Review: Feather (The Twitchers series) by M.G. Leonard

*Written by M.G. Leonard*
*Cover illustrations by Paddy Donnelly*
*Map* *illustrations by Laurissa Jones*
*Published by Walker Books*

Feather is the final wintery adventure in The Twitchers seasonal mystery quartet, and, oh my goodness, what an exhilarating and heart-warming ending to a series that has completely captured me with its intriguing mysteries, daring sleuths and superstars of the bird world.

Ava is on a school trip to the Royal Swan Natural History Museum when she discovers that a heist has taken place: hundreds of bird of paradise skins from the Alfred Wallace collection have been stolen. The only clue is a large, black feather left on the floor, but the police are not interested. The Twitchers have found their next case …

And so begins another fantastic mystery as the Twitchers find themselves following a trail of clues which leads them into ever-increasing peril. Could the mysterious girl, who Ava meets outside the museum, and her raven help solve the mystery? Will the Twitchers be able to outwit a dangerous gang of thieves and recover the bird skins before time runs out?

This is a brilliantly fast-paced and action-packed mystery that kept me gripped throughout. I loved following the Twitchers as they work together to piece together clues, putting themselves in danger to help someone in need as well as working as a team to attempt to recover the bird skins for the Museum. There is a real feeling of urgency and a genuine sense of danger as the children get closer and closer to uncovering the truth, but will they be able to escape the clutches of devious criminals who will stop at nothing to escape justice?

I adore this group of friends who have been brought together through an appreciation of bird-watching and caring for the environment. Their friendship feels incredibly authentic and I love the camaraderie between them. They all have their strengths which, when brought together, makes them a formidable sleuthing team. Ava discovers the heist at the museum and immediately takes the case to her friends. She shows herself to be incredibly kind-hearted and empathetic when dealing with a difficult situation. I love how Ava, Tara, Twitch, Jack, Terry, Ozuru and Tippi are so supportive of each other, their curious natures and their tenacity in bringing criminals to justice. Their respect for, and enjoyment of, the natural environment, and their passion for bird-watching and protecting birds, really shines through in these adventures.

Feather is a perfect ending to this exceptional adventure series which celebrates bird-watching, caring for the environment and friendship as well as having a fantastic mystery at its heart. I know that, just like Twitch, Spark and Clutch, this one will be flying off my class library shelves.

Review: Tiger Warrior: Fight for the Cursed Unicorn

*Written by Maisie Chan*
*Cover and inside illustrations by Alan Brown*
*Published by Orchard Books* *(an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group)*

Tiger Warrior: Fight for the Cursed Unicorn is the fifth story in this series of brilliantly exciting, magical adventures for younger readers of 6+.

The Jade Kingdom is in terrible danger and, once again, needs help from the Tiger Warrior, but Jack is having problems of his own. Stepping in to defend his friend from bullies, it is Jack who finds himself in trouble at school …

When he gets home, he shares what has happened with Yeye, his grandad, who tells him about a mythical Chinese creature, the xiezhi, who seeks out the guilty with its magical horn. As he is getting ready for dinner, Jack takes the Jade Coin out of his pocket to find it glowing … the Jade Kingdom is calling him, so he finds himself once again travelling through a magical portal to save a Kingdom.

Jack finds himself in the garden of the Jade Palace surrounded by his zodiac animal friends who have been released from the coin. He has arrived in time for a trial to determine the culprit who has brought danger to the Kingdom, and is excited to discover that a xiezhi has been brought to find the guilty party. But, when this magical creature accuses the Jade Emperor of a crime, Jack is determined to help his friend, Princess Li, prove her father, the Emperor’s innocence.

Can Jack and Li discover if the truth-telling unicorn has been cursed? Can he harness Rat’s weather power to overthrow the Dragon King? Or will Li and her father be banished from the Jade Kingdom?

I loved being back with Jack, Li and the zodiac animals in the Jade Kingdom in this action-packed, exciting adventure brimming with warmth and wonderful friendships.

The zodiac animals are absolutely amazing and I loved their joy and exuberance when they are released from the coin. When choosing an animal to help him, Rat asks Jack to trust him but Jack is not sure how he can help. When Rat’s power proves to be just what Jack needs, he learns that it is important to listen. The xiezhi also teaches him that, it is better to take time to think about a situation rather than rushing in rashly.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are wonderfully energetic and expressive and complement the action perfectly.

This is another thrilling, fast-paced, magical adventure for young readers who will be spellbound by the Tiger Warrior’s mission to save the Jade Kingdom. There is also a sneak-peek into Jack’s next adventure: Clash of the Dragon Masters.

Thank you to Hachette for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Clockwork Conspiracy

*Written by Sam Sedgman*
*Illustrations by Stephanie Shafer*
*Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books*

The Clockwork Conspiracy is a gripping, enigmatic and fast-paced adventure brimming with danger, daring and deceit.

