John Grisham - Theodore Boone: The Fugitive - Book Review (Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books)

We are hurtling at full speed with book five in the Theodore Boone series; the latest book is called The Fugitive. The whole series has steadily turned into one of my personal favourites. All of the books have been gripping, enjoyable and unputdownable. 

John Grisham, a former lawyer, initially turned his hand to writing adult legal thrillers. He has had great success with over 275 million books sold worldwide and nine novels adapted to become major films. Quite clearly he is a recognisable and well loved household name. More recently he has been inspired by his daughter Shea, a teacher in North Carolina, to write the Theodore Bone series for a younger audience - perhaps even his daughter's class! 

The words on the front cover state that "you don't need to have superpowers to be a hero" and, in this book, you really don't. Instead, all you need is down-to-earth Theodore Boone, who is a teenage lawyer and a courtroom hero. In this book, Theo embarks on a school trip to Washington to see the sights and attractions. No danger there then you would think, but don't be easily fooled!

Theodore soon finds himself embarking on an adventure full of danger and intrigue after meeting the most wanted man in the history of his home town (Strattenberg). He soon becomes caught in the hunt for an accused murderer, alongside the talented and professional FBI. Pete Duffy (major criminal) finds himself back in court, which creates some nail biting tension, whilst Theo plays detective and lawyer with his Uncle Ike. This part of the plot delivers an action adventure written in a classic, but simplistic style with just enough detail and dialogue to keep the reader hooked. 

What really lifts this book, and the series, is the insight that we receive into the legal system. The courtroom drama, which is played out dramatically and with intelligence, feels very realistic to me. It gives the narrative authenticity which is really down to the author's extensive knowledge. It's very interesting to read from this perspective and creates originality within this genre.

The only potential drawback to this book is the length; it is very short on content and contains little backstory for any reader not familiar with the series. In my opinion, to really enjoy this book in its entirety, I would recommend reading the previous book "The Activist" or starting with the first book in the series. Nevertheless, this is a great book to get young people engaged in reading and to inspire them in becoming a lawyer. 

The Fugitive is a great topical book that can be discussed as a class or as a book group. As part of my book, which looks stunning with eye-catching blue endpapers, I had three discussion topics to consider, but these could easily be debated with students and friends. There is also an interrogation challenge to test your keen eye for detail and a quick Q&A session to keep you further entertained. 

This is a great detective mystery that dances to the song of the legal system. It is an adventure that will lead you down the path of justice, or perhaps NOT! Will the criminal allies be out for revenge . . . . . . ?

This is a series that I would have loved to have had the opportunity to read as a child. I will certainly be watching out for the next crazy case!

 Published by Hodder & Stoughton (21 May 2015)

Bryony Pearce - Phoenix Rising Blog Tour 2015 (Good and Evil in Phoenix Rising)

I am really pleased to be apart of the blog tour for Bryony Pearce’s new YA novel, Phoenix Rising, which was published on 1st June 2015, published by Stripes Publishing.  This will be followed by the exciting sequel Phoenix Burning in 2016 which I can not wait to read! 

But first who will you pledge your allegiance to?

Are you #PhoenixCrew or #BansheeCrew?

I swear my allegiance to the #BansheeCrew!  We are feared and fearless!  We are merciless and amoral!  We believe in the ideals of strict hierarchy.  We are mercenary and we will not show weakness!  We will survive at all costs!

Today I have an awesome guest post by Bryony Pearce which is about Good and Evil in Phoenix Rising. 

One the themes I always explore in my writing is the capacity of man for evil. My books are always populated with monsters, but not the dripping, green, sharp-clawed kind; they contain people who have committed great evil and characters with the potential to commit even greater evil.

I investigate the ways that good people could be turned to bad and try to make the reader understand the decisions they make.

I like to think that my main characters sit firmly in the grey areas. Toby has a good moral grounding and an innate sense of right and wrong, but he is also a pirate, who robs the port-master and is always willing to fight.

