#BookBirthday! 8/12

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are FOUR books from our lists publishing!

Silver in the Mist by Emily Victoria

Eight years ago, everything changed for Devlin: Her country was attacked. Her father was killed. And her mother became the Whisperer of Aris, the head of the spies, retreating into her position away from everyone… even her daughter.

Joining the spy ranks herself, Dev sees her mother only when receiving assignments. She wants more, but she understands the peril their country, Aris, is in. The malevolent magic force of The Mists is swallowing Aris’s edges, their country is vulnerable to another attack from their wealthier neighbor, and the magic casters who protect them from both are burning out.

Dev has known strength and survival her whole life, but with a dangerous new assignment of infiltrating the royal court of their neighbor country Cerena to steal the magic they need, she learns that not all that glitters is weak. And not all stories are true.

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

The brand new, explosive crime thriller from Holly Jackson, best-New for 2022, an explosive crime thriller from the best-selling, award-winning author of the Good Girl's Guide to Murder trilogy.

Eighteen year old Red and her friends are on a road trip in an RV, heading to the beach for Spring Break. It's a long drive but spirits are high. Until the RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere. And as the wheels are shot out, one by one, the friends realise that this is no accident.

There's a sniper out there. He's watching them and he knows exactly who they are. One of the group has a secret that the sniper is willing to kill for.

As a game of cat-and-mouse plays out, the group desperately tries to get help. Buried secrets are forced to light and tensions within the group reach deadly levels. Only one thing is for sure. Not everyone will survive the night . . .

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! We received five new books this week (and in true form, have read one already but not reviewed.)

As always, you can click on each cover to learn more about the book.

Out of Service by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch

After the events in Coldbay where they sealed the hell hole, Lucy is trying to learn more about it and how to save Murzzzz from eternal damnation. Yes, he's a demon and all, but he's also a part of the family. Lucy's turned to her diocese for guidance but they've gone strangely quiet so she persuades the Rooks to drive there so they can sort this out.

On the way, they realise something is incredibly wrong with a motorway service station - it's empty except for lingering, sad ghosts and... oh no, another hell hole has opened up and sucked in a load of people. They know they need to stay until they can rescue them and close it down, but not before they've done everything in their collective power to rescue Murzzzz. After all, one man's hellhole is a family of ghost-hunter's opportunity to save their demon friend. That's the expression, right?

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! We are back to normal here on the blog with a full week of reviews and features, and we're looking forward to digging into some of next year's most exciting and/or upcoming titles!

Be Inspired! by Sarah Webb and Graham Corcoran

Meet the inspiring young Irish people taking on the world!

Award-winning author of Blazing a Trail and Dare to Dream, Sarah Webb interviews inspiring young Irish people about their amazing achievements.

It’s never too early to achieve your dreams – why not start today?

You can do it, Rosie! by Elena Browne and Brian Fitzgerald

‘Let’s go on an adventure!’ says Aoife. But poor Rosie is an old dog. Can she do it?

With a little imagination and lots of help from everyone they meet along the way, of course she can!

A trip to the park can be just as magical as any adventure to the mountains or the sea - as long as Rosie is there!

(lack of) #BookBirthday!

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are NO books on our lists releasing. There are a couple of weeks in December with nothing as well; depending on how we're doing we might put an extra review on those days or we might just leave them empty!

Acting the Part by ZR Ellor

This delightfully tropey teen romance perfect for fans of Ashley Poston and Lyla Lee follows a queer teen actor navigating their gender identity-while pretending to date their co-star.

Queer actor Lily Ashton has found fame playing lesbian warrior Morgantha on the hit TV show Galaxy Spark. Lily knows how little representation queer girls have, so when the showrunners reveal that Morgantha's on-screen love interest, Alietta, is going to be killed off, Lily orchestrates an elaborate fake-dating scheme with the standoffish actress who plays her, to generate press and ensure a happy ending for the #Morganetta ship.

But while playing a doting girlfriend on- and off-screen, Lily struggles with whether a word like "girl" applies to them at all.

Lily's always been good at playing a part. But are they ready to share their real self, even if it means throwing everything they've fought for away?

Bookpost!

We didn't receive anything this week, so we are having fun tackling our TBR piles! We're looking forward to getting caught up a bit.

Gulliver by Jonathon Swift, Mary Webb and Lauren O'Neill

New paperback edition of this modern retelling of a perennial favourite, with illustrations by Lauren O'Neill!

