Children's Book Picks - November 2021 - US Published Post - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

 

Quinn Sosna-Spear - The Thirteenth Hour - Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (November 2, 2021) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1534451889 - Hardback 

Fans of Road Dahl and Neil Gaiman will love this inventive middle-grade fantasy about a girl who uses a family heirloom to travel to fantastical worlds that may be more dangerous than they appear.

Twelve-year-old Rosemary has been an artist her whole life and especially loves drawing the incredible places from her Aunt Jo’s stories. But illustrating the stories doesn’t mean Rose believes them. And when Aunt Jo gives Rose a pocket watch with instructions on how to use it to access magical dream worlds, Rose just thinks Aunt Jo is being peculiar again.

While Rose is sleeping, however, she enters a fantastical place where each hour of the pocket watch takes her to a different world. There, Rose befriends a trio of outcasts with special powers and joins their war against the ominous Tall Man.

When a bully steals Rose’s watch, she can only look on in horror as dream and reality collide and he’s sucked into the Eleventh Hour. Now, Rosemary must gather magic from all twelve dream worlds to rescue the boy who makes her life a living nightmare.

Lori Adams - AVALINA JONES AND THE EYE OF THE STORM - Published by ‎Spyhop Publishing (November 29, 2021) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737131205 - Paperback 

Worlds collide for middle-grade readers who will love the fast-paced thrills, colorful characters, secrets, legends, and the interplay of fantasy and reality in Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm. Author Lori Adams expertly delivers a story that is timeless, bringing together elements of sea lore, magic, and adventure. The first book in a seven-book series, Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm, is a romping tale for middle graders who are searching for the next enduring fantasy classic.

When a young girl learns she is the Last Heir of the legendary pirate Davy Jones, she is whisked away to begin life aboard an enchanted schoolship for Pirate Heirs where danger and excitement awaits. 

Contemporary kids who happen to be Heirs of the most villainous and celebrated pirates in history. Superstitions, mysteries, curses, secrets, strange ocean creatures, undead pirates, and seafaring legends will thrill middle-grade readers in this rollicking, globe-trotting adventure. 

Avalina Jones, the Last Heir of the infamous pirate Davy Jones, has never heard of Sea Magic, flying dinghies, Pirate Heir schoolships, phantom islands, undead pirates, or creatures called Half Ones. And she has never understood her strange connection to water. But when a beautiful woman arrives in a swirling waterspout, Avalina's life explodes with more adventures than she can possibly imagine. She takes her rightful place aboard a giant Pirate Heir schoolship teeming with Heirs of the world's most nefarious pirates.

Raised as a Landlubber, Avalina quickly realizes bizarre and danger are normal aboard Pirate Heir schoolships-food fights back, school supplies giggle or explode in your face. And not everyone can be trusted.

When Avalina is accused of a terrible crime, she must prove her innocence or risk being banished from the schoolship forever-and this in the middle of a crucial Treasure Hunt!

Avalina races to unlock secrets of the ship, and makes a dangerous discovery that threatens everyone aboard. With the help of her new friends Charlie, Pippa, and Bummy, Avalina draws closer to the truth, unaware that a deeper, darker fate awaits.

Alex Foulkes - Rules for Vampires - Published by Aladdin (November 23, 2021) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1534498358 - Hardback 

The Nevermoor series meets Hotel Transylvania in this dazzling debut middle-grade adventure set in a world of talking spiders, living forests, and haunted castles about a vampire girl who wants to fit in but first must defeat an evil ghost.

After one hundred years of being a vampire, it’s time for Eleonora to have her Birthnight. Since Leo’s last rite of passage, her Grimwalk, ended with her losing her right leg and a good deal of her confidence, she’s hoping to redeem herself in the eyes of her mother, the fearsome Lady Sieglinde. All Leo has to do is hunt down and kill her first prey, and she already has the perfect plan. After all, who will miss an orphan from the bleak St. Frieda’s Home for Unwanted Children? 

But an accidental fire causes more death and destruction than Leo bargained for. Instead of killing one carefully selected victim, she’s created several ghosts from the orphanage residents. And one sinister specter, the Orphanmaster, is poised to terrorize the living residents in a nearby town. To stop him and try to undo some of the mess she’s made, Leo must team up with the orphan ghost Minna. 

Will Leo have the chance to prove herself as a vampire before her Birthnight is over, or will she discover that there are no winners in the battle of undead versus undead?

