Review: Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There's a trend in fantasy books. Maybe it's always been there and I'm only noticing it now, or maybe it is getting more popular. The trend is to drop the heroine - or hero, but it's usually a heroine - into the middle of a situation they know nothing about, and have everyone refuse to explain anything to them for whatever reason. I understand this is meant to hook people in and make them want to know what's happening, and sometimes it works really well! David Eddings' Pawn of Prophecy did it almost perfectly. This book - not so much, sadly.

But once I got past that point and Morrigan started actually being told things, this was a good read, full of interest and excitment. I loved picturing the school and Nevermore - the living map may be my favourite thing in a long time. I'll read the next one, because hopefully now we're past the explanation-y bits.

(Am I the only one who kept picturing Jupiter as Skulduggery Pleasant? Just me? Ok. ::slinks away::)


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review: The Light Between Worlds

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A sweet little story, not quite what I was expecting but still beautiful in its way. Perhaps deliberately, it evokes the most famous portal story of them all, and the comparisons are good. This story stands up to CS Lewis, and that's a high bar to reach.

There were a couple of things that threw me - Ev talks about being crowded in her brother's car because of her luggage, then later in the same holiday explains how she has barely any luggage because most of it's still at school; Philippa tells Jack "No one bothers with Philippa, they call me Philippa." Apart from those, though, it's a lovely meditation on love and lose and home, wherever that may be. A fantastic read.

(It is a little strange that Jamie isn't mentioned in any of the promo material, though!)

Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.


Philippa takes a step away. She's quiet for a while before answering, and when she speaks, her voice is colorless. "Even if you can't promise to keep Evie safe, I did.So I suppose it'll be up to me as always, to look after her and to get her home. If that means helping to hold off your war until you're ready, then so be it."
Cervus rests his head on her shoulder, and at last she turns, throwing her arms around his neck, and burying her face in that ruff of rust-red fur. I creep away, knowing she's said things she won't want me to overhear.

View all my reviews

Review: Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart

Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart by Steven Erikson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A unique look at First Contact. I've never seen a book, movie or TV show handle it in quite this way. I liked seeing all the different points of view, although like other reviews I thought there were a lot of people to keep track of.

I enjoyed this book and I'll happily read more in the series, because like many books nowadays it ended on an awful cliffhanger!


Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.


"Imagination is like a muscle. It requires exercise. Stay trapped in this world with all its mundane necessities, and it won't be long before your imagination - the gift you were given in your childhood - atrophies, and when that happens, why, you've lost something precious that even nostalgia won't bring back to you, no matter how much you long for what was. With the death of your imagination, you lose wonder. But you need wonder. You need it to stay sane, and you need it to keep your heart from turning into stone."

View all my reviews

Review: Villain

Villain by Michael Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another breathless, gory adventure story from Michael Grant. I'm half enjoying, half terrified to keep reading this series; every time I think the stakes can't possibly get any higher, I'm proved wrong. The Battle of Las Vegas is horrifying in every sense of the word.

I'm in awe of the way Michael can sow in hints early on, throw away moments that later become very important. It takes real skill and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything pans out in a year.

I've taken a star off, though, because it's been a year since I read Monster, which had a lot of characters and a lot happening, and it took me a while to remember who everyone was and what the connections between them were. A Previously On or recap would have been very much appreciated. This was a problem with the original series too, though, so I don't expect any progress on it.

I can't wait for the next book, but I also don't want this series to be over!

Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.


"I believe there's a reason for everything that happens, you know? Which means you were given this power for a reason." Saffron looked intently into his eyes. "Things like this don't just happen. This is part of some larger plan. You were meant to have this power, which means you were meant to use it."

Dillon nodded along, not quite convinced, and still half thinking he would just tell Saffron to strip off her robe and her bikini and... But his thoughts were not alone in his head; the Dark Watchers, his audience, were listening. And they were liking what they were hearing. He could sense their pleasure, their anticipation.
"Well...okay," Dillon said with a shrug. "How do we start?"
Saffron smiled. "Let's start with school and work outward."
Dillon winced. "You want me to be a superpowered Dylan Kebold? I'm not into killing people, I'm just trying to have a few laughs."
"Don't be silly, Dillon. You don't need dead bodies, you need living slaves. And, of course, one other thing."
"What?"
"A queen, Dillon," she said. "You need a queen."

View all my reviews

Review: Distortion

Distortion by Victor Dixen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The bad point first, just to get it out of the way; the quality of the translation has slipped a little in this book. In my review of the last one, I said I hadn't realised it was a translation until I'd finished reading. That's not true in this one, where everyone seems to have become quite formal suddenly, and some of the descriptions are strange.