Gulliver’s Travels is a memorable classic that takes you into the amazing worlds travelled by Lemuel Gulliver. In Lilliput, he is a giant compared to the tiny people there, followed by the reverse in Brobdingnag, where Gulliver finds himself in a country of giants. Full of humour and adventure, these exciting stories have survived the centuries and are now retold and re-imagined with thrilling illustrations.

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! Despite still being not quite all finished our Nanos (::cough::BeeJay::cough::) we managed a full week on the blog!

Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are by Kathryn Foxfeld

Welcome to the reality game show that'll scare you to death! Have you got what it takes to last the night?

On the reality show It's Behind You!, five contestants competing for prize money must survive the night in the dark and dangerous Umber Gorge caves, rumored to be haunted by the Puckered Maiden, a ghost who eats the hearts of her victims. But is it the malevolent spirit they should fear, or each other?

As the production crew ramps up the frights, tensions rise and the secrets of the cast member start coming to light. Each of these teenagers has hidden motives for taking part in the show. But could one of them be murder?

The Princess Bride: The Official Cookbook by Jenn Fujikawa

Few films have captured the hearts and imaginations like The Princess Bride. Based on the book by William Goldman, the 1987 film, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Billy Crystal, Andre the Giant, Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Fred Savage, and Peter Falk is as universally beloved as it is quotable. Now, for the first time, The Princess Bride Cookbook: The Official Cookbook features more than 50 recipes for dishes seen in, and inspired by, the film, including: Buttercup Buttermilk Scones, Hash You Wish, Farm Boy Breakfast, Six-Fingered Sandwiches, Chips of Insanity, MLT, The Grandson's Soup and Sandwich, Vizzini's Sicilian Meatballs, Fezzik's Stew, The Spaniard's Paella, Bread Pirate Roberts, Twu Wove's Kiss Cookies, Iocane Powder Punch, Inigo Montoya's Taste of Revenge. Perfect for fans, families, and Brute Squads, The Princess Bride: The Official Cookbook is the ultimate way for home cooks to plate up the adventure, comedy, and romance of everyone's favorite film.

#BookBirthday! 24/11

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are TWO books from our lists publishing!

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

It’s been two years since Maya's ex-boyfriend cheated on her, and she still can’t escape him: his sister married the crown prince of a minor European country and he captured hearts as her charming younger brother. If the world only knew the real Jordy, the manipulative liar who broke Maya’s heart.

Skye Kaplan was always cautious with her heart until Jordy said all the right things and earned her trust. Now his face is all over the media and Skye is still wondering why he stopped calling.

When Maya and Skye are invited to star on the reality dating show Second-Chance Romance, they’re whisked away to a beautiful mansion—along with four more of Jordy’s exes— to compete for his affections while the whole world watches. Skye wonders if she and Jordy can recapture the spark she knows they had, but Maya has other plans: exposing Jordy and getting revenge. As they navigate the competition, Skye and Maya discover that their real happily ever after is nothing they could have scripted.

#Bookpost

Happy Tuesday, all! We are approaching the end of the month and should be getting back to normal very soon! We had a quiet week for new titles, which is fine, we'll soon start catching up on things. And, as is tradition, we have already read one and we even got the review done this time!

As always, you can click on each cover to learn more about each book.

A Consuming Fire by Laura E Weymouth

Weatherell girls aren't supposed to die.

Once every eighteen years, the isolated forest village of Weatherell is asked to send one girl to the god of the mountain to give a sacrifice before returning home. Twins Anya and Ilva Astraea are raised with this destiny in mind, and when their time comes, spirited Ilva volunteers to go. Her devoted sister Anya is left at home to pray for Ilva's safe return. But Anya's prayers are denied.

With her sister dead, Anya volunteers to make a journey of her own to visit the god of the mountain. But unlike her sister, sacrifice is the furthest thing from Anya's mind. Anya has no intention of giving anything more to the god, or of letting any other girl do so ever again. Anya Astraea has not set out to placate a god. She's set out to kill one.

Weekly roundup

Well, the third week of Nano is always the toughest! We are all just about hanging in there, with a lot of complaining and urging each other on. This was a very quiet week on the blog, so thanks for hanging in with us. Things should be closer to normal next week and back to normal after that!

