Julian Sedgwick & Chie Kutsuwada - 100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café is a captivating and enchanting book that seamlessly blends manga/graphic novel and prose to deliver a rich collection of ghost stories. Written by Julian Sedgwick and beautifully illustrated by Chie Kutsuwada, this book takes readers on a thrilling journey through Japan 'between the worlds'.

The story revolves around Akira, a young boy who is abducted by spirits, who sets out on a quest to find his family and rescue his sister before time runs out. As Akira and his companions venture deeper into northern Japan, they encounter a myriad of yokai monsters and famous ghosts, unravelling a tapestry of interlinked and ghostly short stories.

Julian's storytelling prowess shines through as he masterfully navigates his imaginative skateboard by weaving together tales that are both heartfelt and eerie. He really does create a delightful balance of emotions. The prose effortlessly transports readers into the mystical folklore realm, allowing them to immerse themselves in the vivid and rich atmospheric setting of the Tokyo Ghost Café.

What sets this book apart is the inclusion of manga illustrations by Chie Kutsuwada. Her artwork beautifully complements Sedgwick's prose, bringing the characters and the supernatural world to life with stunning detail and evocative imagery. The combination of manga and prose adds a unique and dynamic element to the storytelling, enhancing the reading experience as you go on a journey throughout the story.  

Each ghostly tale within the collection is carefully crafted, presenting a diverse range of narratives that explore themes of loss, redemption, and the power of human connections. Sedgwick's ability to capture the essence of Japanese folklore and mythology is commendable, offering readers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Japan. The book connects really well to the previous book Tsunami Girl which was also excellent and fabulously immersive. 

"100 Tales from the Tokyo Ghost Café" is a must-read for fans of ghost stories, manga, and captivating storytelling. Sedgwick's imaginative experiences and love for the Japanese culture make the narrative very special. Kutsuwada's exquisite artwork makes for a truly immersive reading experience. Whether you are seeking spine-chilling encounters or heartwarming moments, this book delivers an abundance of both, leaving readers spellbound until the very last page. The book was published by Guppy Books (23 Nov. 2023). BUY HERE!

The Best Children's Book Picks NOVEMBER 2023 - US Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Sharon Cameron - ARTIFICE - Published by Scholastic Press (November 7, 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1338813951 - Hardback - Age: 11+ 

A dramatic story of duplicity and resistance, betrayal and loyalty, set against the backdrop of World War II, by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Light in Hidden Places.

Isa de Smit was raised in the vibrant, glittering world of her parents' small art gallery in Amsterdam, a hub of beauty, creativity, and expression, until the Nazi occupation wiped the color from her city's palette. The "degenerate" art of the Gallery de Smit is confiscated, the artists in hiding or deported, her best friend, Truus, fled to join the shadowy Dutch resistance. And masterpiece by masterpiece, the Nazis are buying and stealing her country’s heritage, feeding the Third Reich's ravenous appetite for culture and art.

So when the unpaid taxes threaten her beloved but empty gallery, Isa decides to make the Nazis pay. She sells them a fake--a Rembrandt copy drawn by her talented father--a sale that sets Isa perilously close to the second most hated class of people in Amsterdam: the collaborators. Isa sells her beautiful forgery to none other than Hitler himself, and on the way to the auction, discovers that Truus is part of a resistance ring to smuggle Jewish babies out of Amsterdam.

But Truus cannot save more children without money. A lot of money. And Isa thinks she knows how to get it. One more forgery, a copy of an exquisite Vermeer, and the Nazis will pay for the rescue of the very children they are trying annihilate. To make the sale, though, Isa will need to learn the art of a master forger, before the children can be deported, and before she can be outed as a collaborator. And she finds an unlikely source to help her do it: the young Nazi soldier, a blackmailer and thief of Dutch art, who now says he wants to desert the German army.