John Peragine (Author), Chris O'Brien (Illustrator) - Secrets of the Twilight Djinn Collection: Volume One - Published by Crumblebee Books (November 12, 2021) - ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1737644927 - Paperback 

In this volume are Max and the Spice Thieves (Book 1) and Max and the Isle of Sanctus (Book 2)
Book 1- When his mother goes missing, Max Daybreaker’s world is turned upside down. Luckily, a crew of Spice Pirates, led by the mysterious Captain Cinn, help Max on his dangerous mission across the three seas. Along the way, an unlikely alliance aids in his search—a teenage warrior queen, a three-eyed seer, and an assassin spy. Their journey takes them through treacherous lands while facing shapeshifting bears, an ancient witch, harpies, and the nightmarish Djinn, who will stop at nothing to enslave the world. With every new challenge, Max unlocks the secrets of his unsettling past. Powers awaken within, forcing him to question everything he knows. Is Max who he thinks he is? Only time and destiny will tell…

Book 2- In the second book of Secrets of the Twilight Djinn, Max Daybreaker embarks on all-new adventures. Max must battle a Kraken, ride a fire-breathing dragon, and defeat the evil djinn whose powers are growing every day. The stakes are high for Max as he tries to protect his friends from angry sea gods and a vengeful sultan while also saving his mom from a terrible curse! Max must reach the Isle of Sanctus using his unpredictable magic power and foes on all sides before time runs out.

Bex Hogan - Viper (Isles of Storm and Sorrow Bk 1) - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Marianne has been training to be the Viper for her entire life - to serve and protect the King and the citizens of The Twelve Isles - but to become the Viper and protect the islands she loves she must find the strength to defeat her father. A new fantasy trilogy perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas.

He will make me a killer.
Or he will have me killed.
That is my destiny.

Seventeen-year-old Marianne is fated to one day become the Viper, defender of the Twelve Isles.

But the reigning Viper stands in her way. Corrupt and merciless, he prowls the seas in his warship, killing with impunity, leaving only pain and suffering in his wake.

He's the most dangerous man on the ocean . . . and he is Marianne's father.

She was born to protect the islands. But can she fight for them if it means losing her family, her home, the boy she loves - and perhaps even her life?

A storm is brewing this April with the debut book by Bex Hogan. Viper is the first book in the Isles of Storm and Sorrow trilogy published by Orion in paperback on the 18th April 2019. The book cover illustration shimmers in the dark and lights up this fantasy. The artwork has been cleverly developed by Samuel Perrett alongside source images from Shutterstock. I have to say it is really eye-catching and instantly makes you want to pick up the book and read it.

Turning the first few pages, the story soon captures your attention. The first incision of blood seeps off the pages and floats to your brain. The fluttery wings of a dead bird whisk you on a fantasy ride of a lifetime. The author is holding nothing back in this thrilling Young Adult book that I absolutely loved. In my opinion, the YA genre at the moment is at its best with lots of original and captivating stories appearing on the horizon.  This is an adventure set on the high seas with a gutsy/brave and endearing character, seventeen-year-old Marianne. Her destiny is to become a Viper, a feared defender of the Twelve Isles, but what will she encounter on the way?

Whatever the answer, it will have you flying by the seat of your fantasy pants. This is an epic story set on the high seas. It's a voyage of discovery for Marianne as she follows her destiny and hopefully uncovers the mysteries of the ships crew the Maiden. The plot will leave the reader treading a tidal wave of death and destruction. The plot is not for the faint-hearted but it has just the right amount of detail to give you an enjoyable and exhilarating ride for the harder fantasy armchair adventurer.

This is a very well-written story that has everything for you to enjoy and really love. There is an abundant amount of action and drama that will keep you engrossed. The author has placed a little sprinkling of earthly magic into the story that lifts the narrative up a notch. I loved the plot idea which makes it crazy, wild and slightly surreal in places.  The alluring cruelty of the characters whilst also instilling a small amount of warmth and feelings makes for great reading in the plot. 

All in all, this is another outstanding read that comes will all the trappings of another two books to follow. After surviving the cracking climatic ending, it makes you want to start all over again. Providing your heart hasn't already been torn to shreds. Buzzing and brilliant, get this book pre-ordered now or I'll make you walk the plank - you salty sea dogs....