The Sackville Street Caper by Alan Nolan

Eleven year old Bram Stoker, future author of Dracula, escapes school to 1850s Dublin City seeking adventure. There he meets Molly Malone, accomplished sneak thief and part time fishmonger. Together they must thwart the evil Count Vladimir who plans to steal the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle.

Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins

'PEOPLE THINK THAT STORIES ARE SHAPED BY PEOPLE. IN FACT, IT'S THE OTHER WAY AROUND.'

At the time of his death in 2015, award-winning and bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett was working on his finest story yet - his own.

At six years old, Terry was told by his headteacher that he would never amount to anything.

He spent the rest of his life proving that teacher wrong. At sixty-six, Terry had lived a life full of achievements: becoming one of the UK's bestselling writers, winning the Carnegie Medal and being awarded a knighthood for services to literature.

Following his untimely death from Alzheimer's disease, the mantle of completing Terry's memoir was passed to Rob Wilkins, his former assistant, friend and now head of the author's literary estate.

Drawing on his own extensive memories, along with those of Terry's family, friends, fans and colleagues, Rob recounts Terry's extraordinary story - from his early childhood to the literary phenomenon that his Discworld series became; and how he met and coped with the challenges that 'The Embuggerance' of Alzheimer's brought with it.

'Of all the dead authors in the world, Terry Pratchett is the most alive.' - John Lloyd

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! We had a great week for new books, we'll have a lot to catch up on next month! Unlike last week, although we have read one of these we haven't got the review done yet, sorry about that.

As always you can click on each cover to learn more about the book.

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! We are all still more or less on track for NaNo, and thanks to an author interview we had a practically normal week on the blog.

Author interview: Sam Thompson, The Fox's Tower

'The wolves howled, far behind, but it was not a song for her.

Night-smells of the Forest stirred.

Ferns were curling, wildflowers closing, sap retreating.

She went further in.’

Willow’s dad has disappeared: stolen by foxes in the night. To find him, Willow must enter the secret world of the Forest. There she will speak with wolves and find the magical Tower where the foxes are ruled by their silver-tongued leader, Reynard.

In the Tower, Willow sees wonders: statues walking the streets, spires reaching to the stars, and a lion who wants to be king. But disaster is near. The magic is running out and soon the Tower will fall.

Reynard has a plan that will change everything, and he needs Willow’s help. But can she trust the story he is telling? Can Willow save her dad and find a way out of the Fox’s Tower?

Happy #BookBirthday! (10/11)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are THREE books from our various lists publishing!

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

After winning her mother's freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation--to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love... even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin--the daughter of Chang'e and the mortal archer, Houyi--as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! We are still mostly hanging in there with Nano, and we have read a few more books - just need to find time to write the reviews!

We did quite well for new books this week - and in a return to old habits, we've already read and reviewed one! As always you can click on the cover to learn more about each book!

The Drift by C. J. Tudor (spoilers in review)

Survival can be murder . . .

During a deadly snowstorm, Hannah awakens to carnage, all mangled metal and shattered glass. Evacuated from a secluded boarding school, her coach careered off the road, trapping her with a handful of survivors.

Meg awakens to a gentle rocking. She's in a cable car stranded high above snowy mountains, with five strangers and no memory of how they got on board.

Carter is gazing out of the window of an isolated ski chalet that he and his companions call home. As their generator begins to waver in the storm, the threat of something lurking in the chalet's depths looms larger.

Outside, the storm rages. Inside one group, a killer lurks.

But which one?

And who will make it out alive?

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! At the end of the first week of Nano, we are all still on track, but as we feared the blog has suffered a little. Don't worry, we will be back on track in another couple of weeks!

#Bookbirthday! 3/11

 Happy Thursday, all! This week there are TWO books from our various lists publishing!

Look Both Ways by Linwood Barclay

They think as one. They act as one. They kill as one.

The residents of Garrett Island are part of a visionary experiment. Their cars have been sent to the mainland and for one month, they've got self-driving vehicles called Arrivals. With just a voice command, an Arrival will take you where you want to go, and as the cars are all aware of each other, road accidents should be a thing of the past.

As the world's press arrives for a glimpse of this driverless future, islander and single mom Sandra Montrose preps for the huge media event. She's ready for this new world. Her husband died when he fell asleep at the wheel, and she's relieved her two teens, Archie and Katie, may never need driver's licenses.

But as the day gets underway, there are signs all is not well. A member of the press has vanished. There are rumours of industrial sabotage.

