Mr Ripleys Book Cover Wars 2010 - Heat 1 of 4 - Plus Charlie Higson Book Giveaway - The Enemy

They are finally back. . . . . you are now entering the book cover war zone for 2010. 


For any follower of this site, this is the chance to become part of the weekly book cover wars. Each week (for the next 4 weeks) we are going to select four book covers for you to vote for. The winner of each heat will then go forward to the final round and get a chance to be crowned as 'Mr Ripley's Enchanted Book Cover Winner 2010'.


As a voter, not only will you get the chance to choose your favourite book cover but you will also be in with the chance to win a different signed book each week. Therefore, in order to kick off the competition this week, we have a signed copy of Charlie Higson's 'The Enemy' to give away. All you need to do is:

• vote for your favourite book cover using the poll (see top of the page)
• leave a comment through this post or send a tweet through Twitter
• sit back, watch the voting develop and wait to hear whether you've won (once the poll has closed)

Book One is - Cristy Burne - Takshita Demons:The Filth Licker - Published By Frances Lincoln Children's Books - June 2011


                               
Book Two - Tom Percival - Tobias and the Spooky Ghost Book -  Published By HarperCollins - Sept 2010


                               
Book Three - Steve Feasey - Changeling:Zombie Dawn - Published By Macmillan Books - 2011

Book Four - Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson - The Familiars - Published By HarperCollins -  Sept 2010

Erin Bow - Plain Kate - Book Review

                      

                                               
This is the first book that I'm going to review out of a lovely box of books from the US that I got some weeks ago.

This is her first book, as her previously published work was an adventure into poetry and won her a number of accolades. This Canadian-dwelling author has put her poetry skills to good use and has magically weaved them into her new YA book, which I really liked. The book takes a different journey than most books to date, and has you intrigued as to the direction the main character is going to take.

Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver’s daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden talismans are so fine that some even call her “witch-blade”: a dangerous nickname in a country where witches are hunted and burned in the square.

The book starts off with a journey of sadness that catches you unexpectedly. It happens so early on that you end up following this grim and sad tale right until the very end - giving it a very realistic touch. Not every book (in my opinion) should end in a happy way - provoking unhappiness stops the story from becoming predictable. In this case the story stirs up many thought provoking images. However, there is a little sparkle of joy through the depiction of Plain Kate, who you follow to the end.

The book has an Eastern European feel; drawing on Russian folklore and culture to draw parts of the plot together. Plain Kate turns out not to be as plain as she thinks, as the loss of her father and the selling of her shadow (to a strange man called Linay) for a wish, colours her life dramatically. She soon finds herself running away from home, after the village she has lived in all her life, turns against her for being a witch. 

The haunting character Linay, enables the atmospheric element of the story to creep upon you like swirling fog coming off the sea. The fear pulls at you - every corner you take,and the out come is filled with a sleepy death. This is brought on by a turn of events which Linay is seeking revenge for and the ultimate trade of death to a whole city.

I maybe said to much about the story inside to say any more apart for the uplifting side you get from the true bond there is between a talking cat Taggle and Plain Kate  it's memorable and had me feeling sad and happy at the same time.

The book is out in the U.S and is published by Arthur A. Levine Books. We do get a U.K outing of this book next year in March by the great publishing group of Chicken House under the different title of "Wood Angel" - the new name and U.K book cover is not a good reflection of this book and should be read without prejadice and will appeal  to more readers in the U.S format.

If you like to read the first chapter click the link. Plain Kate - Chapter One

New Picture Book Round Up - September/October 2010

These are four of the best picture books that are going to be published during the next month or so. They have some great illustrations inside that are suitable for all ages - no-one is ever too old. . . .
                                   

Tom Percival - Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book - Published By HarperCollins - 30 Sept 2010
A lonely ghost finds an unexpected friend in this fantastically atmospheric story which marks the debut of an exciting new picture book talent.
Night after night, Tobias the ghost hangs around the empty house where he lives, longing for something interesting to happen. That is, until one day, a girl named Eliza moves in with her family…
Armed with his grandad’s book of spells, Tobias starts to play tricks on Eliza, but has he met his match in this feisty little girl?
Tobias might just be in for a few surprises himself… not to mention finding an amazing new friend!
A delightfully energetic book, full of fun!

