Pie-Rats and the Mist Island Treasure is a guaranteed giggle-inducing, pie-tastic treasure of an adventure: playful, hilarious and brimming with piratical capers that are sure to delight young readers.
Captain Greentail has inherited the Black Biscuit and leads a daring and brave crew who also just happen to be fiercely funny and loyal! When they are attacked by their rivals, the Pantaloonies, they find themselves facing a pie-rat’s worst nightmare: running low on loot! Luckily, there be rumours of hidden treasure on Mist Island, and so begins the Pie-Rats daring adventure to replenish their stores …
Of course, there just might be a few obstacles for them to overcome like … finding the island, fighting off the ghosts who are rumoured to protect the treasure, and unexpected chicanery … but this will be no trouble to an intrepid crew of rats, hamsters and cheese sandwiches – will it?
This is an exciting, hilarious, playful and action-packed adventure that captured me wholeheartedly. I mean, who wouldn’t be delighted by piratical food fights, ear-wax figures and a quest for lost treasure?
I adored the wonderfully eccentric crew of the Black Biscuit who kept me thoroughly entertained and laughing out loud. Captain Greentail turns tail and hides at any sign of trouble, making perfect excuses for his actions, but I still adored him! Steady Eddy holds the crew together, and is a brave, clever and kind First Mate. Then there is his friend George, the mouldy cheese sandwich – yes, that’s right – a mouldy cheese sandwich who may not speak, but goodness, his actions speak louder than words – comedic genius! Add to this the Pantaloonies, ghost pirates and the other not-to-be-missed island inhabitants, and be prepared for a feast of zany delightfulness!
The illustrations scattered throughout are absolutely delightful and brilliantly expressive!
This is a riot of pie-rat-licious fun that is sure to take young readers on an exciting adventure: a delicious treat of a story, perfect for readers of 7+. I’m so looking forward to the crew’s next adventure!
Thank you to Kate Poels for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’m currently dipping into the stories in The Very Merry Murder Club and have read three of them so far. I keep hearing how brilliant The Last Bear is, so I decided to pick it up this week as it’s been on my TBR for a long time! I’m absolutely loving it so far. The relationship between April and the Bear is so special, and I can’t wait to see how it continues. I’ve also started listening to Sweep which is wonderful so far – it’s a heart-warming, magical story of a young sweep, set in the Victorian era, whose life changes when she is rescued from a chimney fire by a lump of coal which she discovers is, in fact, a soot golem. These two friends begin to carve out a life for themselves, and I’m so looking forward to finding out more, although I think this one might be a tearjerker!
I finished reading Christmas Dinner of Souls which was satisfyingly terrifying in a perfectly middle-grade way! The stories that are told are brilliant, and I loved the whole concept of sitting around the table, serving meals and telling scary tales. This one has already been snapped up by a girl in my class. I also finished listening to Shipwreck Island which was absolutely gripping. I love the relationship between Ellie and Seth who think they may have reached safety on a new island. This island is being ruled by a Queen who is the vessel for a God, a Queen who Ellie forms a friendship with. This is such a powerful story of manipulation, politics, power struggles and friendship with some incredible revelations! I can’t wait for the final book!
I didn’t get to this one last weekend, but will be reading it this weekend.
The Bear Who Sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg is a poignant, humorous and tenderly written story of heartache and healing, of family and friendship: an utterly compelling read that entranced me from start to finish.
Twelve-year-old Patrick Jolly is trapped by the sadness within him. He is the target of bullies at school; his best friend has moved away; and, his mum is suffering from depression after the loss of his baby sister. As if these aren’t big enough worries, imagine his surprise when he walks into his garage and finds a polar bear in the freezer!
However, this is no ordinary polar bear. Wilbur Ambrose Cedric Barnaby Montague the Third (otherwise known as Monty) is a well-read, eloquent and polite talking bear who has inadvertently found himself on an adventure which sees him travelling by melting iceberg, ship and canal to take refuge in Patrick’s freezer!
So begins Patrick’s mission to find a way to keep Monty safe, to get him home to Greenland, to keep him supplied with fish and condensed milk, and to avoid raising the suspicions of mean-spirited neighbour Mr Crankly, all of which is rather difficult when your guest doesn’t appreciate the danger he will be in if he is caught. I mean, what can possibly go wrong when a large polar bear decides that he has had enough of hanging out in the garage, and has a little sleep in the garden hammock instead?
