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!
Yes. There is a witch in the woods. There has always been a witch. Will you stop your fidgeting for once? My stars! I have never seen such a fidgety child. No, sweetheart, I have not seen her. No one has. Not for ages. We’ve taken steps so that we will never see her. Terrible steps.
Any ideas?
This is on my TBR. I love books with witches, and especially books about good witches. Goodreads synopsis:
Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.
One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.
Published by Oxford University Press Publication Date: 2nd May 2019 Illustration: Meg Hunt
The Maker of Monsters is a terrifically
fast-paced, action-packed story, with a wonderfully realised cast of characters,
which kept me engrossed throughout.
Brat works for his master, the banished Lord Macawber, in his
castle on an island, isolated from any other human contact. His only companions are two of his master’s failed
creations, Sherman and Tingle. Brat’s
master is driven by an all-consuming need for revenge, disguised as a desire to
rescue his daughter, which makes him cruel and unable to see the terrible
mistake he is making … until it is too late!
The horrific, yet somehow pitiful, monsters that are created
through Lord Macawber’s magical ability all have one single-minded goal: the destruction of mankind. Brat must overcome his paralysing fear of
water in order to warn the citizens of the Domed City. The monster Army’s pursuit of Brat and his
friends, led by the aptly named Wrath, is genuinely tense and scary. Just when it appears all hope is lost, an
unlikely rescuer appears. Molly is a
wonderful character, readily accepting of Brat and his companions. She is brave, loyal and full of a sense of
adventure.
And I’d
rather die trying than live wondering what might have happened if I hadn’t
tried …
Brat, Molly, Tingle and Sherman find themselves in a
terrifying race for their lives … to get to the Domed City before it is overrun
by the monsters. A real sense of danger
permeates the action as the monsters close in, which kept me on the edge of my
seat, willing the companions to succeed, against all the odds.
I adored both Tingle and Sherman who are incredibly loyal,
brave and affectionate with hearts of gold, proving themselves to be true
friends and giving Brat the courage he needs at some difficult moments. They also inject the narrative with some
humour to lift some of the darker parts.
Brat is an incredibly sympathetic character who I absolutely
adored. He has a real sense of justice
and is determined to right the wrongs of his Master, no matter the cost to
himself. Even though he is full of
self-doubt and can’t see his own courage through his fear, Molly can:
Brave is
doing something even when you’re frightened.
I found the themes in this story, including the misuse of power by those in authority, denial of freedom, the destructive force of revenge and the power of friendship to overcome adversity, incredibly thought-provoking: they would make for excellent discussion. Who are the real monsters in this story?
This is an immensely exciting story with plenty of suspense and nail-biting moments. A definite must-read for fans of action-packed adventure with an expertly placed sprinkling of humour at just the right moments!
I’ve currently just started reading Malamander by Thomas Taylor. This will be the ninth book on my #20BooksofSummer.
I recently finished The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Ariki and the Island of Wonders by Nicola Davies and The Dragon in the Library by Louie Stowell.
I’m way behind on writing my reviews (there are 4 I want to do) as I just keep picking up the next book I want to read! I’ve decided to catch up on my reviewing before choosing another book.
What books have you read this week? Do you ever get behind with reviewing?
The July theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Summer Reads and today’s is: Books on your Summer TBR. I have so many books on my TBR so choosing was quite tricky. Here goes:
1. This is a group of books as I’m taking part in the #20BooksofSummer challenge. I’m just about to start my eighth of the middle grade books before moving on to my 10 YA/adult books. My list is at #20BooksofSummer.
2. The True Colours of Coral Glen by Juliette Forrest. I loved her first book, Twister and this one sounds great. I love the cover!
3. The Butterfly Circus by Francesca Armour-Chelu. This one has been recommended and has such a summery cover, I just had to include it.
4. The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike. I absolutely love the sound of this one with its unique sounding magical system.
5. The Secret Starling by Judith Eagle. I’ve really been enjoying some historical middle-grade recently so I’m looking forward to reading this one.
6. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. Her first book, An Enchantment of Ravens, is on my #20BooksofSummer – this one had me at ‘library’!
Have you read any of these? What is on your Summer TBR?
Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books Publication Date: 11th July 2019 Author: Catherine Doyle Illustrator: Bill Bragg Lettering: Patrick Knowles
This book is a very welcome return to Arranmore after the
events of The Storm Keeper’s Island, and one I have been eagerly
anticipating for quite some time. It
certainly didn’t disappoint! It is an
action-packed read: tense, chilling and
emotional with some incredible revelations which readers should discover for
themselves. Trust me, they will be worth
the wait!
The new Storm-Keeper of Arranmore, Fionn Boyle’s dreams are
being haunted by the sorceress Morrigan who is intent on overthrowing the
Island using her truly frightening followers, the Soulstalkers. As Morrigan’s feared return draws ever closer,
more and more Soulstalkers arrive to do her bidding. The portrayal of the Soulstalkers is
masterful from their insidious arrival to their palpable terrorising of the
Islanders.
The tide of time is against the Islanders as they only have
until the Winter Solstice, in three days, to stop the Soulstalkers from raising
their leader. Tension builds inexorably
as time passes and more and more of Morrigan’s followers arrive on Arranmore. Fionn knows there is only one way to stop
them … summon the army of merrows using the Tide Summoner, but it hasn’t been
seen for many years. Fionn intends to
find it … but have the Islanders lost faith in him, or are they trying to
support and help him in his battle?
There is no weakness in knowing when to ask
for help.
The use of candles, which harbour memories, as conduits of
magic is ingenious. It allows the
Islanders to come together to defend themselves whilst their Storm Keeper is
fighting his own battle with his magic. Despite struggling to ignite his magic,
which he can feel burning inside, Fionn takes his responsibility as Storm Keeper
and protector of the Island seriously.
Although he is embroiled in confusion and self-doubt, he shows
incredible bravery and fortitude, especially as he is fighting against some of
the other Islanders as well as Morrigan’s bound followers. When an ultimatum is
given to the Islanders by an unwelcome arrival, will they all stand behind
their Storm Keeper, or will he be betrayed?
The relationships between the characters are incredibly
heartfelt and authentic. Fionn clearly
has a wonderful affinity with his Grandfather and their relationship is full of
trust, humour and respect. There are
heart-breaking moments as Grandad’s memories fade and sacrifices are made, yet
what shines through is their enduring love for each other. Whilst Fionn has spates with his sister,
Tara, they are there for each other when needed as are his friends Shelby and
Sam.
Only I’m allowed
to be mean to you.
I really admired Tara’s strength and her willingness to take
risks to use the candle magic to stave off the Soulstalkers and help her
brother. Fionn’s best friends, Sam and
Shelby, are willing participants in his desperate search for the elusive Tide
Summoner. All three friends show an
incredible amount of courage as they travel through time to retrieve it, but
will they be successful? Although hopes
are raised, and dashed, the power of these friendships keep the children from
giving up when all seems lost …
I loved the fact that Fionn was not a ‘perfect’ hero; his
imperfections make him such a likeable character. He struggles with his magic from the beginning
and suffers from very human emotions of guilt, fear, regret and self-doubt, yet
through all this negativity towards himself, he has a deep-rooted inner
resilience and drive to protect the Islanders.
He does not shy away from his destiny, even when his destiny seems to be
leading him towards a terrible fate.
The ending of this second book is terrifically thrilling,
and left me awaiting the final outcome of the battle with Morrigan and her
Soulstalkers with bated breath … and it was all I wanted it to be, and so much
more. The ending sets the next book up
so beautifully that I am already desperate to read it. Really desperate!
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!
Like a witch’s lair in a fairytale the ancient manor
house crouches in its tangled garden. I
can’t take my eyes off the ivy-choked window above the front door. It was from that window in 1913 that
16-year-old Maud Stearne watched her father set off down the steps with an
ice-pick, a geological hammer – and murder in his heart.
