Catherine Doyle - The Lost Tide Warriors - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

Breaking onto the reading scene last year was the Irish author Catherine Doyle. Her debut book was showered with many lovely reviews and some super comments. The book has gathered momentum and recently been awarded the independent bookshops children's book choice which is a great accolade. She has now just written the anticipated sequel, The Lost Tide, which will make up book two in the Storm Keeper quartet series. The book will be launched on the 11th July by the good people at Bloomsbury Children's with another sparkling book cover illustration by Bill Bragg.  

Are we are ready for another epic adventure on the Island of Arranmore? Fionn Boyle has been Storm Keeper of Arranmore for less than six months. The clock is ticking and the fight for the island's survival is gradually becoming perilous once again. The book hits you with drama and suspense as thousands of terrifying empty-eye Soulstalkers arrive on the island in their boatloads. This starts the magic flowing and the web-spinning as the dreaded sorceress Morrigan is ready to rise up once again and destroy the storm keeper and his precious Island. What can they do to save it? 

Fionn and his best friends Shelby and Sam go in search of an ancient story that might help save the island. They search for the ferocious sea creatures (whom nobody believes exist) known as the Merrows. With their razor sharp teeth, they are deadly in combat and could be the answer to their prayers. As they go in search of the lost army, the other islanders prepare for invasion. The only problem is The Storm Keeper's magic has deserted him. Can his family or the islanders save the day? Let the battle begin and the pages turn; pull up the fantasy trousers and get stuck in. You will not be disappointed.

This is another fantastic installment building on the first book which explores a whole community, friends, and family coming together to save the day. The book takes you on a whimsical dream-like escapade full of magic and a cracking good plot. The book delivers on action and drama drawing on ancient myths and folklore that pull the threads neatly together. It is a brilliant read for everyone especially the targeted audience age 8 and upwards. The only feedback I have for this book is that I would have liked the characters to have reflected their Irish heritage colloquially. 

The narrative for me holds some surprises as the book has a lovely dark element that captures the reader's attention. I loved the concept of magic being used and displayed in a different way and not overly used in this story. However, the emotional side of the story was amazing. As the story rolls like gathering stones on a flat landscape, the tension distills and poignant moments spill out of the pages. Be warned: some tears may be shed. However, this helps the reader to get involved with the story that is full of bravery and courage. It is a rapid read that you will escape into and enjoy very much with much more to come. The next book is called The Storm Keeper's Island and is out in July 2020. 

Katherine Rundell - The Good Thieves - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

Trotting out this summer is the latest installment by Katherine Rundell. The Good Thieves will hit the shops on the 13th of June 2019. The book will be published in a lovely hardback edition by Bloomsbury Publishing. I'm a very big fan of the amazing cover that has been produced by Matt Saunders. In the finished copy, which I have not yet seen, there are some exquisite black and white chapter headers by the illustrator as well. They not only add a little slice of detail but also transport you straight back to the 1920s in New York City. 

This is an example of one of the images that I've had permission from the illustrator to use from his Twitter feed. You can check out some of his others at: @msaunders_ink. 

The magic of adventure is here to see in this book. The opening lines of the first chapter are both poetic and captivating. Vita set her jaw and nodded at the city in greeting, as a boxer greets an opponent before a fight. That is probably one of my favourite opening lines to a book for some time. It feels like a quotation from the great boxer, Muhammad Ali.

The plot is focused around a group of children (all fantastically different) who come together to right a wrong. Vita is the main character. A born fighter, she arrives on the wind with her mother from England. Fresh off the boat in New York City, she admires the horizon: tall, grey, blue and beautiful. However, Vita Marlowe is there for a reason. She has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather (Jack) has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack's spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again. So, she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home. However, will Vita and her newfound friends be up to the challenge?

The story slowly creeps inside you and grips you with a brilliant all-out action heist of a plot like no other. As the adventure slowly builds, the characters personalities seep through and pull you on a journey of friendship and crazy antics that entertain. It's a story of loyalty, bravery and clever thinking. There are some brilliant moments built in which make this book both an entertaining triumph and a joy to read. 

The author has done a fantastic job of capturing the time period - approximately five years after the First World War. The children in the book radiate the feeling of recovery and anticipation as they bring their talents together to overcome any obstacles in their way. It's a fantastic story to escape into; an acrobatic circus of delights and truly wonderful storytelling with nature and wildness running at its heart. 