I absolutely adored the genuine friendship that develops between Monty and Patrick. Monty enters Patrick’s life at a time when he desperately needs a friend, and offers him some sage advice, and helps him to confront the difficult situation he finds himself in. The wonderful Monty is partial to Oscar Wilde, condensed milk and has a tendency to wander off, a tendency which leads to plenty of humorous situations, and tricky moments for Patrick as he attempts to keep others from discovering Monty.
The story deals with themes of loss, grief and bullying in a sensitive manner, and offers a perfect opportunity for these issues to be discussed with children. There is also a strong environmental message relating to climate change threaded throughout the story which I really enjoyed. I loved that this is a story that is written with an emotional depth that encourages empathy as we are given an insight into the lives of many of the characters.
The illustrations are completely charming and complement the whimsical nature of the story beautifully. I particularly adored the inside cover illustrations of a sunglasses-wearing Monty dancing – just perfect!
An utterly captivating, warmly humorous adventure that is sure to entrance, and provide food for thought, to readers of 9+.
Thank you to Laura Smythe and the Publisher, Everything with Words for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’m listening to Shipwreck Island which I’m really enjoying. I’m loving the twists and danger and can’t wait to see where this one leads. I’ve had Christmas Dinner of Souls since last Christmas, so think it’s about time I picked it up as I’m looking forward to reading a few scarier stories in the lead up to Christmas.
I’ve read Pie-Rats and the Mist Island Treasure which is a really fun and playful story that I really enjoyed. I also read Revenge of the Beast which is just as deliciously dark as the first one. Bethany is just wonderful! I also read The Bear who Sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg which completely captured me. It is a poignant, humorous and tenderly written story that deals with some big issues in a sensitive way. I’ll be posting my review soon.
This is a story I’ve really been looking forward to. The book is gorgeous with beautiful illustrations.
This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books, now with a re-vamped banner!
How to take part:
Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence.
Write three words to describe the book.
Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.
This week, I’m celebrating …
Written by Lucy Hope Illustration by David Dean Published by Nosy Crow
Favourite Sentence from Page 11:
I breathe in the familiar smell of ancient tobacco mingled with old books and leather, a sensory legacy from a great-great-grandfather I never knew.
This book in three words:
GOTHIC, DARK, LEGACY
Fledgling is a gorgeously gothic adventure: ethereal, dark, powerful and poignant. It is a story that lingers, that pulsates with a magical quality, and that resonates with hope.
Cassie’s home stands atop a tall rock, looking down on the Bratvian Forest and town of Edenburg. She lives there with her mother, a famous opera singer; her father who is a taxidermist; and, her Grandma who is very ill. The relationship between Cassie and her parents, and that between her parents, is a difficult and complicated one. I really enjoyed following the threads into her family history which casts light on the fragility of the familial relationships in the most unexpected ways.
During a storm, Cassie opens the window to find a cherub has arrived, someone she needs to keep secret from her family. But the cherub’s presence also heralds the arrival of some terrifying creatures and leads to a series of events that will change Cassie’s life forever …
Unable to tell her family about the cherub, she calls upon her best friend, Raphael for help, but Raphael is hiding his own secrets. Will Cassie have the strength and courage to protect her home, her family and her friend? Will she uncover the reason for the arrival of the terrifying storm hawks? Can she prevent history from repeating itself?
I really enjoyed the tense, foreboding atmosphere that builds throughout the story. There is a real sense of unease, tinged with darkness and danger that is slowly lifted as shocking secrets are revealed and truths uncovered. I also loved the house with its library, owlery, engine-room and contraptions which form such an integral part of the story.
This is a heartachingly stunning adventure that completely and utterly enchanted me. A gorgeous read for a dark wintery evening as the wind rattles at the windows …
This is a story that I would highly recommend to readers of 10+.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!
I took a bit of a break from Shadow Town, but I’m now going back to it. I’m listening to Shipwreck Island which I’m absolutely loving. I’m also dipping in to The Haunting Season.