Twelve-year-old Isaac Turner is helping his father (who is a horologist) in his role as Keeper of the Great Clock (Big Ben) on the night the clocks go back. But, when his father goes to investigate a peculiar occurrence and does not return, Isaac goes to find him only to discover that his father, Diggory, has vanished, leaving only his broken pocket watch, and an enigmatic message, behind.

It is not long before Isaac meets Hattie, the daughter of his Godfather, Solomon Bassala, and Speaker of the House who lives in the Palace of Westminster as Solomon offers him a place to stay whilst a search ensues for his father.

Not willing to wait for the authorities to discover what has happened to Diggory, Isaac and Hattie, are determined to carry out their own investigation to find him and discover why he has been taken. And so begins an incredible, action-packed and intricate adventure as the two friends unravel cryptic clues and follow a twisty puzzling path, towards the discovery of a devious plot.

As they race through London landmarks, and over its rooftops, to save Diggory and time itself, they find themselves in increasing peril as someone will stop at nothing to implement a new law that will change the nature of time itself. Can these two determined children use their ingenuity to unmask the mastermind behind a dastardly play for power? Can they save those they love before time runs out for them?

I loved the political machinations, the secret society, the false trails, the code-breaking, the science of time through horology and chronometry and the many twists and turns that kept me on the edge-of-my-seat. I also loved learning more about the Palace of Westminster and thought this was perfectly weaved into the plot. Absolutely gripping and fascinating in equal measure.

An exhilarating, intriguing, locked-room mystery perfect for adventurers of 9+.

Thank you for the Publisher, Bloomsbury Children’s Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

WWW Wednesday

I’m choosing my next physical book to read as I’ve just finished one, but I’m listening to the audiobook of The Marvellers which is a wonderful read so far. I’m really enjoying finding out more about Marvellers and Conjurors as Ella is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the cloud for marvellers. I think she’s definitely going to have challenges fitting in, but she’s a wonderfully strong character.

I’ve finished listening to the audiobook of Like a Curse – this was a brilliant duology. I also finished Wilder which is a wonderful adventure with important environmental messages and a brilliant main character in Rhodd. I also read Peng and Spanners which is such a fun graphic novel. I have posted my review. I also read Time Travellers Adventure Calling which is the start of a new timeslip historical series. I have posted my review. Finally, I read Tiger Warrior: Fight for the Cursed Unicorm, the fifth book in this great series for younger readers. I will post my review shortly.

I didn’t get to this one last week, but I’ll hopefully get to it over the weekend.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Blog Tour: Peng and Spanners by Steve Webb

Peng and Spanners is the first adventure in a fantastic new graphic novel series: an absolute riot of fun and mischief with two new stupendous superheroes that I have no doubt will become firm favourites with young readers.

Peng is looking for adventures far away from his icy home, but is not at all impressed when his parents send him to a boarding school, but perhaps Boredin Boarding School will not be quite as boring as he expects … and that might just have something to do with new friend, Spanners, a clever cat with a toolbelt full of gadgets.

On his first day at school, Peng discovers that his headteacher is on a mission to impress the inspectors: he has built a school pizza restaurant to win the Best School Dinners Award – and there’s free pizza for everyone. And, as everyone knows, free pizza trumps adventure – and boredom! Unless … the pizza parlour goes missing, and then there’s a whole lot of adventure for these two superheroes on a mission.

Can Peng-tastic and Spanners find the thief, and solve the mystery of the missing pizza place, before the school inspectors arrive? There’s just a giant talking robot intent on world-domination, a quick jail break and the need to avoid Cinderella the mop-wielding caretaker standing between success and disaster.

Peng and Spanners are the most wonderful double-act with Peng as the super ninja superhero and Spanners his possible sidey-kick. I loved the misunderstandings, the humour and the banter between this ~~duet~~ duo which brought giggles galore. Whilst Spanners might get a smidgen confused, he is a brilliant inventor who makes fantastic superhero contraptions – even if Peng doesn’t always appreciate them! And my goodness, can he tell a tall tale!

I adored the playfulness of the language from Spanners use of incorrect superhero names (hilarious – I’m still smiling at Soupman and the Incredible Sulk), Peng’s sarcasm and direct address to the reader, and the double trouble ‘We are here to judge you’ inspectors. And then, there’s Botty – guaranteed giggles. And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a draw with Peng and Spanners. I just won’t mention the pizza toppings page – urgh!

I loved both the vivid full-colour illustrations throughout – which complement the energy and humour of the adventure – as well as the layout and fonts which I have no doubt will appeal to young readers.

A fantastic, fun-filled feast of wackiness that is sure to hook young readers who I have no doubt will keep coming back for more as they wait for the next adventure in Peng and Spanners Meet Mr Big.

