Tom Nicoll (Author), David O'Connell (Illustrator) - Boyband of the Apocalypse: Washed Up - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books (Book Review)

Just when Sam thinks life has returned to normal he’s bundled into a black van by agents of the Apocalypse Intelligence Agency who send him off the remote jungle island of Fin del Mundo to appear on a celebrity reality TV game show. One of Sam’s rival ‘celebrity’ contestants is none other than evil music mogul Nigel Cruul, who the A.I.A. suspect is planning to bring back the Horsewomen of the Apocalypse. Luckily his best friend Milo and kick-ass sister Lexi are starring in the show too. But they’ll have to survive everything from alligator-infested swamps to public vote offs, if they’re to save the world once more.

There is a large tower of swaying books to be read in Mr Ripley's corner at the moment. However, this book caught my eye purely from the book cover alone, which has been wonderfully designed by David O'Connell. It's a fantastically inviting book image that might suggest what's on offer to the reader once you start to delve inside. The illustrations inside creatively complement and enhance the brilliant story. The book has been published by Stripes Publishing and will be available on 3rd of May 2018. It is really aimed at ages 8-11 but older readers, like myself, should not be dissuaded from reading this. 

After whisking through the opening chapters, I quickly worked out that this is the second book in the series. I had not read the previous book and, to be honest, it did not hinder my reading experience. Nevertheless, I would go back and read the first book. I really loved the fantastic blend of reality, crazy fantasy and playful humour that the book has in bucket and spade loads. The imaginative story is along the lines of the reality TV show, I'm A Celebrity Get Me out of Here, versus the final destruction of the world. This sounds crazy, I agree, however, any reluctant reader will soon be sucked in by this ingenious idea. 

I really loved this book. It offers the reader the chance to dream and float amidst the story, whilst settling in your own fantasy clothes, in your own comfortable reading armchair. You will laugh, giggle and be entertained by a host of crazy characters which you'll be able to relate to and maybe even vote for. There is a brilliant mission, for a group of young children, to save the planet from destruction. As you run through the story, the thread of tension and suspense unfolds whilst your heartbeat quickens ever more.

This is a great book that delivers a theme which is on-trend and full of twists and turns. It's an all-out action adventure which is set on a mysterious tropical island. Full of deadly tasks, the characters are in danger of it all ending quickly at any time. This is a great read to get your teeth stuck into. Are you ready for a public vote? This gets the thumbs up from me so give it a read....

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Children's and Young Adult Book Picks - April 2018 - UK Post

Jess Butterworth - When the Mountains Roared - Published by Orion Children's Books (5 April 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1510102118 - Paperback

I thought we'd live here forever ... but then, I thought Mum would be here forever too.

When Ruby's dad uproots her from Australia to set up a hotel in the mountains of India, Ruby is devastated. Not only are they living in a run-down building in the middle of the wilderness surrounded by scorpions, bears and leopards, but Ruby is sure that India will never truly feel like home - not without her mum there.

Ever since her mum died, Ruby has been afraid. Of cars. Of the dark. Of going to sleep and never waking up. 

But then the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes. Ruby vows to do all she can to protect them - if she can only overcome her fears...

Scarlett Thomas - The Chosen Ones (Worldquake, Book 2) - Published by  Canongate Books (5 April 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1782119302 - Hardback 

THERE IS MAGIC BEYOND THE REALWORLD . . .

EFFIE TRUELOVE has learned to travel through magical books to the Otherworld.
MAXIMILIAN UNDERWOOD, Effie's classmate, is more interested in the dark and forbidden Underworld.

When Effie and Maximilian both mysteriously vanish, their friends Raven, Lexy and Wolf don't know where to turn for help. Raven is a witch and her horse, Echo, has revealed that Effie is in deep danger and time is running out.

To make things worse, Raven's mother, the author Laurel Wilde, is caught up in a plot with the ruthless billionaire Albion Freake, who, it seems, will stop at nothing to become invincible . . .

Where are Effie and Maximilian? Are their disappearances connected?
And can Albion Freake's deadly plan be stopped?

