The Rise of The Legends by Jake Zortman - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Children's Book Picks March 2024 US

The Rise of The Legends by Jake Zortman - PUBLISHED BY Good Harbor Entertainment (March 19, 2024) - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

Mikaela Kadono is bummed when her parents move the family to a creepy, old, fixer-upper house, leaving behind her friends, school and familiar neighborhood. But things quickly look up when she meets her new neighbor, George, who invites her to join a cool club called Drone Legends. Little does Mikaela know that this will be the first step in a life-changing adventure!

On The Drone Legends very first mission, a nearly tragic accident brings a mysterious, talking AI drone into their lives. But was it really an accident? And who created this drone that seems to be far beyond any available technology? As they search for answers, Mikaela discovers that the old house her parents bought holds a secret - a cryptic message from the past, hidden in riddles and codes. With the help of her new friends, they embark on a quest to solve the mystery, which takes them on a perilous journey from adventure on the high seas to secret tunnels deep beneath the ground.

The team applies science, math, cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned gadgets as they solve the clues and battle a mysterious foe who always seems to be one step ahead. The closer they get to solving the mystery, the more it seems that the messages were left specifically for them. But how would someone living a century earlier know that Mikaela and her friends would even exist? And what role is this strange, intelligent drone playing? Is it a friend, or part of a conspiracy to change the course of history?

It’s a nail-biting adventure full of twists and turns, as Mikaela and her friends race against time to stop an evil plot to take over the world. Are they following their destiny, or are they in over their heads? The fate of world and future of humanity hangs in the balance.

The Witch in the Woods: Volume 1 (Grimmworld) by MichaelBrent Collings - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Children's Book Picks March 2024 US

The Witch in the Woods: Volume 1 (Grimmworld) by MichaelBrent Collings - Published by Shadow Mountain (March 5, 2024) - Hardback - Age: 10+ - READ SAMPLE

 Strange and terrifying things are suddenly happening in a mysterious town where people are disappearing and changing into characters from the Grimm fairy tales. 

Twins Willow and Jake Grimm are not prepared for the bizarre gadgets and scary changes in their new home of New Marburg, the location of the top-secret Think Tank where their parents now have jobs as scientists. In this town, people jetpack to work, robots direct traffic, and senior citizens duel with laser swords. 

Yet nothing compares to what happens the day after lightning strikes the twins’ house. Their school building transforms around them, becoming a medieval castle—complete with moat, drawbridge, and a dangerous giant who looks strangely like the school’s overly aggressive hall monitor. 

Barely managing to escape before a massive beanstalk lifts the castle above the clouds, Willow and Jake learn that their ancestors, the original Brothers Grimm, were more than storytellers. They were Grimmwalkers, able to travel from our universe to Grimmworld: the universe where all fairy tales are born. 

Somehow, Willow and Jake have been transported to Grimmworld as well. But before the twins can figure out how to get back to their own universe, they discover that their best friends, Hank and Pearl, have morphed into the fairy tale characters Hansel and Gretel and been captured by a candy-obsessed witch deep in the Cursed Forest. 

Now, aided by a mysterious wizard with shimmering golden eyes and a befuddled, talking naked mole-rat named Chet, the twins must trust in each other, believe in themselves, and find the courage to face their darkest fears in order to save their friends, return to their family, and maybe—just maybe—save the world. 

About the author: 

More than just a guy with a weird first name, Michaelbrent Collings is an international bestseller and multiple Bram Stoker Award and Dragon Award finalist. Best known as a master of thrills and chills, he has written bestsellers in science fiction, fantasy, mystery, YA, middle grade, suspense, humor, urban fantasy, and even Western romance. He also makes pretty good chocolate chip waffles.

The Best Children's Book Picks March 2024 UK Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Jordan Lees (Author), Vivienne To (Illustrator) - The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found -  Published by Puffin (28 Mar. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241607497 - Hardback - Age: 8+ 

A boy who doesn't believe in magic. An impossible world that will change his mind.

Eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek believes in science, logic and the power of reason. He definitely does not believe in magic. But when he receives a mysterious gift in the post - a doll that can transform into a bird - he is led into the impossible (and most definitely magical) world of Wreathenwold, where dark secrets are lost amongst a vast labyrinth of streets.

Benjamiah soon finds himself swept along in a dangerous quest - led by the fierce and brilliant Elizabella, who is determined to solve the disappearance of her missing brother.

Will Benjamiah ever find his way home and discover his puzzling connection with this strange, enchanted world? BUY HERE!

Maria Kuzniar - The Girl Who Dreamed in Magic - Published by Puffin (7 Mar. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0241624661 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

From the acclaimed writer of Ship of Shadows comes a brand-new fantasy following the magical journey of one girl and her bear. 

In a land of ice and stars, where constant troll invasions threaten to shake the moon from the sky, lives a girl with a magical destiny. A girl braver than a Viking, who will one day hold the fate of the North in her hands. That girl is Saga Thorolfsdottir.

But there's just one problem: ever since her parents died wielding powerful runes, Saga has been deathly afraid of magic. She would much rather stay within the safety of her village and play with her pet bear, Bjørn, than pursue any kind of magical destiny.

So when Saga accidentally disturbs a clan of trolls in the mountains, leading to her whole village being taken prisoner, she has to face her fears head on. No amount of rune magic will defeat these monsters, and Saga has only one option - to compete in the Fifth Winter contest, an incredible tournament where only the bravest may enter and only one champion can win. The prize? A horn of magic, powerful enough to rattle the gods themselves . . . BUY HERE!