I’ve finished listening to A Mouse Called Miika which is such a gorgeous story with some wonderful messages. A real treat of a story. I picked up The Chime Seekers at the weekend, and it jumped to the top of my TBR. Oh my goodness – this is such a brilliant story. I love stories of dark faeries, and this one has a brilliant villain. It was very hard to put down, and I found myself looking forward to picking it up every evening. Highly recommended.
I didn’t get to Revenge of the Beast this week, so I’m going to pick it up this weekend.
The November theme for Six for Sunday, hosted by A Little But a Lot is Ooky spooky bookys and today’s prompt is for Orange Books. I’ve had a look at my bookshelves and chosen six books with at least some orange on the cover that I have yet to read!
Have you any books with orange covers? Have you read any of these?
This is my weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books, now with a re-vamped banner!
How to take part:
Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence.
Write three words to describe the book.
Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.
This week, I’m celebrating …
Written by Alex Bell Illustrated byTomislav Tomić Published by Faber & Faber Limited
Favourite Sentence from Page 11:
Ursula looked out the porthole again and saw that Bess wasn’t facing off against the pirate fairies, as she’d first thought.
This book in three words:
MAGICAL, ADVENTUROUS, ACTION-PACKED
If ever there was a series to lose yourself in, then The Explorers’ Clubs is it: go on thrilling adventures, explore richly imagined worlds, meet the most fantastical creatures, and venture with wonderful characters as they face the excitement and danger of standing up to vile villains. There’s no denying it: I’m a MAJOR fan of this fabulously fantastic fantasy series.
Explorers at Pirate Island, the fifth book in the series, is another triumph with its dazzlingly imaginative underwater world-building, brilliantly engaging characters and exhilarating fast-paced action. I read this in one joyous sitting. A book that truly sings to my heart, and one that I cannot recommend highly enough.
This adventure follows on from the events in The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club in which the Collector, Scarlett Sauvage, has not only locked The Ocean Squid Explorers’ Club in a magical globe, but has also kidnapped a group of children. The young crew of the submarine, the Blowfish, have discovered that she is on Pirate Island, and are determined to rescue the Club and the children, and, oh my goodness, what a heart-pounding adventure they find themselves on …
Ursula, Jai, Genie and Max have arrived at Starfish Island where they discover an abandoned pirate fairy fort on the beach. Returning to the Blowfish, they discover Captain Zara Silver, a fairy pirate (I know – how fantastic!) with her own pirate parrot. She discloses that half her fleet are being held prisoner by the Collector, and offers to help with the rescue mission. Will the crew be willing to accept a pirate as a crew member?
This is a quest that takes the young explorers on a magical, dangerous and thrilling adventure as they visit the most incredible places including the awe-inspiring mermaid city, Mercadia where half-mermaid Ursula is entrusted with a powerful mermaid trident. As they get ever closer to Pirate Island, they seek help from a sea witch who runs a business with a difference and who gives them a rather mischievous delivery! They must face party-loving zombie skeletons, make an intrepid rescue from the clutches of a whirlpool, and venture to a dinosaur burial site where they make an astounding discovery! I mean, just how amazing does this sound? Because, trust me, it is!
I was absolutely captivated by this scintillating, fast-paced adventure as I followed the action with bated breath, blown away by the twists and turns, the danger, the revelations, but also really enjoying the exquisite world-building and interactions between the characters.
I absolutely adore the camaraderie between Ursula, Jai, Genie and Max who have such a strong, supportive friendship. They each have their own unique traits and personalities which they use to brilliant effect when facing the many obstacles which they meet on their quest. I just have to say that there are also two new crew members who are an absolute delight, but I’m not sure the crew would agree entirely with me, especially about one of them!
The double page illustrations scattered throughout are absolutely stunning and complement the superb world-building perfectly.
This is a wondrously exciting, action-packed adventure that kept me engrossed throughout, immersing me in a world I was reluctant to leave. After that ending, I simply cannot wait for the next adventure with Ursula Jellyfin and her friends, and I love the sense of anticipation this brings!
Thank you to Bethany Carter and Faber & Faber for an early copy.
I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!
I’m currently reading Shadow Town. It’s been a slow reading week for me as I’ve had three late evenings at work, so its taking me a while to get into this one. I’m definitely intrigued by where it is going, and think that the difficult family dynamics are written brilliantly.
