Christopher Edge - ESCAPE ROOM: Game Zero - Book Review - Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books

Get ready to enter the Escape Room: Game Zero! This thrilling new vibrant middle-grade novel by Christopher Edge, author of the bestselling Escape Room series, is an absolute must-read for young adventurers and lovers of virtual reality games. 

When a swirling flock of birds plunges the sky into darkness, Eden finds herself transported to The Escape, a virtual world unlike anything she's ever imagined.  This is no ordinary game; it's a place where the impossible becomes possible and nothing is as it seems.  Teaming up with the enigmatic Ted, Eden must navigate treacherous landscapes, solve mind-bending puzzles, and overcome escalating challenges to unlock the secrets of this captivating and absorbing digital realm. Edge wonderfully crafts a world brimming with suspense, intrigue, and heart-pounding excitement.  The fast-paced plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, while the richly detailed virtual landscapes pop and spark the imagination.  Eden and Ted's burgeoning friendship adds a touching layer of camaraderie to their perilous quest.

"Escape Room: Game Zero" is more than just an adventure; it's a celebration of the power of games to transport us to new worlds and unlock the hidden potential within ourselves.  A true testament to Edge's talent as a storyteller, this book is sure to be a massive hit with young readers and leave them craving more.  Don't miss out on this extraordinary escape room experience – it's a game-changer!

Published by Nosy Crow Books 5.Jun 2025. Book Cover Illustration by David Dean. Book Series Escape Room. 

Check out these other brilliant books from Christopher Edge:

• Black Hole Cinema Club - Book Review HERE
• Escape Room - Book Review -Book Review HERE
• The Many Worlds of Albie Bright - Book Review HERE
• The Jamie Drake Equation - Book Review HERE

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Book Picks - JUNE 2025 UK

Janice Hallett - A Box Full of Murders - Published by Puffin Children's Books 5. June 2025 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241636183. - Paperback - Age: 9+

The first children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.

When Ava and Luke discover a mysterious box of papers in their attic they are instantly curious about secrets it might hold. As they read through letters, diary entries, newspaper cuttings and listen to secret recordings, they realize that a decades-old, still unsolved, murder mystery is unfolding right in front of them . . .
Ava and Luke decide to try and crack the case themselves. But as they work through the clues, it soon becomes clear that the mystery isn't something left in the past: the killer is still out there - and might be closer than they think...

Peter Burns - Shadow Thieves - Published by Farshore 5.June 2025 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008667818 - Paperback - Age: 9+

SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING NEW MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!

13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of an alternate London, shining shoes and picking pockets – until one day Tom’s friends are caught and sent to a brutal workhouse.

Frantic and without a way to save them, Tom bumps into the mysterious Corsair, who offers him an opportunity to train at an elite international boarding school for thieves. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Tom lets himself be whisked away to the snowy Alps in a zeppelin. Swept into a thrilling world of danger and intrigue, the more secrets he learns about the Shadow League, the harder it becomes for Tom to leave. But there are dark forces at work and real danger is coming…

Can Tom save his fellow pupils from disaster – and ever be able to get home again to rescue his friends?

Get ready for the stunning debut in what is guaranteed to become every reader’s favourite new series! Heart-pounding adventure, thrilling heists, remote boarding schools full of ancient secrets waiting to be discovered and much much more…

Corrina Clarke - TraeLoc The Search for the Societies - Published by Olympia Publishers 12. June 2025 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800742703 - Paperback - Age: 9+

Imagine finding out you're an heir to the throne and destined to rule a kingdom... Well, that's exactly what happens to Iris. On her thirteenth birthday, her world gets turned upside down. A stranger, the elusive Ezlard reveals the life-changing secret; something her father has managed to shield her from up until now. Iris has a choice to make; leave her ordinary life behind or take on the biggest challenge she'll ever face... But is she ready to swap school books for a world filled with magic and uncertainty?

Emily Randall-Jones - The Scream of the Whistle - Published by Chicken House 5.June 2025 - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915947147 - Paperback - Age: 8+

All aboard for a new middle-grade paranormal adventure from 2024 Branford Boase-longlisted author of The Witchstone Ghosts, Emily Randall-Jones.

Ruby is miserable. Her parents have split up, and now she’s stuck in a creepy village. At night, she decides to escape and follow the ancient train track home.

Her journey has barely begun when she hears the eerie scream of a whistle – and an old steam train appears out of the darkness . . .

Is Ruby ready for the ghost ride of her life?

READ THE FULL EXTRACT HERE

Jenny Pearson - SHRAPNEL BOY'S - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Shrapnel Boys, by Jenny Pearson, is a historical fiction novel set in London during 1939.  The story follows Ronnie Smith, a young boy both thrilled and terrified by the onset of World War II.  While excited by the nightly bomb raids and the morning's shrapnel collecting with his friends, Ronnie also faces battles closer to home. His little brother is mixed up with a secret job and dangerous new friends, leading Ronnie into a situation that could alter the course of the war.

Pearson, known for her humorous children's books, takes a more serious turn with this novel while retaining her signature wit and heart.  The narrative is praised for its fast-paced and compelling portrayal of the realities of war through the eyes of children. The book has received positive reviews, with comparisons drawn to Robert Westall's *The Machine Gunners* for its depiction of brave children in wartime.  Pearson’s experience as a primary school teacher shines through in her authentic characterisations and understanding of children's perspectives.  

Published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, *Shrapnel Boys* promises an action-packed and thought-provoking read for young audiences, bringing history to life with accuracy and sensitivity, having been reviewed by the Imperial War Museum. 

Pacy, memorable and a Second World War novel to read in your life time. Get your piece of SHRAPNEL now and give it a read.  Published by Usborne this May 2025.