I’m really enjoying Ferris which is such a gentle read – really magical. I’m listening to Kyan Green and the Infinity Racers which is a super fun adventure four great friends and plenty of out-of-this-world action.
I’ve finished Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow which I absolutely loved – definitely twists I wasn’t expecting and I can’t wait for the next instalment. I also read Dark Matter which I’ve had on my TBR for a long time. I really enjoyed this slow-paced tense ghost story which wasn’t as scary as I was expecting, but it is such a beautifully written story about survival and isolation. I also read Reek which is being published by Barrington Stoke – a lot of action packed into this short dystopian read. I will be posting my review shortly.
My weekend didn’t go to plan so I didn’t get a chance to pick this one up, but I’m hoping to get to it this weekend.
Written by Emma Carroll Cover Illustration by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini Published by Faber & Faber
The Houdini Inheritance is a spectacular showstopper from the Queen of Historical Fiction: a gripping historical mystery where a transatlantic voyage takes two young friends to Coney Island’s amusement parks to protect the secrets of the world’s greatest escapologist … and discover some of their own.
It’s summer 1926 and 12-year-old Glory and her best friend, Dennis are watching a master of escapology, none other than the great Harry Houdini, as he performs a death-defying stunt. As he jumps off Sidford-by-the-Sea’s pier locked in chains, he holds the crowd entranced …
When Glory and Dennis learn that Houdini is putting on an extra show at their local theatre, they are determined to see him perform again. After returning a missing dog to its grateful owner, they are made special guests at the show. As soon as an opportunity arises during the performance, Glory offers Houdini her Grandfather’s Boer War handcuffs to escape from: a decision that is the catalyst for an incredible adventure as Houdini entrusts her with his priceless trunk containing all his secrets.
And so begins the most wonderfully thrilling, action-packed mystery as Glory and her older sister Effie, with Dennis and his Granny Vic, find themselves on a transatlantic journey to Coney Island, New York to return the trunk to its rightful owner. Can they keep the trunk safe, or will its secrets fall into the hands of a merciless adversary who will stop at nothing to take what is kept within?
This is a real rollercoaster of intrigue with suspects to be investigated, suspicions to be confirmed, secrets to be unravelled not to mention threats, danger and death-defying acts. Absolutely superb and utterly unputdownable!
I loved the 1920s setting, in both England and America, which are richly described and really immersed me in the adventure. This is a story that juxtaposes the excitement of theatrical shows and stunts and the glamour of transatlantic crossings with the prejudice shown towards others, with bitter rivalry, and with the hurt and emptiness felt by loss.
Glory and Dennis are wonderfully likeable protagonists who have a strong and loyal bond of friendship; they work brilliantly as a team who trust and support each other. Glory is a curious, impetuous and fearless young girl who wants nothing more than a dog in her life. Dennis is more gregarious and is drawn to anything theatrical, whether that be magical shows or attending a séance. Both children show determination and courage when faced with difficult decisions and dangerous situations. I really liked that Glory and Dennis also had support from their family and thought that both Effie and Granny Vic were brilliant – and such strong characters.
As I read, I really appreciated the title of this book as the theme of ‘inheritance’ is threaded throughout. I enjoyed seeing how it related to each family and how it affected and shaped them, but also how it leads to a realisation of the importance of living your own life, of having your own dreams. The ending was incredibly heart-warming – and just perfect!
Escape into an exhilarating rollercoaster of an adventure, guaranteed to get your heart pounding and your mind racing as you discover the secrets hidden in this mesmerising mystery. Perfect for readers of 9+.
Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Anna Fargher Illustrated by David Dean Published by Macmillan Children’s Books
Delta and the Lost City is an absolutely gripping historical adventure that took me on an unforgettable journey to AD79 where both humans and nature threaten the survival of a young wolfdog determined to protect her family from harm … poignant, heart-warming and hopeful … an epic adventure of courage, survival, hope and family.
Young wolfdog Delta enjoys her life inside the walls and grounds of her master, former army general Lucius’, luxurious countryside villa southeast of the coastal cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. She spends her time play-fighting with her mother, Luna, her friend Bellona, the golden eagle, and her favourite slave, Gaia and her son, Neo … but she misses her mistress, Herminia.
Herminia, Lucius’ beloved daughter, no longer lives in the villa as she has married and moved to Rome with her cruel and controlling husband, Marcus. When they return for a night, before moving to Pompeii for the summer, Delta witnesses a terrible crime that culminates in the death of her master, providing a catalyst that changes her life …
Delta is accused of the death of her master and soon finds herself running for her life accompanied by her friend, Bellona, but she remains fiercely loyal to, and protective of, the family she loves and will never desert them. Delta is determined to stop Marcus’ tyranny and save her family from his cruelty. And, when further danger comes from the threat of Mount Vesuvius erupting, she finds herself in a race to locate and protect those she loves before it is too late. Can she save her family from both human cruelty and nature’s unstoppable might?
