Review: The December Witches

*Written by Jennifer Claessen*
*Illustration by Heidi Cannon*
*Published by Uclan Publishing*

The December Witches is the final book in the A Month of Magic trilogy – what a wonderfully satisfying, heart-warming and magical conclusion to this brilliant adventure series.

It’s Clemmie’s thirteenth birthday which should be a time of celebration, gifts and cake, but instead she’s been given an unwanted gift, a gift that could not only destroy her and those she loves, but also allow twisted magic to enter the world.

There has never been magic in December, yet Clemmie is full of magic, magic that she can’t control and magic that is causing explosive harm not only to Clemmie, but to her home. When tragedy strikes, she must leave her home and fight a battle both within herself and against a force intent on making her a conduit back to the human world. Can Clemmie and her friends find a way to release her star-fuelled magic and defeat the ancient, twisted magic of their ancestors?

This is an absolutely brilliant adventure, intricately woven, and with a perfect blend of tension, peril and excitement as a magical battle weaves through the pages, taking the reader on an unforgettable journey with Clemmie and her friends. I really enjoyed the wintry, snowy setting and the Christmassy feel, especially the reference to Clemmie as Sister Christmas, the giving of star gifts and the comfort to be found in giving. I also loved Connie’s cookbook references at the start of each chapter which perfectly depict the joy, messiness and togetherness of family time!

Growing up, I absolutely loved the Arthurian legends, so I really enjoyed the references in this trilogy, from the family names of the Merlyns and Morgans to family rivalry, the Round Table, knights and mythical places.

Clemmie is the most wonderful, caring and courageous young girl who really finds her voice, her self-awareness and inner strength as she fights against those intent in taking these from her. I loved how she finds strength both through her family and her friendship with Mirabelle, Senara and Kerra who are always there for her and anchor her when she needs support.

A magical, uplifting and festive adventure with family and friendship at its heart – a perfect witchy wintery feast of a story.

Blog Tour: The World Between the Rain

*Written by Susan Cahill*
*Cover and Internal Illustrations by Holly Ovenden*
*Published by Everything With Words*

The World Between the Rain is a lyrical, dream-like fantasy adventure, a story of loss and healing, of family and secrets, of gods and demons, that completely enthralled me as I was caught in its magic.

It is the anniversary of her father’s death, and Marina wakes to a world where her mother has fallen in to a deep sleep, a sleep from which Marina and her younger sister, Seri, cannot rouse her. Heading to the nearby village to seek help, they discover that many others have also been afflicted by this strange sleeping sickness.

The sisters arrive home to discover a stranger: a grandmother that they hadn’t known existed. Ursula takes them, and their mother, to stay with her in her isolated house across the bay, a house with a carved bear’s head on the banister, a house full of books, shadows and secrets.

After listening to her newly-found grandmother’s stories of old gods living amongst humans and ancient battles causing their destruction, Marina needs to find some space to be alone, and leaves the house to head through the steadily increasing rain. But on her way back, she falls through a gap in the ever-present Irish raindrops … and into another world … the watery world of Ishka …

And so begins an utterly mesmerising mystery as Marina finds herself in a world of dream weavers, of terrifying creatures, of gods and demons … Can she find her way back to her world? Can she stop the monster that is devouring dreams? And, could this world between the rain be closer to her real world than she could have ever imagined?

This incredibly powerful and moving story is an allegory of the journey through grief which I found both poignant and compelling. The watery, imaginary landscape is a symbol both of being trapped in grief and that of a healing, transformative force. Coupled with this story of a young girl’s grief is an absolutely gripping story of gods – a story of unforgetting, of family and shadows and of re-connection – truly magical.

I grew up in rural County Donegal so absolutely understand the ever-rain that really does feel different in Ireland – there is a softness, a magic that I haven’t felt elsewhere. I used to love wandering over the wild bog land and mountains, tilting my face towards the rain, arms stretched up and just ‘being’ – there is definitely magic in that feeling! The rain in this story makes for a wonderfully eerie and atmospheric read and is just perfect as a portal to another world.

