childhood, but I think it will also be enjoyed as an anthology of incredibly imaginative stories by younger readers in its own right, and perhaps encourage them to explore Wonderland for the first time. 

I have read and enjoyed books by many of these authors and could definitely see how they bring their own style when re-imagining their favourite experiences/characters from Wonderland.   Each of these stories has perfectly captured the surrealistic eccentricity of Wonderland; the creativity each writer brought to their story leaps off the pages.  I also really liked how each author introduced their story with their own recollections of how they were influenced by Carroll’s story which was a perfect lead-in to each story.

These stories encourage the reader to tumble down the rabbit hole and wander into the curious world of Wonderland to encounter some of the most glorious, and most peculiar, characters:  the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the Mock Turtle, the Cheshire Cat and the Knave of Hearts to name but a few, with Alice wandering through many of the stories. 

I loved how the stories paid homage to many of the more famous elements of  Wonderland such as the Queen of Heart’s obsession with croquet, the Mad Hatter’s tea party and the wisdom of the Caterpillar whilst exploring the untold stories, the ‘what happened next?’ and the ‘what ifs?’ of some of the most memorable characters.

Each and every one of these stories is a real delight!  This will be a collection of stories which will be treasured by both old, and new, fans of Wonderland.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an e-ARC of this book.

The Rise of Winter engrossed me from the first page.  It has a heartfelt environmental message about the need to re-balance the destruction caused to the Earth by humans, told through the story of Winter and the Guardians of Terra: Earth.

Winter is being bullied at school when she is saved, in a most amusing manner, by a sparrow.  She soon learns that she can understand animals when she meets Proctin, a raccoon, who lives under her house:  he is an incredibly loveable character with some great comic moments. 

When she comes under attack, she escapes to The Cove with the aide of Vulpeera, one of the Guardians who becomes her constant companion and mentor.  Winter learns of her family history and that she has been chosen to become not only a Guardian, but the Terra Protectorum – Earth’s protector.  And so begins her training … and the discovery of her incredible powers … and enemies galore!  

This powerful story is full of action-packed escapes, tense journeys, betrayal, and believable enemies who exude a real sense of threat throughout which really helps build some incredibly tense moments.  Winter has an amazing journey of self-discovery which sees her grow into a strong leader who learns the power of self-belief, forgiveness, friendship and, ultimately, develops the strength needed to be a protector.

A perfect read for children of 8+.

Thank you to NetGalley and Central Avenue Publishing for an e-ARC.

This is such a special book:  a truly mesmerising read!  I utterly adored everything about it:  the superb world-building, the colourful characters, the fast-paced action and the warm humour.

Willow Moss is born into a family of witches, but does not have any of their exciting powers.  Finding lost things does not seem a very important magical trait until a whole day – Tuesday to be precise – goes missing, and the most powerful, feared and revered witch in Starfell comes asking for help!

How can Willow refuse? Whilst on the outside she is sensible, deep down she craves an exciting adventure.  And an adventure she must have to save the world.  Of course, she needs to take her only friend to help:  the monster under the bed, Oswin.  Oh my goodness:  Oswin!  He is just brilliant – grumpy, easily offended, unwittingly hilarious… and did I mention? – absolutely adorable! 

Will Willow be able to find the Lost Day?  Who is responsible for taking it?  Will the magic-loathing Brothers of Wol thwart her mission?  To find the answers, the reader must journey with Willow and her companions on their incredible action-packed adventure through Starfell which crackles with action and sparkles with humour.  What’s not to love about engine-powered brooms, a portal cloak, cloud mountains, tree houses and lost spells!  The landscape of Starfell is vividly detailed and wonderfully imaginative, each part having its own unique character and inhabitants, from the broom-making part-elves of Radditch to the forbidden City of Beady Hill to the trolls of Troll Country.

Willow is just perfect!  She is kind-hearted, helpful, brave and adventurous.  She does not need her magical power to find some truly wonderful companions along her way including the kind-hearted cloud dragon, Feathering; the eccentric visionary, Nolin Sometimes; and, Calamity the sensitive hygiene-conscious troll.

There are some powerful messages in this story about discrimination, segregation and misuse of power, encased in a delightfully enchanting story full of friendship, determination and the power of good.  

This is a perfect read for children of 8+ who I’m sure will adore the magical world of Starfell and its inhabitants.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for an e-ARC. I have also bought a copy for my class library!