This is a brilliant story full of heart-stopping moments, thrills, spills and many different smiles. It's a fantastic performance - a pickpocket delight to read - where two boys with unusual skills, two girls full of determination and a host of animals find themselves in a death-defying adventure. What more could you possibly want? 

Christopher Edge - The Longest Night of Charlie Noon - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

"If you go into the woods, Old Crony will get you."

Secrets, spies or maybe even a monster... What lies in the heart of the wood? Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are determined to discover the truth, but when night falls without warning they find themselves trapped in a nightmare. Lost in the woods, strange dangers and impossible puzzles lurk in the shadows. As time plays tricks, can Charlie solve this mystery and find a way out of the woods? But what if this night never ends...?

We are just about to skip, hop and jump into summer, so why not review the latest book by Christopher Edge at this time. The Longest Night of Charlie Noon will be published in paperback by Nosy Crow books on the 6th June 2019. The brilliant book cover artwork has been produced by Matt Saunders and comes with shimmering lettering that will sparkle both on and off the bookshelves. The illustrated cover inspires the characteristics of the story inside and leaves you asking many questions about the story. It certainly piqued my interest and  encouraged me to explore the story inside. In my opinion, this is an illustration job that has been done very well.

This is another fantastic plot that blends a deep sense of darkness with a science-fiction grounding. The story is told with a real sense of emotion and passion which drives this story into the woods and beyond. The book is inspired by a classic childhood read by Denys Watkins-Pitchford - a book called Brendon Chase. This planted a small acorn of an idea that the author explores and runs with before it explodes into a large Oak tree dangling with fantasy entrails. 

Whilst doing some research for the book, Christoper spent a very scary night in lower woods. This visit for me has has helped him capture the spirit, darkness and the magic beauty of nature and the great outdoors.

The three characters try and find a way out of the forest (an ancient woodland on the border of Gloucester and Wiltshire). However, they soon become incredibly lost and surrounded by ghostly shapes and strange noises. The deeper into the woods they go, the more ethereal the journey becomes. Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are led on a puzzling nightmarish adventure that will have you engrossed in this ghost story/time-travel mystery. As time stops and the heart beat races, what will happen next?

This is a compact story full of wild imagination. The author has an expert eye for pulling on the emotional heartstrings of the characters and the readers. A giggle here, a sob there and a howl from the wind which will rattle the bushes and make you run for cover as the eeriness creeps in and plays with your mind. As with all stories by Christopher, you never just know what is going to happen next. His quirkiness for story telling and the exquisite blending of character dialogues makes his books standout; this book is no exception. 

This is another middle-grade blossom that will bloom to grasp a bigger audience. It's an interesting and great concept for a story. Intelligent, with a clear moral underlining and instilling the author's passion for teaching, science and nature. This book reflects on the world helping other people in finding comfort during the hardest and bleakest of times. It's another great story which captures the beating heart, so pick up a copy and read it sooner rather than later! 

William Sutcliffe - The Gifted, the Talented and Me - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

The Gifted, the Talented and Me is the latest YA book by William Sutcliffe to find its way onto the bookshelves this May. Published by Bloomsbury, this will be William's third YA novel and it is very different from his previous books. When I received this book for review, I scanned the synopsis and thought this is not my cup of tea. One of the lines on the press release was "you think Adrian Mole had problems?" I knew at this point that I'd got problems as this was not a book I thought I was going to remotely enjoy. So, you can see that my expectations were set really quite low.

I started to read this book but then, to be honest, the preface left me slightly intrigued. Dad got rich and his mum moved the family to London. Sam, the main character, then takes us on a teenage journey of mixed emotions that actually feel like you are reading an actual account from a real person. The author has really skillfully achieved this in his writing.

Sam and his brothers find themselves moving to a new school, but not any ordinary school. It's the North London Academy for the Gifted and Talented. At this point, the idea slowly reeled me in like a little worm looking for some fantasy gold. I actually started to find the story interesting and before I knew it, with a grumpy teenage strop here and an Instagram update there, I found this book to be really brilliant.

I felt like I was sitting on a fantasy fence watching how some families when elevated with wealth, change their lives and their outlook on the world. The Mum in the family suddenly embraces the arts and is laughed at. I also like the blogger side of Mum in the plot - a very neat touch and, for me, particularly relatable to.  Dad is aloof but brings a sense of realism to some of the situations, alongside his many rounds of golf. This book really explores the lives of the three siblings adapting to their new school life. It's brilliantly warm and very comical. It will make you laugh and possibly choke on your tears at the same time.