When I was researching my first book, I came across the Milgram experiment which was conducted in Yale after the war. This experiment has always fascinated me. One of the questions the scientists wanted to answer was whether or not ordinary Americans would have done the same as ordinary Germans were known to have done, during the war, or if the German personality was somehow intrinsically, more evil.

During the Milgram experiment students had to give an actor (who they thought was another student) electric shocks. Almost two thirds kept going until they thought the other ‘student’ was unconscious or dead. They were not coerced or forced in any way; in fact the only prompting was from the researchers who, dressed in white lab coats, would periodically say “the research requires that you continue” when the students faltered.

The answer, it seemed, was that given the same situation, Americans would have done just the same as the Germans.

The experiment has proved of enduring appeal. Last year a game show was held in France. There, 80% of people (who thought they were contestants) continued to shock the other ‘contestant’ way beyond the point of humane behaviour – to the point that the victim stopped screaming and fell silent.

It is both fascinating and terrifying to me, the idea that 80% of us, people who might lend you a tenner, or smile indulgently at your baby as they pass you in the street, would blindly follow authority to the extent of hurting or even killing another human being.

Another experiment followed the Yale one - it was done with Chimpanzees. One was starved if he did not shock the other. The chimpanzee preferred to starve himself rather than injure a fellow.

Are chimpanzees really more empathetic than people? What is it about man that enables him to treat his fellows with ‘inhumanity’?
In the Phoenix Rising books I have characters who are set up as ‘baddies’ who the reader should come to understand and even love. I have characters set up as ‘goodies’ but who have made mistakes and have dark pasts. No one character in my book is the real ‘baddie’ every action can be seen from multiple points of view.

I write according to the adage, ‘everyone is the hero of their own story’. Even the bad guys.

Phoenix Rising has been described as a swashbuckling adventure, and it is. I also hope that is makes the reader think, how would we behave if put in the same situations, a post apocalyptic world, where resources are at a premium and piracy is the only way to survive.

To find out more about Bryony or her work, please visit her website: www.bryonypearce.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @BryonyPearce.

Don’t forget to follow the rest of the brilliant blog tour! 

Also check out my book review: This story was like a breath of salty fresh air rolling on the briny sea. I have been waiting for a book like this all year and finally it landed. This is a swashbuckling adventure with both swagger and attitude. It was so easy to get immersed in this junk-fuelled, dystopian vision. Based around a near future setting, the story takes a look at environmental issues in a candid way. In a world full of political collapse, where fossil fuels have run out and democracy is a distant memory, the main characters set out on a quest to find renewable energy sources. More Here...

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Middle Grade Children's Book Picks (US Published) June 2015

S.E. Grove - The Glass Sentence - Published by Viking Books for Young Readers (June 12, 2014)
Boston, 1891. Sophia Tims comes from a family of explorers and cartologers who, for generations, have been traveling and mapping the New World—a world changed by the Great Disruption of 1799, when all the continents were flung into different time periods.  Eight years ago, her parents left her with her uncle Shadrack, the foremost cartologer in Boston, and went on an urgent mission. They never returned. Life with her brilliant, absent-minded, adored uncle has taught Sophia to take care of herself.

Then Shadrack is kidnapped. And Sophia, who has rarely been outside of Boston, is the only one who can search for him. Together with Theo, a refugee from the West, she travels over rough terrain and uncharted ocean, encounters pirates and traders, and relies on a combination of Shadrack’s maps, common sense, and her own slantwise powers of observation. But even as Sophia and Theo try to save Shadrack’s life, they are in danger of losing their own.

J. D. Rinehart - Crown of Three - Published by Aladdin (June 2, 2015)
Family secrets combine with fantasy in this epic tale of battle, magic, strange creature's, power, and fate—a Game of Thrones for a younger audience.

Toronia, a kingdom composed of three realms, is wracked with civil war. King Brutan rules with an iron fist. Cruelty and suffering abound. The kingdom’s only hope comes in the form of Brutan’s illegitimate triplets, prophesied to kill the king and rule together in peace. But the road to the throne is long and bloody. Separated at birth and scattered throughout the realms, the triplets face a desperate fight to secure their destiny. Will they survive long enough to rule?