Before long, the sleek driverless cars are no longer taking orders. They're starting to organize. They're starting to hunt. And they've got the residents of Garrett Island in their sights.

Announcement

Hi all!

If you remember from this time last year, we all three like to (attempt to) do NaNoWriMo, the 'Write a novel in a month' project. Naturally, it takes up a chunk of time, and it makes it hard to keep up with our reading schedule as well.

So, for this month, expect to see a bit less of us. We've tried to read ahead, and there are some scheduled reviews and other features that will go ahead, but it will be quieter around here for this month and a little way into December as we catch back up. Unless we fail out of NaNo, in which case we'll be back soon! 

Max Magic by Stephen Mulhern with Tom Easton and Begona Fernandez Corbalan

The MAGICAL debut children's book from superstar TV presenter and magician, Stephen Mulhern! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Max Mullers loves doing magic tricks - his gran has taught him everything he knows! But his tricks aren't enough to keep Bottley the Bully off his back. Then a run-in with Bottley at his parents' market stall gets Max into even bigger trouble - now the notorious East End gangsters the Crayfish Twins are after him! If Max is going to get out of this one, he'll need A MIRACLE. Fortunately for Max, with magic . . . anything is possible! An unforgettable adventure celebrating friendship, family and . . . MAGIC! Engaging black-and-white illustrations throughout and a dyslexic-friendly layout make this perfect for every child. Ideal for fans of Greg James & Chris Smith, Noel Fitzpatrick and David Baddiel. Inspired by Stephen Mulhern's incredible story of his journey to becoming a magician, performer and TV star.

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! We're almost at the end of October, nights are drawing in - perfect for reading, right?

100 Disasters that Shaped World History

From the Great Fire of London to the Challenger explosion, earthquakes, crashes, floods, and accidents have been major turning points throughout history. In 100 Disasters That Shaped World History, young readers will be introduced to some of the most notorious disasters known to mankind, discovering how these fateful events unfolded-and how they changed the world as we know it.

The Macmillan Collection of Myths and Legends

A beautiful hardback treasury, containing over forty myths and legends from around the world. The perfect gift for mythology lovers of all ages. 

This glorious collection contains incredible stories from Greek and Norse mythology, such as Theseus and the Minotaur and Ragnaroek, and famous British legends including The Sword in the Stone, alongside lesser known stories. Bringing together amazing stories from across the world, there are tales of spirits from Spain, fish Gods from China, an Australian Aboriginal frog that drank up all of the water in the world, and many more. 

Fully illustrated throughout, with beautiful colour and line-work images from iconic Golden Age illustrators, including Arthur Rackham, Walter Crane and Warwick Goble. A sumptuous 352 page gift hardback, complete with a foiled cut-through cover, foiled edges and a ribbon marker, The Macmillan Collection of Myths and Legends is a book to share and treasure.

Happy #BookBirthday! (27/10)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are TWO books from our various lists publishing!

Snowed in for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

She's snowed in with the family. The only problem? They're not her family.

A family gathering

This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal - to avoid their family's well-meaning questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don't intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.

An uninvited guest

Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone, and the prospect of losing her job - unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller. She'll deliver her proposal to his family home in the Scottish Highlands and then leave. After all, she wouldn't want to intrude on the Miller's perfect family Christmas.

A Christmas to remember

When Lucy appears on the Miller's snow-covered doorstep, she is mistaken for Ross's girlfriend. But by the time the confusion is cleared up, a storm has hit and Lucy is stuck. As everyone settles in for a snowed-in Christmas, tensions bubble to the surface and suddenly Lucy finds herself facing a big family fallout with a family that isn't hers...

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! This week we received two new books, plus three new tarot decks which will be featured over on the tarot blog in due time!

As always you can click on the covers to learn more about each book.

Well, that was Unexpected by Jesse Q Sutanto

An outrageous, laugh-out-loud YA rom-com about a girl who's whisked from LA to her mother's native Indonesia to get back to her roots and finds herself fake-dating the son of one of the wealthiest families there, from the author of Dial A for Aunties.

After Sharlot Citra's mother catches her in a compromising position, she finds herself whisked away from LA to her mother's native Indonesia. It'll be exactly what they both need. Or so her mother thinks.

When George Clooney Tanuwijaya's father (who is obsessed with American celebrities) fears he no longer understands how to get through to his son, he decides to take matters into his own hands.