The story is essentially about adapting and finding your own place; playing the LIFE game and dealing with emotions. It has a great message for the reader about staying true to yourself. This, for me, was five-star entertainment from a book that I thought I was going to struggle with. HOW wrong was I? I loved it. A delight and an absolute joy to read from the very first page. It will keep you on your toes with crazy capers until the very last page has been turned and only then will you be able to breathe easily again!

Synopsis: Laugh-out-loud funny and instantly recognisable - not since The Inbetweeners has a coming of age story been so irreverent and relatable. 

Fifteen-year-old Sam is not a famous vlogger, he's never gone viral, and he doesn't want to be the Next Big Thing. In fact, he's ordinary and proud of it.

None of which was a problem until Dad got rich and Mum made the whole family move to London. Now Sam's off to the North London Academy for the Gifted and Talented, where everyone's busy planning Hollywood domination or starting alt-metal psychedelica crossover bands. Sam knows he'll never belong, even if he wanted to. And that's before he ends up on stage wearing nothing but a fur onesie ...

A brilliantly funny look at fitting in, falling out and staying true to your own averageness.

Sharon Gosling - The Golden Butterfly - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

The Golden Butterfly danced in the air, beautiful and impossible, yet there before their eyes. Then the Magnificent Marko flicked his wand again. There was a shower of sparks, a bang and ... the Golden Butterfly vanished. 

Let the show begin with the latest book by Sharon Gosling. The Golden Butterfly will be published this May 2019 by Stripes Publishing. The fantastic golden book cover has been produced by the talented Pip Johnson and will certainly sparkle on the bookshelves. The story is set around 1897 and is particularly rich in detail at a time that magic was a spectacular event. It's a fully engrossing period read that makes the reader think back to the golden age of performance. However, it's also a time when women were never permitted to do magic and strict rules were adhered to by the Grand Society of Magicians.

It's 1897 and since the Magnificent Marko dramatically departed the stage, no magician has come close to performing a trick as spectacular as the Golden Butterfly. With her grandfather gone, Luciana feels that the world has lost its wonder. Then the imposing leader of the Grand Society of Magicians appears, searching for something belonging to Marko, and Luciana is drawn into a world of danger and deception. As she battles to protect her grandfather's greatest legacy, can she distinguish reality from illusion?

This book has a theatrical delight that will entertain readers. However, the tiny lights glint on the soft white snow and sadness comes sweeping in as life sadly slips away for Luciana's grandfather - The Greatest Magician - MAGNIFICENT MARKO. Then when a strange man comes looking for a mystery object, the plot once again grazes the reader's fantasy taste buds with a sense of sadness. However, Luciana and her best friend, Charley, are soon hurtled into a headlong adventure full of puzzles to solve. Whilst also hoping to uncover the hidden secrets to one of the best magical illusions ever seen, THE GOLDEN BUTTERFLY.  

This fast-paced narrative ticks all of the boxes when it comes to an entertaining read. I was hooked and mesmerised by a story full of colour and a set of strong characters that felt both real and believable; they certainly make you want the best for them. The book shows intelligence and tackles social issues that I felt were well researched and poignantly used in the plot. The story is a fantastic fluttering performance full of suspense, drama, family secrets, and dazzling bravery that will shine and hit you in the heart.

The plot is brimming full of friendship, loyalty and lots of deceitful deeds which makes this journey all the worth following. As the plot unfurls, the sense of mystery will engulf the reader and as the curtain falls, the fantasy soon roars into a middle-grade read that will certainly appeal to everybody. I loved the ending of this book; it wraps the story into a cinematic vision that will leave you breathless and wanting more. You will be desperate for an encore as the joy spills out leaving you enchanted, uplifted and longing for another book. This is a fantastic read from start to finish; an unexpected MARVEL that is very much recommended by Mr. Ripley.

Abi Elphinstone - Rumblestar (The Unmapped Chronicles) - Boo Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Step through the door of adventure this May with the latest book from Abi Elphinstone. This is the start of a breathtaking new series "The Unmapped Chronicles" published by Simon & Schuster. Rumblestar is an epic read that pulsates with the author's zest for real-life adventures and daydreaming in her writer's shed. Each book in this series will be a standalone read that features a child from our world trying to save the unmapped magic from being stolen by an evil harpy called Morg. 

As soon as you turn the first page, you open the doors to the soul of imagination where you meet eleven-year-old Casper Tock. He hates risks, is allergic to adventures and shudders at the thought of unpredictable events. So, it comes as a nasty shock to him when he accidentally stumbles into Rumblestar, an Unmapped Kingdom full of magical beasts. This leads to a world of magic and a fantasy web of wonder where every page will thrill and entertain. All Casper wants to do is find his way home. However, Rumblestar is in trouble and is in need of a saviour. Who could that be?

