Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Jason Rohan - S.T.E.A.L.T.H.: Access Denied (BK1) - Book Review

 

Are you ready for a new series from Jason Rohan? Are you looking for a good book that plunges you into a world of gadgets, espionage, and the world's deadliest weapon? If so, then you might have just come to the right place. Let me introduce you to S.T.E.A.L.T.H - Access Denied - which is due to be published by Nosy Crow on 7th April, 2022. It's time for an unlikely set of kids to save the WORLD again. This is the kind of story you can really escape into as you travel down a spider's web of intrigue encountering some rather bizarre moments.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY, that is until Arun arrives home from school. His house is full of armed police and his dad's just disappeared. This all leads to a brilliant start featuring a secret AI project called MANDROID. The narrative is a really slick-tight performance from a group of kids all with interesting backstories. Arun is smart and reserved, Sam is the geeky one who loves tech and Donna is the action, athletic tough-talking member of the group. The characters really pull the story together like magic glue which sticks to the reader in many fantastic and vivid ways. Their ability to problem-solve is a particular strength of the narrative that makes it particularly enjoyable. 

There are plenty of scrapes including the attempted theft of the deadliest weapon on Earth by a group of organised villains - never mind the car chase smashes and run-ins with the police. The plot is a race to save the day; it's ingenious, clever, and at times produces some deeply amusing situations. I absolutely loved the characters as they were warm, genuine, and relatable. I also enjoyed the depth and detail of information given when introducing the weapons and gadgets.  

This is a perfect book for everybody; a great mash-up of a story, influenced by comics, in a heart-stopping mission that will be sure to be your next favourite read. It has a great climactic ending surely leading up to another book. In the meantime, seek out a copy of S.T.E.A.L.T.H in the near future.  Access is only denied if you do not BUY a copy and read it. What are you waiting for? 

You can read an exclusive extract HERE

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....

Michelle Harrison - The Other Alice - Blog Tour (Five Characters I'd Wish Into Real Life . . . and Five Villains I Wouldn't)

It's a great pleasure to be kicking off the blog tour for Michelle Harrison's latest book, The Other Alice. It was recently published by Simon & Schuster on the 28th July. This is a fantastically magical book which is very spooky and absolutely thrilling to read. To find out more please check out my book review HERE.  

This blog tour will stop by some of the best book bloggers, so please check the list above and pop along to each of these. I would like to thank Michelle for this brilliant post about Characters and Villains. I wonder . . . . what would yours be? 

Finally, please check my book give away on twitter @Enchantedbooks which is starting today. All you have to do is RT and Follow. I'm afraid that this competition is open to the UK only. 

Five Characters I'd Wish Into Real Life 
. . . and Five Villains I Wouldn't  By Michelle Harrison 

My latest novel, The Other Alice, is about a writer whose characters come to life if she is unable to finish their stories. I've often wished I could bring some of my own characters into the real world, and I've definitely created a few that I'd never want to meet. Here are my top five in each category, from my own books and those by other authors. 

1. The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen 
In the original version this 'poor unfortunate soul' ends up as sea foam after she fails to win the prince's love. If she came to life, I'd use her three days as a human to show her a good time. On day one I'd deck her out with some party feet for her painful tootsies, then take her out for a girly night of cocktails. Day two, we'd recover with a fry up and watch DVDs in our PJs (probably Bridget Jones rather than Splash). Day three we'd go through all my folklore and spell books and find a way to outwit the sea witch. Girl power! 

2. Turpin – One Wish by Michelle Harrison 
Of all the fairies I've created, Turpin is probably my favourite. She's artful, cheeky and a kleptomaniac, but also fiercely loyal and brave. Life would be a lot of fun with her around, provided you don't mind handling stolen goods. 

3. Gobbolino the Witch's Cat – Ursula Moray Williams 
As a child I was enchanted by stories of the little black cat, Gobbolino and his wicked sister, Sootica. Born with one white paw (and so not deemed a 'proper' witch's cat) Gobbolino is cast out by the witch and goes in search of his forever home. As a mad cat lady with a penchant for black cats, there'd always be a place by my fire and a bowl of GoCat for him (and probably Sootica, too) although they'd have to get past my top cat, Pepper, first . . . 

4. Sara Crewe – A little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett 
One of my all time book heroines. Going from riches to rags she manages to stay positive and enrich the lives of all around her with the power of her imagination and love of stories. Not only that but she'd never interrupt you when you're reading, because it's one of her pet hates. Top girl. 

5. Jon Snow – A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 
No, really. I wouldn't choose the bad guys like Jaime Lannister, or Mr Willoughby. Or James Bond. Nope, no dashing literary ratbags for me. Honestly. WHAT? 


And now for the baddies . . . 

1. Kevin Katchadourian – We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver 
One seriously messed up little creep who is the perpetrator of a high school massacre. In addition he steals a dead person's glass eye, and wears nappies until the age of six just to make his mother's life difficult. A horribly compelling character in one of the best but most disturbing books I've read. But being a monster isn't the only reason I'd never want Kevin to be real. He knows he's unwanted by his mother, and he's so joyless I'd just never wish a human like him into existence. 

2. Jennet Humfrye – The Woman in Black by Susan Hill 
One of the most malevolent and threatening characters I've ever encountered, the ghost of Jennet Humfrye with her wasted face haunts the town of Crythin Gifford. Having pined away after the death of her son, sightings of her result in the inevitable death of a child. The book, stage play and film have each played on my mind when the lights are out. *Shudder* 

3. Asinastra – Poison by Chris Wooding 
If you're not a fan of spiders, you really won't like Asinastra, the Lady of Cobwebs. A pregnant half-woman, half-spider, she peers up through her tangle of hair and speaks to your mind telepathically. I've never hoovered up a spider but I'd make an exception for this one if there was a Dyson big enough. 

4. Cruella de Vil – The Hundred and One Dalmations by Dodie Smith 
'If she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will . . .' Not much else to say about this would-be puppy killer except that I'd love to have thought her up myself. If I was ever unlucky enough to meet her I like to think I'd be brave enough to chuck a box of Nice 'n' Easy her way before scarpering. 

5. Annie Wilkes – Misery by Stephen King 
Every writer's nightmare: 'Your number one fan!' A deranged devotee of Stephen King's author Paul Sheldon, Annie is enraged that he killed off her favourite character, Misery Chastain. Not content with imprisoning and torturing him, she forces him to write a new book bringing Misery back from the dead. I can't help but grimace whenever I get an email from someone claiming to be my 'number one fan' . . .