Harriet Whitehorn - The Company of Eight - Book Review - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Cass has always wanted to audition as an acrobat for the famous Circus Boat that sails the warm seas of the Longest World. But when her chance is snatched away, she comes up with a new plan. Soon she has secured a job on the Palace Boat, following the circus around the islands. Yet Cass has been invited on the boat for a very different reason – and it’s not long before she is embroiled with thieves, sword fighters and a mysterious group of women called The Company of Eight… 

Are you ready to set sail on a perilous voyage? Here we have a marvelous rumbunctious tale from Harriet Whitehorn the author of the Violet books. The Company of Eight will dock in the harbour on the 3rd May 2018 by Stripes Publishing. Exploring this book from page one was an absolute delight and really enjoyable to read. Here we have a fast-paced and spectacularly delivered story from the perspective of Cass, a plucky and courageous young female. It will warm the hearts of the readers as she set sails into a world of peril and self-discovery.

You will hurtle into a swashbuckling affair that will take you to the far-flung corners of the world. Visiting an impressive landscape full of ice bound cities and tropical Islands you will be led into a world full of enchanted magic. It is a creatively imaginative story fuelled by strong-lead female characters. They find themselves facing danger and leaping into a wild and abundant action full of pirates, swordfighters, thieves and slave traders. 

It's a brilliant and easy going read that everybody will love and enjoy, regardless of age or reading ability. It is a book that explores the dreams and ambitions of Cass whilst searching for a life as an acrobat in a circus and travelling the world.  The young female heroin chases her goal and takes some big risks by running away from home. When things don't go to plan, the story unfolds in a dramatic and thrilling way which will captivate your imagination on so many levels.

The narrative will leave the readers asking questions and even challenging their own perceptions. It's a brilliant escape into fantasy which is brimming with peril. It delivers intrigue, fantastic twists and plot-turns with copious amounts of action both on land and sea. However, there is also a sprinkling of old-fashioned magic that gives this book another dimension, which I really liked. 

This is an epic start to a new series with so much more to explore. Especially after the explosive and brilliant ending. So are you ready to join the company? 

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Steven Butler (Author) Steve Lenton (Illustrator) - The Nothing to See Here Hotel - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books Book Review

Welcome to The Nothing to See Here Hotel! A hotel for magical creatures, where weird is normal for Frankie Banister and his parents who run the hotel.

When a goblin messenger arrives at The Nothing to See Here Hotel, announcing the imminent arrival of the goblin prince Grogbah, Frankie and his family rush into action to get ready for their important guest. But it soon becomes obvious that the Banister family are going to have their work cut out with the demanding prince and his never-ending entourage, especially when it turns out the rude little prince is hiding a secret...

The Nothing to See Here Hotel is a crazy and wildly imagined story written by Steven Butler and his sidekick illustrator, Steven Lenton. This is a fantastic new series for the younger reader (Age 6+) or the big kid like me. It is due to be published by the mighty Simon & Schuster Children's in the UK on the 22nd February 2018. It's fantastically illustrated all the way through and will help any reluctant reader to capture the story. It certainly brings the characters to life visually. 

No sooner do you turn the first page, when your life shatters and explodes in a green mist of flesh and uncontrollable smells. You'll open the door of The Nothing to See Here Hotel and be expertly guided through the narrative by Frankie Banister. It is an unbelievable story that might take you and your smelly socks by surprise. You'll wobble down the path of humour before your toes go green and your brain turns into jelly. This is a funny, action-packed crazy ride that is faster than an Orkney Brittle-back, which I have on good authority by Steve. 

This is a disgusting book that you really don't want to read. Nevertheless, you'll feel compelled to read it. It's absolutely crazy - packed full of ghastly humour and outlandish behaviour that will captivate the reading audience. You will be introduced to a bucket-load of magical characters, especially The Royal Regalia of wobbliness, Prince Grogbah, and his troll entourage. 

This is a great book to get kids to read. It is full of imaginative 'shouting' text and rollercoaster action which is more suited to Brighton Pier. It will make you laugh, especially when the story explodes into a fantasy world of swashbuckling mayhem and gnashing teeth. This is Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books young readers pick of the month, so get it ordered now. 

