Review: Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe

*Written by Ashley Thorpe*
*Illustration by Gashwayne Hudson*
*Published by Usborne Publishing*

Spirit Warriors is a stunning historical fantasy adventure, an enthralling story of danger, discovery and daring, that completely captured me from start to finish.

13-year-old Evie lives on the island of Xaymaca, in The Mangrove Hotel, which is owned and run by her adoptive mother, Ms Bell. The Hotel is sustained by magic from a larimar gemstone that was found with Evie who was the sole survivor of a shipwreck nine years previously. Despite Ms Bell’s objections, Evie is determined to attend the annual Carnival of Magic (Myal) in the hope that she will find a mage – a spirit waker – to help her communicate with her parents’ spirits.

Evie is left disappointed and angry when the spirit waker who she finds tells her that her parents do not want to speak to her. Finding best friend Arthur, they are shocked to see a rift appear in the sky which releases malevolent spirits (duppies) who begin to possess the many mages at the Carnival.

When terrifying danger follows the friends home, they have no choice but to leave the Hotel but Arthur does not leave as a boy: his spirit now resides in the body of the hotel cat – and Evie fears that she may be responsible. Evie is determined to find a way to return Arthur’s spirit to his body, to discover why her parents have entrusted her with a powerful, magical gemstone and to defeat the ghastly Blackheart Man who intends to use the power of the island’s four magical gemstones to destroy the barrier between the realms of the living and the dead.

Together with trainee shaman, Cai, Evie and Arthur embark on a heart-pounding mission that leads them towards great danger and incredible discoveries. Can they find the courage and strength to face their fears, to confront petrifying adversaries and to make difficult decisions to save their island? Be prepared for fast-paced action, spine-tingling frissons of fear, brilliant twists and turns and incredible revelations that make this a real page-turner.

Set in an alternate reality, I absolutely loved this nail-biting adventure that is inspired by both the history and folklore of the Caribbean, something that will hopefully encourage readers to find out more, as I did. I was familiar with La Diablesse from Carribean folklore and really liked the alternate depiction in this story that, whilst showing her as a villain, also reveals a link between her life and that of another character who, with the support of others, finds the strength to take a different path.

Evie, Arthur and Cai are incredibly sympathetic characters who have each suffered loss or abandonment. Whilst this clearly has an impact on the decisions they make and actions they take, they find strength, love and courage in their friendship, and that of others, when they have to make incredibly difficult choices.

A terrifically thrilling, magical adventure, steeped in history and folklore, perfect for readers of 9+.

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

Review: Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime by Jennifer Claessen

*Written by Jennifer Claessen*
*Illustrations by Heidi Cannon*
*Published by uclan publishing* *(now Fox & Ink Books)*

Netta Becker and the Timeline Crime is a gripping, time travel adventure, diving into the mythology of Ancient Greece, which held me completely enthralled as I travelled between ancient and modern-day Crete.

A dilapidated, old villa in Crete is not eleven-year-old, Netta Becker’s idea of the perfect summer holiday but then, she didn’t choose this destination. It is, however, the ideal holiday for her history-buff younger brother, Remy, who is fascinated by Greek myths. Expecting to be bored and missing her swimming, Netta is surprised when she wakes from a dream where she has spoken to a Princess of Crete who thinks she’s a god …

Later, on a family excursion to the Palace of Knossos, Netta has a vivid dream of an ancient past where King Minos is discussing the completion of his latest project with its creator, but what if it is more than a dream? What if Netta is actually being pulled back 4,000 years to Bronze Age Crete, to a time when a greedy, cruel King is celebrating the opening of his labyrinth, a maze rumoured to hold a monster at its centre? Can Netta and Remy discover why she is travelling back in time before she becomes trapped in time? Can Netta help those from the past who are in danger? Can she discover the truth of the monster in the maze?

When I was in primary school, I did not have access to many books at home, but my teacher, Mr Little, was always willing to lend me his books and some of my favourites were his collections of Norse and Greek myths, so I absolutely loved that this adventure draws on some famous Greek myths – but with the most wonderful and unexpected twists that, at times, made me gasp aloud.

This is a story told from the perspective of two strong, courageous young girls who become friends as they strive to stop a terrible tyrant from committing the most monstrous deeds. I really enjoyed the increasing level of tension and danger as Netta becomes inexorably drawn into the past, as she becomes involved not only in a daring rescue mission, but in a courageous mission to discover the truth of what hides in the labyrinth. As well as the story unfolding in ancient Crete, there is also a mystery to be solved in modern Crete and, oh wow, I was not expecting that! This was a story that I read in one sitting as I was completely captured by both the adventure and the mystery. I really hope there’s more to come from Netta Becker and her wonderful younger brother!

An action-packed, heart-racing time-travelling adventure, where monsters lurk and friendships flourish, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Fox & Ink Books for sending me a copy. It was my decision to read and review this book, and my review is my honest opinion of this book.

Review: The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

*Written by Emily Randall-Jones*
*Illustration by Micaela Alcaino*
*Published by Chicken House Books*

The Scream of the Whistle is a superbly spooky, supernatural mystery that completely captivated me as the tragic tale of a lost village unfolded: a tale of loss, of family and friendship and of hope.

Following her parents’ separation, twelve-year-old Ruby, her brother Sam, and their mother are staying with her Gram in the village of Melbridge, once a thriving railway village but no longer so.

