Review: Vanya and the Wild Hunt

*Written by Sangu Mandanna*
*Illustrated by Kristina Kister*
*Published by MacMillan Children’s Books*

Vanya and the Wild Hunt is an exhilarating, magical fantasy adventure that swept me into a world of both danger and delight, a world that kept me utterly enthralled as I ventured with its awe-inspiring young heroine …

Eleven-year-old Vanya lives in the flat above her parents’ bookshop which gives her the perfect opportunity to sneak down in the middle of the night to spend time in the annex of rare books, an annex which stores books that Vanya can talk to – and which talk back!

When she forgets her homework, Vanya goes home to get it only to discover that the bookshop is closed and her dad has been injured. Ignoring her Dad’s, and the books, pleas for her to get away, she enters the bookshop to find her mum confronted by a monster. With some unexpected help, Vanya is able to defeat the monster and save her mother, but she needs answers …

Her parents have been keeping secrets from Vanya. Her mum is an archwitch with her own familiar and her dad is an archivist. After learning that the fantastical creatures that should only exist in myths and legends are real, Vanya learns that her mum protects people from powerful Old Ones and it is one of these who has attacked her parents. Vanya is an archling who can use magic and see the Old Ones. In order to keep her safe, her parents allow her to be taken to a magical library and school, Auramere, which is hidden in the mountains of India and reached through an enchanted door …

And so begins the most incredible, action-packed and magical adventure as Vanya learns that the Wild Hunt is on the prowl and not even Auramere is safe from its reach. I was completely swept into this adventure as Vanya learns to navigate her new home, make friends and explore this new world including meeting its wonderful fantastical creatures. I was held utterly enraptured by the increasing sense of danger, the unexpected twists and turns, and the astounding revelations which left me eagerly turning pages … and even more eager for the next book in this exciting series. Can Vanya discover how the Wild Hunt has been able to breach the magical protections of Auramere? Can she unmask the new leader of the Wild Hunt? Can she stop them from destroying the place she now feels she truly belongs?

The world-building is rich, vivid and wonderfully immersive and really draws the reader into this enchanting world of archwitches, archivists and archlings living within its enchanting library towers and wonderful collection of town shops not to mention the woods, mountains and waterfalls, all protected from outside harm by magical enchantments. I loved the magical system with its use of runes to offer protections, the blend of Indian mythology and British folklore, the rare talking books and the fantastical creatures, especially the felicorns and patrallak and, of course, Kasha who is just brilliant!

Vanya is the most wonderful young girl who feels that she doesn’t belong at school, having to hide her true, neurodivergent self to try to fit in with others’ expectations. When she moves to Auramere, she is encouraged to belief in herself and to be true to herself. Her courage, kindness and strength really shine through as she fights to save her new friends and the place she feels she really belongs.

The illustrations are stunning and really complement the enchantment and wonder of this exciting adventure, portraying both characters and places perfectly.

Enter a magical, breath-taking world for an unforgettable, thrilling adventure that will captivate readers of 9+.

Thank you to MacMillan Children’s Books for sending me a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Solving Crimes is NOT my Superpower

*Written by Nathaniel Lessore*
*Illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh*
*Published by Little Tiger*

Solving Crimes is NOT my Superpower fizzes with humour, heart and friendship wrapped up in a wonderful mystery that is sure to delight young readers.

For many years, the people of Walsham have enjoyed the benefits granted by a mysterious treasure: endless sunshine and amazing superpowers, albeit some possibly more useful than others. But who am I to argue that musical hiccups are better than colourful farts!

The only person who does not have a superpower is ten-year-old Sara despite the fact that her parents are members of the IPA (Incredible Protection Agency) who use their incredible superpowers to protect the country. Could this be because all superheroes need a nemesis and Sara hasn’t met hers – yet!

Sara meets best friends Georgie and Jasper at the school gates. It’s not long before the friends are discussing Georgie’s upcoming football match, a match she is sure they will win as her school have a lucky charm – a special football trophy. But, when they get in to school, they discover that the trophy has been stolen. Georgie is understandably upset at the loss of her team’s good-luck charm, especially as she is the team captain. Sara is determined to help her bestie and promises to track down the culprit … but what if more is at stake than a football match?