To ensure that their children find the right kind of romantic partner, Sharlot's mother and George's father do what any good parent would do: they strike up a conversation online, pretending to be their children.

When the kids find out about their parents' actions, they're horrified. Not even a trip to one of the most romantic places on earth could possibly make Sharlot and George fall for each other. But as the layers peel back and the person they thought they knew from online is revealed, the truth becomes more complicated. As unlikely as it may seem, did their parents manage to find their true match after all?

Weekly roundup!

Happy Sunday, all! We've had another great week on the blog.

Maame by Jessica George

Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.

It’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.

When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils––and rewards––of putting her heart on the line.

Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures―and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.

The Last Storyteller/Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera

There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita.

But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children – among them Petra and her family – have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race.

Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet – and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard – or purged them altogether.

Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?

Happy #Bookbirthday! (20/10)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there is ONE book from our various lists publishing!

The Boy who Lost his Spark by Maggie O'Farrell and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini

When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become ... mischief and chaos seems to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a "nouka", an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill; a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant - there is no such thing. But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home. He, once more, discovers a spark of magic.

A beautiful and atmospheric long-form picture book set against a dramatic backdrop of an ancient hillside and the mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within...

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! A quieter week of all physical books this week - in fact, as I write this, there are NO ebooks on our lists, just physical! (I'll have to get something promptly if I want to keep my kindle reading streak going...)

As always, you can click on the cover of each book to learn more about it.

Retro by Sofia Lapuente and Jarrod Shusterman

What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

To save her struggling family, Luna enters a competition offering reward money to anyone who can successfully live without modern technology for a year. But when this social experiment turns sinister and her classmates start disappearing, her family’s livelihood might not be the only thing she’s in danger of losing.

Weekly roundup!

Happy Sunday, all! It's the end of another week here on the blog.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D Jackson

When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation... Maddy did it.

An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.

After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life.

But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret... one that will cost them all their lives.

Pip and Posy: How Are You?

A chunky board book with handy tabbed pages to help young children turn the page and build book-confidence.

Like all friends do, Pip and Posy sometimes get upset, feel cross and feel scared. This book explores how they cope when they feel these different emotions, and what they can do to help each other feel better.

Happy #BookBirthday! (13/10)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are FIVE books from our various lists publishing.

The Other Ones by Fran Hart

Sal lives in a haunted house.

He longs to be ordinary, but when the strangest of strangers arrives on his doorstep – a fellow outcast called Pax – his life grows even more complicated.

Sal goes on to develop an unlikely friendship with Pax, whose love for all things spooky drew him to the house and its inhabitants. But as the two grow closer, the true nature of the hauntings is gradually revealed.

Will Sal find the courage to conquer his ghosts, or will he risk losing Pax for good?

#Bookpost

Happy Tuesday, all! We missed last week's #BookPost as we were on a blog tour, so this week is a double post. We got some great stuff this fortnight!

As always, you can click on the cover to learn more about each book.

Cursed by Marissa Meyer

Adalheid Castle is in chaos.

Following a shocking turn of events, Serilda finds herself ensnared in a deadly game of make-believe with the Erlking, who is determined to propel her deeper into the castle’s lies. Meanwhile, Serilda is determined to work with Gild to help him solve the mystery of his forgotten name and past.

But soon it becomes clear that the Erlking doesn’t only want to use Serilda to bring back his one true love. He also seeks vengeance against the seven gods who have long trapped the Dark Ones behind the veil. If the Erlking succeeds, it could change the mortal realm forever.

Can Serilda find a way to use her storytelling gifts for good–once and for all? And can Serilda and Gild break the spells that tether their spirits to the castle before the Endless Moon finds them truly cursed?

Romance and adventure collide in this stunning finale to the Rumpelstilskin-inspired fairy tale.

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! This week was another light-on-reviews week as we had other features instead!

Cover reveal: Division X by August Hill

Welcome to the cover reveal for August Hill's novel, Division X! The perfect book to add to your October TBR!

The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik

The one thing you never talk about while you're in the Scholomance is what you'll do when you get out - not even the richest enclaver would tempt fate that way.

But that impossible dream has somehow come true for El and her classmates. And what's more, she didn't even have to become the monstrous dark witch she's prophesised to become to make it happen. Instead of killing enclavers, she saved them, and now the world is safe for all wizards. Peace and harmony have enveloped all the enclaves of the world.

Just kidding.