                               

Oliver Jeffers - Up and Down - Published By HarperCollins - 2 September - 2010
In this much-anticipated sequel to the internationally best-selling picture book Lost and Found, we re-visit the boy and the penguin after their trip to the South Pole…
The boy and the penguin still enjoy spending all their time together… That is, until the penguin starts to dream of flying, ignoring the boys advice that it is impossible.
Running away, the penguin visits place after place, searching for a chance to get his feet off the ground. But will flying be everything he had hoped? And is the boy missing him, as much as he is missing the boy?

                         

Jenny Nimmo & Gwen Millward - The Beasties - Published By Egmont Books - 4 October 2010

On a starry, starry night Daisy hears a growl that makes her heart go pit-a-pat. It sounds like a story...Every night a new tale drifts up to Daisy - tales of robbers, shipwrecks and lost princesses. Until one night everything goes very quiet. Daisy very slowly looks under the bed to find...Three storytelling beasties! This is a lovingly crafted picture book about the power of imagination and the comfort of storytelling.

                             

 Minako Chiba - The Somebody for ME - Published By North South Books - 1 October 2010

A little girl and a doll find each other

 

The dolls sat in the toyshop window, waiting hopefully for somebody to love them.

            “I want a little girl somebody,” said one.

            “I want a baby somebody,” said another.

            “I want a grandmother somebody,” said a third.

            “I just want the somebody for me,” said Sumiko.

            This tender story will warm the hearts of young and old alike.

Steve Feasey - Changeling:The Demon Games - Book Review

                                   
I am reading this book some time later than expected, as the very nice people at MacMillan publishers have tried to send me this book on a number of occasions. However, the Demon, who I believe could be disguised as my postman, appears to like to run off with every copy. Finally, I got my hands on this book a couple of weeks ago and am now able to express my initial thoughts . . . . . . .

This is book four in the series from the ever growing talent of Mr Feasey, who certainly grasps the concept of writing good horror books for the younger generation. These are books that your mum and dad would be too scared to read. However, for the younger generation they are fun and gripping, although the fun part involves being totally frightened out of your skin. Every book that he writes evolves into an epic adventure that we find ourselves involved in, yet he still manages to keep the story feeling fresh and crisp.

This book is definitely about the plot - it shifts perspective in so many different ways and follows many characters by threading them together to produce a really captivating read. His imagination is growing and developing within each book. He really does have the ability to write imaginatively and still make it work.

Teenage werewolf Trey is facing the most important and dangerous mission of his life. He must journey into the dark Netherworld and rescue Alexa, daughter of his vampire guardian Lucien, who is being held hostage by a powerful demon lord. But strength and courage alone are not enough to succeed – instead Trey must ‘win’ both their freedoms by participating in a death-match against his deadliest nemesis yet. The forces of evil are stacked against him and Trey can only be certain of one thing . . . one of them WILL die.

I really enjoyed and appreciated the narrative development of Caliban the Vampire through his attempt to bring back the powerful sorceress - Helde 'Queen of the Dead'. This part of the story had me gripped, I really loved it. Another equally brilliant part involved the character Shentob, who again, is fantastically written. I was instantly drawn to his role in the book and the relationship played out between Trey and Shentob. This brought out an emotional side to the story, especially when Trey was fighting in the Demon Games, where the outcome was inevitably going to be in death.

The only downside to this book was that it had a really abrupt ending. This is partly due to the fact that the final part of the story was told after the events had actually happened and not as they were happening. However, we are now set up for the final book in this great series as the next book to be released is Zombie Dawn, which has the best book cover so far. Take a peek at it. Zombie Dawn- Book Cover.  I am looking forward to this next book as the story is coming to a big climax, however I will be sad to see the end of this series.