Morg is sending her followers, the Midnights, into the kingdom to wreak havoc and pave the way for her to steal the Unmapped magic for herself. However, Casper cannot turn a blind eye because the future of his own world, as he discovers, is bound up with that of the Unmapped Kingdoms. The reader is whisked into an unimaginable quest full of action and suspense where you'll sky hop with cloud giants and fly in a magical hot air balloon that can pilot itself. 

This is a story that sparkles with a kiddish excitement whilst exploring magical kingdoms and bright colored rainbows. All of which are filled with fantastical creatures floating on a dream. This, for me, is the best book that Abi has written to date; it is a sparkling jewel of a read. The book is delivered with pace and passion. It starts in reality and takes you into an illusion that will have you gripped all the way. The heart of adventure is here. This is a book and a series that is definitely not to be missed so order it NOW!

Live a life filled with adventure with Abi Elphinstone where a whole new world is waiting to be discovered... 

Charlotte Lo - We Won an Island - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

When Luna's family win an island, Luna thinks it will solve everything AND she can finally get a donkey! But things don't go entirely to plan - no one expects Luna's younger brother to win a Sheep Pageant, for example - and the secret festival they hold soon spirals out of control. But the island is beautiful, and the family are happy, and maybe Luna will get her donkey after all...

This is another delightful book published by Nosy Crow. We Won An Island is the debut book from Charlotte Lo. The book will hit the shops on the 2nd May 2019 just in time for summer. When you turn the first page, the characters' narratives start to work the magic inside your head. It starts off with sadness and pulls on the emotional heartstrings of the reader. Luna's family are suffering from bereavement and things start to go bad as they're just about to lose their home. However, with just one wish, the plot turns into an adventure that will uplift the soul and pump fresh joy into the heart of the reader ... very slowly. 

A slice of magic and luck hit the family when a bonkers businessman gives away his Scottish Island. As part of the competition's terms and conditions, the island can never be sold by the winner. Therefore, anyone who enters should be prepared to live on the island for the rest of their natural life. It's a brilliant and simple concept which gripped me from the opening pages. The three children are fantastically portrayed in the book. Each one is full of character and written well; they all have a unique and somewhat quirky outlook.  

A breath of fresh air takes the family on an adventure that leads to a catastrophic chain of events. One minute it will make you laugh out loud and the next minute it will bring on the tears.  As the three siblings and family adapt to the rural life of the island, they all have dreams which float through the air like confetti leaves hugging the forest floor. It's a great holiday read that inspires the great outdoors and depicts the beauty in nature and our natural landscapes. The book delivers hope and understanding whilst pulling together a community, even when the characters are new to the area. 

This is a flying-high, middle-grade story that will make your day and make you smile. It's crazy, very surreal and asks a lot of questions that will pull on the reality strings of the reader and also the characters. It's a pleasure to turn the pages. This is a family read full of determination and donkeys, goats, knitting, and a run-down house. A storm is brewing where comical laughter and calamity will hit you in the face. As you turn the last page and the secret festival has come to an end, what could possibly go wrong? Come and find out...

What would you do if you won an island? 

Louie Stowell (Author), Davide Ortu (Illustrator) - The Dragon In The Library - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Coming out in June 2019 is the first book in a brand new series by Louie Stowell. The Dragon in The Library, which will be published by Nosy Crow, will soon hit the bookshops and libraries near you. The book will have amazing Neon artwork which you will be able to see from Mars. Whilst the book cover image has been fabulously illustrated by the very talented and rising star Davide Ortu. His collaboration makes this book a little extra special. Below is one of the inside illustrations to show you just how wonderful and engaging his artwork and the story together really are. 

The book is aimed at the younger reader (approx. age 6 and upwards) so it makes it a perfect family or classroom read. The fantastic theme running throughout the story is about the power of reading. It looks at saving our public libraries regardless of the individual and worldwide situations we face. The best gift that we can give our children is to freely access books. In doing so, we can feed their imagination and help them to understand the world around them. This book does that in a number of exciting ways.  

It's the first day of the summer holiday and the start of the hunt for Danny Fandango. Kit can't STAND reading, but when she's dragged along to the library by her two best friends, Josh and Alita, she makes an incredible discovery. Books are MAGIC and dragons are REAL. Stories can make dreams even bigger. She comes to realise that you won't and can't die of boredom in a Library. Unfortunately, it needs to be saved first.