Yet, worth is not always seen from the surface, and a fake can be difficult to spot. Both in art, and in people. Based on the true stories of Han Van Meegeren, a master art forger who sold fakes to Hermann Goering, and Johann van Hulst, credited with saving 600 Jewish children from death in Amsterdam, Sharon Cameron weaves a gorgeously evocative thriller, simmering with twists, that looks for the forgotten color of beauty, even in an ugly world.

Adria Knudson - Wispwood Chronicles - Published by Red Dirt Road Publishing (November 16, 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8989458516 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

An enchanted forest. A long-lost treasure. Mysteries to be solved. Dive into an exciting adventure for children ages 8-12 full of magical creatures and friendship!

In the heart of an ancient forest lies the mystical town of Wispwood, where magic thrives and secrets rustle among the trees. When an injustice shatters their peaceful existence, four unlikely friends unite to restore honor and harmony. Ghosts stand accused, a treasure long lost beckons, and a web of deception unravels.
Together, Lily, Theo, Noah and Ella confront the unknown, forging unbreakable bonds and discovering their true strengths. Will justice prevail, or will fear and revenge forever shadow Wispwood?

Ben Lerwill (Author), Grahame Baker-Smith (Illustrator) - Stone Age Beasts - Published by Candlewick (November 7, 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536231342 - Hardback Picture Book - Age: 6+ 

The spectacle of Stone Age life stampedes off the page in an engaging, eye-popping gift book illustrated by a Kate Greenaway Medal winner.

Are you brave enough to come face-to-face with the biggest and most awe-inspiring prehistoric beasts? In this dramatic introduction to the Stone Age world, the stupendous giants that shared the earth with our human ancestors—from the woolly mammoth and the fearsome saber-toothed cat to the elephant bird and the giant wombat—leap, slither, and swoop to life on eighteen atmospheric and densely packed double-page spreads spotlighting animals from around the globe. Each lively profile is anchored to a stunning illustration by Kate Greenaway Medal winner Grahame Baker-Smith and features jaw-dropping facts about the animal’s anatomy and behavior, with an emphasis on how it interacted with early humans. Sidebars highlight scientific name, weight, territorial range, and extinction dates, while a glossary and end notes offer additional color and context to round out a boldly packaged and richly absorbing journey of discovery.

Olivia O'Bryon - Little Bird & the Graveyard - Published Independently published (November 11, 2023) - Paperback - Age: 7+ 

Ten-year-old Indie has a lot of questions. Not only is she on a mission to find a ghost in the graveyard across the street from her house, but she also wants to know why her mom left her and her brother with their dad a few months earlier. After all, if she figures out why her mom is gone, then maybe she can stop feeling so upset. To find answers, Indie will have to be brave. She needs to befriend the family of caretakers who live at the graveyard, which means coming face-to-face with the old man who hates her dog and dealing with a boy who is a couple of years older and clearly doesn't want her around. Her quest will also push her to snoop through the creepy apartment downstairs and visit the graveyard with her brother at night. While none of these adventures will keep Indie out of trouble, they will lead to some life-changing answers, including the realization that a ghost has something to do with her mother's absence.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Best Children's Book Picks November 2023

 

Kate DiCamillo (Author), Julie Morstad (Illustrator) - The Puppets of Spelhorst - Published by Walker Books (2 Nov. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1529512854 - Hardback - Age:7+ 

From master storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes an original fairy tale, enchantingly illustrated, in which five puppets confront circumstances beyond their control with patience, cunning and high spirits.

Once, there was a king. And a wolf. And a girl with a shepherd’s crook. And a boy with a bow and arrow. And also, there was an owl... They were puppets, and they were waiting for a story to begin.

In this new work of short fiction by twice winner of the Newbery Medal Kate DiCamillo, exquisitely illustrated in black and white by Governor General Literary Award Finalist Julie Morstad, five puppets who find themselves together in an abandoned trunk are carried off into the adventure of a lifetime.

Peter Bunzl - Glassborn - Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd (9 Nov. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1801313681- Paperback - Age: 8

Fairy Tree, tall and grand, open a path to Fairyland.