Rose Cooper - I Text Dead People - Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2015)

Annabel Craven hopes she’ll fit in—maybe even be popular—at the Academy. She’s worried she’ll stay friendless and phoneless (it’s true). But when she finds a mysterious phone in the woods near the cemetery, one of her problems is solved . . . and another one is just beginning. 

Someone won’t stop texting her. And that someone seems . . . dead. How is Annabel supposed to make friends when her phone keeps blowing up with messages from the afterlife? And what will happen if she doesn't text back? 

Christine Hayes - Mothman's Curse - Published by Roaring Brook Press (June 16, 2015)

When Josie and her brothers uncover a haunted camera, the Mothman legend becomes a terrifying reality that threatens their entire town in this spooky and action-filled novel.

Josie may live in the most haunted town in America, but the only strange thing she ever sees is the parade of oddball customers that comes through her family's auction house each week. But when she and her brothers discover a Polaroid camera that prints pictures of the ghost of local recluse John Goodrich, they are drawn into a mystery dating back over a hundred years. A desperate spirit, cursed jewelry, natural disasters, and the horrible specter of Mothman all weave in and out of the puzzle that Josie must solve to break the curse and save her own life.

Stephen Davies - Blood & Ink - Book Review (Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books)

Diversity in children's books is a great thing, and much needed, as it often takes the reader out of their comfort zone. I don't always enjoy books like this one. Recently, I've not been able to finish a couple of books based on similar themes. Once I'd read the first chapter, I thought that this book was destined to end in the same way. However, I'm very glad that I persevered with this story as it really challenged me, both in my learning and understanding of a different culture.  

Tonight, the Islamist rebels are coming for Timbuktu.....

The plot is set in Timbuktu, a city in the West African nation, which is situated north of the River Niger on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The book really depicts the remoteness and the challenging landscape particularly well, in my opinion. The setting is linked to the historical events that happened in 2012; the capture of the city by the Malian military known as the Tuareg rebels.   

Historically, this book chimes with a defiant beat and gives the story a feeling of authenticity. Some of this is down to the author's understanding of events and his personal time spent living amongst the Fulani herders in Burkina Faso. 

The more that you read, the more that you are aware of the focus of the story on the troubled world of extremism and violence on West African Muslims. This makes you face up to the real issue of what is happening in the world - a regime of law that tears apart a peaceful world including a ban on television, football, radios and even music, everything that we take for granted and may hold dear to our lives.  

This is a very topical read, but with a light-hearted centre that pushes some of the seriousness and the darkness to one side to create a balance. The two main characters are brought to life; they are full of life and feeling. Kadijia is the music-loving daughter of the guardian of the sacred manuscripts. Ali is a former shepherd boy, but is now a trained warrior for Allah. Part of the story has a romantic summer step to it and lifts the book to magical heights. The harsh regime sets the two main characters apart as Kadijia's defiance draws Ali to her. It's a modern day romance that transcends religious beliefs. 

This book has everything to offer the reader; action-packed adventure, historical events and thrilling real-life danger pumped with emotions and feelings. A great infusion of religious culture will leave you thinking, even after the last page has been turned. It is fantastically plotted with many twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes. I can see this book being a great read for GCSE students as well as readers 12 years and older. It is really enjoyable, very interesting and full of educational content - recommended 100%.  

Published by Andersen Press, June 04, 2015      

Press Release: Curtis Jobling New UK Deal - Max Helsing and the Thirteenth Curse Published by Orchard 2016

Exciting news Orchard Books has acquired two titles in the Max Helsing and the Thirteenth Curse series by Curtis Jobling.

The series is about Max Helsing, the descendent of the original Van Helsing vampire-killer, as he battles modern-day monsters in between schoolwork and monster-slaying training.

Homework by day… Monster-hunting by night.