Instead, someone else has picked up the project of destroying enclaves in El's stead, and everyone she saved is at risk again with a full-scale enclave war on the horizon. And so, the first thing El needs to do after miraculously escaping the Scholomance, is to turn straight around and find a way back in.

Happy #BookBirthday! (6/10)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are SIX books from our lists publishing.

Wren by Lucy Hope

A dark, gothic adventure set on the island of Anglesey in North Wales and featuring a very fantastical beast…

Wren lives in an ancient castle in the mountains near the sea. The wind whistles through it and the walls sing to her. Wren is busy inventing things, and her father is busy disapproving.

But the castle contains a mystery and as Wren is drawn further into it, she realises the answer lies in the very foundations of her home, foundations that are being shaken to their core…

The next fantastic novel from Lucy Hope, author of Fledgling!

Blog tour; Big Bad Me by Aislinn O'Loughlin

‘I’ve got two claws, Katie. Two giant, evil, freaking Freddy Krueger monster things. I am not calm.’

Evie Wilder is living a very normal life. Except for the fact that her mum has gone missing, she’s just found out she’s a werewolf, she and her sister have to go into hiding from supernatural beings, and there’s not a single

helpful vampire slayer to be found.

With the help of Kevin, the dorky-hot teenage manager of the guesthouse where Evie and Kate go to lie low, Evie begins to learn to harness her wolfish abilities. But there’s something a bit odd about Kevin that Evie can’t quite put her finger on.

Meanwhile, reports of animal attacks are increasing, local teenagers have started to go missing, and Evie is about to find herself at the centre of a supernatural showdown.

At Midnight ed by Dahlia Adler

Fairy tales have been spun for thousands of years and remain among our most treasured stories. Weaving fresh tales with unexpected reimaginings, At Midnight brings together a diverse group of acclaimed YA writers to breathe new life into a storied tradition.

Fifteen celebrated authors reclaim classic fairy tales for a new generation:

Dahlia Adler, “Rumplestiltskin”

Tracy Deonn, “The Nightingale”

H.E. Edgmon, “Snow White”

Hafsah Faizal, “Little Red Riding Hood”

Stacey Lee, “The Little Matchstick Girl”

Roselle Lim, “Hansel and Gretel”

Darcie Little Badger, “Puss in Boots”

Malinda Lo, “Frau Trude”

Alex London, “Cinderella”

Anna-Marie McLemore, “The Nutcracker”

Rebecca Podos, “The Robber Bridegroom”

Rory Power, “Sleeping Beauty”

Meredith Russo, “The Little Mermaid”

Gita Trelease, “Fitcher’s Bird”

and an all-new fairy tale by Melissa Albert

Once upon a time . . .

Weekly roundup

Happy Sunday, all! We had a lovely normal week here on the blog, but next week is going to be fun!

We Disagree About This Tree by Ross Collins

Bear and Mouse have finally overcome their differences and are living together in perfect harmony . . . until it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree! Bear wants dazzling lights, while Mouse prefers gigantic baubles . . . and, wait a minute, did Mouse just put a MANATEE on the top?! A topsy-turvy tree is definitely THE LAST STRAW and it looks as if Christmas is RUINED. But maybe, just maybe, Bear and Mouse can reach a compromise in time . . . ?

The Empire by Michael Ball

Welcome to The Empire Theatre.

'It's the jewel of the north, The Empire. Lord Lassiter bought it for his second wife, Lady Lillian and she supervised every detail of the restoration. There's not a finer theatre in the country'.

But The Empire is not just a theatre. From music hall to vaudeville, from revue to grand musical spectacular, it holds a special place in the nation's heart. For its audience, for its actors and singers, for the stagehands, the front-of-house staff, for its backers and its debtors - and above all for its owners - it truly is a palace of dreams.

And for young Jack Treadwell, struggling to adapt to civilian life after the horrors of the trenches, it's a lifeline. When he receives a letter out of the blue inviting him to work at The Empire, he leaps at the chance. After all, it's owned by the family of his former commanding officer, Edmund Lassiter.

But as Jack soon discovers, it is not just the actors who are donning a disguise. With whispers of a cover-up, a scandal and sibling rivalry, tensions rise, along with the curtain. For there is treachery at the heart of The Empire and a dark secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it is too late, and the theatre that means so much to them all goes dark?

Following the lives and loves of the Lassiter and Treadwell families, from the aftermath of the Great War and the Roaring Twenties to the dark days of the Second World War and the Blitz, Michael Ball's debut fiction series charts the story of the high notes and the low notes of British musical theatre in all its glamour, greasepaint and glory.

Happy #BookBirthday! (29/9)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are FOUR books from our various lists publishing!

A Sliver of Darkness by CJ Tudor

The debut short story collection from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man, featuring ten bone-chilling and mind-bending tales

Timeslips. Doomsday scenarios. Killer butterflies. C. J. Tudor's novels are widely acclaimed for their dark, twisty suspense plots, but with A Sliver of Darkness, she pulls us even further into her dizzying imagination.

In Final Course, the world has descended into darkness, but a group of old friends make time for one last dinner party. In Runaway Blues, thwarted love, revenge, and something very nasty stowed in a hat box converge. In Gloria, a strange girl at a service station endears herself to a cold-hearted killer, but can a leopard really change its spots? And in I'm Not Ted, a case of mistaken identity has unforeseen, fatal consequences.

Riveting and explosively original, A Sliver of Darkness is C. J. Tudor at her most wicked and uninhibited.

#Bookpost!

Happy Tuesday, all! We've had a pretty good week this week - and for the first time in a while, we haven't finished any of these yet!

As always, you can click on the covers to learn more about each title.

Billy Conker's Nature-Spotting Adventure by Conor Busuttil

Hi, I’m Billy Conker!

I love to explore our natural world and discover all the amazing creatures living there, from snails and bees in my back garden to polar bears and great blue whales on the other side of the planet.

Now I need your help! We’re on a mission to find wild animals in their natural habitats. It won’t be easy: some are already struggling – or even endangered – and these are the hardest to spot.

Are you ready? Come on, then! Follow me and let’s get started …

Billy Conker is a young conservationist. He loves visiting different places around the world, discovering all the amazing animals and plants there and finding out how he can help them. Join Billy as he explores ponds and forests, oceans and coral reefs, deserts, prairies, cities and more!

Weekly roundup (25/9/22)

Happy Sunday, all! After all those blog tours last week, we had a normal week this time around, with our usual four reviews.

Bizzy Bear Memory Game: Things that Go

Bizzy Bear’s fun memory game slider book!

Play and learn with Bizzy Bear!

With four fun scenes, three memory games and lots of things that go to spot, this busy book is designed to improve memory, build vocabulary, and promote book-confidence. And with no messy cards to tidy up afterwards, parents will love it too!

Discover things that go in four settings – on the construction site, in the city, at the airport and in outer space!

The Strange Tale of Barnabus Kwerk by Erica McGann and Phillip Cullen

Barnabus Kwerk lives in the biggest, fanciest house in Undle.

His family are stinking rich. They’re also dreadful people. Barnabus doesn’t want to be like the rest of the Kwerks. He wants to go to school and make friends and be happy. But that isn’t possible as long as he remains trapped in the attic bedroom of the Big House.

When a stranger calls one stormy night, Barnabus is fascinated. His Aunt Jemima is like no-one he has ever met before. She knows secrets – about the Kwerks’ dark past, about Barnabus’s mother, and about a glorious golden machine at the centre of the Earth.

She offers Barnabus a life of adventure. But every great adventure has danger at its heart.

Happy #BookBirthday! (21/9)

Happy Thursday, all! This week there are TWO books from our various lists publishing!

Monochrome by Jamie Costello

16-year-old Grace awakes one morning to find the sky leaden, the sun huge ball of ash, the clouds like threatening rubble, and reports of unexplained accidents occurring on roads and rail. These are the hallmarks of an apocalyptic movie, but it quickly becomes apparent that everything, to the rest of her family, seems normal; Grace is one of only a handful of people in the country who are seeing the world in shades of grey.

Soon, however, the whole of society is in the grip of the Monochrome Effect, or 'greyout', which eliminates the ability of humans and animals to see colour. The greyout moves from person to person, but it isn't a transmissible disease: the effect on the optic nerve can be traced from microplastics in the ocean, the result of unchecked pollution, now in all water systems.

When Grace starts to experience intermittent 'colour episodes', she is asked to join a government-run study with other teens who have seen flashes of colour since the Monochrome Effect began. She is told that she will be helping find a cure; be part of something that could save the world. But the reality is much more sinister, complex and dangerous than she could ever have imagined - colour vision is now currency, and to those in power, worth the ultimate price...