John Boyne Noah Barleywater Runs Away - Book Review

                                   
One of the events I attended at the Edinburgh book festival this year was the John Boyne book event 'Noah Barleywater'. All I can say is that it was a privilege to be there, as we were the first people to hear John read, and talk about his new book. Each person came away from the event clutching a shiny proof copy, although there was a bit of a scramble and queue to get it signed, as well as an incredibly early opportunity to read this book.

John Boyne's first venture into the young adult book world, was through the emotional book 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas', which brought him great success and acclaim. The subsequent film introduced adults and children alike to his literary prowess. Therefore, his next book was always going to have a hard act to follow. The question is, has he managed to do this?

Noah is running away from his problems, or at least that's what he thinks, the day he takes the untrodden path through the forest. When he comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets the even more unusual toymaker he's not sure what to expect. But the toymaker has a story to tell, a story full of adventure, and wonder and broken promises. And Noah travels with him on a journey that will change his life for ever. 

I want to say a great deal about this book. However, I'm not going to be able to do this, as it may spoil your reading pleasure. Therefore, I will do my best to keep this review free from too many secrets. 

This book could have only been written by an Irish man, it has all the charm of a leprechaun - I was never quite sure of the forest path that he was leading me down (so to speak!). However, it is beautifully written and cleverly displays the writer's craft throughout.

The book starts with Noah, an eight year old boy, who is running away from home. The question posed to the reader is why he's running into the forest during the early hours of the morning.  The book reads like a modern day fairytale, leading into a much bigger and well-known fairytale by the end. The final outcome doesn't become clear until the very end, even though there are different clues and hints that are shared along the way.

The book is gripping and full of character. The author (for the first time) has been let loose within the imaginary world to tell a really powerful story. In fact so much so, that once you put the book down, it brings you back to the real world with an emotional bang. The book dances along to its own Irish jig - a blend of humour and whit that flow through most pages of the book. But the story also has a magical element to it, which uncovers a more poignant side to life - this doesn't always end happily.

I feel that this book is John's finest work to date, and heartily recommend it to everyone. It will change the way you see even your own life, at least that's what happened with me! The most memorable read this year.........

Book Published by David Fickling Books 30 September 2010

Mail Box This Week: New Books From The U.S - 2010

                                             

Katherine Langrish - The Shadow Hunt - Published by HarperCollins - 1, June 2010
In this medieval fantasy, Wolf runs away from a monastery after years of mistreatment by his master, Brother Thomas. As he's fleeing across Welsh moors inhabited by ghosts and demons, he comes across a girl elfchild being chased by a pack of hunters' dogs. Wolf captures her and offers her to Lord Hugo, the head hunter. Lord Hugo is obsessed with the idea that his dead wife is actually alive and being held by the Demon Lord of the Underground, and he is convinced that the elfchild can lead him to her. He allows Wolf to accompany him home on the condition that Wolf make the mute elfchild speak. Nest, Lord Hugo's daughter, is soon to marry a man she's rarely seen but been betrothed to since she was five. To Wolf's horror, her fiancé arrives with Brother Thomas, who is furious to see him. In revenge, Wolf and Halewyn, a visiting jester, make a fool of the man, but Nest doesn't trust Halewyn. She suspects he's a demon in disguise, determined to lure her father underground in search of his dead wife. Can she and Wolf save Lord Hugo and the elfchild? This atmospheric story, set in a land inhabited by terrifying and benign magical creatures, combines fast-paced action with sensitive insights into the characters' inner fears and desires. Supernatural fantasy fans will enjoy this tale that effectively explores magic, mystery, and the struggle between good and evil.


Michael Grant - The Magnificent 12: The Call - Published by Katherine Tegen Books - 24, August 2010
Twelve-year-old Mack MacAvoy suffers from a serious case of mediumness. Medium looks. Medium grades. Medium parents who barely notice him. With a list of phobias that could make anyone crazy, Mack never would have guessed that he is destined for a more-than-medium life.
And then, one day, something incredibly strange happens to Mack. A three-thousand-year-old man named Grimluk appears in the boys’ bathroom to deliver some startling news: Mack is one of the Magnificent Twelve, called the Magnifica in ancient times, whatever that means. An evil force is on its way, and it’s up to Mack to track down eleven other twelve-year-olds in order to stop it. He must travel across the world to battle the wicked Pale Queen’s dangerous daughter, Ereskigal—also known as Risky. But Risky sounds a little scary, and Mack doesn’t want to be a hero. Will he answer the call?
A laugh-out-loud story filled with excitement and magic, The Magnificent Twelve: The Call is the first book in bestselling author Michael Grant’s hilarious new fantasy adventure series.