 Descended from a long line of monster hunters, Max Helsing does a pretty good job of being an eighth grader by day and keeping his town safe from demons, ghouls, and the occasional mummy by night.  That is, until he turns thirteen and discovers he’s been cursed by an ancient vampire who wants him dead – at any cost. To save the world – and his life – Max must rely on his wise-cracking best friend, cantankerous mentor, computer genius neighbor, and brand-new puppy. He’ll need all their help and more to break the Thirteenth Curse!

Jobling is the British author of several books for children, including the Wereworld series (Puffin) and Frankenstein’s Cat (Hodder). He also designed the BBC’s children’s TV show Bob the Builder.

Orchard is planning to publish summer 2016. 

Random House will publish in the US in November 2015.  Cracking book cover by Jake Wyatt. 

About Curtis Jobling:

Curtis Jobling (www.curtisjobling.com and www.badablingthing.com) is the author of the acclaimed Wereworld series, published by Puffin. He’s also known for being the designer of the BAFTA-winning BBC show Bob the Builder. 

Curtis is based in Cheshire and visits up to 90 schools a year promoting his books – as well as being a regular on the festival circuit, speaking at Hay, Bath and Edinburgh. He is very active on Twitter (2.6K followers) and Facebook.

New Middle Grade Children's Books - June 2015 - UK Published

John McNally - The Forbidden City (Infinity Drake, Book 2) - Published by HarperCollins Children's Books (4 Jun. 2015)

Get shrunk! Humour and high-stakes combine in the action-packed Infinity Drake series. A BIG adventure with a tiny hero!

Infinity Drake – Finn for short – is still… well… short.

Only 9mm tall, in fact. But before Uncle Al can figure out how to return him to his normal size, another threat materialises that sends the gang to the other side of the world.

After stealing Al’s shrinking device, evil villain, Kaparis, has devised a crazy, ruthless plan: to create an army of self-replicating nano-bots – a hardware virus that will spread from the massive computer factories south of Shanghai, giving him total control of global technology and communications.

Once again Finn is thrown into the action and finds himself on an impossible mission and a race against time: to save himself and the stop the bot infection… before it conquers mankind, one screen at a time…

Katherine Woodfine - The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Published by Egmont (4 Jun. 2015)

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair’s department store!

Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of the priceless CLOCKWORK SPARROW! TREMBLE as the most DASTARDLY criminals in London enact their wicked plans! GASP as our bold heroines, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose, CRACK CODES, DEVOUR ICED BUNS and vow to bring the villains to justice…

Hilary McKay - Binny in Secret - Published by Hodder Children's Books (4 Jun. 2015)

With her awful secondhand uniform and stuck-up classmates, Binny's new school is horrible. And life gets even worse when a storm damages the roof of her house, forcing Binny and her family to move to the countryside whilst it's being fixed. Binny, her sensible older sister Clem, and her rambunctious brother James (and his chickens) begin adjusting to life in the country. Then one of James's beloved chickens vanishes and Binny finds strange footprints in the mud. What kind of creature is lurking in the undergrowth?

Lindsey Barraclough - The Mark of Cain - Published by Corgi Children's (4 Jun. 2015)

1567. Aphra is not a normal child. Found abandoned as a baby among the reeds and rushes, the two outcast witches who raise her in their isolated cottage are never sure if she was born, or just pushed up through the foul, black mud for them to find. Little Aphra's gifts in the dark craft are clear, even as an infant, but soon even her guardians begin to fear her. When a violent fire destroys their home, Aphra is left to fend for herself. Years of begging and stealing make her strong, but they also make her bitter, for she is shunned and feared by everyone she meets. Until she reaches Bryers Guerdon and meets the man they call Long Lankin - the leper. Ostracized and tormented, he is the only person willing to help her. And together, they plot their revenge. 1962 Four years have passed since the death of Ida Guerdon, and Cora is back in Bryers Guerdon in the manor house her aunt left to her. It is a cold, bitter winter, and the horrifying events of that sweltering summer in 1958 seem long past. Until Cora's father arranges for some restoration work to take place at Guerdon Hall, and it seems that something hidden there long ago has been disturbed. The spirit of Aphra Rushes - intent on finishing what she began, four centuries ago.