If I was rating this on Trolliday Review it would read. BOG OFF you little pimple. THERE IS NOTHING to see here. Expect ghastly food, dirty bed linen and no service you LOATHSOME LITTLE Toads! Thank you for not staying in the non-star rated hotel in Brighton. Our pleasure is in your dissatisfaction. 
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Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Author Interview with Huw Powell - SpaceJackers

I'd like to thank Huw Powell for agreeing to do this interview and for taking the time to answer some questions for Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books. I really loved reading 'Space Jackers' and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, 'The Lost Sword', which is out in July. I'm hoping that the next book will be soon on its way Huw, perhaps a cover reveal at some point would be good (hinting cheekily). So, over to Huw and his fantastic replies below.....


Tell us a little bit about Spacejackers and the series?
Spacejackers is an exciting new book series about space pirates. The first novel was published in July last year by Bloomsbury (paperback and ebook) and WF Howes (audio book). It’s all about a boy called Jake Cutler, who is abandoned on a remote planet when he’s two years old. Jake is raised by cyber-monks, but he has a passion for the stars and a thirst for adventure. When Jake turns thirteen, space pirates attack the monastery where he lives, forcing him to flee the planet aboard a grubby old spaceship called the Dark Horse. Jake embarks on an incredible voyage through space in search of his missing father and a mythical planet called Altus.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special? 
Jake grows up not knowing who he is or where he’s from. He doesn’t even remember his own parents. His only clue is a mysterious gold pendant that contains three crystals: a diamond, a ruby and an emerald. This means that Jake never really feels as though he belongs with the cyber-monks – or anyone else – he has no sense of identity. If that wasn’t bad enough, his eyes were damaged in a space storm and replaced with special computerised lenses, which means that Jake has bright purple eyes. When space pirates come searching for Jake, he has no idea why.

What is your favourite theme/genre to write about? 
Space. As a writer and reader, I get excited about a lot of genres, especially those set in intriguing worlds full of magic and mystery. However, I’ve always been fascinated with space and what the future might hold. As a child, I was obsessed with Star Wars and Warhammer 40K role play, as well as science-fiction books and comics, including The Stainless Steel Rat series by Harry Harrison and The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The challenge writing Spacejackers was to make the future feel old, so people feel they are reading a classic tale, like Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing something? 
A few years ago, I was living in London and spending most of my time working – with little to show for it. I really wanted something else in my life, however my options were limited because of my long working hours, therefore I needed something flexible. What could be simpler than a notepad and pen? My brother was already a published author and I had always enjoyed writing in my younger years. I started scribbling whenever I could find time, usually in cafés or on the tube, and I was immediately hooked. A few years later, my first novel was published.

What are your current projects? 
In addition to promoting the first Spacejackers book in the UK, I’m helping to ‘Americanise’ the novel for release in the US and Canada in June. At the same time, I’m putting the finishing touches to the second book in the series, Spacejackers: The Lost Sword, which is due out in the UK, Australia and New Zealand on 2nd July. Finally, I’ve started writing the third book in the series, currently titled Spacejackers: The Pirate King, which will be published next year. In my spare time, I’m a Patron of Reading and I support various initiatives that encourage children to read.


What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book? This is always a tricky balance for me, because I have a ‘day job’ and two young sons, which means that I have to be disciplined with the time allocated for writing. As an author, I want to make the second and third books as good as they can be, however it’s important to devote a few hours a week to promote the first book, so it has the best possible chance of success. This includes school visits, literature festivals, website updates, social media, local press, interviews, etc.

Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
There are so many people to choose from for different reasons. Imagine being able to meet Jesus Christ, King Arthur, William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein or Winston Churchill. If there was one children’s author I would like to meet today, it would be JK Rowling. I would love to talk with her about the Harry Potter series and swap ideas for other novels. Her books have become modern day classics, capturing the imagination of millions of readers. It would be fascinating to understand her approach to writing and find out if there will ever be another Hogwarts adventure.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
It would probably be The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Not only is it a fantastic trilogy full of magic and adventure, but JRR Tolkien created a whole world with Middle Earth, including its own creatures, politics, history, maps and languages. His work has entertained generations of fans and inspired a whole genre of fantasy novels. Most authors only dream of leaving such a legacy.

How do you describe your role of Patron of Reading?
Fun, rewarding and an honour. Writhlington School is a modern secondary school in Radstock with impressive students, staff and facilities, which includes a brilliant library and a first class librarian. The school has a great feel to it and I really enjoy engaging with the children (mostly years 7, 8 and 9). As their Patron of Reading, I encourage the students to read for pleasure, whether they are library prefects or rapid readers. This means regular visits, a monthly newsletter, competitions and messages from other children’s authors.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us?
Never trust a space pirate!
 