This is a fantastic story about friendship and saving the local library from being torn down. The book features a lovely cast of characters who represent a diverse range of cultures. Their opposing personalities make the storyline very playful and engaging. It's definitely a story full of imagination. Such as jumping in and out of stories, literally, just like Marry Poppins. 

This story is a thrilling slice of fantasy, action, and fun. It has a fast-moving plot full of spells, wizards, dragons, monsters, and a very bad villain. All of this created a magically immersive outing but with a great message to be told. This is a great start to a series which should not be missed. 

Without libraries, the WORLD will END. 

Thomas Taylor - Malamander (The Legends of Eerie-on-Sea) - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

This is the perfect book to read this summer. It's a story of dreams told straight from the author's head on a perfect day walking along the local beach. The lure of treasure washed up by the tide has formed this brilliant story into a magical marvel. It's an atmospheric holiday adventure that you will not be able to put down. The book will be published on the 2nd of May by Walker Books with a brilliant and striking book cover image by George Ermos. I'd buy it just for the enticing cover alone.

The book is set in Eerie on Sea and follows a wonderful pair of characters called Herbie and Violet. Both of whom find themselves washed up together in the basement of the Grand Nautilus Hotel with the cries of "Help Me". High on an adventure and, with a mystery to solve, the detecting duo set out in a swirl of mist and crashing waves to uncover the disappearance of Violet's parents. You will hurtle into a fantastically written heroic story full of quirky and creative imagination that is the trademark of Thomas Taylor. I particularly loved the names of the characters and places; the great whimsical play on words really made me chuckle. 

A trip to the Eerie Book Dispensary uncovers the legend of the Malamander but could it really be true?  What does this have to do with Violet's missing parents? This for me is when the magic comes together. With the mix of the mythical beast (the Malamander) and a meremonkey, it sets the riddles going and the fantasy hunger racing. The story is fraught with perilous danger and a howling wind as the characters discover that Violet's missing parents might have something to do with the legendary sea-monster (the Malamander) and a local writer called Sebastian Eels. This is the evil villain and he plays his part really well. Also, look out for Boathook man, lurking in the misty shadows. These provide the perfect backdrop for the story as it is laced with a Whitby gothic eerieness that will plunge the reader into the darkness of folklore and mayhem.  

You will absolutely crash through this brilliant book as you ride the waves on a vortex of magical fantasy. All of which come crashing down, at various points, with the spray of intrigue and danger. You will dig up beach treasures including glass that sparkles light on the search of clues to uncover the truth. It's a feast of a plot that will certainly make you want to eat fish and chips at SEEGOL'S DINER. Especially to console yourself when the story reaches the climatic and brilliant ending.  

This story is full of hope and eccentric characters; it sucks you into the immersive world and catapults the reader into fantasy oblivion. It's a story that will be read and loved. Hopefully, more are to be written in the future. In the meantime, book your trip to the seaside town of Eerie on Sea. Pre-order here NOW BEFORE the Malamander strikes. 

Dominique Valente (Author), Sarah Warburton (Illustrator) - Starfell: Willow Moss and the Lost Day - Book Review

This is a magical experience from the debut middle-grade (8-12 years) book by Dominique Valente. Starfell will fall from the glittering sky with a flash of colour into the reading world on the 2nd May 2019. It has been published by HarperCollins Children's Books in a lovely hardback format and has been fabulously illustrated by Sarah Warburton. The black and white drawings will definitely capture your attention; you only need to look at the book cover and judge this for yourself. 

Magic is just around the corner as you turn the pages and enter Starfell. Willow Moss is the main character and has the worst magical ability in her family. Whilst she has the ability to find lost things like keys, socks or underwear, this is not considered to be particularly exciting. However, how wrong you would be as this small and, seemingly insignificant ability, might just save the world or could that be another book?

One day a powerful witch called Moreg Vaine comes knocking on the door for help to find Tuesday - that's the clue to hurtle the reader into a fantastic adventure. The plot is brimming with whit especially from the Monster under the bed. However, just watch out that he doesn't explode. He is such a brilliantly written character full of personality, in fact, I think he is worthy of his very own book!

This is a fantastic story full of unexpected adventures and magical charm; it is pure escapism.  You will visit castles and far-flung places full of monsters, dragons, wizards, and trolls. There is also a group of bad people called the BROTHERS OF WOL who want to take over the world. Every page is an absolute joy to read. The book has hidden depths which you might not even see coming. It certainly leaves an emotional bread crumb trail that will hit you in the face just like a magical broom at 100 miles per hour. 