And so begins an absolutely riveting, action-packed adventure as Delta faces danger, threat and a quaking earth as she fights to reach her family who have been separated from each other by the machinations of a merciless, manipulative master. The tension, danger and sense of urgency are palpable not only as Mount Vesuvius moves inexorably towards eruption, but as Marcus rips apart all Delta loves and holds dear. This is an epic adventure overflowing with heart-pounding, explosive action and with both heartbreaking and hopeful moments.
This is a story that reveals so much about the structure of Ancient Roman society which was patriarchal and hierarchical with a reliance on slaves. But it also reveals a lot about human nature, juxtaposing a master who shows kindness and respect towards those in his household, and one who is self-interested and cruel.
Delta is the most incredible young wolfdog – she has definitely found her way into my heart. She is fiercely loyal and protective of her family and is determined to save them, taking great risks and placing herself in terrifying danger to do so. She is attuned to the natural environment around her and shows empathy towards others which brings its own rewards. She has a courageous heart beating with hope and love for her family. I adored her friendship with Bellona, the golden eagle.
David Dean’s detailed black-and-white illustrations are absolutely stunning, and complement the storytelling perfectly as they really capture both the heart and action of this amazing adventure.
A truly epic, unforgettable historical adventure with an incredible young hero in wolfdog, Delta, who embodies courage, strength and love for family. A perfect adventure for readers of 9+.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Books for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour, and for providing me with a copy of Delta and the Lost City in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’m listening to the audiobook of Hollowpox: The Hunting of Morrigan Crow which I’m really enjoying – this is a series that just gets better and better – I’m really looking forward to the next one. I’ve also just started reading Ferris.
I’ve finished reading two brilliant historical adventures. The Houdini Inheritance is a fantastic mystery with real life and imagined characters blending perfectly for an exciting adventure. I will be posting my review shortly. I also read Delta and the Lost City which is an absolutely gripping adventure told from the perspective of a young wolfdog who is trying to protect his family during the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. I will be posting my review as part of the Blog Tour next week.
I’m currently reading The Houdini Inheritance which I’m really enjoying and definitely looking forward to finding out what happens. I’m also listening to Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow which has thrown me straight back into this fantastic world with brilliant characters.
I’ve finished reading The Boy Who Fell from the Sky which was a fantastic adventure – I really hope there is more from this world. I also finished Fireborn and, my goodness, what a series – definitely one of my favourite ever! I also read Pirate Academy: New Kid on Deck which was a wonderfully action-packed adventure on the high seas and the start of a new series. Finally, I read Michael The Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog which is such a fun read – I’ve posted my review.
Written by Holly Webb Illustrated by David Dean Published by Little Tiger
The Summer Dolphin is a heart-warming summer adventure set in coastal Wales that completely captivated me as I followed Lillie on her mission to connect with a young dolphin.
Nine-year-old Lillie has been looking forward to her seaside family summer holiday for ages. But when she arrives at her grandparents’ new home in Wales, she discovers that she will have to sleep in the attic room in a sleeping bag between her older sister, Frankie and her cousin, Lara. Lots of her family have been invited to stay, yet Lillie feels lonely, and is left out of activities by her sister and cousin who want to spend their time together rather than including Lillie who they see as too young to spend time with them.
When her Grandpa hires a boat for a wildlife-watching trip, Lillie enjoys seeing different seabirds and a huge jellyfish. When she spots a pod of dolphins, including a mother and her calf, Lilie is fascinated by them as they swim playfully alongside the boat, feeling a connection with the young dolphin.
As Lillie feels more and more isolated from her sister, she spends her time looking for the young dolphin, hoping to get closer to it. Later in the holiday, Frankie and Lara are really mean to Lillie, so she decides to go looking for the dolphins and prove to her sister that she is not the baby she thinks she is.
Lillie is excited to be heading off on her own adventure, but soon finds herself in danger when she fails to take notice of the time and the incoming tide … will she find the help she needs to make it back to her family?
This is a gorgeously heart-warming adventure about the importance of connections: connection to the natural world and its wild beauty, connections within family and the special bonds of sisterhood. Whilst these bonds can be tested at times, when it really matters, they hold strong.
The description of the coastal environment and the family excursions to enjoy it are wonderful and really convey an appreciation of nature and the benefits of making connections to it.
Lillie is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is dealing with the disappointment of having a much-anticipated holiday affected by the hurt of being rejected by her older sister in favour of her older cousin. In order to prove herself, she unwittingly puts herself in danger, but finds help through the connections she has made.
The full-and-partial-page illustrations by David Dean are absolutely stunning portraying family relationships and the coastal environment beautifully: a perfect complement to the adventure.
A wonderful adventure for younger readers with family and nature at its heart – a perfect summer read!
Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Terrie Chilvers Illustrated by Tim Budgen Published by Firefly Press
Michael The Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog is a woof-tastically fun treat for younger readers: hilarious, heart-warming and wonderfully charming.