I finished listening to The Shadow Keeper, and absolutely loved it! It is much darker than Abi’s other books with scary villains and a gorgeous group of children who are helped by supportive adults. I’m hoping to pick up the final one in this trilogy soon. I also read Ghostcloud which I really enjoyed. I have posted by review. Finally, I read Time School – We Will Stand with Them which is the third in a time-slip series. I have posted my review.
I absolutely loved The Beast and the Bethany and am so looking forward to reading Revenge of the Beast. I’m also going to be starting a book of adult ghostly tales, The Haunting Season.
Written Victoria Williamson Illustrated by Elise Carmichael Published by Cranachan Publishing
Hag Storm is a truly thrilling and superbly spooky historical adventure steeped in folklore, mystery and witchcraft that kept me utterly entranced throughout, reading with bated breath as I lost myself in this richly atmospheric, action-packed and tense story … ideal reading for a dark, cold evening when a scary tale is a perfect choice!
Twelve-year-old Rab spends his days toiling on his family farm rather than going to school with his friends. One day, he is clearing stones from one of the fields when he finds a hag stone, a discovery that changes his life. Looking through the hole at the centre of the stone, he sees a gathering storm, and a stooped and hunched figure in black … Shocked and scared by what he has seen, he throws the stone away, and rushes home, only to have his path blocked by an old woman dressed in black: his mother’s cousin, Betty.
When Rab is tasked with going to their Landlord’s house in Doonholm to beg the factor who manages the estate for extra time to pay their rent, he meets the new scullery maid, Morven who offers him kindness, and tells him that there are rumours of witchcraft relating to Cousin Betty. Not willing to believe that these could be true, Rab visits her to warn her of the rumours, but is shocked by what he sees …
Rab thinks he has rid himself of the hag stone, but it has other intentions, and he once again finds it, and this time when he looks through it, he sees witches on broomsticks. Could Cousin Betty’s tales of witchcraft be true? Could the witches be preparing to gather at the old kirkyard for All Hallows Eve, and have they set their sights on his sisters? Will Rab be able to save his sisters from the threat of the coven, or will he inadvertently lead them into danger?
There is a real sense of foreboding as this deliciously dark tale unfolds which is perfectly portrayed through the tense atmosphere, the approaching storm, and Rab’s ominous sightings through the hag stone which brings the supernatural into his reality. I really enjoyed the way the danger for the family builds surely but slowly with sublime apprehension; the portrayal of the power struggle at the heart of the story and the effects of this on the Burns family; and, Rab’s growing courage and dreadful realisation as he faces his fears in order to save his sisters.
I really liked the depiction of the relationships within the Burns family who, despite the hardships of life on the farm, are a close-knit and loving family. Rab is keen to protect his younger brother, Gil, from the hardest work on the farm – their relationship is playful and teasing. He looks out for his youngest siblings, often allowing them to take his food. But I found his relationship with his sister Agnes the most interesting, and it made me think of my own sibling relationships. Rab comes from a large family of siblings as do I. He is the oldest of the boys, and his sister Agnes is the oldest of the girls. He expects more of his sister as more is expected of him, both of himself and by his father. I grew up on a working farm with three older brothers, and two younger sisters. I can definitely see expectations on older male and female siblings being different to that of younger siblings. Rab is sometimes hard on Agnes, but also feels the weight of guilt with how he sometimes treats her; however, when she is threatened, he shows the depth of his love for her.
The Rab Burns in this brilliant adventure is none other than Scotland’s much-loved poet, Robert Burns, and I really enjoyed the historical context that this gave the story. The supernatural element references one of his most famous poems, Tam O’Shanter and, having read the poem before reading the story, I loved how aspects of the poem are so cleverly interwoven into the narrative.
Hag Storm is an exceptional historical supernatural mystery, a story of the strength of familial bonds, of struggle and survival in hard times, and of dark powers determined to tear those bonds apart. I cannot recommend this highly enough … absolutely incredible!
Thank you so much to Anne Glennie and Cranachan Publishing for inviting me to be part of this Blog Tour, and for providing me with an early copy of Hag Storm in return for my honest opinion.
Please do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour for this brilliant book!
Book Craic 