This is a story that feeds the imagination in a world where magic never dies. Fun, crazy and just a little bit special, it's a story full of friendship, family and perilous action. What a cracking start to a new series from a debut voice with the ability to deliver both a great adventure and brilliant characterisation. This is very much a recommended read. 

Kirsty Applebaum - The Middler - Book Review (Nosy Crow) Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Heading out into the literary world on 4th April 2019 will be Kirsty Applebaum's debut book, The Middler. The book (published by Nosy Crow Books) supports a brilliant book cover image designed by Nicola Theobald which features the fantastic artwork by art director/illustrator Matt Saunders. This striking design will certainly help to set this book apart from the many other great books being published this coming April. We are certainly in for a literary treat or two.

The story is told from the perspective of eleven-year-old Maggie who introduces you to her home in Fennis Wick. It's a settlement isolated and protected from the outside world by a boundary beyond which the Quiet War rages and the dirty, dangerous wanderers roam. The plot starts to set the brain ticking by asking the questions regarding what lies ahead. What we find is a story full of lies and propaganda which soon turns into a web of mystery and intrigue. The book gives a timeless feeling to it. It's hard to distinguish when and where the story is actually set - past/future? However, this definitely captures the imagination and attention of the reader.

This story is brilliantly written and well developed middle-grade children's book that will appeal to a wide reading audience for a number of reasons. Maggie the main character is bold, daring and very endearing. She is a middler, a muddler and not very important. Her older brother Jed is special, as the oldest his destiny is to go and fight in the Quiet War. Whilst her younger brother, Trig, has been written very realistically. He is loved by everyone, naive and a little bit soppy. All of the characters depict a family unit who are caring, full of love and looking for, hopefully, a safe future. 

However, one hot September day, Maggie meets Una. She's a hungry wanderer girl in need of help. Maggie's life changes forever as she begins to realise that things weren't quite what she'd been led to believe. The story takes you on an ambling adventure of forbidden friendship in a world of betrayal and deceit; the lies are unfurled page by page. The narrative is both unsettling and yet thrilling to read. It's a very good book for the inquisitive reader as the questions and intrigue wash over you like little ripples; contracting and expanding as the action unfolds. 

This is a fantastic book to read - funny, thought-provoking, tragic but also uplifting. It's an expertly crafted family story about thinking for yourself and standing up for what is right. As a great classroom read and an entertaining page-turner, what more could you want from a book? 

"I was special." 

"I was a hero." 

"I lost the best friend I ever had."

"I will take you on a journey all you have to do is turn the pages and follow me."  

Check out a preview of the book HERE

Martin Howard - The Cosmic Atlas of Alfie Fleet - Blog Tour

Here we are on a cosmic adventure with Alfie Fleet and Professor Pewsley Bowell-Mouvemont. The OUTLANDISH blog tour arrives at Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books with an interesting Q&A interview that might just get your Bowells (Mouvement) going in the wrong direction. 

The book has been reviewed here if you fancy taking a quick look at it - Click Here. It will take you to another world! It's certainly not one to miss out on.

There's also an amazing opportunity to WIN your own copy of this brilliant book. All you need to do is send a tweet, write a Facebook comment or leave a message on the blog mentioning the words BRAINS-IN-JARS!

In the meantime, jump aboard Betsy the moped as we set off to INFINITY and BEYOND...


In The Cosmic Atlas of Alfie Fleet it says that there is a stone circle in the basement of Number Four, Wigless Square, that opens portals to different worlds. Is that true? 

Alfie: It sounds bonkers but it’s completely true. All stone circles have the same power. Up until now no one knew why Stonehenge was built thousands of years ago. When you understand that it was put there so tourists from other planets could visit Earth it all makes sense though.

Professor: That’s why there are stone circles all over the place, you see. Australia, America and all over Europe, of course. There are some very silly theories about them. Some archeologists think Stonehenge was used as a giant musical instrument, the idiots! The truth is that Earth was very popular with tourists back in the days before all the noise and pollution and celebrities. 

How many other worlds are there? 

Professor: Well, we have the co-ordinates for a few thousand, but there are plenty more to discover. Here at the Unusual Cartography Club we make maps of them and put the best ones in The Cosmic Atlas. This morning we’re off to … ahh … where are we going again this morning, Rupert?

Alfie: It’s Alfie, Professor. My name’s Alfie, remember? And we’re going to visit planet Earwax II. 

