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.

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: Ghost Tide by Jim Cockin

Written *by Jim Cockin*
*Cover Design by Nell Wood*
*Cover Illustration by Martha Vine*
*Published by Lightning (an imprint of Eye Books*)

Ghost Tide is a gripping, ghostly adventure that held me absolutely enthralled throughout with its eerie atmosphere, sense of foreboding and chilling occurrences.

Fourteen-year-old Charlie does not want to leave his friends in London behind during the Christmas holidays, but his mum is working nights and his dad is working abroad. So Charlie finds himself sent to stay with his Uncle Patrick and his daughter, Ariel, in the coastal town of Dunstrand in East Anglia.

Charlie arrives at the isolated, run-down Darkwater House to discover that there is no wi-fi access, but there is laughter from an empty room. Deciding to explore the beach, Charlie finds a strange locked brass box, a box that a stranger in an antiques shop warns him is dangerous. But before he can heed this advice and throw the box back into the sea, the box is opened … and something sinister escapes …

And so begins a chilling, spine-tingling mystery as the two cousins unite in their quest to stop a terrifying presence from wreaking havoc on the local community as it seeks something it has lost. Can they discover what has been freed from the ‘box of souls’? Will they be able to re-capture what should never have been released before harm comes to others? I absolutely loved the coastal, wintery setting, the perfectly-gauged building of tension, the ever-increasing danger as the children become more isolated and the revelation of secrets that made this a real page-turner that frequently sent shivers down my spine.

This story starts with an intriguing prologue which is blended into the mystery brilliantly as clues are uncovered by two daring and determined children. I loved learning more about the history of Dunstrand and visiting its museum, antiques shop and lighthouse giving a real sense of time and place. I really enjoy spooky, supernatural stories that bring frissons of fear: the ominous happenings, the terrifying presence and the real sense of peril and threat certainly make this a scary read – but not too scary for readers of 9+.

There is initially friction between Charlie and Ariel as neither really wants to be in Darkwater House. Ariel is grieving the loss of her mother which is causing her to lash out at her father. This makes Charlie feel uncomfortable, especially as Ariel does not hide that she doesn’t want him there. However, their shared ability to sense the supernatural brings them together and helps them to work as a team with determination, strength and courage when battling the presence that has been released from the ancient box.

A strikingly spine-chilling, mesmerising ghostly tale, guaranteed to bring shivers of delight and fright to young readers of 9+.

Thank you to the Jim Cockin and Eye Books for sending me an early copy of Ghost Tide in exchange for my honest opinion.