Weekly Round Up!

Hi all! We had a busy week here at Read and Reviews, enjoying the last few days before we head back to work!

Chelsea High by Jenny Oliver

Norah knows she doesn't belong at Chelsea High. This is a school for the uber rich; she grew up on a houseboat in perpetual dock. But once her father clears up this whole misunderstanding of a law suit, they can go back home, where she fits in.

The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant

In the violent urban jungle of an alternate 1828 Paris, the French Revolution has failed and the city is divided between merciless royalty and nine underworld criminal guilds, known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine (Nina) Thénardier is a talented cat burglar and member of the Thieves Guild. Nina's life is midnight robberies, avoiding her father's fists, and watching over her naïve adopted sister, Cosette (Ettie). When Ettie attracts the eye of the Tiger--the ruthless lord of the Guild of Flesh--Nina is caught in a desperate race to keep the younger girl safe. Her vow takes her from the city's dark underbelly to the glittering court of Louis XVII. And it also forces Nina to make a terrible choice--protect Ettie and set off a brutal war between the guilds, or forever lose her sister to the Tiger.Paris in the wake of the failed July Rebellion of 1830 is a hard, cold place. No one knows it better than Nina. When her sister is sold to a brothel, she is determined to win her back, no matter what it takes.

Happy Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday! It's been a fairly light week, with only two titles from our review list releasing.

The Challenger by Taran Matharu

Trapped on an alien world, Cade and his friends have been waiting for the next round of the life or death Contest to begin. When they leave their safe haven to train for it, their paths diverge wildly...

Book Post! Week ending 26 May 2020

Hi everyone! Hope your week has gone well. We've had a good week, with eight new books between us!

As always, you can click on the cover to visit the goodreads page for each title.

Blog Tour: After Darkness by JF Johns

I'm thrilled to share the first of an exciting new dystopian duology by J.F. Johns, called After Darkness! Read on for an exclusive excerpt, book details, and a chance to win a print copy of Eternal Darkness, the first book in her exciting dystiopian series of the same name!

Johnny Ball, Accidental Football Genius by Matt Oldfield

Johnny is desperate to show his family that he's just as good at football as they are. Sadly - he just isn't. He can't kick, pass, or head the ball as well as they can. But he is great at one part of the game...

Lockdown by Peter May

Trapped in a city under lockdown, on his last day of work, DI MacNeil races to solve a child's murder before his time runs out.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Saoirse is reeling from a breakup a few months ago. So when she meets a cute new girl who's only in town for a couple of months, she suggests a free and breezy, no strings attached relationship. That'll work, won't it?

New Publisher Announcement!

PM Press, a new publishing imprint, are on the hunt for new books to publish! Have a look to see if they might be a home for your novel. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Book Post!

Hi all! With things starting to get back to something that vaguely approaches normal, we want to get the blog back on track. Starting with a thank you to all the publishers, agents and authors who sent us books while we were isolating! There are far too many to put up pictures like normal, so instead we've listed them with links to Goodreads (or the publisher's site, a couple of times.) These are NOT in any particular order.

The World Without Flags by Ben Lyle Bedard

Ten years after the disease that brought the human race to its knees, the survivors are just about on an even keel. But the world outside their little haven is teetering on the edge of war and they can't ignore it forever.

Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

The best game ever! ...is not so much fun for Arthur, Ren and Cecily, accidentally swept into the largest RPG ever conceived. The kids must work together to solve puzzles and rescue historical heroes before time runs out!

The Ballad of Ami Miles by Kirsty Dallas Alley

It's an honor to live in the Compound, the only safe place left after the barren plague swept the world. Ami knows that, just as she's always known her destiny is to procreate as soon as she's able. But when the time comes, she finds it hard to allow it.

Take the Lead by Elena Browne and Jennifer Farley

Find everything you need to know about dogs in this kid friendly guide to choosing, training and enjoying your new pet.

Blog Tour: Undead Ultra by Camille Picott

We're celebrating Zombie Awareness Monthwith a mini tour of Undead Ultra by Camille Picott! Read on for details, an exclusive excerpt, and a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

The Names We Take by Trace Kerr

Left all but alone after a plague takes 95% of humanity, Pip has promised to never leave someone who needs help again. But in this strange new world, that promise might be a death sentence.

Dear Child by Romy Hausmann

A young woman has escaped her captor's shack in the woods. The child with her insists that her name is Lena, and a young woman by that name did go missing - fourteen years before. Is this really her? Where has she been and who is the child?

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Cursed with poisonous skin, Soraya must decide what she's willing to risk for a cure, in this story based loosely on Persian and Indian myths.

Blog tour; Rites of Passage by Chad Lehrmann

Book 1 of Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles

Young Adult Supernatural Thriller

Date Published: 2/4/2020

The Girl in the White Van by April Henry

Savannah heard about the cars following girls in her school. But she didn't pay any notice. Now she's fighting for her life against Sir.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Good Desi girls are not gay. Good Desi girls don't get into trouble at school. Good Desi girls don't let other girls steal their culture.

Nishat isn't feeling like a Good Desi girl these days.

Night Forever by Ali Sparkes

Galactic stakes in the last of the Night Speaker series.

Burn by Patrick Ness

Sarah's father has sunk to the low of hiring a dragon for his farm. It's not exactly illegal, but only a few ever risk it. But the dragon that turns up is Russian. And this is 1957, the middle of the Cold War.

#famous by Jilly Gagnon

Rachel has approximately twelve followers on Flit, the best social media platform around. So she doesn't feel guilty about snapping a quick photo of the hottie at the burger counter. No one's ever going to see it, after all. It's just harmless fun!

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Family is complicated, but some things never change. Bea keeps track of them in her notebook. It's something to hold on to when she starts worrying. But Dad's wedding isn't something to worry about - right?

We'll Soon be Home Again by Jessica Bab Bonde and Peter Bergting

Based on interviews with survivors, these six comics show the journeys six children went on through Nazi Europe.

Barney Goose by Carol Ann Treacy

Barney needs to fly north. He doesn't know why! But maybe the animals he meets along the way can help him out.

Max Takes a Stand by Tim Allman and Nick Shepherd

Only ten years to stop climate change! Max is determined to do his part to stop it, and a TV competition is just the chance he needs.

Irish Farm Animals by Bex Sheridan and Glyn Evans

Visit an Irish farm, see the animals and learn a little about life on the land.

Adventure Duck Series by Steve Cole and Alexei Bitskoff

Gifted with great powers by a stray meteor, Adventure Duck is sworn to take down Power Pug, his arch nemesis, and his revolving army of hench beasts. 

The Mother Code by Carole Stivers

Bio warfare goes wrong and dooms the world. Scrambling for an answer, a military group create immune fetuses and entrust them to robotic Mothers, programmed with the personality of the children's mothers. As these children mature, they have to deal with the remnants of our world as well as the beginning of theirs.

Running by Natalia Sylvester

Mari has never really thought about her father's policies. He's always been in politics in one way or another. But now he's running for President of the United States, the whole family is under intense scrutiny. Forced to learn more about the issues, Mari is dismayed to realise she doesn't always like what he stands for.

Roxy & Jones by Angela Woolfe

Roxy isn't really enjoying living with her stepsister, but it's her only choice. She doesn't want to make things difficult for her, but she's somehow got caught up in Jones' mission to maybe save the world, possibly. Well, the country. Definitely at least the city.

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

Kit knows she can be a knight at the cheesy medieval style restaurant she works at. She knows all the moves, having practised with her brother, the Red Knight. But the manager, her uncle, is clear. Only males can be knights. Kit is determined to turn things around, with the help of her fellow wenches. But life isn't kind to people who want to change their stars.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

Hollis has spent most of her life trying to catch the eye of Jameson, the young king. Her hard work is finally paying off as he begins to seek her out, showering her with gifts and compliments and raising her above the rest of the court. But is it really what she wants? Being raised so high, there's a long way to fall...

Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour by Ally Carter

April has spent all her life in foster houses. But this time she might finally have a home. If she can deal with the sword wielding presumed dead billionaire living in the cellars, stay on the right side of Ms Nelson and avoid the SadieMatic8, that is...

Hope Island by Tim Major

Nina has - reluctantly - brought her daughter to her inlaws' home for a stay. Her mother in law has never approved of her, but things are even stranger than usual on the little island. Why are all the adults so loud and children so quiet and solemn? Why does it feel like her daughter is slipping through her fingers?

(Possible spoilers in my review, depending on whether you understand my reference.)

Siri, who am I? by Sam Tschida

A Millenial wakes in a hospital with no memory. What does she do? Check Instagram, of course.

Last Girls by Demetra Brodsky

Trained to survive whatever comes, Honey is aware when her compound starts sliding out of control. Threats are rising everywhere she turns and the most important mission of her life, protect her sisters, looks to be impossible...

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L. D. Lapinski

Flick's new town is turning out to be much, much worse than her new one. Until she stumbles upon the Strangeworlds Travel Agency. A meeting place for the multiverse, where every case brings you to a new and fascinating world. And every world is in danger...

Gargantis by Thomas Taylor

Herbie and Violet are back to solve another Lost & Found mystery. This one threatens everyone in Eerie-on-Sea; if they can't figure out what's happening, the whole town will quite literally slide into the sea...

Five Sisters by Stephanie Campisi

A husband and wife live happily in the forest, tending to it faithfully. When the forest decides to repay that debt they begin a new, exciting life.

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

In the English upper classes, talking about one's feelings is Not Done. So when Violet and James have a screaming row, they settle in for years of silence and polite ill feeling. Eventually Violet decides she's Had Enough Of This and begins a campaign to  make James understand his mistakes...

The Switch by Beth O'Leary

Leena's working herself into a breakdown in the city. Eileen is looking for love , but her tiny village doesn't offer much hope. Swapping for two months only makes sense!

Doesn't it?

We Just Clicked by Anna Bell

Izzy's developing her Instagram following. Maybe she lies a little every now and then. But everyone does it, don't they? Filters, hashtags - it's no big deal. Until it is...

Venom by Bex Hogan

Marianne, the Viper, continues to battle threats magical and mundane as she tries to protect the Isles and all their people.

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman

Sixteen short stories featuring retellings and stories inspired by Asian myths. Each has a short explanatory passage at the end.

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Married to a demon to pay for her father's bargain, Nyx has dedicated her life to training to kill him. But not everything is what it seems in his strange, magical castle. Drawn to the demon lord as well as his strange shadow servant, Nyx must use her long buried heart to understand and break his curse.

How to Deal: Tarot for Everyday Life by Sami Main and Marisa de la Peña

A beginner's guide to reading tarot, with card meanings, exercises and sample layouts.

Hard Wired by Len Vlahos

Quinn is just like other boys - until he realises he isn't. Spoilers below the jump, although the blurb gives it away immediately.

Q (Master Class) by Christina Dalcher

This title is sold as Master Class in the US and Q in the UK, but it is the same novel.

The Q has become the most important number in anyone's life. Every tests, every leson, every interaction adds or subtracts from your Q in various forms. Drop too low, and the yellow bus will come for you...

Logging Off by Nick Spalding

Andy is addicted to tech, and it's causing physical problems. His doctor recommends a complete digital detox, and Andy is forced to agree. Kept on the straight and narrow by his journalist best friend in the name of well-written soft news, he's amazed when his crusade actually seems to connect with people. Can he make real connections in an analog world?

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Tarisai longs for a family, after being raised by indifferent tutors in a hidden compound. But when she finally has the chance to find that family, the reason for her upbringing becomes clear; her mother expects her to kill her new found family and has used powerful magic to ensure she complies. Tari must find her own power in time to save her emperor and her entire world...

The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum

Maggie is determined to prove that middle children can be useful as well. But her determination may lead to betraying the only friend she has and challenging her town's oldest law.

Girls Save The World In This One by Ash Parsons

Three zombie obsessed best friends find themselves in the middle of a real life outbreak at their long awaited zombie-com.

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno

Marin comes up against her school's sexist policies when her teacher steps over the line.

The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park

Overbearing fathers, jerk jocks and zombies, oh my!

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth

Ten years after saving the world, Sloane and her friends have to do it all over again in the next universe over.

Last Lesson by James Goodhand

Ollie's had a rough year. His schoolmates are determined to make it worse. But he has a plan to teach them a lesson. They won't mess with him again.

Slight Change

Hi all. Things are crazy at the moment; we're variously working from home, self isolating or work has closed down. Although we plan to keep posting reviews, we're going to skip #Bookpost - as we're not receiving physical books now anyway - and possibly #BookBirthday, unsure as yet.

We still want to talk about brilliant books and fantastic reads, so keep tuning in! We'll have a massive #Bookpost session when this is all over.

Stay strong, everyone.

Teen Writer's Guide by Jennifer Jenkins

A well written, easy to follow how to for budding authors.

The Burning by Laura Bates

Anna and her mother have fled the rumours circulating her school, gone to the other end of the country. She dares to think she can start a new life here. But nothing is ever forgotten, and the people she left behind are determined to remind her she is never free of them.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani

In this retelling of the Goose Girl, Thorn must learn to find her power while trapped under a vicious magic spell.

Weekly round up!

We had no #Bookpost or #Bookbirthday this week, as it happened, but we did manage to post several new reviews!

The Vikings by John Farrelly

You know all about the Vikings, right? Horns, fighting, Valhalla? Think again. You're about to learn some amazing new facts...

Midnight Wings by Ariele Sieling

In a futuristic city-ship, El is trapped in her stepmother's home, forced to work for her keep. A city wide contest is her only chance of escape...if her stepmother doesn't stop her from going.

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love

Alex collects toy robots, an interest started and encouraged by his grandfather. The latest one in his collection is a little bit different, though. A little bit strange...

Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan

Kateri promised her mother that she would protect their people. It's a promise made harder by the ongoing drought and the rebel group known as the Desert Boys. When she finds her father has arranged a marriage for her, she runs into the desert to try to keep that promise.

Mouse in Training by Emer Stamp

Stix, a tiny mouse who lives behind the washing machine, has always followed his grandmother's rules to avoid contact with the mans who live in the flat. But, separated temporarily from his grnadmother, he makes friends with some of the other creatures in the house and sets out to make a real PEST of himself...

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban

Amber desperately needs a win right now. Her college plans are in danger, her boyfriend is focused on his own plans, her oldest friend has abandoned her and her newest friend may not be a real friend at all. When she's called to a scholarship dinner she's thrilled. Until she realises that the whole thing was staged. And now it's kill or be killed, very literally...

Damsel by Elana K Arnold

Everyone knows the story. A brave prince defeats a dragon, rescues a beautiful maiden and marries her. That must be what's happened here. Even though the maiden has no memories, craves heat, and her bethrothed is oddly off putting...

Girls with Razor Hearts by Suzanne Young

The second in this series sees Mena and her sisters adjust to life on the outside while pursuing their target; the investors of Innovations who created them in the first place.

BookChat: The Fortress by SA Jones

Welcome to our first ever three person BookChat! It happened that all three of us got this book, so we coordinated our reading and now we're bringing you our review.

BE AWARE: This book contains mentions and depictions of rape, including rape of children, and mentions of suicide and self harm.

Weekly round up!

A much quieter week this week, as some of us are very busy and some are affected by the spread of the corona virus. None of us have caught it, luckily. How are you all doing?

Let's see how we did this week.

The June Boys by Court Stevens

The Gemini Thief takes three boys in June. They're held until the next July and then released unharmed. Always three. Always unharmed.

This year, Thea is convinced her cousin is the fourth...

Happy Book Birthday!

I'm so late with this post! I don't have an excuse, I'm afraid, only that it's been manic in work. But I'll try to do better for you, my beauties!

It's been a quieter publishing week, but a few titles came out, so let's have a look.

Bookpost! Week end 3rd Mar

Ebooks coming out our ears this week! Some highly anticipated reads and favourite authors in this selection.

As always, you can click on the cover to be taken to the book's Goodreads page.

The Loop by Ben Oliver

An AI controlled prison is inescapable for the teenagers inside it. There's no contact with the outside world, but rumours still filter through - and those rumours are very dark.

Weekly Round up!

Welcome to March! Things are a little quieter around Read and Reviews at the moment. Looking at the diary, they'll start getting busy again pretty soon! For now, here's everything we did this week.

Waiting for Wolf by Sandra Dieckman

Fox and Wolf are best friends, swimming and playing together by the beautiful lake. Their days are perfect. Until, suddenly, Wolf is gone, and Fox has to go on alone...

The Last Dog in the World by Adrian J Walker

Lineker's world has been tightly confined for the last few years, living with his master Reg and sticking tightly to a routine. He doesn't realise that the world has ended outside. Reg is happy in isolation and has never gone looking for other people. But eventually they come looking for him...


I've read Adrian's other books, the End of the World series, and very much enjoyed them. This is a slightly different beast. Because half the narration is coming from Lineker, who while very smart is still a dog and doesn't quite get what's happening, we never get the full backstory. I'm very confused, for example, about how Reg and Lineker managed to live in the city for three years after the exodus without realising that there was a literal war going on between two badly described side. I think one side was the actual Army and the other some kind of home grown Fascist group, but I'm really not sure. I'm also not sure why no other country sent help. There's a mention of bombs early on, with no explanation of who dropped them or why, but maybe there was some kind of world war going on?

As a story it's very good; engaging, good characters, and I may have cried at a certain point near the end even though I'm really a cat person. I just wish things had been better explained. But then, maybe I missed something...I have been known to do that!

A great read, all in all, and I highly recommend it.

I think I slightly prefer the UK cover, but they're both very good!

UK Cover                                             US Cover

Every dog has its day…

And for Lineker, a happy go lucky mongrel from Peckham, the day the world ends is his: finally a chance to prove to his owner just how loyal he can be.

Reg, an agoraphobic writer with an obsession for nineties football, plans to wait out the impending doom in his second floor flat, hiding himself away from the riots outside.

But when an abandoned orphan shows up in the stairwell of their building, Reg and Lineker must brave the outside in order to save not only the child, but themselves…

Happy Book Birthday!

Happy #BookBirthday! Some fabulous reads came out this week.

Fire Boy by JM Joseph

Aidan is a perfectly normal boy with perfectly normal friends and a perfectly horrible granny, until he receives a strange parcel from Peru. Inside are perfectly normal sweets...aren't they?

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

Ollie's summer fling turns suddenly serious when he joins the same school as his erstwhile boyfriend. Unfortunately, Will is not out and feels he can't be in his conservative school. Now Ollie has to chose between the moments Will can give him, and his own sense of self worth.

Bookpost! Week end 25 Feb 2020

To make up for the quiet week last week, we received a bumper crop this week...and most of them are physical copies! They've all been filed carefully in order on the TBR shelves.

With the exception of Johnny Ball, you can click on any of these titles to be taken to the Goodreads page.

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

As the younger daughter of a duke, Alessandra has been overlooked and ignored her whole life. Luckily, it's given her a skill in reading people that few others can match. Now she plans to use that skill to gain the ultimate power; the throne of her kingdom. All she has to do is not fall in love, and that will be easy.

Weekly Round Up!

We've had a busy week here at Read and Reviews. Here's the round up in case you missed any of our posts.

We Unleash the Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Carmen's life has never been simple, and now things seem to be getting more complicated everywhere she turns. With Dani still trapped in Mateo's household and a rebellion full of people who seem to think she's turned, Carmen needs to measure her next steps very carefully or risk losing everything and everyone she loves.

Giveaway

Hi guys! Author and blogger DW Richards is hosting a great giveaway on his site and I wanted to highlight it for everyone!

The link is below. DW is giving away three sci fi novels, covering a range of subgenres, AND you get a free graphic novel just for entering!

Good luck everyone, I'm off to enter right now...

Scribble Witch by Inky Willis

Molly's having a not so good Monday. Her teacher hates her, her best friend is moving away, and her yogurt has leaked all over her lunch. (Ok, one of those things is worse than the others.) Nothing is going to cheer her up. Absolutely nothing...

Poems To See By by Julian Peters

A collection of famous and not so famous poetry, all redesigned as comic strips.

Happy Book Birthday!

Happy Book Birthday to some great titles this week!

The Truth App by Jack Heath

It's action and adventure in this fast paced story about how quickly things can spiral out of control.

The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes

In a vaguely MesoAmerican world, two teenagers – a newly made Emperor and a girl destined to be either Empress or a blood sacrifice – struggle to interpret the will of the gods and keep a crumbling empire together.

Bookpost! Week end 18 Feb 20

#Bookpost! A quiet week again this week, giving us a chance to dig into the TBR a bit. It was almost under 70 for about five seconds there!

As always, click on the book covers to be brought to the Goodreads page.

Glitch Kingdom by Sheena Boekweg

A medieval fantasy given a unique new twist...it's all just a game. But the consequences are deadly real.

Weekly Round Up!

Hi all! Another busy week here at Read and Reviews, but the February rush is starting to calm down, so hopefully things will ease off a little.

Sadly, poor J wasn't well this week, so we missed a couple of posts, including the #BookBirthday post. She tells us she's feeling better so hopefully things will be back on track next week.

Young Fionn by Ronan Moore and Alexandra Colombo

The birth and childhood of Ireland's greatest hero, retold with all the reverence and magic he deserves.