Thank you so much to Bethany Carter and Faber Children’s Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour for this brilliant graphic novel, and for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Review: Time Travellers: Adventure Calling

*Written by Sufiya Ahmed*
*Illustrations by Alessia Trunfio*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Time Travellers: Adventure Calling is the first in an exciting new series of historical timeslip adventures. Perfect for readers of 8+ who I have no doubt will not only be gripped by the thrilling adventure but will also find themselves immersed in learning about aspects of our missing diverse history.

Suhana, Mia and Ayaan are visiting the Houses of Parliament after having been chosen as winner and runners-up in an art competition run by their local MP. Suhana has joined Year 6, and does not really know Mia and Ayaan who are good friends. When they arrive with their Headteacher, Mr Hayes, they witness a Fridays for Future protest against climate change by a group of teenagers. Whilst Mr Hayes is disdainful of the protest, attesting that it is a waste of time, another teacher disagrees, citing the suffragette movement.

Once inside the Houses of Parliament for a tour, the children are immediately fascinated by its history and organisation. After the tour, Suhana is keen to go back to Westminster Hall to learn more about women’s suffrage, but then she hears a phone ringing, her phone … and the three children find themselves spinning back through time to 17^th June 1911, and into the middle of a women’s suffrage demonstration.

Suhana is surprised to see Indian women taking part in the march, and immediately races towards them, losing Mia and Ayaan in the crowd. She meets Lolita Roy and her niece, Reena, who are suffragists focussed on peaceful campaigning; they invite her to take part in the march. But will Suhana be reunited with her new friends in time to return to the present? Can her experiences and discoveries in the past impact on the history which is presented in the present?

This is a brilliant adventure with plenty of fast-paced action, danger and discoveries as the children race against time to find their way back home whilst learning more about the suffrage movement and the diversity within it that is not common knowledge in the present.

Suhana is an incredibly sympathetic young girl. She has joined a new school in Year 6 and has been fostered since her mother left. Her Headteacher doesn’t like her and takes every opportunity to belittle her. It is such a credit to Suhana that she remains curious, impulsive and enthusiastic: her inner strength in the face of adversity is so inspiring as is her desire to have hidden aspects of our diverse history revealed. Mia and Ayaan prove themselves to be wonderful friends to Suhana and, together, these three make a great time travelling team.

There is a wonderful section at the end of the book which gives more information about the Women’s Suffrage Movement and key over-looked figures in its movement in the UK: Lolita Roy and Princess Sophia Duleep Singh. There is also further information about Fridays for Future.

This is a terrific start to this new time-travelling series, and I’m really looking forward to joining Suhana, Mia and Ayaan in their next adventure: Secrets and Spies.

Thank you to Little Tiger for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

January Wrap-Up

Oh my goodness, January has been a long, long month with ups and downs – how is it only 31 days! I had some wonderful birthday celebrations, enjoyed some fantastic books, but also caught Covid for the second time and don’t seem to be able to get rid of an endless cold.

Books I’ve read:

I’ve read 15 books this month which includes 2 books for adults, 1 poetry book, 1 non-fiction book, 1 graphic novel and 10 middle-grade books. Four of these were audiobooks, one an e-copy and ten physical copies.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 96%. I have requested and been approved to read two books in January.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent ten books by Publishers this month. I have read and reviewed three of them and will post reviews for the others over the course of this month and next as some are not coming out until April and May.

Books bought:

I bought seven books, and have read two of them, Iyanu: Child of Wonder and The Chalk Man.

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

Review: The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts by Alex Bell

*Written by Alex Bell*
*Illustrations by Tim McDonagh*
*Published by Faber*

Wow! Wow! Wow! I know it’s only the start of the year but The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts is already a contender for my book of the year! A splendiferous, magical adventure that transported me into an incredible world that I didn’t want to leave. The sheer enjoyment, connection and immersion I felt whilst reading this is a testament to the brilliance of the storytelling. This is the kind of story that makes readers – and that’s a real-life magic power! If there’s any doubt – this is an absolute must-read!

Twelve-year-old Eli is an apprentice librarian at the Royal Library in the Port City of Harmonia. And this is a job that suits the quiet, tweed-wearing Eli perfectly. He can live a safe, sensible life with his best friend, Humphrey who just so happens to be a poetry-loving moon tortoise, looking forward to celebrating his hundredth birthday. Whilst Eli may not be looking for adventure, adventure has a way of finding those with courageous, true hearts …

When Eli discovers that his Nana is unwell, he decides to enter the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts in order to sell the prize to pay for the treatment his Nana needs. This is no easy decision for Eli as his parents died during a race. But Eli adores his Nana and is prepared to do anything to save her, even if this means defying her wishes, and sailing into the adventure of his life …

And so begins the most magical, daring and dangerous adventure as Eli boards his friend, Jeremiah’s, ship, the Nepo to compete to get to each checkpoint in the race. It is not long before he is joined by Raven and her ice hare, who has her own reasons for winning the race. Can this trio work together, not only to overcome the many perils placed in their path by the race, but also a threat from someone hunting one of them? Can they trust each other in a race which can only have one winner, or will their secrets pull them apart? I really don’t want to say anything more for fear of spoilers, but suffice to say that this is an action-packed adventure brimming with unexpected happenings, oodles of danger, both scary and wonderful magical creatures and the most exciting race through the most fantastical places.