Book Review: Nick Valentino - Thomas Riley and The Maelstrom - Zova Books

                     

It has been over two years since I last had the pleasure of reading Nick's first book 'Thomas Riley'. Therefore, I was really looking forward to getting acquainted with the characters again and finding out was going to happen next in the story as Nick takes us back into the steampunk realm in this second eventful adventure with Thomas Riley.

After just a few pages, I found my feet really quickly with the characters and ploughed through this story like a whirlpool full of airships. It's still full of advanced steam powered technologies and fantastical science/tech weapons and gadgets that will blow your mind. It's all told in fantastic great detail, which I found very descriptive and amazingly imaginative from the delights of the airships and rampaging battles. It's fuelled by high octane action where stakes are high, it will have you gripped to the airships steering wheel on a straight course to the deadly perils ahead. 

'Thomas Riley and Cynthia Basset's adventures in their steampunk world have turned down a dark path. After an assassination attempt, the West Canvian heroes receive a message from a mysterious woman about the whereabouts of Cynthia's missing suitor and famous sky pirate, Sam Burges. Cynthia insists on pursuing the lead despite great risk, so the two of them take off with a rogue colonial sky pirate and his eclectic crew to find the man that she loves. On their journey, Thomas and Cynthia learn that Sam has joined with their enemies, the Lemurians, under the supervision of the mad man, Doctor Wolfgang Gerhard. To make matters worse, Sam is in a commanding position on board the secret airship, The Maelstrom, that has the ability to control the weather in a most nefarious way. Thomas and Cynthia's loyalty to their country and to each other are laid on the line in this steampunk tale of love, loss and adventure.'

My favourite element of the story included the colonial sky pirate and the eclectic crew. The story lines connecting these characters were particularly colourful and well thought out. Each character could have easily had a greater spotlight with more explanation into their backgrounds. Perhaps these might be further expanded upon through the next story - I would be particularly interested to read more about Cale and his endeavours on the Seychelles Island. 

Perhaps the only slight disappointment of this book was the ending. I have to state that this is only my opinion, and was purely based on the fact that I was hoping for it to be different and end how I wanted it to. This didn't mean that it wasn't appropriate or effective, but it just meant a slight adjustment from the way that I thought it was going to finish.

Unfortunately, this is not a book that you will come across sitting on the shelves of an ordinary bookshop. However, I do strongly recommend that you really try to get hold of a copy through either the publishing company (Zova Books) or a signed copy through the author's website. Here This is yet another fantastic epic tale that will continue to grab your imagination with full throttle. Full Steampunk ahead.....

Gary Knowelden - The Wreckers - Book Recommendation

‘We have to save the Island Queen! We have to stop them – my parents are on that ship.’
Despite the stormiest weather he can remember, Edward is looking forward to his holiday with his parents in Cornwall. They are staying with his elderly aunt in a large old house by the sea. From the photos he has seen of the place, Edward is sure that the house could well be haunted – or at the very least there might be secret tunnels and passages hidden behind the wooden panelled walls. Either way, it is sure to be fun exploring the old house. 

But he does not have to wait until he reaches his aunt’s house for odd things to happen. His parents are delayed and he has to travel alone on the train. A spooky incident at the station, strange happenings on the train and a bizarre lamp-lit boat ride along dark flooded lanes are just the beginning of a holiday he will never forget. 

What starts off as fun when he meets the ghosts of a young girl and her pet cat soon becomes something far more sinister and dangerous. Edward and his new friends are caught up in a life and death race to save the ship his parents are travelling to Cornwall on from becoming the latest victim of an evil band of undead pirates. 

A wild chase on jet skis along flooded lanes and a struggle to the death on top of the church tower, backlit by the lightning of the worst storm in living memory, all leads to the thrilling finale. Edward, Bruce the grumpy Scottish terrier, Lucy and Sam must work together to stop The Wreckers – and Bruce must escape the clutches of Su Lu, a besotted Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. 

The Wreckers is a gripping work of children’s adventure fiction that will appeal 
to children aged 8-12 years old. 

Publication Date 1st January 2013 - Troubador Publishing

Conrad Mason - The Demon's Watch - Book Review

     

• Hardcover: 400 pages 
• Publisher: David Fickling Books (1 Mar 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0857560298
• ISBN-13: 978-0857560292

                                   
Since this book cover was a big contender of my book cover wars (at the back end of last year) I have eagerly anticipated this release. The magical book cover, illustrated by the talented David Wyatt, couldn't have had a more magical touch applied to it. However, could this magic find its way inside the book and onto the pages? 