Press Release: UK YA Literature London Convention Returns (17-19 July 2015)

YALC first took place in July 2014, launched by Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2013-2015 Malorie Blackman as one of her major Laureate initiatives. The event was the first large-scale public literature convention dedicated entirely to teen and Young Adult books ever to be hosted in the UK, and saw thousands of young people attending a weekend of events celebrating reading, featuring 50 Young Adult authors.

YALC will showcase the best of UK YA, as well as continuing to play host to special appearances from US YA stars. This year’s event will also feature appearances from some of the authors shortlisted for The YA Book Prize, a brand new prize for UK and Irish YA books from The Bookseller.

YALC 2015 will take place in a dedicated Book Zone at the London Film and Comic Con.  A host of top YA authors will be joining Blackman for the three day convention, which incorporates a programme of author events, hands-on workshop sessions, drop-in activities and book-signing sessions. 


An initial list of just a few of the authors taking part has been announced today, including US YA superstar and creator of the Mortal Instruments series Cassandra Clare. Also appearing at the event will be TV personalities turned authors Charlie Higson and Arabella Weir; creator of the international bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series Derek Landy; and award-winning Young Adult author Patrick Ness. Joining them are Youtube star Carrie Hope Fletcher; author of the Night School series C J Daugherty; and of course, Blackman herself. See the full fantastic list HERE

Five Favourite Children's/Teen Books Coming Out in Films 2016

I don't really get time to watch many films, as I'm usually far too busy reading! However, I'm really looking forward to the following films which have been taken from some of my favourite books and, in particular, the new adaptation of Tarzan. You'll find the list below indicating some of the early film trailers available. What are you looking forward to seeing?  

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - 4th March 2016 - US

Teenager Jacob follows clues that take him to a mysterious island, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores the abandoned bedrooms and hallways, he discovers that its former occupants were far more than peculiar; they possessed incredible powers. And they may still be alive.

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: Jane Goldman (screenplay), Ransom Riggs (novel) Stars: Asa Butterfield, Eva Green, Samuel L. Jackson 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - 18th November 2016 - US

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of  witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

           Director:

David Yates 

Writer:

J.K. Rowling 

Stars:

Eddie Redmayne 

The 5th Wave -15th January 2016 - US

16-year-old Cassie Sullivan tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of an alien invasion that has already decimated the population and knocked mankind back to the Stone Age.

Director:

J Blakeson

Writers:

Susannah Grant (screenplay), Rick Yancey (novel)

Stars:

Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Maria Bello 

The BFG - 1st July 2016 - US 

The tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the BFG, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.

Director:

Steven Spielberg 

Writers:

Roald Dahl (based on the novel by), Melissa Mathison (screenplay) 

Stars:

Rebecca Hall, Jemaine Clement, Bill Hader

A Monster Calls - 14th August 2016 - US  

A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mom's terminal illness.

Director:

J.A. Bayona 

Writer:

Patrick Ness 

Stars:

Liam Neeson, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell 

Cassie Beasley - Circus Mirandus - Book Review (Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books)

The Circus is coming to town under a magical veil of mystery, magic and intrigue. This is a fantastic story that has been picked from the publisher that has wings and will easily soar into the heart of the reader through the emotionally charged energy that it holds. It is sensitively told; tackling some of the challenges of life and the sadness of dealing with hope and death. 

Micah's beloved grandfather is gravely sick and close to death. His elusive past brings a magical world of Circus Mirandus to his grandson (Micah) which is stunning and rich in detail. It will have you engrossed from the first to the very last page. The rights have already been sold to be made into a film, even before publication. This story should easily translate to the big screen in cinematic quality.  

Micah and his best friend, Jenny, find themselves on an action journey to uncover the mystery and the truth about Circus Mirandus before it's too late. Does it really exist? Great-Aunt Gertrudis has arrived to take care of Grandpa Ephraim, but she is very bitter and has a personality which is harder than a bag of nails in a boxing ring. It makes you feel for the characters, but it also brings a greater sense of sadness which instills some reality into the fantasy world and poses many questions as to what might happen. 

