Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Tahereh Mafi - Furthermore - Book Review

There are only three things that matter to twelve-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. The day Father disappears from Ferenwood he takes nothing but a ruler with him. But it’s been almost three years since then, and Alice is determined to find him. She loves her father even more than she loves adventure, and she’s about to embark on one to find the other.

But bringing Father home is no small matter. In order to find him she’ll have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is a boy named Oliver whose own magical ability is based in lies and deceit—and with a liar by her side in a land where nothing is as it seems, it will take all of Alice’s wits (and every limb she’s got) to find Father and return home to Ferenwood in one piece. On her quest to find Father, Alice must first find herself—and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.

This is the first middle-grade adventure written by the New York Times bestselling author of the Shatter Me series. The author is the wife of Ransom Riggs (author of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children) whom you might be familiar with. The book cover illustration is by Iacopo Bruno and reflects the story inside so well and in so many ways. When you first turn the pages you find yourself visiting an amazing story which is full of vibrant colour. This is a middle-grade read where the real magic begins. It is a story of unexpected friendship, humour and character warmth. 

This story is wonderfully enchanting and colourful - so much so that you may need sunglasses in order to read it. The story has been inspired by the author's love of reading as a child. She has taken all of her favourite books and thrown them onto an artist's palette to create a painting that will transport the reader into a magical adventure like no other. As a result, you'll find yourself hiding inside a floating cloud one minute and being attacked by a paper fox the next. 

The book starts very slowly, just like a babbling brook. The language is diverse and flowery creating words which shower down on you like little confetti petals. I loved the language and great use of metaphors. However, at times, the story did feel very whimsical and the humour did not always balance out the serious side of the story. I did wonder whether some of the strong subjects such as cannibalism might be more suited to an older audience than intended.

I really loved reading this book as, from the very first page, it screamed out individuality. It captures your attention and pulls you full throttle through the plot; it is certainly not conventional. The book is based around two main characters (Alice and Oliver) who develop an unexpected friendship. I enjoyed the different perspectives and voices that this brought as well as the author's engagement and dialogue with the reader.

If you are looking for something different and special this year to read, then this is the book for you. It just might take a little time to settle in your brain as you think about what you have read. This is a five star rainbow extravaganza. 

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Jennifer Bell - The Crooked Sixpence (THE UNCOMMONERS) - Book Review

Dive head first into the world of Lundinor in this magical adventure story for anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their life.

When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Returning to Sylvie’s house, they find it has been ransacked by unknown intruders – before a mysterious feather scratches an ominous message onto the kitchen wall. A very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape – only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, where ordinary objects have amazing powers. The forces of evil are closing in fast, and Ivy and Seb must get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late.

This book cover will catch your eye across a crowded bookshop, so much so, that you will find yourself slowly gravitating towards it for a closer inspection. The brilliant cover image has been illustrated by Karl James Mountford and has been very playfully and artfully produced. It has an amazing use and choice of colours as well as enchanting images that invite the reader in to explore more. As you start to turn the pages, you will enter a world like no other, where nothing is quite as it seems...

The Crooked Sixpence is the first book in The Uncommoners series by Jennifer Bell. She is a bookseller by day at Tales on Moon Lane, London (the real London), and a writer by night. The sequel, The Smoking Hourglass, is coming to a magical bookstore near you in Spring 2017 and I, for one, just can't wait! 

Slowly and seductively you take a journey through this book to an alternative version of London. If you look deep down beneath the streets you might just hear a feint uncommon whisper calling you, the reader, to a place called Lundinor. A journey in an UNCOMMON suitcase will lead you into a world of immense imagination that will set your fantasy brain stirring. Both the setting and the characters come alive page by page. You will love Ivy and Seb, the main characters, who are brother and sister and have a typical brotherly/sisterly relationship. They look out for each other and work together to uncover the mystery of a villainous society that has kidnapped their parents. Ivy is the star of the show; she is a great female character: brave, bold and has hidden talents that will keep the readers on their ordinary toes. 

This is a brilliant book for young people who enjoy magical and mystery adventures. It has a quirky plot that will turn your world upside down, but you will absolutely love it. The story is a creative ensemble of mayhem full of oodles of charm. The idea that ordinary objects can have amazing powers brings excitement such as paper clips turning into handcuffs, candles that make you invisible and lemon squeezers that give light. These are just some of the ingenious ideas that make this read standout. It is creative imagination at its best. 

This fantastic story oozes wickedness. Full of action, you will certainly be whipped into a vortex of weirdness through the pages. It is a great slice of dark fantasy, which is fun to read at all ages, but especially age 9+. This is a book that parents should make a bee-line for, especially reluctant readers as they will be engrossed for hours and hours. It is a cracking debut book with hopefully many more to come in the series.