Marina is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who has been trapped by her grief following the death of her father, someone who believed in magic and who encouraged it in his daughter. Unable to show outwards signs of grief, Marina buries her feelings of guilt, loneliness, fear and loss deep within whilst her mother and younger sister deal with their grief in their own way. Her cathartic journey allows her to face her grief and step on to the path towards facing her inner demons, the path towards acceptance and healing. It is a journey that takes incredible inner strength and courage, and a journey that brings both friendship and hope.

This is a stunning, spellbinding story that resonates with warmth, hope and family, a story of awakening and finding your way back home … utterly breath-taking.

Thank you to Mikka at Everything with Words for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of The World Between the Rain in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

Picture Book Review: Over the Red-Brick Chimney written by Una Leavy and illustrated by Shannon Bergin

Winter is on its way, and Little Goose is excited, and impatient, to begin the migration to a warmer climate. With her Grandfather’s warning to stay close, the geese eventually begin their journey. Fascinated by the wealth of things to see, she finds herself at the back, enjoying all the new sights. But then danger arrives in the form of early snow and, as Little Goose fights against snowflakes and hailstones to keep up, she realises that she has become separated from the others … and finds herself falling to the ground … towards a house with a red-brick chimney.

Little Goose is found by Finn and his mum who take care of her, but can they help her find her way back to the wild geese, and her family?

This is a gorgeously heart-warming read for younger children celebrating the changing beauty of the seasons and natural world, and the fascinating life of migratory birds. It is also a story about helping others, and finding the way home. Finn makes a special connection with Little Goose so feels her loss, but this is lessened by his mother’s reassurance that he will see Little Goose again.

The illustrations are stunning with the wonderfully wintery blue and white colour palette turning to the green and yellows of spring and the oranges and yellows of autumn. The friendship between Finn and Little Goose is perfectly portrayed in the vivid, energetic and joyous illustrations. I adored the illustrations inside the house with the red-brick chimney which felt so homely, cosy and safe.

This is a beautifully presented hardback book, opening into a double-page map of Little Goose’s journey to Ireland from Greenland with the most gorgeous illustrations throughout complementing a story brimming with the re-assuring warmth of family and friendship.

An exquisite, magical picture book that is sure to bring joy to young readers as winter approaches – and they look to the sky hoping for a sight of their own Little Goose.

Thank you to The O’Brien Press for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends written and illustrated by Rose Lihou

Written and illustrated by Rose Lihou
Published by Puffin Books
Published on 18th April

Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends is the first book in the start of a delightful new series for younger readers with full-colour illustrations throughout. This is a charming, gently humorous story, with some wonderful messages, that is sure to captivate its readers.

Seven-year-old Beatrix Bloom and her mum are moving to live with Bea’s Grandma and Grandpa in their large house, Bloom Cottage. She has not seen her grandparents for a long time, but is immediately warmly welcomed by them. Bea’s mum runs a dog-grooming business and Bea really enjoys helping out as she is an animal-lover, and especially adores dogs who she feels comfortable around.

Bea remembers her grandparents’ garden being beautifully kept but, when she visits it with Grandpa, she is surprised to find that it is now overgrown and rather neglected. She is even more surprised to discover that her gardening-loving Grandpa seems uncomfortable in the garden and heads back indoors leaving Bea to explore further on her own. Finding a flowerpot, she watches four tiny creatures rush out and hide in the ivy but, before she can investigate further, she is called indoors. Could they be something to do with Grandpa’s reluctance to visit the garden?

The next day Bea makes the most amazing discovery: there are four tiny creatures living in an old flower pot. She is excited to discover that four adorable, rare tiny dogs have made their home in the garden – and they need her help to remain safe there. Can Bea become their guardian and keep them safe? And, can they help her when the garden comes under threat from an interfering neighbour?

This is a truly wonderful adventure brimming with gentle humour, gorgeous friendships, teamwork and a garden to save that I have no doubt will appeal hugely to young readers. I think readers will appreciate the message of protecting and nurturing nature so that plants and animals can survive and thrive. I think it also addresses big issues for young children in a sensitive way that will help them deal with changes such as moving home or schools.