And so begins a brilliantly funny, action-packed mystery as Sara and her friends search for clues, build a list of suspects and follow the trail of the missing trophy with some genuinely hilarious encounters that are guaranteed to bring chortles of delight – maybe even enough to bring musical hiccups! I really enjoyed following Sara, Georgie and Jasper as they gather their list of perfectly plausible suspects, as they follow their investigative trail and as they eliminate from, and add to, their list. I have no doubt that young readers will love this marvellous mystery brimming with playfulness, humour and heart, but also with intrigue, suspense and twists that will keep them eagerly turning the pages to discover whodunnit!

I loved how supportive both Sara’s friends and her parents are, believing in her even when she doesn’t believe in herself. They can see something in her that Sara finds it more difficult to see: she is kind, supportive and helpful towards others and acts out of love and friendship. She’s a tenacious, courageous young girl who faces her fears and does what she believes is right. I’m not sure what this says about me but I also loved that she finds her own jokes hilarious (they are!).

The illustrations are absolutely brilliant and so expressive, capturing the humour, joy and energy of this story perfectly.

A super-tastic, exciting start to a wonderfully hilarious and heart-warming new series.

Thank you to Little Tiger for sending me a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: After by Pádraig Kenny

*Written by Pádraig Kenny*
*Cover and chapter illustrations by* *Steve McCarthy*
*Published by Walker Books on 6th March*

After is a powerful, thought-provoking dystopian sci-fi adventure with the ties of humanity, the strength of community and the promise of hope at its heart. This is a story that held me utterly enthralled and will undoubtedly be one of my books of the year.

Jen loves libraries and stories, but the one she is most interested in is a true one – even though it is a story that terrifies her: the story of how the world ended. Father tells her of the destruction of habitats, human over-reliance on technology and the return to the Dark Ages after the Flood, an apocalyptic event that decimated both civilisation and technology.

Father and Jen have been on their own ever since he found Jen as a baby and took her under his protection. They survive in a desolate, almost-deserted world by finding food and shelter and avoiding the scavengers who drove them from their previous home.

When travelling towards a new home, they arrive at a town where they meet two others who are part of a small community where they are welcomed as new members. But Father has a secret: he is not human, but a humanoid AI who somehow survived the Flood. Can Jen keep Father’s secret from her new friends because, if it were revealed, she is in danger of losing the place she has come to think of as home …

This is a story that completely gripped me both as an exciting, heart-pounding survival adventure brimming with danger, secrets and revelations, and as a story exploring what it means to be human, the nature of love and belonging, and whether the real danger in technological advancement lies with created or creator. These themes would open fascinating discussions in both homes and classrooms.

This is a story that evokes strong emotions: I could absolutely feel the hope and love, the painful decisions and the need for connection – and the ending made me smile through my tears – just perfect – as were the final illustrations. There is such power in words – the power to connect and divide, the power to hurt and heal and the power to bring hope when the world seems lost. Books like this incredible story are so needed in our world right now (and not just for children) and there was one sentence said by a character at the end of this story that still bring tears as I write and I think those are tears of hope.

Whilst Jen and Father are not biologically related, it is clear that there is a strong father-daughter bond between them which I found incredibly moving. Father has a powerful instinct to protect Jen and give her what she needs to survive, both physically and emotionally, even when this means withholding the truth and taking heart-breaking decisions and risks. Jen is a wonderful young girl who is kind-hearted, curious and determined and, whilst she is happy with Father, she also has a natural human need to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging which leads her to make to make some painful decisions.

The chapter heading and page illustrations are stunning and complement this intriguing, breathtaking story perfectly.

An exceptional sci-fi adventure pulsating with hope, connection and love – a captivating story that I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 9+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Hunt for the Golden Scarab (Time Keys)

*Written by M.G.Leonard*
*Illustrated by Manuel Šumberac*
*Published by Macmillan Children’s Books*

Hunt for the Golden Scarab is the first book in an exciting, new time-travelling adventure series, Time Keys that swept me into a rollercoaster of an adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout – absolutely riveting!