Erin Bow - Plain Kate - Published by Arthur A. Levine Books - 1st September, 2010

Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver's daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her "witch-blade" -- a dangerous nickname in a town where witches are hunted and burned in the square.For Kate and her village have fallen on hard times. Kate's father has died, leaving her alone in the world. And a mysterious fog now covers the countryside, ruining crops and spreading fear of hunger and sickness. The townspeople are looking for someone to blame, and their eyes have fallen on Kate.

Enter Linay, a stranger with a proposition: In exchange for her shadow, he'll give Kate the means to escape the town that seems set to burn her, and what's more, he'll grant her heart's wish. It's a chance for her to start over, to find a home, a family, a place to belong. But Kate soon realizes that she can't live shadowless forever -- and that Linay's designs are darker than she ever dreamed.

Ten-year-old Rose lives in New York, the city of bright lights and excitement, and a seemingly endless variety of people, architecture, and food--where extraordinary things happen every day on every block. But Rose wasn't born in New York; she was adopted as an infant from a far-away country. Though Rose loves her home and her adopted family, sometimes she can't help but feel different, like she's meant to be somewhere else.

Arthur Slade - The Dark Deeps - The Hunch Back Assignments: 2 - Published by Wendy Lamb Books - 14, September 2010

A fantastic Steampunk adventure in the deeps

Transforming his appearance and stealing secret documents from the French is all in a day’s work for fourteen-year-old Modo, a British secret agent. But his latest mission—to uncover the underwater mystery of something called the Ictíneo—seems impossible. There are rumors of a sea monster and a fish as big as a ship. French spies are after it, and Mr. Socrates, Modo’s master, wants to find it first. Modo and his fellow secret agent, Octavia, begin their mission in New York City, then take a steamship across the North Atlantic. During the voyage, Modo uncovers an astounding secret.

It's the second book in Arthur Slade’s Hunchback Assignments series, is set in a fascinating Steampunk Victorian world. Modo’s underwater adventures and his encounters with the young French spy Colette Brunet, the fearless Captain Monturiol, and the dreaded Clockwork Guild guarantee a gripping read filled with danger, suspense, and brilliant inventions.

Adam Gopnik - The Steps Across The Water - Published by Hyperion Books - 23, November 2010

Then one day in Central Park, Rose sees something truly extraordinary: a crystal staircase rising out of the lake, and two small figures climbing the shimmering steps before vanishing like a mirage. Only it's wasn't a mirage. Rose is being watched--recruited--by representatives of U Nork, a hidden city far more spectacular than its sister city New York. In U Nork, Dirigibles and zeppelins skirt dazzling skyscrapers that would dwarf the Crysler building. Impeccably dressed U Norkers glide along the sidewalks in roller skates. Rose can hardly take it all in.

Then she learns the most astonishing thing about U Nork. Its citizens are in danger, and they need Rose's help, and hers alone...

In a masterful new fantasy evocative of Alice in Wonderland, the brilliant novelist, essayist and critic, Adam Gopnik, explores the powerful themes of identity and the meaning of home, with stunning illustrations from Bruce McCall.

Charlie Higson - The Dead - Book Review

                                    


Are you ready for the next book?

The Enemy is back - this is the second book in the series. Although, this book starts about a year before the events actually took place in book one. Therefore, anyone who would like to begin to read this amazing series can actually start with this book and not feel lost! 