Andrew Zurcher - Twelve Nights - Published by Puffin (5 April 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-0141385549 - Hardback

Kay and her little sister, Eloise, never imagined that their standard icy Christmas Eve in Cambridge would be the start of a twelve-night odyssey . . .

Kay's father is working late - as usual. Fed up, her mother bundles her daughters into the car and drives to her husband's Cambridge college to collect him herself. But when they arrive, the staff claim that nobody by his name has ever worked there . . .

Kay is puzzled by her mother's reaction - silent tears, not anger and confusion. And what is even more puzzling is the card on her pillow when they return home:

Will O. de Wisp, Gent. F.H.S.P. and Phillip R. T. Gibbet, Gent. F.H.S.P. K.Bith. REMOVALS. 

That night, Kay is woken by voices at her window: the voices of Will and Phillip, the Removers. But they are not human. And Kay shouldn't be able to see them. Except she can . . .

David O'Connell (Author) Claire Powell (Illustrator) - The Chocolate Factory Ghost (The Dundoodle Mysteries) - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (5 April 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1408887066 - Paperback  

Archie McBudge knows his lucky underpants must really work because when he and his mum are summoned to Honeystone Hall in the remote Scottish village of Dundoodle, they find Archie has inherited not only the enormous hall, but the whole of the world-famous McBudge Confectionery Company from Great-Uncle Archibald. That's a new home, a fortune and a lifetime's supply of treats rolled into one!

(See Book Review HERE)

David O'Connell (Author),‎ Claire Powell (Illustrator) - The Dundoodle Mysteries: The Chocolate Factory Ghost - Mr Enchanted Books Book Review

Archie McBudge knows his lucky underpants must really work because when he and his mum are summoned to Honeystone Hall in the remote Scottish village of Dundoodle, they find Archie has inherited not only the enormous hall but the whole of the world-famous McBudge Confectionery Company from Great-Uncle Archibald. That's a new home, a fortune and a lifetime's supply of treats rolled into one! 

But all is not well in Dundoodle, and when Archie reads the mysterious letter his great-uncle left him he finds himself on a quest to save his family's company from ruin. With the help of his new friends Fliss and Billy, Archie has to try to figure out the puzzles of Honeystone before his sweet future melts away like an ice lolly in the sun!

Fans of How to Train Your Dragon and Tilly and the Time Machine will be hungry for this delicious mystery full of weird clues, strange creatures, malevolent relatives and lots and lots of SWEETS!

For your reading pleasure is the review for "The Chocolate Factory Ghost" by David O'Connell. This is the first book in The Dundoodle Mysteries which will hit the bookshops on the 5th of April 2018, just in time for Easter. It is published by Bloomsbury Children's Books in the UK. The book has been fabulously illustrated by the multi-talented Claire Powell, who was also the winner of the best short animation "The Scapegoat" at the British Animation Film Festival in 2015.  


Are you ready for a sugar-coated mystery?

Well put on your lucky underpants, like the main character in the book Archie McBudge, and get ready to turn the pages. You will hurtle into a pick and mix adventure that will leave your hands sticky with creative and clever imagination. You will follow the sweet crumb trail of strange clues and uncover the magical mystery with a great set of characters. Some of which you will love and some you will love to hate. Just like all good stories, there are plenty of villains about so watch your step!  

This is a great interactive family book to share with children; it will really engage them. It's a brilliant story for a younger audience and a new series that you will want to come back to again and again. It's very playful and fun to read with lots of moreish references to sweets that will make you want to dip your fingers into the sweety jar and pull out a treat. 

It's a full-on fantasy escapade that will have you fizzing with delight. The more you read, the more you will be hit by the feel-good factor. You will have strange puzzles to solve, mayhem to pursue and action in abundance. It has everything to keep you hooked on your spooky toes. 

WARNING: This is an honest review and the bribery of free chocolate fudge that came with this book has absolutely no bearing on the review above. All my opinions are prior to eating my weight in chocolate fudge. Thank you very much, Bloomsbury Children's Books.  

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