Twelve-year-old Sim Lockier lives with his mum, Callidora, in a small attic flat attached to the Sir John Soane’s Museum where his mum is a caretaker. Whilst helping his mum clean the Museum after it has closed for the day, they are disturbed by a man and a boy who should not be there. Running from them, Sim’s mum takes him through a locked door to ask for help from the old man they meet there, telling him that hunters have found her.

The next day, his mum tells him that it is no longer safe for them in London so they have to leave and find his uncle, Emmett, an uncle that Sim has never heard of. After a dangerous journey, where they are chased by a hunter, they arrive at Emmett’s home to discover a red-haired girl, his daughter, Jeopardy.

It is not long before Sim discovers the secret that his mum has been keeping from him: she can open time doors and travel back into the past. She is being hunted by the Council of Keys, an organisation who aim to control time travel, and is convinced they will take Sim if they catch up with them. The Council is searching for an ancient artefact, the golden heart scarab of Neferiti, said to grant eternal youth. Callidora aims to thwart the Council and find the golden scarab before they can use it for any nefarious purposes.

And so begins a heart-racing, action-packed adventure as Sim, Callidora and Jeopardy find themselves heading to Egypt to hunt for the golden scarab. But they are being hunted by someone who will stop at nothing to procure the artefact for the Council. Can Sim and his friends save both themselves and the golden scarab before time runs out? Can they find a door into the past and a way to protect a precious artefact?

I absolutely loved this adventure which has plenty of danger, unexpected twists and turns and a feeling of not being sure who to trust which made it a real page turner. I adore books involving time travel and I loved the idea of a link between music and doors in time that allow those who are keys to travel through time. I also really enjoyed the Egyptian setting which is richly described and gives a wonderful insight into this fascinating time period, especially the death rituals of Pharaohs.

Sim and Jeopardy form a wonderful bond of friendship and make a fantastic team when discovering the clues that may help them foil the sinister Council stealing the golden scarab. They show great determination, astuteness and courage as they face dangers and uncover secrets of the past and present – and learn more about themselves. I’m really looking forward to joining them on their next adventure. I also really liked that this adventure has such a strong, female adult role model in Sim’s mum, Callidora, who clearly adores her son and wants to protect him, even when this means keeping secrets from him, whilst at the same time giving him the skills to defend himself should the occasion arise.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are stunning and complement this time-travelling mystery adventure perfectly.

An action-packed, exhilarating time-travelling adventure, perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher, Macmillan Children’s Books, for approving me to read an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Libby and the Egyptian Escapade

*Written by Jo Clarke*
*Illustrated by Becka Moor*
*Published by Firefly Press*

Libby and the Egyptian Escapade is the final adventure in the truly wonderful Travelling School Mysteries series. And what a perfect ending to this fantastic series: an exhilarating, action-packed and intriguing mystery in a wonderfully vivid setting that kept me completely enthralled.

Libby and her best friend Connie arrive in Cairo, ready to participate in another term of learning and exploration with her aunt, Miss Mousedale’s, Travelling School. Meeting up with twins, Sebastian and Noah, and new student Anastasia, it is not long before they are visiting a museum to see some of its ancient treasures, including Tutankhamun’s death mask. And, as in all good school excursions, it ends with a visit to the gift shop where Noah buys a replica canopic jar. But, just as they are about to leave, an alarm sounds and Noah bumps in to a rather rude stranger …

When the children discover that an ancient artefact has been stolen from the museum, they wonder if a mummy’s curse has been reawakened, a curse that brings great danger to those who have the treasure. But the children are not thieves, so why does it feel that danger is following them …

And so begins another intriguing, action-packed mystery as Libby and her friends find themselves in perilous situations as they visit the pyramids of Giza, take a night train to Luxor and even join a cruise on the Nile. Could the children have unleashed a mummy’s curse, or could there be a more logical explanation for the bad luck that seems to be following them on their Egyptian travels?

I absolutely loved following these determined sleuths as they work to unravel another conundrum. I adored the twists and turns, the sense of peril and the uncertainty as to what/who the culprit could be. This is another really clever mystery that kept me turning pages as I was as eager as Libby discover the truth.