Mr Lightbender is a great circus magician who can bend light and grant miracles. However, is he able to deliver these? This story is a stroll down the imaginative path with twists and turns to make you temporarily stumble. It's a timeless classic for the future. Fuelled with excitement, Micah has to navigate a balloon flight of madness, wrestle giant white tigers and meet an elephant who can do maths! The strangeness continues to unfold the more that you read on. 

This is such a thrilling debut voice, in my opinion, and is reminiscent to early Cornelia Funke books (also published by Chicken House). The narrative will appeal to the middle grade audience 9+ and both genders. This book is very funny and yet, only minutes later, it can then become rather sad. However this is the joy of reading such a clever book. A book that rejoices the power of seeing magic in the world through an illusion of hope right until the unexpected end. 

The eye-catching book cover is stunning. The spiral striped edges will help the book to be selected from the bookshelves and tempt all would-be readers, whatever the age. This is a recommended family read with a sequel that will be at the top of my list. 

Published by Chicken House Ltd (4 June, 2015) and Dial Books in the US (2 June, 2015)

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: New Children's/Teen Book Picks - June 2015 - UK Post One

David Almond - A Song for Ella Grey - Published by Hodder Children's Books (4 Jun. 2015)

I'm the one who's left behind. I'm the one to tell the tale. I knew them both... knew how they lived and how they died.

Claire is Ella Grey's best friend. She's there when the whirlwind arrives on the scene: catapulted into a North East landscape of gutted shipyards; of high arched bridges and ancient collapsed mines. She witnesses a love so dramatic it is as if her best friend has been captured and taken from her. But the loss of her friend to the arms of Orpheus is nothing compared to the loss she feels when Ella is taken from the world. This is her story - as she bears witness to a love so complete; so sure, that not even death can prove final.

Eoin Colfer - The Forever Man ( W.A.R.P. Book 3) - Published by Puffin (23 Jun. 2015)

You can't outrun your own history . . .

Still trapped in Victorian London, FBI agent Chevie Savano is determined to help her friend Riley find his long-lost brother. But the WARP wormhole has other ideas . . .

Pulled two centuries into the past, Chevie and Riley find themselves in the village of Mandrake. Under siege from prowling monsters that have escaped from the wormhole, the village's only protector is the sinister Witchfinder - a man with a hidden past and deadly powers.

With Chevie branded a witch and sentenced to be burned at the stake, can Riley thwart the Witchfinder's plans before he destroys them all?

Lucy Saxon - The Almost King ( Take Back the Skies 2) - Published by Bloomsbury Children's (4 Jun. 2015)

Thrilling, edge-of-seat fantasy adventure from the author of Take Back the Skies. Set in the same world, but with a new hero and an action-packed dramatic story ...

Aleks Vasin is the youngest of four brothers, each with his path mapped out. But Aleks doesn't want to work in his father's shop in a village in the westernmost corner of Siberene for the rest of his life. Tired of being picked on and treated like the runt of the family, he decides to save his parents the cost of his keep and leave. First he heads south - though everyone tells him not to - to Rudavin, headquarters of the Kingsguard. He signs up for the army, little knowing what brutality it entails. After only a few weeks, Aleks realises that this garrison is full of liars and thieves; he's signed away four years of his life to a commander who steals his money and a captain whose only goal is power. This is not a noble destiny. After a brutal beating, Aleks escapes into the night, hoping to find safety and a new life somewhere in the north. And there, this deserter finds LOVE, ADVENTURE and a SKYSHIP in which he might just prove himself a hero after all ...

Helen Falconer - The Changeling - Published by Corgi Childrens (4 Jun. 2015)

Some of us are born to be magic.

Aoife is an ordinary teenager, hanging out with her childhood friend Carla, putting up with school. The worst she has to contend with is that the boy of Carla’s dreams is trying to get off with her instead.

But then, after chasing a lost little girl no one seems to be able to see, Aoife starts to develop mysterious powers. Eventually her parents confess that she isn’t their real daughter. Their human child was stolen by the fairies, and Aoife is the changeling left behind in her place.