Professor: Oh yes, that’s right. Thank you, Rupert. Marvellous place, Earwax II. I discovered and named it myself you know, just after I discovered Earwax I. Couldn’t think of a decent name at the time and I do get a terrible waxy build-up in my ears, so … 

Alfie: We get the idea, Professor. 

Professor: It’s an interesting planet. Very pretty. Some lovely vistas and landscapes only slightly spoiled by the fact that the whole planet is overrun with giant gibbon things that try and pull your arms off. Luckily, we have Derek so giant gibbon things aren’t a problem for us. 

Alfie: Derek’s my best friend but she’s quite scary. 

Oh yes, Derek’s from a world you visited called Outlandish, isn’t she? 

Alfie: Yes, it’s all in the book. Her full name is Hunter-of-the-Vicious-Spiny-Dereko-Beast and she’s from a tribe called the Children of Skingrath. She was their Under-Sixteens Beating-People-Up Champion. 

Professor: Where is young Derek? 
Alfie: In her room, learning English. She’s learning from her favourite pop songs so she says ‘yeah yeah baby oh yeah’ a lot at the moment. It’s a bit weird, but we don’t mention it.

Professor: Derek is quite likely to pull your intestines out and wear them as a scarf if you say the wrong thing. 

What’s the best world you’ve visited? 

Alfie: I’m new at the UCC so I haven’t seen very many yet but I really loved Outlandish. Apart from all the horrible danger and people trying to kill me every five minutes I had a lot of fun there. Plus they have elves and actual magic. Proper, twinkly, finger-waggling, ka-boom magic, not just people in silly hats pulling rabbits out their sleeves. My mum likes a world called Blysss, which is a beach paradise world. The people there bead your hair as soon as you arrive and you’re forced to lay around in a sun-lounger all day drinking fruit cocktails with umbrellas in. 

Professor: Hmm, that’s a tricky question. I’ve seen hundreds of worlds since I joined the Unusual Cartography Club but I very much like a planet called Sminkey-Sminkey. 

Alfie: Is that one of the worlds where you’re worshipped as a god, Professor?

Professor: Yes, yes it is. The slugfolk of Sminkey-Sminkey always welcome me with open feelers, and they have an excellent Moustache Museum. The Temple of Bowell-Mouvemont is well worth a visit, too … 

And the worst world?

Alfie: The Professor discovered a world he named Maureen a few months ago. It’s just a big desert with sand lobsters and really boring.

Professor: Although it does have three suns, so it’s a good place to get a tan. I once got lost on a lost world called Lost. Had to eat moss and my own dandruff. Plus, the local people would shove me into a sack every week and throw me into a pond. I never did find out why. It wasn’t very pleasant though. 

Professor, you are the President of the Unusual Cartography Club. Can you tell us more about it? 

Professor: No one really knows exactly how old the UCC is, but its members have been mapping planets around the universe for at least ten thousand years. I joined in 1763, when I was just a young lad of fifteen. Of course it was all very different back then. Toffee was made from sheep bladders and there was a total eclipse of the sun that lasted thirty-eight years. Everyone dressed in leaves back then, and had a twitch in their left eye. Is it leaves, or leafs? I can never remember.” 

Alfie: Leaves. And none of those things happened on Earth. You’re thinking of another planet, Professor.” 

Professor: Am I? Which one? 

Alfie: I don’t know. I wasn’t born in 1763. 

Professor: Well that was silly of you. Those were good times. Happy days. Except for wearing leaves. Surprisingly, they’re not as comfy as they look.

Alfie: You’re supposed to be talking about the history of the Unusual Cartography Club. No one’s interested in wearing leaves. 

Professor: Hardly surprising. It’s the caterpillars, you know. They wriggle into your ears and that feels weird, though a few weeks later butterflies come flapping out. It’s quite lovely when that happens. 

Alfie: The UCC, Professor. 

Professor: Of course. Of course, of course, of course. Where was I? What am I talking about? Who am I?

Alfie: You’re fifteen and joining the Unusual Cartography Club.” 

Professor: Ah yes, so it was 1763, a very good year if you liked skin diseases and stepping in horse poo. Oh, we used to have a lot of horse poo back then. It’s very good for growing cucumbers … 

Alfie: Professor!

Professor: What? Eh? 
Perhaps a different question … What’s next for the Unusual Cartography Club? 
Alfie: Wait and see! The UCC has always been a secret society but we’re going to change all that and open it up to everyone.