Bea is a wonderful young girl. She is quiet, kind-hearted and adores both animals and nature. She worries about change and is nervous about starting a new school and trying to make new friends, something which I think lots of young readers will empathise with. Bea doesn’t always find it easy to find her voice and express her opinions. I loved that her new tiny friends give her the strength, courage and confidence to speak out and make a difference. I also adored the relationship between Bea and Grandpa who is kind and reassuring and ready to listen to Bea, giving her the time to express herself.

The full-colour illustrations throughout are just beautiful and really add to the charm and warmth of this beautifully-told story. Close friendship, family and teamwork shine through in both the words and illustrations.

This is a joyous, enchanting adventure for younger readers of 5+ who will want to return to Bea’s Secret Friends again and again whilst they wait for their next adventure.

Thank you to Sally Oliphant and Puffin Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Flame Chasers by Julie Pike

Written by Julie Pike
Cover Illustration by David Dean
Published by Firefly Press

Flame Chasers is a marvellously magical, mesmerising adventure with family, friendship and home at its heart – an unforgettable quest that completely captured me as I ventured with a courageous team across uncharted waters to find their heart’s desire.

Once a year, the flamebirds arrive in Bright Beacon to rest before continuing their journey home. These wondrous, magical birds hold the power to grant a heart’s wish through the wish-magic in their tail feathers. If a tail feather is found, or taken, then the holder can have a wish come true.

Ember is feeling excited at the prospect of sailing with her father and joining the flame chase to race across the sea with the hope of finding these majestic creatures’ home, and perhaps even a magical tail feather. Her heart’s desire is to join the flame chase, so she is heartbroken to discover that her father is leaving her behind and joining the chase alone. He is convinced the race will be too dangerous for her to take part and will not risk her safety.

When her father’s boat is found wrecked in the Westward Seas, Ember is determined to become part of the flame chase in order to find both the home of the flamebirds and her father. But her father has made the captains promise not to take his daughter on this perilous journey. Worrying that her hopes are to be dashed once again, Ember is relieved when she sees a new boat, the Sea Quest. She soon meets Stanley and his mother, Agatha. Whilst Stanly is eager to take part in the flame chase, his mum has forbidden it. But the children find themselves in circumstances where they need to take part in the flame chase and Aggie reluctantly agrees they can all sail together.

So begins the most fantastic, action-packed, thrilling adventure as the three sail through uncharted waters following a path towards the mysterious home of the flamebirds, a home which they have kept hidden from humans. There is plenty of danger for this daring trio as they face perilous waters, and so much more, on their race to save those they love before it is too late. I absolutely loved the twists and turns, secrets and jaw-dropping revelations that made this a riveting read that I absolutely could not put down. Will Ember find her father or will the sea keep what it has taken? Is it possible to find the secret home of the flamebirds to keep hope alive?

As with Julie’s first adventure, The Last Spell Breather, I absolutely loved the magic system in this story which blended wish-magic with leftover magic linked to the feathers of the flamebirds in a fascinating way: magic which could prove both helpful and dangerous – and which has a sting in its tail!

There is also an important conservation message in the chasing/hunting of creatures for something people desire – in this case, the feathers of the flamebirds. Whilst some only wish to find a feather which has dropped from the tail of the birds, others are prepared to exploit these magical creatures no matter the cost. I loved that the flamebirds are keenly aware of the need to protect their home, and each other, from exploitation and harm.

I adored both Ember and Stanley who show incredible courage and determination when faced with great danger and difficult decisions. Ember has the capacity for great love and has such a kind, empathetic heart. She is prepared to take risks for those she loves and never gives up hope. Stanley’s desire to make his heart’s wish come true makes him do something which he knows he shouldn’t, but this fallability makes him more likeable as he strives to put right what he has done. I also really liked Aggie, Stanley’s mum, who so clearly loves her son and wants to protect him, but has the courage to let him become part of the flame chase even when this frightens her.

This is a spectacular, stunning story that that is sure to captivate young adventurers of 9+ seeking an enchanting, engrossing, electrifying read.