I have really enjoyed following Libby and her friends on their adventures with the Travelling School. They have formed such a close bond which feels really authentic and have made a brilliant sleuthing team, always looking out for each other. Despite Libby being distracted by her mum’s search for her dad, she is still determined to get to the bottom of a mystery that puts her and her friends in danger.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are wonderfully expressive and really capture the perils faced by the friends, and the stunning Egyptian locations they visit, as well as the closeness of the bonds between those who attend the Travelling School.

A fantastic finale to a brilliant adventure series: action-packed, exciting and fun – and perfect for young readers of 8+.

Thank you to Firefly Press for sending me a copy of Libby and the Egyptian Escapade in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam

*Written & Illustrated by Dan & Jason*
*Published by Rock the Boat*

Blue, Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam is the first in a wonderful graphic novel series for younger readers – hilarious adventures with three brilliant friends – an adventurous, sport-loving bunny; a book-loving, thoughtful worm; and an inventor, over-thinking frog.

Blue, Barry and Pancakes are best friends who live in the most fantastic, giant tree house. Just as Barry is finishing his impressive Eiffel Tower waffle stack, Pancakes has an idea …

The three friends decide to head to the beach where beach ball seems a perfect activity, but disaster strikes when they lose Blue’s ball to a hungry whale! Luckily, Barry is full of awesome ideas, but not all plans go exactly as intended …

And so begins a hilarious out-of-this-world adventure as the three friends attempt to retrieve Blue’s beach ball and find themselves at an alien pool party …

I loved both the wacky adventure and the heart-warming friendship between Blue, Barry and Pancakes as they realise that friendship is more important than anything else. The full-colour, vibrant illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and so wonderfully expressive. The large panels and speech bubbles will really appeal to young readers.

Explosive fun meets wonderful friendships in this gorgeous graphic novel series for younger readers of 6+.

Thank you to Dannie Price and the Publisher for sending me a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Picture Book Review: King Winter’s Birthday

*Written by Jonathan Freedland*
*Illustrated by Emily Sutton*
*Published by Pushkin Children’s Books*

King Winter’s Birthday is an absolutely stunning hardback picture book – a beautifully told fairy tale which celebrates the four seasons and their importance in keeping balance in nature.

King Winter is celebrating his birthday and he wants to make it really special so he invites his brothers and sisters to attend. They are none other than: Queen Spring, King Summer and Queen Autumn. Despite being warned by the sun and winds, the leaves and trees, that this is not a good idea, King Winter is determined to celebrate with them in order to make his party the greatest ever.

But when his siblings arrive at the Winter Palace, something strange happens outside as the seasons become mingled together, upsetting the delicate balance of nature … will the seasonal siblings be able to bring an end to this imbalance before it is too late?

This story has a wonderfully warm message of the importance of balance in nature, but also of the warmth engendered by joyful memories – even when this is all we have left.

The illustrations throughout are absolutely gorgeous from the trees through the seasons on the end pages to the stunning, intricate internal illustrations which depict the personification of the Seasons in all their natural resplendence. The colour palette used to depict each season is just perfect from the crisp blues and whites of winter to the browns and golds of autumn, the yellows and greens of spring and the vibrant rainbow of summer colours. These images are full of energy and life and I have no doubt that, just like me, young readers will enjoy exploring them.

This story is inspired by a story with the same title written by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz, a German Jew, whilst he was interned on the Isle of Man during the Second World War as an ‘enemy alien’. Information about Ulrich is included at the end of the book – and makes for a heartbreaking read!

A captivating, beautifully illustrated fairy tale that will make a treasured addition to any child’s book collection, and a perfect winter gift for young readers.

Thank you to the Publisher, Pushkin Children’s Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Emba Oak and the Epic Ending

*Written by Jenny Moore*
*Cover illustration by David Dean*
*Published by Maverick Publishing*

All the best endings to adventures have to start somewhere…

I absolutely loved the first three books in the Emba Oak series, so was excited to join Emba on her fourth, and final, adventure in Emba Oak and the Epic Ending… and what a perfect title this turned out to be! Brimming with adventure, peril, humour and friendship, this is an epic finale to an epic series, and one that completely captivated me.