Following the events in Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog, Michael has now found much-wanted fame with his own TV series (An Audience with Michael) in Hollywoof, interviewing and reading the minds of his dog star guests. But fame can be short-lived, and his ratings are plummeting …
When his next guest, Susan the Chocolate Labrador, is dognapped by supervillain, Dog X, Michael spies a paw-fect opportunity to improve his TV ratings. He will become a super-sleuth hero and rescue Susan from her dognappers. With his awesome mind-reading skills and best friend Stanley Big Dog at his side, what could possibly go wrong?
I absolutely adored this fun-filled adventure as Michael and Stanley travel to Three Paw Creek with basset hound Detective Wrinkles to hand over the ransom to secure Susan’s release. Things quickly go wrong for the super-sleuthing sausage dog when he fails to follow orders and misses an important deadline. Determined to put things right, Michael goes on his own detective trail and finds himself paw-to-paw with danger …
I loved the balance of humour and peril, the doggie puns and charm, the wonderful friendship between Michael and Stanley and the gentle lessons to be learned – just perfect for young readers.
Michael is the most gorgeous, snazzy waistcoat-wearing, sausage dog. He is determined not to lose the success he has gained which can lead to him being over-confident and not listening to others, but he also has a heart of gold and is a fantastic friend to Stanley. He never gives up, even when things go wrong, which is a wonderful message for younger readers.
The illustrations are an absolute joy and brilliantly capture the energy, fun and personalities of the dog stars of this adventure.
A paw-fectly delightful mystery served with oodles of humour, a fantastic filling of friendship and a dash of danger – a guaranteed winner for young readers of 6+.
Thank you to Firefly Press for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Written by Catherine Fisher Illustrated by Efa Lois Published by Cadno an imprint of Graffeg Limited
Culhwch and Olwen is a spellbinding, lyrical re-telling of an early Arthurian myth that completely captivated me as I followed a courageous hero and his companions on a dangerous, thrilling and seemingly impossible quest.
A baby boy is born in a pig-run, in tragic circumstances, and wrapped in a swineherd’s coat. His father, Prince Cilydd, has been searching for his pregnant wife, who went missing on Lammas night. When he finds her, she is dying, but tells him to name their son Culhwch.
When Culhwch becomes a young man, his father remarries but his new wife is seeking revenge. She places a curse on Culhwch: he will never have a wife unless he marries Olwen – the daughter of Ysbaddaden, Chief of the Giants. Determined to fulfil his destiny, Culhwch seeks help from his cousin, Arthur.
After much searching through Wales, Culhwch, and the companions Arthur has sent with him, eventually find the Giant’s fortress and find themselves before the terrifying Ysbaddaden. With help from his daughter, Olwen, who Culhwch has fallen deeply in love with, he enters the Fortress and comes face-to-face with her terrifying father. Ysbaddaden agrees to the marriage on condition that Culhwch undertakes a perilous quest to complete a serious of tasks and bring him the treasures he has requested. Will Culhwch be able to fulfil the Giant’s demands and marry his true love, or is his quest doomed to fail?
This is the most wonderfully rich quest journey filled with magical, fearsome creatures and incredible treasures, with feats of courage, with deeds of heroism and with a dangerous hunt. I really enjoyed that both prose and poetry are included in the re-telling of the myth.
The black-on-white and white-on-black illustrations, depicting both characters and nature, are stunning and complement the story perfectly.
An enchanting and delightful mythical tale of heroism and true love, perfect for young readers of 9+.
Thank you to Graffeg Limited for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour and for providing me with a digital copy of Culhwch and Olwen in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’m almost finished Fireborn and am absolutely loving it. There is so much emotional involvement with the characters and I’m almost afraid to find out how it finishes! I’m listening to the audiobook of The Boy Who Fell From the Sky which is brilliant and also not what I had expected – I’m loving the twists.
I’ve finished reading Culwch and Olwen which is a wonderful novella based on the first Arthurian legend. I will be posting my review shortly. I’ve also read I am Lenny Brown which I really enjoyed. After the death of his father, Lenny stops talking except to his mum and dog. It was wonderful to see how he copes in school and the friendships he makes and difficulties he overcomes. Powerful and heart-warming. I’ve also finished The Summer Dolphin, a gorgeous adventure for younger readers – I will be posting my review, hopefully this weekend.
I’m listening to the audiobook of Fireborn: Starling and the Cavern of Light which is absolutely brilliant. It is action-packed and brimming with peril with some unexpected twists. Definitely one of my favourite series ever!
I read The Wanderdays: Journey to Fantome Island which is a wonderful, action-packed adventure. I have posted my review. I also read The Day of the Jackdaw which is a brilliantly funny and warm-hearted novella. I will be posting my review tomorrow. I don’t read many books for adults, but I absolutely devoured The Burning Girls written by a new favourite author. This was a compelling read for me with twists that made be gasp – absolutely brilliant writing.
I love Catherine Fisher’s writing and am hoping to read Culhwch and Olwen next.
Book Craic 