When Gram takes Ru to the abandoned railway station to help her connect with her family history, she tells her that it is built on a ley line. Ru is more interested in her discovery: that following the railway track will lead her back home where she aims to get her mum and dad back together. But before she can put her plan into action, her Gram insists that she watches the lunar eclipse on May Eve, a time when she believes that a gateway between worlds opens …

As soon as an opportunity arises, Ru sneaks out at night and heads to the train track but she has not gone far when she hears the scream of a whistle and sees an old steam train waiting on the platform. The conductor, Mr Cribbins, assures her that he can take her home so she climbs aboard, but the train does not stop at her home station …

And so begins an unsettling, eerie and thrilling mystery, with some moments of horror, that most definitely sent shivers down my spine as Ru finds herself trapped on a train travelling towards terrible danger, with two new friends, Elfie and Malik. Why is Cribbins intent on keeping the girls on board the train as it heads towards its final destination? Why is Malik unable to leave? Is there any way to prevent the disaster that they are heading towards? There is a palpable sense of fear and tension as the truth is slowly realised, as the steam train moves inexorably through its horrifying history and as the children fight against what seems an inevitable tragedy brought about by one man’s desire for revenge.

Ru is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is hurting at the separation of her parents and hoping that, by getting them into the same room, she can bring them back together. This need is what leads her on to the steam train where she finds herself solving a mystery with two new friends, each with different reasons for being trapped on the train. She shows incredible courage in facing her fears and helping her friends as she comes to realise the reality of their frightening situation. And the ending brought tears – just perfect!

Jump aboard this spooky, mesmerising mystery for a terrifically thrilling adventure, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Chicken House books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Letters to a Dog written by Piers Torday and illustrated by Alice McKinley

*Written by Piers Torday*
*Illustrated by Alice McKinley*
Published by *Published by Barrington Stoke (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)*

Letters to a Dog is a poignant, heart-warming and humorous story that brought both tears and smiles as a grieving father and son find a way to re-connect in the most magical way.

Eleven-year-old Jamie adores animals and longs for a pet and, one pet in particular: an adorable brown-and-white terrier who he had met whilst at the dog home, pretending that he was looking for an adoptive dog even though he knows his dad is not keen.

Whilst in hospital facing a life-changing operation, nurse Shirley suggests that he writes a letter to the dog which seems a good idea to Jamie as he is desperate to share his feelings with someone. He cannot share them with his dad because Jamie has fallen out with him, and is refusing to speak to him, until he allows him to open up about how he is feeling after the loss of his mother.

Imagine his excitement and surprise when Dog writes back – he’s got his very own dog pal! And so begins the most wonderful correspondence – honest, funny and hopeful – and a way for two who are lonely and miss what they have lost, to make a fresh connection.

This is a beautifully told, empathetic story that does not shy away from the heartbreak that families go through when dealing with loss and the different ways that people cope with grief. It also a story that shines with love, memories and promises fulfilled.

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful in two different styles. One has more simple line drawings capturing Jamie’s sketches in his letters to Dog. The others are gorgeously detailed illustrations showing things that have deep meaning for Jamie including his time in hospital, visiting dog and memories of his mum. The final illustration is absolutely perfect – and captures the essence of the story perfectly.

A paw-some blend of humour and heart, of finding a way to communicate and re-connect, and of an adorable dog who brings a family together again.

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

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Review: The Haunting of Fortune Farm by Sophie Kirtley

*Written by Sophie Kirtley*
*Cover Illustration by Ben Mantle*
*Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books*

The Haunting of Fortune Farm is an eerie, evocative and poignant ghost tale of family secrets, remembrance and healing that completely entranced me as I was swept into the isolated Irish setting, enraptured by voices of the past and present connecting through memories …

Twelve-year-old Edie and her little brother Pip are spending their half-term with their grandmother, Lolly, on her isolated farm, Fortune Farm, high up in the rugged landscape of the Irish mountains, on the shores of Lough Ivarr. Whilst Edie used to enjoy visiting Lolly with her family, she hasn’t seen her in years – not since her father died – and she doesn’t want to be reminded of her Dad, and the farm he grew up on, as the memories are just too painful so she keeps them buried deep inside.

When Edie finds hidden items from the past – a piece of metal, her dad’s diary and a newspaper cutting – she finds herself thrown into an adventure to discover long-lost Viking treasure and to uncover family secrets …

Oh my goodness! I was completely gripped by this incredible adventure which sent shivers down my spine as I could really feel the sense of foreboding, the eerie atmosphere and the threat of imminent danger. This astounding adventure is shrouded in an intriguing air of mystery and otherworldliness. Whispers in the wind, unexpected friendships, a trail of clues and an ancient weapon leads to terrifying danger, breathtaking revelations and the release of buried memories. There is so much that happens in this haunting mystery that left me stunned, at times tearful, and always on the edge of my seat … but I don’t want to say anything else for fear of spoilers. Suffice to say that this is an unmissable, exceptional and emotional story that I absolutely couldn’t put down.

As always with Sophie’s books, I love the Northern Irish setting which always brings me back home. I’ve camped both in the Mourne and Sperrin Mountains and walked in many of Northern Ireland’s beautiful forests, including Lough Navar and Glenariff, so know well the wild beauty, isolation and majesty of the Irish landscape but also the sense of history and connection to the past that they engender as well as the sense of otherworldliness from standing still and appreciating these magical places. I think an isolated farm cottage nestled in a valley surrounded by high mountains is the perfect setting for a ghost story where the past haunts the present and family secrets are revealed.

Edie is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who I absolutely adored. She is grieving the loss of her father and burying her memories of him deep inside as they are too painful to bring to the surface. When faced with a mystery, she is determined to solve it, even when this means following her own path and breaking rules. She shows great courage when facing her fears and standing up to a terrifying presence as well as in finding the inner strength to connect with her memories, even when they are painful.

A moving, mesmerising adventure where the past haunts the present, where memories swirl and whisper and where a family comes together to remember and heal.

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