I have to say that the review of this book is a glowing one. This story is both fast paced and action packed from the very start of the book. With no problem at all, this author gets stuck into the action very early on. He uses every page to keep the action flowing right until the end of this story. The author has not packed the writing with detail, instead the emphasis has been placed on the storyline. He has created a story that both children and adults alike will enjoy. However, I perhaps would have liked the evil monsters to have been written more creatively - perhaps making a Demon Beast from scratch so that it was totally unique. Yet having said all that this is only book one.


Set on the enchanting island of Port Fayt (the jewel of the Middle Islands) this is a safe haven for a whole host of creatures, as well as a half-gobling boy named Joseph Grubb. Yet protection from the League of Light is essential. This book follows the adventures of The Demon's Watch, an unusual group of characters, who protect the Island from smugglers. However things become complicated when they encounter a powerful witch. At this point the adventure turns into a run away train - the pace hurtles through the story right to the very end. 


This book is a great family read; it has some of the best pirate banter that you will find such as "Come on maggot breath". The entertaining battles scenes, close scrapes and the odd bar brawl (in the Legless Mermaid) will have you running for your grog. I particularly loved the chapter involving Harry's Shark Pit which is written with oodles of imagination, humour and wit. I also enjoyed and appreciated the interesting use of vocabulary such as walrus dung, Dockside Militia and the three-legged, one-eyed dog - brilliant stuff. Interestingly, I can't help but compare this to the brilliant Edge Chronicle series written by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. 


In one of my book reviews a little while ago, I highlighted that I'm finding less fantasy-themed books in my reading pile. However, this is one debut book that will definitely find its way onto the bookshelves in March. It is also one that could fill a hole in the fantasy market and do really well if you ask me. Conrad has created a fantastic start to an amazing adventure - I loved every minute embroiled in this story. I'm very pleased to be able to heartily recommend this book to you all; I feel sure it won't let you down matey! 

Aardman Animation’s: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Movie Trailer

This film looks like a winner to me from the brilliant people who brought you Wallace and Gromit  and one my favourite films Chicken Run. Take a look on the Captain's Log Production Blog which is also great fun.
http://thepirates-movie.tumblr.com/

David Jones - Meltdown - Book Review

Mr Ripley's Book Review
The first thing about this book is that it's set in space, which is not an over used theme in books at the moment. Then there is the slightly religious undertone which comes from the spaceship full of monks, which is actually a floating cathedral called "Prominence" navigating the solar system. A final addition to this 'interesting' mix comes in the form of space pirates, whose mission it is to steal the monk's valuable pottery (that is made onboard the ship). Now all that stirred together makes one crazy story in space! 

I have to say that this book was a cosmic read and I really relished it. It is certainly  a very different book, from the author's very first book published by Chicken House called "Baboon," which I reviewed during the earlier days of this blog. However back to this book. The plot is very imaginative and unexpected at times. The characters are very well constructed through the way they develop the mood of the story. I found the book to be particularly entertaining at the end, although it did leave me feeling quite sad when the story actually came to an end, as I wanted to continue to follow the characters to find out what became of them, but unfortunately as a stand alone book we will never know.

A particularly interesting part of the book (for me), was the detailed depiction of the monks making their pots and the intricate description regarding the whole process. All in all a 'booktastic' space romp which encompasses a crazy adventure to Sun and back. I give this book four out of five.
For those of you interested, this book has also been released as "Monks in Space," which was published in the U.S and Canada by Annick Press in Sept 2008.


Book synopsis 
Aboard the Prominence, a spaceship abbey filled with holy treasures, is a 14-year-old novice-monk. But Bart is more interested in flying the old ship than worshipping the sun. When the Prominence goes to the aid of an unidentifiable spacecraft, it’s Bart who realises the danger of stopping. For not only are the passengers space-pirates, but the Prominence’sengines then fail. Temperatures soar as monks and pirates alike drift closer to the sun.

It’s up to Bart to risk everything or it’s meltdown.

An out-of-this-world, adventure from the extraordinary imagination of Baboon author David Jones. Meltdown is filled with zero-gravity action, memorable characters and mounting suspense as the end of hope draws near.

Published by Chicken House, January 2010