Any ideas?
This is on my #20ReadsofSummer, and it’s getting close to
the top of this group. Goodreads
synopsis:
1906: A large manor house, Wake’s End, sits on the edge of a bleak Fen, just outside the town of Wakenhyrst. It is the home of Edmund Stearn and his family – a historian, scholar and land-owner, he’s an upstanding member of the local community. But all is not well at Wake’s End. Edmund dominates his family tyrannically, in particular daughter Maud. When Maud’s mother dies in childbirth and she’s left alone with her strict, disciplinarian father, Maud’s isolation drives her to her father’s study, where she happens upon his diary.
During a walk through the local church yard, Edmund spots an eye in the undergrowth. His terror is only briefly abated when he discovers It’s actually a painting, a ‘doom’, taken from the church. It’s horrifying in its depiction of hell, and Edmund wants nothing more to do with it despite his historical significance. But the doom keeps returning to his mind. The stench of the Fen permeates the house, even with the windows closed. And when he lies awake at night, he hears a scratching sound – like claws on the wooden floor…
Wakenhyrst is a terrifying ghost story, an atmospheric slice of gothic, a brilliant exploration of the boundaries between the real and the supernatural, and a descent into the mind of a psychopath.
I’m currently reading The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I love her writing and this one has been recommended to me by a few people. This will be the sixth book on my #20BooksofSummer.
I recently finished The Lost Tide Warriors by Catherine Doyle. It was everything I expected it to be – and more! The ending has me craving the next book! I’ve also read The Maker of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory this week. Such a great read, full of courage, friendship and scary moments – and Tingle – just adored Tingle! Reviews for these coming shortly.
I’ve chosen to read The Dragon in the Library by
Louie Stowell and Ariki and the Island of Wonders by Nicola Davies
next. These are both short reads, so I’m
hoping to get both read in a week.
I’ve been seeing this tag around a lot and have enjoyed reading responses. I saw it last on Steph’s fab blog at A Little But a Lot and she tagged anyone who wants to give it a go, so I’m giving it a go!
1. Do you get sick while
reading in the car?
I
used to be able to read in the car but, unfortunately, no longer. Even looking at my phone in the car makes me
feel sick! Luckily, I have no such
problems with reading on trains and planes!
I’m off to Florida in August and am looking forward to having many hours
of reading on the flight.
2. Which author’s writing
style is completely unique to you and why?
I
love Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s style. It
is lyrical, and draws me in from the opening.
I’ve read both her young adult and middle grade books, and am so pleased
she’s writing more middle grade!
3. Harry Potter Series or the
Twilight Saga? Give three points to defend your answers.
This is an easy one for me. I couldn’t get into the Twilight Saga, but adored Harry Potter. I waited until all the books were released and then read them all over a couple of weeks in the summer. I loved the wizardry, school setting and friendships.
4. Do you carry a book bag?
If so, what’s in it (besides books…)?
I only carry a book bag if I’m going somewhere by train. My husband bought me a gorgeous one, that just completely appealed to my booklover self! I don’t carry very much in my bag: my review notebook, pen, purse, phone and lippie!
5. Do you smell your books?
No!
6. Books with or without
little illustrations?
I
read a lot of middle-grade, so I read a lot of books with illustrations. I don’t mind whether books have them or not.
7. What book did you love
while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing?
If I’m enjoying a book, then
the quality of the writing appeals to me, so I don’t tend to worry if others
thought it wasn’t quality! To me,
reading is a very personal activity and what appeals to one may not appeal to
others – and that’s ok!
8. Do you have any funny
stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
Not
funny, but I was definitely the typical book-loving child who hid a book under
my pillow when lights were switched off, and then sneaked on my torch to read
some more! I’m surprised I didn’t fall
asleep in class.
9. What is the thinnest book
on your shelf?