The year is 1826, and the four Belle siblings arrive at their new home in Tambling Village. Acton, the youngest member of the Belle family, immediately befriends a bright, red robin, leading him to discover a hidden key. That night, when the clock strikes thirteen, Acton is called to Fairyland. For in finding the key, Acton has become the Chosen One and must steal the Glimmerglass Crown, for the cruel Fairy Queen.

When Cora, Elle and Bram realise their brother has been taken, they set out on a quest to rescue him. But Fairyland is full of dangers...and to overcome the Queen, and her deadly curse, they will need courage, cunning and a great deal of hope.

An enthralling tale of magic, riddles, and curses, from the bestselling author of The Cogheart Adventures.

Robin Scott-Elliot - Finding Treasure Island - Published by Pokey Hat (2 Nov. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911279563 - Paperback - Age: 8+ 

A summer that will change lives forever

The Highlands, 1881

A boy seeking a father...
A girl seeking treasure...
A writer seeking a story...

When Robert Louis Stevenson sketches a map to amuse his stepson Sam, it sets them off on the adventure of a lifetime.

While Stevenson is inspired to write his first great story, Sam has a treasure hunt of his own to pursue, guided through the hidden forests and dangerous glens of the Cairngorms by the mystical Jen Hawkins.

Finding Treasure Island is the missing memoir of Sam Osbourne, which reveals his part in the birth of the greatest adventure story written.

‎

Reyaansh Joshi - An Alienn's Biography: Life on Earth - Published by Michael Terence Publishing (8 Nov. 2023) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800946736 - Paperback - Age: 11+ 

As the alien embarks on this interstellar odyssey, disaster strikes when an asteroid collides with their spacecraft, forcing a crash landing on the unforgiving terrain of Mars. With determination in their heart, the alien assesses the surroundings, glimpsing the distant blue jewel of Earth. A decision is made: they must traverse the cosmos to reach their ultimate destination.

Arriving on Earth, the alien faces a daunting challenge - transforming into a human and blending into the human world for several years while repairing the damaged UFO. With only two options for escape, the clock ticks relentlessly. Will they mend their craft and return home, or dare to hold onto the fragile hope that their parents can locate them, despite the odds?

Danny Weston - Postcards From Valhalla - Blog Tour - UcLan Publishing - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Welcome to our blog tour for Danny Weston's highly anticipated new book, "Postcards From Valhalla," which has been published by UCLan Publishing. We are thrilled to be the very first STOP on this exciting journey. Here you can dive into the captivating world crafted by the talented author himself. In "Postcards From Valhalla," Danny Weston weaves a spellbinding tale that transports readers to a realm where reality and mythology collide. However, you can read more by looking at my review HERE. UCLan Publishing, renowned for their commitment to publishing engaging and thought-provoking literature, has once again brought us a literary gem. 

Throughout this tour, we will have the privilege of gaining exclusive insights from Danny Weston himself, as he shares a series of guest posts highlighting his thinking behind the book and his remarkable work. So, join us as we embark on this thrilling adventure through the pages of "Postcards From Valhalla. Stay tuned for the next post, visit the rest of the stops above AND ENJOY!

Why I wrote Postcards from Valhalla by Danny Weston

My latest book began life like so many others… 

I’d just finished writing Stand and Deliver (as Philip Caveney) so now, of course, it was time for a new Danny Weston novel, because the two of us alternate. So I began to cast around for ideas. The thought of not working on another book is somehow beyond the pale. I’ve published more than fifty titles now and it’s almost like an addiction. I have to be writing. It’s as simple as that.

The first thought in my mind is always to write about something I haven’t covered before and the second is to try to find a fresh approach to the idea, so it’s not going to be like something that somebody else has already written.

For some reason, Norse mythology came into my mind. As simple as that. ‘I’ve never done anything Norse.’ Of course I’m aware of the old stories in their various forms, those weird fables about gods and warriors and wizards, but I wanted to make them relevant to what’s happening now. I started thinking about more recent iterations - Thor and Loki for instance, as they’re covered in the Marvel films: those bizarre characters running around in spandex and attacking each other with mystical superweapons. I knew I didn’t want to do anything like that.