Shocked and disorientated, Aoife turns to Shay, the taciturn farmer’s son who is the only person who might believe her story. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey, which takes them deep into the underworld and changes everything they thought they knew about fairies.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Exclusive Preview - Ian Johnstone - Circle of Stone (The Mirror Chronicles)

This post has been a real labour of love for me. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to be able to share, for the first time, the first three chapters of Circles of Stone. This is the second book to be published in The Mirror Chronicles by Ian Johnstone. The first book, The Bell Between Worlds, is still one of my favourite fantasy reads, even now. If you are interested, my book review can be found HERE. 

We are very interested to hear your thoughts on the extract - I hope you enjoy it....

Published by HarperCollins Children's Books (2 July 2015) pre-order it now. 

Bryony Pearce - Phoenix Rising - Book Review (Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books)

Book Synopsis: Sail. Salvage. Survive. Toby's father is a wanted man. For as long as Toby can remember, they've been on the run. The Phoenix has become their home, their backyard the junk-filled seas surrounding it. The crew of the Banshee lives for hunting down the Phoenix and now they're closing in. Ayla has spent her whole life fighting - preparing for the moment when the Banshee will face its ultimate enemy. But Toby doesn't want to run any more and Ayla is his only hope. Can he turn an old feud into a new alliance? The future is in their hands.

To survive, would you join the Banshee Crew - feared and fearless - or will you ally with the Phoenix Crew - trusting or True?

Book Review: This story was like a breath of salty fresh air rolling on the briny sea. I have been waiting for a book like this all year and finally it landed. This is a swashbuckling adventure with both swagger and attitude. It was so easy to get immersed in this junk-fuelled, dystopian vision. Based around a near future setting, the story takes a look at environmental issues in a candid way. In a world full of political collapse, where fossil fuels have run out and democracy is a distant memory, the main characters set out on a quest to find renewable energy sources.

The book is aimed at a young adult audience. However, it is evident that whilst the story explores a range of serious issues, the characters still retain their playful and carefree side. It is clear that the story and the characters always remain at the core of the book; it is easy going and not too heavy. At times, it reads more like a higher-level, middle-grade read even though it is aimed at age 12 and upwards. In the main, this is due to some mild violence and perhaps a pirate curse or two. 

The book delivers some very interesting and colourful characters with strong male and female protagonists. There is Toby, the heart and the driving engine behind the Phoenix and Ayla, a feisty, no-nonsense all action-hero who is part of the Banshee crew. However, the star of the show for me is Polly the parrot; you'll love her crazy personality that gets them out of a scrape or two! 

This book has everything for me. There is steam-powered action and tense land skirmishes that leave the Phoenix and the Banshee crews with divided loyalties. The book has humour and tragedy, and explosive sea encounters (with many-a-life claimed by a timely rigging hook to the eye, a sword cut to the gut or a club bashing to the head) but these are all in a days work for the pirates at sea. 

This is a thrilling book full of action and more action. It is is the type of book to get the imagination of the young whirring; a burning cauldron of place, setting and time that will entice any young person away from their computer games. It is a cracking new series which has more to deliver in the future and I, for one, am really looking forward to it. 

                Swear your allegiance with #PhoenixCrew or #BansheeCrew 

Published by Stripes Publishing (1 Jun. 2015)

Cision Literature Blogs UK Top 10

It is great to be part of the below list alongside many other passionate and dedicated book bloggers. Yet again, I feel that this list represents a varied UK blog community. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit these sites already, then perhaps you may find a moment to explore them for the first time. Thank you to Cision social media expert for compiling another interesting list. 

http://www.cision.com/uk/social-media-index/literature-blogs-uk-top-10/

1. The Book Smugglers

2. Playing by the book

3. Savidge Reads 

4. An Awfully Big Blog Adventure

5. Book Chick City

6. Girls Heart Books

7. Wondrous Reads

8. Mr Ripleys Enchanted Books

9. Vulpes Libris

10. One more page