The thinnest, and smallest, book I currently have on my bookshelf is Katherine Rundell’s ‘Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise’. I’m already a convert but am keen to read her views.
10. What is the thickest book
on your shelf?
The thickest book I have on
my shelf is ‘City of Heavenly Fire’ by Cassandra Clare. This is the sixth, and final, book in The
Mortal Instruments, a series which I absolutely loved. It has 638 pages.
11. Do you write as well as
read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?
I
am a primary school teacher with an English degree, and one of my favourite
parts of my job is writing for, and with, my class. They’ve even clapped my efforts! I have a great deal of admiration for
writers, and would love to write a book one day. I even have an idea, sitting in a folder on
my laptop!
12. When did you get into
reading?
I
can’t remember a time when I didn’t enjoy books. I remember my Dad reading to my siblings and
I from a young age. I remember my
Headmaster allowing me to read from his library shelf, full of Greek and Norse
myths and legends. I remember devouring
books from the library bus that used to visit our village once a month. I am, however, the only one of my siblings
(there are 6 of us!) who was hooked on books.
I read lots as a child and into my teens and twenties. I took a long break from reading during a
large part of my teaching career as it kinda took over my life! But I’m back now, and loving reading again.
13. What is your favourite
classic book?
I adored Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë. It’s probably the book
I’ve read most often.
14. In school what was your
best subject?
Definitely
English. I did both English Language and
Literature.
15. If you were given a book
as a present that you had read before and hated… what would you do?
I would thank the person – and not mention it again!
16. What is a lesser known
series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or The Hunger Games?
Can’t think of any!
17. What is a bad habit you
always do (besides rambling) while filming?
I
do not vlog – scary!. If I did, I’d
definitely say ‘ok’ way too much! Ok!
18. What is your favourite
word?
I’ve
got to go for a phrase which we used lots growing up in Ireland: have a titter of wit!
19. Are you a nerd, dork, or
dweeb? Or all of the above?
I’m
not sure I’m any of these, but maybe a nerd with all the positive connotations
of course!
20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?
Vampires
– I blame Anne Rice and Charlaine Harris!
21. Shapeshifters or Angels?
Why?
Shapeshifters
because I love the idea of being able to change into something else.
22. Spirits or Werewolves?
Why?
Spirits
as I love a good spooky mystery. And I
have a ghost story from my uni days!
23. Zombies or vampires? Why?
Vampires mainly because of the two authors I’ve mentioned – they are responsible for feeding my romantic notion of them! I’ve never read a book with zombies, although I love watching The Walking Dead.
24. Love Triangle or
Forbidden Love?
Forbidden
Love every time.
25. Full on romance books or
action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?
I read a lot of middle-grade so not much scope for romance! But I do love an underlying thread of romance in a YA book.
The July theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot, is Summer Reads and today’s prompt is for: Books with Sunshine on the Cover. I was going to choose books with yellow covers (I’ve definitely got six of those!), but instead I’ve gone for books with links to islands/beaches as I grew up on the Emerald Isle and enjoyed its beautiful coastline during my long summer holidays which lasted for two whole months! I’ve only read one of these, but the rest are on my summer reading pile with three on my #20ReadsofSummer.
1. We Won an Island by Charlotte
Lo. This is the one I’ve read, and it’s
all that is joyous about a holiday read.
It’s an incredibly uplifting story of three children who win an island in
Scotland who decide to put on a festival to try to cheer their dad up. Heart-warming and hilarious!
2. The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. This is the first of my three which is on my #20ReadsofSummer. I have read a couple of books by Kiran which I loved, and have had this one recommended. Having read the blurb I already know I will love it: “But beneath the dry rivers and dead forests, a fiery myth is stirring from its sleep … “
3. This leads on perfectly to my third
choice, Malamander by Thomas Taylor which is also on my #20ReadsofSummer. I’m looking forward to finding out more about
the legendary malamander!
4. The third book from my #20ReadsofSummer
is The Secret Dragon by Ed Clarke.