Professor: It wasn’t really a secret society, you know. It’s just that people lost interest in stone circles. 

Alfie: It’s all about how you present the information. If you wander up to people in the street and tell them you just got back from a cheese-eating trip to Cheeseworld they just give you funny looks. But if you give them a glossy brochure offering three week holidays on the paradise planet of Blyssss for a very reasonable price … 

Professor: There’s a Cheeseworld? Why wasn’t I told? Really, Rupert, you know how much I enjoy cheese and I am President of the UCC. I should be informed if you’ve discovered a world of delicious cheeses. 

Alfie: It’s Alfie, and there’s not really a Cheeseworld. I just made it up as an example. 

Professor: And I’m feeling quite peckish. Forget Earwax II. Come along Rupert. Let’s be off. Cheeseworld awaits. Toot toot. Coming through. To infinity and behind … 

Dragging Alfie behind him, the Professor straps on a motorcycle helmet and strides away, bringing this interview to a close. The last thing we notice is that he squeaks when he walks, exactly as if he’s wearing a tight ladies’ corset under his clothes …

Do check out the other stops on the blog tour for more fun, frolics, and mayhem.

Also check out Martin Howard at the following places @MJHowardWrites on Twitter and visit his website: https://booksbymart.pub 

Thank you for reading and have a great adventure. 

Martin Howard (Author), Chris Mould (Illustrator) - The Cosmic Atlas of Alfie Fleet - Book Review

We are on the younger person's book trail with the latest installment by Martin Howard. The Cosmic Altlas of Alfie Fleet will be published with love on March 7th, 2019 by Oxford University Press. The book supports a cracking book cover with delightfully energetic black and white illustrations by local illustrator Chris Mould. The map of OUTLANDISH is very cool and I think I might just have to acquire it from his studio! However, I'll make sure I get a slow getaway on good old Betsy the moped. 

This is a fantastic book full of pure escapism and jolly wild capers. Hop on for the ride of your life at 5 miles an hour! Strap yourselves in and put on your crash helmet. Alfie Fleet's problems started when he was feeling very sad about not having any money. All Alfie wanted to do was give his loving mum a foot spa as she worked long hours on her feet at a fish market. Life could be so dull some times, however, this foot problem took him on an unbelievable adventure. All it took was one add in the local newspaper. HELP NEEDED due to a bad back.

Simple words that then catapult the dear reader into a mighty escapade that will pop all imaginary clogs before you even finish the book. You've been WARNED! 

The story takes the reader on a far-flung fantasy adventure filled with fun, FROLICS and rather copious amounts of humour. You will travel a whole universe full of wonders with a crazy old professor and his bristly moustache all aboard the trusty old moped. You'll have a giggle and a google (make sure you check the map first) at the places they visit. It's a book full of eccentric characters that will knock out your teeth or make you smile and then, of course, there is Derek. 

The book is brilliantly creative and will engage all readers regardless of age. It has so much to offer the reader in this original heartfelt story full of action, thrills, and plenty of spills. You'll meet deadly hoarding dragons, elves that want to be supermodels and crazy gods. 
  

The diary style ramblings are a slice of genius and give us an insight into how the main character thinks through the exploits and explorations that take part on the road to INFINITY.  This, for me, worked brilliantly and enhanced the wonderful illustrations which worked in harmony with the ongoing story. It's a very cool plot for the seasoned adventurer; a great pootle of a ride into a world and beyond. This is a fully recommended family read that will uplift your mood in seconds leaving you wanting so much more. Hopefully, to be delivered very soon...

Now, let's take an OUTLANDISH blog tour with the author. Check the banner below for all the visits and come and say BRAINS-IN-JARS. It might give you a chance to win your own copy of the book. You can also Tweet me on TWITTER or contact me via FACEBOOK. The blog tour starts on Tuesday with Book Lover Jo, so don't forget to check it out. 

Bored of the same old routine? 
Longing for a bit of adventure in your life? 
Love living life on the edge? 
Then join Alfie Fleet and discover a whole universe of wonders (and things that are not so wonderful too, but we won't go into that now). 
From giant sand lobsters on planet Maureen and the Twang Bears of Mumsy, to the eerie (yet oddly quite boring) brains in jars on Brains-in-Jars World - there's something for everyone. And if danger's your thing you won't want to miss Outlandish, with its gold-hoarding dragon, take-your-life-in-your-hands cuisine, and welcoming locals who'll fire lightning bolts at you. 
Thrills and adventure await, just hop on board the slightly old and rusty moped of infinity!