I asked myself, would it be possible to create a cast of contemporary characters - fairly ordinary people - who nonetheless somehow embodied all those mythical attributes?

Eventually, I settled on the theme of a quest. 

My lead character, Viggo, is fifteen years old, a Dungeons and Dragons fan, who has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Magnus, who, like his father before him,  is obsessed with Norse mythology. When Magnus goes missing in Shetland, Viggo’s Mum Alison is understandably worried, and she impulsively books tickets for her and Viggo to go to Shetland to look for him.

OK, there’s my opening premise. 

And then I decided that, as the journey unfolds, the fine line that exists between dreams and reality should be increasingly eroded, the two elements bleeding into each other until the reader is unsure what’s fantasy and what’s reality. And some of the dreams would be decidedly creepy.

Early in their journey, Viggo and his mum, Alison, encounter a mysterious travelling musician called Leon, a man who seems to know an awful lot about them, more than any stranger possibly could. Indeed, he seems to know about every subject under the sun (he’s a regular walking Wikipedia) and he seems determined to tag along wherever Viggo and Alison go.

At first, they dislike Leon and do their very best to shake him off, but time and again, they find they are unable to do so. It’s as though he has some mysterious power over them, a way to thwart every plan they draw up to throw him off their tracks. 

And as the three of them draw steadily nearer and nearer to Magnus, Viggo and Alison become increasingly dependent on Leon for help and advice. 

But who… or what, is he? And where exactly is he leading them?

Danny Weston - Postcards from Valhalla - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

A Gripping Journey into Myth and Intrigue is "Postcards from Valhalla" by the author of mystery, Danny Weston. It will be published by UCLan Publishing on 2nd November (2023) with a brilliantly illustrated book cover by Katie Daisy. The plot takes readers on a thrilling bizarre adventure filled with mystery, Norse mythology, and a touch of the supernatural. Set in the rugged and dramatic landscapes of Shetland, this novel introduces us to Viggo, a fifteen-year-old boy whose life takes an unexpected turn when his older brother (Magnus) goes missing on the island.

From the onset, the story immerses us in Viggo's world. It paints a vivid picture of his mundane existence in Edinburgh. However, as Viggo embarks on a journey to Shetland in search of his brother (with his mother), the narrative takes a dark and exhilarating twist. Strange visions plague Viggo, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Armed warriors, mythical creatures, and Viking longships haunt his mind, leaving readers captivated and eager to unravel the secrets hidden within the story.

Weston masterfully weaves together elements of suspense, family dynamics, and ancient folklore, creating an artist's palette of emotions that will keep the reader on the edge of their comfortable armchair. The introduction of Leon, a smooth-talking mysterious musician who becomes entangled in Viggo's quest, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. His presence raises questions about his true nature and purpose, further heightening the suspense.

As the search for Magnus intensifies, so does Viggo's connection to the supernatural realm. The author skillfully crafts a sense of foreboding and unease, ensuring that readers are fully invested in Viggo's and his mum's plight. With each turn of the page, the boundaries between the tangible and the mystical blur, as they lead to an explosive climax that will leave readers captivated. 

"Postcards from Valhalla" excels not only in its enthralling unique plot but also in its rich atmospheric descriptions. Weston's vivid prose brings the stunning landscapes of Shetland to life. He really paints a picture so vivid that readers can almost feel the cool breeze and hear the crashing waves. The author's meticulous attention to detail enhances the sense of immersion, allowing readers to experience the story alongside Viggo.

Overall, I loved every minute of this book. It's a gripping and thought-provoking novel that seamlessly blends contemporary fiction with ancient mythology. Danny Weston's masterful storytelling, combined with the compelling characters and atmospheric setting, will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Prepare to be transported on a thrilling journey where reality and myth converge, and where the true meaning of bravery and familial bonds is put to the test.