The world-building is quite simply sublime from the Royal Library (oh yes – libraries of all sorts are an important part of this adventure – and I’m all for that!) with its own bats to a dessert-selling restaurant with chocolate penguin waiters and an island where you will never view balloons the same again! Be prepared to meet a sentient ship, a vampire librarian and a mermaid queen and so many other extraordinary creatures of sky, land and sea as the race unfolds. I must say I am in awe of the author’s imagination and wonder if she has her own inspire-rat!

Oh my goodness! I absolutely adored Eli who has so much inner strength, kindness and courage. It is so wonderful to see that quiet, bookish children can have great adventures whilst remaining true to themselves. We underestimate them at our peril! It was so wonderful to see Eli find that he has things in common with Raven as their friendship grows. There is so much more to these three remarkable children than I have mentioned, but I think this is something readers need to discover for themselves. I have no doubt that they will be just as awestruck by these revelations as I was. I just have to mention Humphrey, the moon tortoise, who is just adorable with his penchant for over-confidence in his own abilities which brought me lots of smiles.

The illustrated chapter headings include a range of magical beasts and are absolutely stunning.

A marvellously magical adventure into a fantastical world that will completely captivate its readers, and take them on an incredible reading experience that they’ll want to return to again and again … an absolute must-buy!

Thank you to Faber Children’s Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

WWW Wednesday

I’m currently reading Wilder which is an absolutely stunning read with its links to the environment and real sense of mystery. I’m listening to Like a Curse which is such a powerful, captivating story with such a strong, feisty character in Ramya.

I’ve finished reading Shiver Point: A Tap at the Window which is such a brilliantly, spooky read with a wonderful group of children. I have posted my review.

I was lucky enough to be sent a proof copy of The Secret of the Moonshard which is being released at the end of February, so I’m hoping to make it my next read.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Review: Shiver Point: A Tap at the Window by Gabriel Dylan

*Written by Gabriel Dylan*
*Cover Illustration by Brittney Bond*
*Published by Piccadilly Press on 1st February*

The Shiver Squad are back for another shiveringly spooky, action-packed adventure in Shiver Point: A Tap at the Window.

Riley is in her treehouse working on her latest invention when she hears screams coming from across the fields, and sees some children from Point Academy running away from Darkraven Farm which has been derelict for many years. But could something else also be making its way towards Shiver Point, something intent on revenge …

The following day, Riley and her friends are on a school trip to the local Shivering Post printworks and newsroom but, when they arrive, the police are already there. The children sneak in to the building where they learn that an intruder has vandalised the offices and broken into the archives: what could they have been looking for? Before the children can discover more, they are caught by their teacher and given an after-school detention.

After a terrifying encounter at school, the Shiver Squad find themselves at the heart of another mystery involving break-ins, missing items and sightings of strange figures in town. Could these occurrences have anything to do with the scarecrow that Riley has recently seen from her treehouse? And what is it that taps on her window three times as a storm is brewing?

Determined to save their town, and themselves, from further harm, the Shiver Squad make their way to Darkraven Farm to seek the truth behind the rumours which have haunted it for 25 years – ever since the owner and his family abandoned their home. And, oh my goodness, what they find sent shivers down my spine. Be prepared for frights and fights, danger and daring and just the right amount of grossness and horror. This is a genuinely tense, edge-of-your-seat read as clues are uncovered, truths are revealed and peril increases from a terrifyingly menacing source. Thank goodness for the humour scattered throughout which allowed me to stop holding my breath long enough to survive the adventure!

I loved following these determined and courageous children as they race to stop something truly terrifying from seeking revenge on their town. They have been brought together through their last adventure and are now firm friends with a wonderful camaraderie. This adventure gives more insight into Riley’s life as she cares for her grandfather, worried that asking for help might see her losing him. I loved how the rest of the Squad are there for her when she shares her concerns. I have to say that I have a real soft spot for Mo who is ever so cautious and sensible yet pushes himself to face his fears and support his friends – even though I think he’d rather be gardening and bird watching – much safer!

A chilling, creepy, not-to-be-missed mystery brimming with scares, screams, humour and friendship. Perfect for horror fans of 9+ who will be waiting with bated breath to join the Shiver Squad again!

Thank you to Piccadilly Press for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.