The book begins with an entry into the world of the living dead. Most of the adults are either dead or infected with a killer virus that affects anyone, and everyone over the age of fourteen. However, a group of children, who are immune to the virus (due to their age), can be found hiding in a classroom. They are hiding from their teachers, and in some cases their parents who have turned into flesh-eating monsters. At the start of the book the fight for survival appears to have a light-hearted and playful theme to it - a similar outlook to that in the first book. However, as the story unfolds the tone becomes deadly serious and really shows the emotional torment of the characters. In fact, there are many moments of poignant reflection for the children, as they have to stop being children and grow up quickly in order to survive.


Charlie has weaved many famous landmarks into this story; developing and creating a greater sense of realism. He has also injected far more gory details into the story than in the first book. This is in an attempt to scare you out of your whits, but on a much bigger scale! The scene at the Oval cricket ground is very graphic, both in its delivery and imaginative creation. It provides a very memorable moment in the book - very thought provoking and captivating to read. 

Another great section within the story, is when the author really gets inside some of the "Sicko's" (Zombie) heads. He writes from within their demonic brain and expresses their evil personality - a clever and interesting perspective, which developed into an aspect of the book that I really loved. 


All in all this is another top book from Charlie and is one to be read by all fans of this ever popular genre. We should see the story joining up to a third instalment of mayhem.


Let us know your favourite books within this genre - we'd love to know your thoughts.


About the Author
Charlie Higson is a well-known writer of screenplays and novels, and is the author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond series. He is also a performer and co-creator of The Fast Show and Radio Four’s award-winning Down the Line series, which was recently made into a popular BBC2 sketch show, Bellamy's People. Charlie is a big fan of horror films and is now hoping to give a great many children sleepless nights with this series.

++++ U.S book picks for the month of October 2010+++

                            


James Dashner - The Scorch Trials (The Maze Runner Trilogy) - Published by Delacorte Books  - 12 October 2010
Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.
In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.
Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.
The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.
Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?


                             
Suzanne Weyn - Empty - Published by Scholastic Press -  1 October 2010
It's the near future - the very near future - and the fossil fuels are running out. No gas. No oil. Which means no driving. No heat. Supermarkets are empty. Malls have shut down. Life has just become more local than we ever knew it could be.
Nobody expected the end to come this fast. And in the small town of Spring Valley, decisions that once seemed easy are quickly becoming matters of life and death. There is hope - there has to be hope - just there are also sacrifices that need to be made, and a whole society that needs to be rethought.
Teens like Nicki, Tom, and Leila may find what they need to survive. But their lives are never going to be the same again.
                  
                              
                        
Hilari Bell - The Goblin Gate - Published by HarperTeen - 12 October 2010
Jeriah's brother, Tobin, is in terrible danger.
He's willingly crossed over to the Otherworld with a hedgewitch named Makenna and her legion of goblins. What Tobin doesn’t know is that the Otherworld is a perilous dimension that leeches magic from those who have it—and life from those who don’t. In order to save his brother, Jeriah must find a way to open a mystical gate between the worlds.
Searching for the key to rescue Tobin from the clutches of the Otherworld, Jeriah is thrust into a tangled web of political intrigue as he uncovers a dangerous secret that could change the fate of an entire kingdom. Now he must get help from the very beings he’s been taught to hate—the mischievous goblins. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for Tobin. . . .
Hilari Bell’s enthralling fantasy adventure tests the bonds of magic, love, and loyalty in an unforgettable follow-up to The Goblin Wood that will leave readers breathless as they race to find out what high-stakes consequences await its hero.

                             
Sarah Beth Durst - Enchanted Ivy - Published by Margaret K McElderry - 12 October 2010
What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.

When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.
A dreamwalker who has lost her way. A shape shifter who fears his own dark power. A fire herd punished for his magic. Can these three teens keep the human world of Noor and the magical world of Oth from splitting apart?

                             
Janet Lee Carey - The Dragons of Noor - Published by EgmontUSA - 12 October 2010
The ancient trees of Noor are dying. If the blight kills the last azure trees whose deep roots bind the worlds, the bridge between Noor and Oth will split apart forever. Already as Hanna, Miles, and Taunier sail to the source of the blight, the rent between the worlds is widening, and magic is going out of Noor. The quest deepens when a strange wind blows across Noor stealing young children, and Hanna is powerless to protect her younger brother from the stealing wind. The Three journey east to the azure forests of Jarrosh. East to the dragon lands. East to the place where the wind-stolen children were taken. In Jarrosh, among dragons, the Three will be challenged to discover their hidden powers. Each of them must break beyond the boundaries of self to discover the ancient magic joining all to all.