Catherine Doyle has said this is ‘Utterly enchanting’ and that’s good
enough for me … oh, and it has a dragon … and is set in Wales, both of which
suit me perfectly.
5. Elen’s Island by Eloise Williams. I loved Seaglass so I bought this when
Dragonfly were having a sale. Island life
… secrets … exploration … and another Welsh setting.
6. Clifftoppers: The Arrowhead Moor Adventure by Fleur Hitchcock. I loved the freedom of wandering the beautiful, rugged Donegal countryside as a child with my brothers and sisters. We made our own adventures, but none so exciting as I think Aiden, Chloe, Ava and Josh will have!
This is a truly wonderful story, full of secrets, families and
friendships, set amidst the idyllic rural beauty of a Suffolk country Estate
and gardens at a time when the harsh reality of the Great War is having a devastating
impact on soldiers and their families. I really enjoyed both the evocative historical
setting and the masterful unravelling of secrets. This story was reminiscent of The Secret
Garden, which is one of my favourite childhood stories, so it’s no surprise
that I loved it!
It opens with a secret in Clara’s pocket, one which occupies
her mind throughout, as she tries to summon the courage to confront it.
“Sometimes
pretending to be brave is enough.”
She has been sent to stay with her Aunt and Uncle, who work on
the Earl’s Estate, as her poorly father, suffering from the aftermath of a gas
attack in the War, is taken to Devon to convalesce. Clara’s first meeting with her Aunt, the
Earl’s Housekeeper, is terse and unwelcoming, and not at all what she was
expecting. She is met with curtness and
unfriendliness, when what she craves most is warmth and affection.
Clara is looking for adventure and is thirsty for knowledge, brought
on by the boredom of not being able to go to school or work in the gardens. Her natural curiosity is soon piqued by the
sighting of an elusive boy in the gardens and the discovery of a locked room in
her new home, both mysteries which she is determined to solve.
Her first encounter with the boy, Will, takes place in the
hothouse. Both children are lonely and
desperate for company, so it is not long before they agree to meet again in
secret. They soon find a shared mystery
to solve! Who is the thief behind the disappearance of the garden’s precious
possessions? As the mystery deepens,
suspicions are raised, more secrets are revealed and the tension is palpable as
life-destroying accusations are made.
As well as catching a thief, Clara is also determined to find
out why her Aunt is making night time visits to the hothouse, having secret
meetings in the woods and writing behind a locked door. Are these linked to the missing possessions? Are they the cause of her lack of warmth
towards Clara? I loved the way solving
some puzzles only leads to more puzzles and questions … such a brilliant way to
entangle the reader in the story.
I found the contrast of Clara’s contented family life before
the war with the terrible effects war has had upon her family
heart-breaking. The reality of how the War
affected families is explored with great skill.
Whilst inequality in society is shown with the Earl and his family
having so many to look after their needs, the inherent goodness in people when
faced with hardship is also evident with the Earl supporting the war effort by
supplying the local military hospital with food.
I absolutely adored the friendship between Clara and Will, but
there were also times when my heart ached for them. Whilst unexpected circumstances have thrown
them together, their friendship is truly beautiful. It is born of sadness and loneliness and
nurtured by mutual trust, empathy and support. The children share their family secrets,
are truthful with each other (even when this may threaten their friendship) and
enjoy their respective company as they work together to solve the lost secrets
of the garden.
“You’re
braver than you know.”
I think this applies to both of these incredible children who
are, as so many were, victims of a War whose cruel fingers reached out to tear
families apart, but their courage shines through as they fight for secrets to
be revealed … for truths to be known …
I loved that A.M. Howell’s idea for this wonderfully heart-warming story was inspired by the discovery of a 100-year-old gardener’s notebook at the Ickworth Estate in Suffolk. Inspiration for stories may be everywhere around us, but it takes an incredible writer to capture our hearts through their writing … and this wholeheartedly captured mine.
Book Craic 