Catherine Doyle - Pirates of Darksea - Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books (14 Mar. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1526655103 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

Deep in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, where the full moon rests on the horizon, lies a secret kingdom called Darksea. Ruled by the Pirate King, Captain O'Malley, Darksea's tranquil waters have, of late, been haunted by an invisible and deadly monster - a monster that is eating the once-beautiful islands in gigantic bites.

On the other side of the horizon, at his home in Galway, Max Reid and his family are battling a different monster. His big brother Christopher is in hospital and getting sicker - and his parents have begun to talk of miracles.

Then one night a loud, bright red parrot taps on Max's bedroom window, carrying an invitation from the pirate king. Captain O'Malley needs a new crew member for a dangerous quest, and the reward is everything Max has been hoping for.

But in Darksea, not everyone is as they seem. When Captain O'Malley's secret threatens to upend their mission and destroy Max's chance to help his family, Max realises he's going to have to navigate much more than he bargained for.

Johan Rundberg (Author) A. A. Prime (Translator) - The Queen of Thieves: 2 (The Moonwind Mysteries) - Published by Amazon Crossing Kids (5 Mar. 2024) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662509612 - Paperback - Age: 10+ 

Mika will do what it takes to uncover a string of thefts in the city―and keep her fellow orphans safe.

After a merciless winter, spring has sprung in 1880 Stockholm, and the city awaits the arrival of the SS Vega, the first ship to have sailed the Northeast Passage. Life is busy at the orphanage, but twelve-year-old Mika quickly notices that the older orphans are up to something―and it doesn’t look good.

When Constable Hoff approaches her with information about thefts around the city, Mika becomes even more concerned about what the other kids are up to―and what they might be planning for the Vega celebration. The police will have no sympathy for orphans, and she’d hate to see her friends condemned to life in jail.

But Mika soon finds herself in a bind she can’t get out of―one that could condemn her own life. Can Mika uncover who is really behind the thefts in the city and keep her friends safe, without getting caught? Find out in this breathless sequel to The Night Raven. BUY HERE!

Piu DasGupta - Secrets of the Snakestone - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

What do we have here: A mysterious locket? A Missing Father? A Dangerous secret society? Well, you can expect all of these when you pick up the debut book by Piu DasGupta. The Secrets of the Snakestone is due to be published by Nosy Crow on the 14th of March 2024. It's a sinister and captivating debut that whisks readers away on a dramatic adventure through the winding streets and mysterious sewers of Paris. The narrative is so captivating that you'll find yourself eagerly turning each page, much like a sewer rat on the hunt for its next meal! You'll be gobbling up the elements of magic, mystery and danger in a world that is as alluring as it is perilous.

The protagonist, Zélie, is a compelling character who is thrust into a world of intrigue and enchantment when she is given a golden locket that once housed the powerful Snakestone. As she sets out to find the stone and her missing father, she becomes entangled in a perilous race against a treacherous secret society. The narrative is bold and adventurous with twists and turns. It takes readers on a journey filled with riddles to a captivating circus and through a labyrinthine of tunnels that lie beneath the bustling city of Paris.

If this is not already enough to entice you then the connection, through the author's Indian culture and heritage, with the Jungles of Calcutta and a family crime at the center of the mystery will surely compel you to read this bundle of narrative joy. It has all the flavours of curry and a wonderous amount of lively and colourful characters that will leave every reader with a taste for a gothic and dark adventure. 

Piu DasGupta's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant, as it pulls readers into a world where danger and wonder coexist. "Secrets of the Snakestone" is a fantastic and immersive book that will keep you spellbound from the first page to the last. With its blend of mystery, magic and culture, this book is a perfect fit for anyone seeking an enthralling and immersive read. 

Christopher Edge (Author), David Dean (Illustrator) - Black Hole Cinema Club Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

  

Christopher Edge's "Black Hole Cinema Club" takes readers on a whirlwind adventure that combines the magic of cinema with heart-pounding action. In this immersive tale, Lucas and his friends find themselves thrust into a world beyond their wildest imagination when they step into their local cinema, aptly named, 'The Black Hole'.

From the moment the movie marathon begins, Edge's storytelling grips readers with its non-stop excitement. As the friends watch in disbelief, a black tidal wave bursts out of the screen, plunging them into an epic and dangerous journey. What follows is a rollercoaster of secret hideouts, prehistoric monsters, lost cities, and impossible missions, all woven together to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Lucas and his friends face increasing peril with each cliffhanger scene they encounter, raising doubts about the line between fiction and reality. The author cleverly explores the power of imagination and the responsibility that comes with being the hero of your own story. As the plot reaches its climax, the stakes are raised, and readers will find themselves racing alongside Lucas and his friends to save the day.

This book is an epic page-turner that will captivate readers of all ages. The author skillfully blends elements of adventure, mystery, and friendship, creating a story in his own unique style that is not only thrilling but also heartfelt.

Black Hole Cinema Club is due to be released by Nosy Crow Books on March 14th, 2024. It is set to become a must-read for fans of adventure and cinema. Therefore, it's time to get the snacks and drinks ready as Christopher Edge once again delivers an exhilarating and thought-provoking tale that will leave readers longing for their own cinematic adventures. BUY HERE!