Book Review: The Winter Garden

Welcome to the Winter Garden. Open only at 13 o’clock.
You are invited to enter an unusual competition.
I am looking for the most magical, spectacular, remarkable pleasure garden this world has to offer.

On the night her mother dies, 8-year-old Beatrice receives an invitation to the mysterious Winter Garden. A place of wonder and magic, filled with all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna, the garden is her solace every night for seven days. But when the garden disappears, and no one believes her story, Beatrice is left to wonder if it were truly real.

Book Review: The Raven Heir

Book Review: The Raven Heir The Raven Heir Written by Stephanie Burgis 272 pages Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books Publication date: 5th August 2021 Summary (from Goodreads): A set of magical triplets, two warring dynasties, and a broken crown waiting for its rightful owner… Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set…

Book Review: The Time Thief

From the first moment I met Elle in the first book in The Leap Cycle, The Infinite, I loved her. She has such a strong narrative voice, simply walking off the page and drawing me effortlessly into her world. The world-building in the first book is also fantastic, done in an organic way that never feels like info-dumping. Leaplings, children born on 29th February as rare, but even rarer are those who have the gift of being able to travel through time.

Book Review: The Great Revolt

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants’ revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It’s 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people.

Book Review: Comprehension Ninja

Book Review: Comprehension Ninja   Comprehension Ninja Written by Andrew Jennings 48 pages each Published by Bloomsbury Publication date: 11th June 2020 Summary: Comprehension Ninja Workbooks are ideal for supporting your child’s learning at home. With bespoke non-fiction texts and hundreds of questions, they’re packed full of comprehension practice with strong links to the National…

Book Review: Mohinder’s War

Book Review: Mohinder’s War   Mohinder’s War Written by Bali Rai 176 pages Published by Bloomsbury Publication date: 11th June 2020 Summary (from Goodreads) : A thrilling World War II adventure set in occupied France, featuring an Indian RAF pilot. Great for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne, and those who want diverse historical…

Book Review: Terraformer (+ Giveaway!)

Book Review: Terraformer Terraformer Written by Colleen Houck 536 pages Published by Trident Media Group Publication date: 12th May 2020 Summary (from Goodreads): A new dystopian sci-fi YA series from the New York Times bestselling author Colleen Houck Warning all Astronauts: COLONY BOUNDARY WARNING! PERMISSION TO ENTER ALIEN FOREST IS REQUIRED NOTE: NO RESCUE ATTEMPTS WILL BE…

Waiting on Wednesday: A Girl Made of Air

Waiting on Wednesday: A Girl Made of Air   A Girl Made of Air Written by Nydia Hetherington 400 pages Published by Quercus Publication date: 3rd September 2020 Summary (from Goodreads): A lyrical and atmospheric homage to the strange and extraordinary, perfect for fans of Angela Carter and Erin Morgenstern. This is the story of…

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Deeplight

Book Spotlight: Deeplight   Deeplight Written by Frances Hardinge Cover art by Aitch 416 pages Published by Pan Macmillan and Amulet Books (Abram) Publication date: 31st October 2019 (UK) ; 14th April 2020 (USA) Summary (from Goodreads): Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea meets Frankenstein in Frances Hardinge’s latest fantasy adventure The gods are dead. Decades…

Six for Sunday: Favourite characters from series

Six for Sunday: Favourite characters from series   It has been ages since I managed to join in with #SixforSunday and my computer has given up the ghost (I. e. Died) so I can’t even make a graphic to accompany this post! Still, imperfection is better than not posting at all, as much as the…

Book Review: 44 Tiny Secrets

Book Review: 44 Tiny Secrets   44 Tiny Secrets Written by Sylvia Bishop Illustrated by Ashley King 192 pages Published by Little Tiger Publication date: 23rd July 2020 Summary (from Little Tiger Press): The first book in a heartwarming and timeless new series with a brave and spirited heroine, from the acclaimed duo behind THE…

Waiting on Wednesday: The Sin Eater

Waiting on Wednesday: The Sin Eater   The Sin Eater Written by Megan Campisi 368 pages Published by Pan Macmillan Publication date: 23rd July 2020 Summary (from Goodreads): The Handmaid’s Tale meets Alice in Wonderland in this gripping and imaginative historical novel about a shunned orphan girl in 16th century England who is ensnared in a deadly royal…