A.G Taylor - Alien Storm - Book Review

                                           
                  
                                        
No spoilers are to be found in this review (I hope), so that you can still enjoy the book in full.

This is the second book, from one of the best new series to date, in my opinion. It's a fantastic sequel to the author's highly acclaimed debut book, Meteorite Strike. It's listed as X-Men meets Heroes - a sci-fi, adrenaline-fuelled adventure which is full of children with superpowers and some really nasty bad guys (in need a good kicking!). It is an actioned packed, page cruncher with just the correct number of pages for the plot, and what a plot it is. . . . . The book takes you on a sci-fi technological rampage that has you engaged right to the very last word. The superpowers of the characters are very visual and totally memorable. In fact, they give the story some of the best action scenes in the book which are normally only found in the best comic books. The story starts with the children in hiding from Major Bright and the military operations of HIDRA (a continuation from the first book). However, the story has a sub-plot based on a new boy. He has superpowers, which Andrew cleverly weaves into the story, to gather momentum and pace. He builds the story into an epic read, with the aid of a Mysterious Russian billionaire, who lures the children to his amazing home - an incredible building for the super rich. Great imaginative characters have been used in this book, one of my favourite is the Robowulf, who has a major part towards the end of the book. I had a real storm reading this book! But when I turned to the very last page, it was a shock to find that there were no more pages left. I was truly disappointed, as I wanted to continue existing in the world that the author had so skilfully written. However, there is a real cliff-hanger at the end of the story - just perfect for setting up a great epic start to the next book in the series. Book published by Usborne Publishing 26 November 2010

Blue Balliett - Talks About - The Danger Box

Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson - The Familiars:Animal Wizardry - Book Review

Book Review This is the first book that has been written by the screenwriting duo, Adam and Andrew. It is a magical book, written with the 'big screen' in mind. In fact, even as I write this review, an animated movie of the story is being made by  Sam Raimi and Sony Animation. The fast pace and short, sharp bursts of action should, in theory, transfer well to screen. I have already read some reviews that are comparing this book to Harry Potter, and I find this remark all too familiar. Whilst the book does share some similarities such as Wizards, magic and fantastical beasts, a lot of these ideas are now well used subjects/concepts. Especially as each book is often trying to become the next 'big' hit. This book does have a very good feel factor to it. In fact it is a great book for adults to read with, or to their children, as it will keep everybody engaged to the end. This is especially true in the way the story is told. In this case, through The Familiars, who are magical animal companions that develop a bond with an apprentice wizard. Aldwyn the ally cat, Gilbert the tree frog, and Skylar the blue jay take the reader on an epic adventure to save their wizard friends using their special abilities, of course. But only after they have been kidnapped by the evil queen - perhaps this is not very original, I know. However, it's through a mish mash of some new and traditional ideas that everything is eventually pulled together. The one aspect that actually lifts this book, is the fast interaction that takes place between the animals. It makes you want to look out for them, and does actually pull a little at your heart strings. The way Aldwyn battles the tough streets, whilst being chased by an animal catcher, has a remarkably similar dark undertone to that of the child-catcher from another well known book/film. Skylar with her mood swings, and Gilbert, who carries the shame of his family are both great and compelling characters within the book. However, the best part of the book for me was the journey to Daku, to meet the tree frogs (Gilbert's family). This was a great slice of memorable reading and felt entirely original, pulling me into the enchanted world that I so wanted to visit.  This book is fun, quick and easy to read. It is written in the style of a Disney film with magical, action-packed scenes. These have all been well written and of course, finish with a happy ending. The next book to be published in this trilogy is 'Secrets of the Crown' and should be published in September 2011. In the meantime, I am certainly looking forward to seeing the animated film of 'The Familiars' at some point in the very near future. Book published by HarperCollins U.S and U.K - Early and late September 2010