After the end of The Screaming Sea, Emba could be forgiven for needing a little rest after flying Odolf and Whip to apparent safety on the Eyeless Isles so it seems a little harsh that she is woken with a slap in the face by a wet fish! Once awake, she discovers two threats: an imminent attack by the terrifying masked maggot and the sight of her father, Necromalcolm’s ship, anchored on the next island.

But Emba has no choice but to head to the fortress on the island as that is where the Tome of Terrible Tomorrows has been taken, and she needs to hear its next prophecy … the Final Prophecy … but it’s also where Necromalcolm and the sorceress, Monica-Sage, await her arrival … and some old ghost acquaintances!

And so begins this final, thrilling, action-packed adventure as Emba embarks on her most perilous mission to stop her evil father from ruling both the dragon and human realms. Will she be able to save both her dragon mother and her human mother, Fred from the evil clutches of her father as he prepares to enter the dragon realm? Can she possibly save both the dragon and mortal realms from being ruled by an evil tyrant? And as her birthday approaches, will she discover whether she will stay human or become wholly dragon?

I absolutely loved the blend of fast-paced action, peril, humour and heart within this adventure which makes it a real page-turner as I was completely immersed in Emba and her friends’ mission to thwart Necromalcolm and his evil plot for domination of both realms. Be prepared for impossible choices, betrayal, sacrifices, ghost armies and deadly danger … but also wonderful friendships, brilliant teamwork and heartwarming connections.

Emba is just the most wonderful heroine who is determined to save both her own world and that of the dragons, even if this comes with heartache and impossible choices. I loved the strength of the friendship she has with Odolf who is always by her side and ready to encourage and support her when she needs him most.

An epic ending to a fantastic series brimming with humour, heart and friendship – and just perfect for young adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Maverick Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: The Houdini Inheritance by Emma Carroll

*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.

Blog Tour: Bringing Back Kay-Kay

*Written by Dev Kothari*
*Cover Illustration by Tara Anand*
*Published by Walker Books*

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Bringing Back Kay-Kay. I have a wonderful piece from Dev Kothari to share with you where she reflects on train journey adventures.

You can also read my review of this wonderful story here: Bringing Back Kay-Kay.

Adventuring on trains

Growing up in a small town near Mumbai, in India, I walked or cycled to school, to the shops, to my best friend’s flat. To get to nearby towns, we took buses mostly, rickshaws and taxis were a luxury. And for farther distances, like when we’d visit my grandparents or go on a rare holiday or two, we’d take the train.

And it was during those travels, especially the long, overnight ones, that my love for train journeys began. Whether it is because of the rhythm of the carriages jostling on the tracks, or the views from the windows, or the serendipitous encounters with fellow passengers, travelling on trains has always felt like adventuring to me.

When I was 18 years old, I was lucky enough to be chosen to go on a very special train journey that brought together students from all over the world, to travel across India on a 20-day adventure.

Since then, I’ve ventured on trains in many different countries like Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S, to name some.

The more I travel by trains, the more I love it. I think that’s why the mystery-adventure in Bringing Back Kay-Kay is centred around a train journey too. Even though I didn’t set out to do so when I began writing it, I was very happy when the idea occurred to me. I loved bringing in and exploring different elements of train journeys. I think the best bit was writing the people that Lena meets like Stan the Man and Chacha and Singh Madam. What is interesting is that I had no idea when I was writing the story that these characters would appear. It was as if they were all waiting to be discovered – I’m sure that they’re all semblances of people that I came across one time or the other myself on a train somewhere.

I hope that my book is able to convey some of that sense of adventure and joy that I’ve experienced to the readers. And wouldn’t it be absolutely wonderful, if it inspirits them to adventure on trains themselves too?

Author Information

Dev Kothari grew up in a sleepy hamlet near Mumbai,
where she read obsessively, wrote furtively and daydreamed endlessly. She
won the Commonword Diversity YA novel prize in 2018 and went on to study
for an MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University. This is her debut
novel. Dev lives in north London. You can find Dev on Twitter: @DevyaniNK
and Instagram: devyani_nk

Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari (Walker Books) available now.

Waterstones

Amazon

Rocketship Bookshop

For the opportunity to win a copy of Bringing Back Kay-Kay, please check my pinned tweet.

Thank you to Lorraine Keating and Walker Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour. Please do check out the other stops on the Tour: