A gold mining town lost all its inhabitants along with all its wealth on the Christmas Dar of 1893. Intrepid explorers have searched for the lost soulA gold mining town lost all its inhabitants along with all its wealth on the Christmas Dar of 1893. Intrepid explorers have searched for the lost souls, and the gold they seemingly took with them into the afterlife, to no avail but that doesn't stop a new group from venturing where others have tread, However, not all have merely the goal of uncovering the past in mind.
This book truly was a rollercoaster of emotions and I went through the full spectrum of them! This was, throughout, a very sad and unsettling read. I initially thought there were going to be horror elements introduced and was disappointed to find that not to be the case. Then the past-and-present timeline started to grate on me a little as I found one not to benefit from the other as much of what had occurred had already been found out. But any negativity altered as the book progressed and I became sucked into the relentless darkness of the town of Abandon.
This was a strange book and one I thought about for long after finishing it. It isn't one I can see myself revisiting yet it continues to haunt me, for its bleak portrayal of humanity. I am a big fan of Crouch's writing and whilst this one seems like a story with far less high-stakes, tension, and intrigue as it is a quieter and slower-paced story, it is no less incredible. It took me a while to see this but I turned the final page enamoured with all I had read....more
This is the fourth instalment in The Inheritance Games series.
Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne are brothers raised inside the same household, playing theThis is the fourth instalment in The Inheritance Games series.
Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne are brothers raised inside the same household, playing the same games for money and affection, and have grown to become opposite personalities. Whilst one was raised as the heir the other became the spare and it moulded the people they became, the way they valued themselves, and what they were willing to sacrifice to win. Now they most work both alone and together as a new puzzle has arisen. They must do what both do best to conquer it - be Hawthornes.
This did not follow all of the Hawthorne brothers for much of the storyline and I missed those not featured more than I thought I would have. It made me realise how much of my enjoyment was linked to the interactions between all the personalities that feature in the initial trilogy.
Avery joined the two brothers and we got to see how she now fits into their world, which I did enjoy. New characters also featured here and I didn't bond with them like I thought I would have. None were dislikable as such but I think I had preconceived notions that they would disappear from the page after this novel was done, as book five begins a new storyline. This is, of course, entirely my fault and I was also entirely mistaken. It would be interesting to revisit this book, with this knowledge, just before the release date for the next instalment to see if my connection to the unfurling events alters. The final pages were full of twists and really amped up my excitement for book five! Let the new games begin!...more
This is the fourth instalment in The Griffin Gate series.
I can always trust this author to deliver a well-plotted and fast-paced magical adventure stoThis is the fourth instalment in The Griffin Gate series.
I can always trust this author to deliver a well-plotted and fast-paced magical adventure story. I already adore the characters from the previous series instalments and each new mystery they find themselves embroiled in only cements this further, as their big hearts and quick wits are revealed....more
This thriller's synopsis mentioned that it was penned for fans of the reality TV series Below Deck and I was immediately sold! No pleasure should be gThis thriller's synopsis mentioned that it was penned for fans of the reality TV series Below Deck and I was immediately sold! No pleasure should be guilty but the amount of hours I have dedicated to watching that show is a little guilt-inducing.
I thought this initially was an accurate account of boat life, but this is the opinion of someone who is judging it based from what she has seen from a reality TV show so take from that what you will. The work was gruelling, the hours were long, and the living quarters cramped but the cast was young, healthy, and as ready to socialise and party as they were to work hard and receive big tips.
The drama and the crew were a brief and primary focus but a death in their pasts lent a sombreness to their antics on board. They were very different to the people they had once been, working and partying together a year ago and before the death occurred. Very quickly a past perspective was then introduced and the reader learned about the deceased from her own perspective.
This was were the book's focus strayed from where I thought it would be and became an insight to this character's personal history rather than her very brief time aboard a boat and before her death. I did not dislike it but it wasn't personally what I had come into this book looking for.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, J.M. Hewitt, and the publisher, Canelo, for this opportunity....more
This is the second instalment in The Last Bear series.
April Wood had an unforgettable adventure on Bear Island but has now returned to the monotony ofThis is the second instalment in The Last Bear series.
April Wood had an unforgettable adventure on Bear Island but has now returned to the monotony of home in Britain. She struggles with her peers, with school, and being apart from her furry best friend. When news reaches her that a bear has been shot near Svalbard, April is sure that it is her bear and will not let anything, not even the many miles between them, stop her from saving him.
Just like the first series instalment, this proved to be such an inspiring and heart-warming story. April's care for the planet and the creatures who roam across it are inspirational for readers of all ages and her bravery in facing head-on all that she encounters make her a resilient and loveable protagonist. I loved venturing with her across the ice and meeting again beloved characters from book one.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Hannah Gold, and the publisher, , for this opportunity....more
This is a collection of books four to six books in The Mysteries series - The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters, The Mystery of the Missing Necklace andThis is a collection of books four to six books in The Mysteries series - The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters, The Mystery of the Missing Necklace and The Mystery of the Hidden House. All three follow the discoveries made and mysteries solved by the Five Find-Outers - Pip, Bets, Larry, Daisy and Fatty - who are joined their adventures by Buster the dog.
The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters - 4/5 stars Ominous letters are being delivered to the village inhabitants and neither the policeman, Mr Goon, or the Five Found-Outers can discover who is sending them. Much sleuthing and a red-headed disguise is needed in order to solve this mystery and the children find themselves in more trouble before they manage to, once again, save the day.
I, like in all Blyton books, found much peace in the formulaic nature of the storyline. There is much humour here and also more development of the five principal characters. I was genuinely perplexed by the mystery and so had much fun attempting to piece together all that was occurring, before those living through them did.
The Mystery of the Missing Necklace - 4/5 stars The second story in this anthology is the first in this series to feature the characters aging. Fatty in particular is introduced here with a new, deeper voice but they all retained their same naïve characters and had as much fun together, despite their differing ages, as previously seen. It felt realistic still to see the siblings bickering slightly though, and how the youngest of them was always slightly overlooked before having to prove her worth. It made her character a favourite of mine and I'm glad she had her chance to shine here.
Fatty's aging played an integral part in the storyline and allowed him to adopt more adult costumes, to deceive the other village inhabitants and gather clues. I loved his disguises and so this was a true pleasure to read when they formed a primary focus, throughout this.
The Mystery of the Hidden House - 4/5 stars This final story in the anthology prominently featured the Five Find-Outers nemesis, policeman Mr. Goon. One of his relations arrives at the village and the children find ways to trick and deceive him which unknowingly land them inside another mystery to solve.
This was a solid end to a solidly enjoyable anthology. There featured the same wit, the same set of clues to decipher, and the same sinister entities as they came closer to piecing all the puzzle pieces together. These mysteries promise much fun for all age ranges and I certainly found this claim fulfilled!...more
This is the thirteenth and final instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
I did it!
And what a journey it has been! The quiet humour andThis is the thirteenth and final instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
I did it!
And what a journey it has been! The quiet humour and the clever potting has made each instalment a joy to read, even if nothing actually joyful was revealed in the storyline. I think Snicket has crafted something truly extraordinary here, a timeless classic suitable for all age ranges and with a finale worthy of all the heartache and tragedy that has appeared before it....more
This is the twelfth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
My favourite thing about this series is how it mentions seemingly unrelateThis is the twelfth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
My favourite thing about this series is how it mentions seemingly unrelated and ridiculous items in its synopsis and somehow makes them work in the context of the storyline. This one involves "a harpoon gun, a rooftop sunbathing salon, two mysterious initials, three unidentified triplets, a notorious villain and an unsavoury curry".
As well as all that, every past friend and foe mingled here, blurring boundaries and crossing paths making this a fast-pace instalment and one in which I second-guessed every reveal and character intention. The stakes have never been lowered throughout the course of this series but as the final showdown fast approaches I fear for the siblings safety at every turn and long for a quiet future in their traumatic lives as surely as I know I will miss them desperately once this is delivered and my time with them has come to a close....more
This is the eleventh instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Underwater and the depths of despair are both plunged into, as the BeaudeThis is the eleventh instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Underwater and the depths of despair are both plunged into, as the Beaudelaire's continue to fight for their freedom and to escape the clutches of their many foes. This seems impossible in moments, especially when they become separated and are vying for a way to return to each other before they can guarantee their safety.
I've really loved my time with this series but as it has continued, the most exciting element for me has been piecing together subtly dropped clues and finding new mysteries to reveal themselves when I had long thought the path to this conclusion a transparent one. Facts are revealed as lies and what is real is never guaranteed to be so, leading this to be a more complex and thrilling story than the one I had anticipated reading when I first begun this lengthy series. I'm very eager for the siblings to find some happiness and to see where the final legs of this adventure will lead them to....more
This is the tenth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Sunny Baudelaire has been separated from her two elder siblings and is in CoThis is the tenth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Sunny Baudelaire has been separated from her two elder siblings and is in Count Olaf's clutches without any means for escape. Must she use her own wits, and sharp teeth, to defeat him, or will Violet and Klaus be able to concoct a scheme to enter his lair and return their not-so-baby sister to safety?
Just like in the previous series instalment, this featured a return of many former enemies, all colluding together to bring about the Baudelaire's destruction and gain their wealth as their own. I loved seeing how all that had previously transpired led up to the present moment and how new reveals were made as continuously as new mystery were presented. This series was a mixture of fun and tragic, before now, but I am truly seeing how cleverly twisted and well-plotted it is, for the first time. All is not as it had previously appeared and there is far more to the sinister Count Olaf, the Baudelaire fortune, and the disappearance of the sibling's parents than there previously appearred to be....more
This is the ninth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
The circus has arrived! The Baudelaire siblings disguise themselves to gain This is the ninth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
The circus has arrived! The Baudelaire siblings disguise themselves to gain entry and face off against the evil Count Olaf, attempting to use his own ruses against him.
This book felt like it differed from many of the previous series instalments, which followed a similar pattern in plot, and brought together many previous enemies into one fun setting. I found the clever prose to be as hilarious and enjoyable and this remained my favourite aspect about this novel, despite also loving the journey this took the siblings on and how new mysteries, concerning their circumstances, were also exposed.
I did worry that this book would perpetuate harmful stereotypes, with the early assignment of the word 'freak' to many of the circus performers, but soon found this not to be the case. It was only the evil characters who treated the performers with disdain and, I believe, the young target audience would not align their thoughts with these characters....more
This is the eighth instalment in the A Series Unfortunate of Events series.
Apparently I can't be pleased! I stated in my review for the previous serieThis is the eighth instalment in the A Series Unfortunate of Events series.
Apparently I can't be pleased! I stated in my review for the previous series instalment that I was beginning to find the formulaic outline - the siblings are housed with incompetent and disbelieving adults who fail to notice the presence of Count Olaf, despite repeated appeals by the Baudelaires, who are then forced to use their own wits to defeat him - present in each of the books to be a little wearisome. Here, things had altered and I still didn't find it as impressive as some earlier books in this series.
I still commend Snicket for his illogical logical (when the nonsensical still somehow makes sense) and his skilful comedy (that appeals to children with the more straightforward jokes and to adults with the clever wordplay) but found the bones of the actual storyline to be a little, dare I say it, boring!...more
This is the third and final instalment in the Frostheart series.
Shaard has been a menace dogging Ash's footsteps since he first learned of his true idThis is the third and final instalment in the Frostheart series.
Shaard has been a menace dogging Ash's footsteps since he first learned of his true identity, and now he has finally caught up with Ash and the Frostheart crew. He is more dangerous than ever and has a new threat to pressure them with, in the hopes of making them bend to or break under his evil leadership.
I had previously read the first two series instalments but, somehow, let two years pass before continuing on with this final book. I returned to the series in its entirety and reread the first two books alongside this one in one day.
I feared I would become burnt out of middle grade or tired of my immersion in this world, but that never occurred. I remained intrigued by the mysteries of following the riddle to discern Ash's parents' whereabouts, fearful of the newly presented threats and unsure how they would be overcome, in love with the beautifully chaotic found family Ash discovered on his adventures, and enamoured with the icy setting and eager for more adventures in unexplored regions of it.
Reading this series has been a faultless experience. I have loved my time within this world and hope Littler will return to it, and these characters, in the very near future. My journey with them was enhanced with the gorgeous illustrations that featured in every single chapter, which were also crafted by the author, and aided in my immersion in this tale and the soaring of my imagination....more
This is the seventh instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
As the synopsis notes, this book contains "migrating crows, an angry mob, This is the seventh instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
As the synopsis notes, this book contains "migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats." So, it is as odd and bizarre, as tragic and as haunting, as rousing and hilarious, and as bittersweet and full of heart as the volumes that have come before it.
All bar the first series instalment have garnered a four-star rating from me. I still enjoyed this seventh instalment but did find my engagement waning a little, hence the one-star rating drop. Perhaps this is due to short time span I read them in and how, with the bones of each book being largely the same, with similar repeated themes featuring inside them, their contents have become to blur together a little, even if character and setting continually alter.
This is my third Snicket book in the span of 24 hours and I think I'll leave a few days waiting period before I continue on as I don't want to forget the clever magic of his writing or become burdened with the tragedies he pens....more
This is the sixth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, have escaped all previous tragedies mostThis is the sixth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, have escaped all previous tragedies mostly unharmed and have found a new home with a wealthy former friend of their mothers. He seems lovable, if not dependable, but the same can't be said for who else resides under his roof. Orphans are 'in' but they fear what will become of them when they lose their new, fashionable status or when the past once again catches up with them.
This is the first instalment to feature other reappearing characters, asides from the Baudelaire siblings, which was fitting since books five and six were the only two that I read back-to-back. I liked seeing already beloved characters return and to see some previous mysteries solved, although no happy ending was garnered from this. Instead a new series of unfortunate events were set in motion and new mysteries, involving the Baudelaire mansion were also exposed, which has heightened my intrigue for the rest of the series to come.
The adult characters were all entirely new here, asides from the forever returning Count Olaf, but they remained a source of dual hilarity and annoyance, as always. The siblings had nothing but their own wits to rely on and their bond proved as unbreakable as ever, because of this, at the sorrowful novel's close....more
This is the fourth instalment in A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
The three Baudelaire siblings find themselves housed in an academic institutionThis is the fourth instalment in A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
The three Baudelaire siblings find themselves housed in an academic institution for the first time. They are hesitant to be surrounded by so many of their peers but the horrid adults who run the place, and the series of new rules they must adhere to, soon proves to be something to fear even more.
I was highly anticipating this series instalment due to my love of reading about school settings. This was less gothic in theme than expected, but no less intriguing for this. The new rules and regulations the siblings were forced to learn were constructed with Snicket's special brand of warped sense and there were the many ludicrous inclusions here that I have quickly grown to love from this series. You really can never predict where these stories will head, despite the somewhat repetitive overall structure for each story....more
This is the fourth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny find themselves with a new mentor who proves as hopThis is the fourth instalment in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series.
Violet, Klaus and Sunny find themselves with a new mentor who proves as hopeless as all the rest. They are put to work inside a factory with only coupons for payment and the threat of Count Olaf's arrival weighing heavily upon them. It is up to their sharp wits, as always, to free themselves from these new and disastrous circumstances.
This, more than the preceding three volumes seemed far sombre in theme. The siblings have been forced to endure repeated tragedies and it weighed very heavily upon them here. Snicket's special brand of humour provided some comic relief, however, and I remained as impressed as ever by the clever wordplay, making this a delightful read for all age ranges....more
This is the first instalment in the Amina al-Sirafi series.
Amina al-Sirafi was once a name uttered in awe or fear. She captained a fearsome crew of piThis is the first instalment in the Amina al-Sirafi series.
Amina al-Sirafi was once a name uttered in awe or fear. She captained a fearsome crew of pirates and was embroiled somehow in every single legend still worth talking about. And then she disappeared. Since then she was been content with life on land, raising her daughter, and spending time with the family she once neglected. That is, until the past comes knocking on her door and her daughter's life will become forfeit if she closes it.
This, initially, felt like reading a middle book in the series, in the best possible way. There were many references to past adventures and it really enhanced the bond with the characters, to hear so much of their former exploits yet get introduced to them in an aged and altered state. Each one returned to the story in some way, either through a character from that time re-entering the storyline, or from some debts still left to be paid, or an enemy they must face off with again.
I also loved how comical each of the characters were. This was a book full of such tense and tragic scenes and the humour from the characters really aided in both alleviating tension and in not allowing the reader to become bogged down in emotion.
I also really appreciated reading about a primarily older cast of characters with this genre often features those experiencing independence for the first time, with their head full of notions and ideals about a utopian world. This older cast often looked down on these romantic notions from those younger than them with distaste, and yet reluctantly recalled their own exploits due to similar notions of how the world should work or how love could conquer all, when similarly aged. It allowed them to enter into the same adventures with more realism, maturity, and knowledge and also to reawaken the way they once saw the world within themselves, which was beautiful to behold.
This was magical and whimsical yet adventurous and awe-inspiring. I adored the high seas setting and the abundance of fantastical creatures the pirate crew met with, and the myths and legends they spoke about, uncovered, or set about bringing to life. In short, it combined all my favourite elements of the fantasy genre and I'm eager to see what book two will bring us.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Shannon Chakraborty, and the publisher, Harper Voyager, for this opportunity....more
This is the first instalment in the Marvellerverse series.
Ella Durand is just eleven years old when she makes history as the first Conjuror to attend This is the first instalment in the Marvellerverse series.
Ella Durand is just eleven years old when she makes history as the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute. The academy is located in the clouds where Marvellers, and now one Conjuror, from around the world train in the magical arts. Progress is being made with Ella joining their ranks but not everyone is happy about it and she must battle seclusion, gossip, and hateful acts if she is to continue in her education.
This read like a new, more inclusive, Harry Potter and I was not mad about it! Any magical school can't help but be likened to Hogwarts but this retained enough of its own magical inclusions and unique designs to feel different and none of the characters or crazy adventures they went on had any spirit of the former in them, either.
Ella was an incredible protagonist in which to experience this magical world with. She was spirited and feisty, despite all the prejudice she had to face, and I admired her pluck as much as I liked her personality. I could have spent an endless number of pages with her - learning about her abilities, how they differed from others, and witnessing her magical training - but this was not to be the case as events soon turned sinister as evil arrived at her door.
From this point, the focus was split between Ella's studies and the mysteries she was attempting to solve. Both remained equally interesting and I flew through these pages as I attempted to absorb every ounce of magic from it. I already can't wait for more adventures in this world and to see Ella thrive within it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Dhonielle Clayton, and the publisher, Bonnier Books, for this opportunity....more
Mott and her mother have moved cities and left everything and everyone she has ever known behind. She is alone and lonely, until she discovers an abanMott and her mother have moved cities and left everything and everyone she has ever known behind. She is alone and lonely, until she discovers an abandoned puppy inside a recycling bin. However, the adorable ball of fluff might be capable of more than it looks like, if the mysterious figures who keep appearing before Mott are to be believed. The small puppy's name is Fenris, a wolf prophesised to one day end the world by devouring the moon.
I loved how easily mythological figures and stories were interwoven into this contemporary setting. The fantastical intermingled with the everyday, making this both a magical and adventurous, delightful little story.
Mott was a protagonist easy to root for. She had a huge heart and her kindness knew no bounds. There was a lot to love and a lot to admire in her character. And Fenris was too adorable to ever believe he would knowingly cause any harm to the world. I, along with Mott and the other mythological characters who appeared, longed for both his safety and his lengthened stay in this world and with his new caretaker, Mott.
I believe middle grade readers, this book's target audience, would find much to love here. The mythology is introduced slowly and so easy to understand, the moralistic edge is prominent and yet never overtakes the adventures occurring, and the book remains fun and fast-paced throughout....more