But! Apart from that, this is a fabulous book. Tension remains high, characters are recognisable while still being allowed to grow, learn and change, and a few more characters are added to the roster. The technology all seems plausible to my sci-fi-fan mind, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where Victor takes our hapless contestants next. Roll on book three!

View all my reviews

Review: The Dog Who Lost His Bark

The Dog Who Lost His Bark by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF I KNEW THIS BOOK WOULD MAKE ME CRY AND I READ IT ANYWAY I AM IN WORK ARGLEBARGLE right. This is a beautiful story about a boy and a dog who help each other heal after some bad things. There's a touch of fantasy to it, but not enough to detract from the story. PJ Lynch's illustrations are, as always, fabulous and add just the right tone to the story. Buy it. In fact, buy one for you and one to give away, because you won't want to share it.

View all my reviews

Review: JW Untitled Autumn 18

JW Untitled Autumn 18 by Jacqueline Wilson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacqueline goes back to the old days with her new novel, My Mum Tracy Beaker. Tracy has matured a little, but she's still a spitfire, charging into situations without thinking. Her daughter, Jess, is one of Jacqueline's 'timid, bookish' heroines, and Cam features hugely, along with other characters from the Tracy Beaker trilogy.

I won't spoil the story for you ... if you've read enough Wilson books, you'll recognise it anyway ... but it's a good read with engaging characters. A great Christmas present for the nine year old in your life.

View all my reviews

Review: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A lavishly illustrated version of the most famous folktales of the Wizarding world. Chris Riddell's signature style lends itself beautifully to these stories, and you'll see something new each time you look at them. The pick of this year's Potter titles for any fan.



The warlock was sure that he must be an object of immense envy to all who beheld his splendid and untroubled solitude. Fierce were his anger and chagrin, therefore, when he overheard two of his lackeys discussing their master one day.
The first servant expressed pity for the warlock who, with all his wealth and power, was yet beloved by nobody.
But his companion jeered, asking why a man with so much gold and a palatial castle to his name had been unable to attract a wife.
Their words dealt dreadful blows to the listening warlock's pride.

View all my reviews

Review: Bah! Humbug!

Bah! Humbug! by Michael Rosen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect Christmas story, cleverly entwining lines from A Christmas Carol into a new story, echoing the message contained in it. A child might need to know the story already - I suggest A Muppet Christmas Carol, still the best version ever - in order to get the nuances, and there's a reveal about the main character's sister that's slightly hidden until about halfway through, but overall it's a fantastic read for any time of year. Perfect.

(I was slightly unsure how old everyone was, which is not a huge concern but worth noting; I'm not even sure which sibling is older, not that it matters to the story. They're something between eight and eighteen, anyway.)


Eva thought of how angry Harry had got when a spot appeared on his face.

"It's just a spot," she had said to him.

"I hate it, I hate it, I hate it," he had shouted at the mirror.

"Maybe shouting at it will scare it away," Eva had said, which, even in the midst of his rage, had made him laugh.

...

And now, in the show, Harry was making everyone laugh with his 'pimple'.

No, not Harry, she reminded herself. Scrooge. Mr Scrooge.

View all my reviews

Review: Dry

Dry by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a dystopian fan and an armchair prepper - meaning I know a bit about it; please don't invade my house looking for supplies, there aren't any - this book was a strange read. On the one hand, the number one rule of prepping is don't tell anyone you're prepping. No one should have known that Kelton's family had anything stored away. On the other hand, every other aspect of this is pretty much perfect. I'm restraining the impulse to go out and stock up some water now. (See above re no supplies in my house.)

The Shustermans have obviously researched this very carefully, and it shows in the different viewpoints and POVs scattered throughout the book. I did have to reread the end a couple of times to make sense of it, but at that point I was flying through the pages so it's probably my fault!

A brilliant, chilling read.

Receiving an ARC did not affect my review in any way.


"If you're getting this report, and you're in the Southland right now - there is a mandatory evacuation," says Anderson Cooper. His image is accompanied by shots of military personnel helping families evacuate onto massive trucks, handing out water to long lines of people. "Evacuation centers are being set up throughout Southern California in school gymnasiums, churches, and malls - but there seems to be a staggering number of people who are choosing not to cooperate with these government mandates."
"Look on the bright side," I say. "At least malls have a purpose again."
The next shot shows mobs of people flowing like a human river down a winding road, and disappearing beneath a forest canopy. "These families are making their own way toward Lake Arrowhead and the Big Bear Lake area, but reports on the ground tell us that people who have been entering many of these woodsy areas aren't coming out on the other side..."
Everyone watches silently, and then I turn to Kelton. "Hey, bug-out boy - If they're not making it through the forest, what makes you think we will?"
"I told you, we're not going where they're going."
And that's good - because if all those people aren't getting to the high lakes, there's only one of two places they're going. And neither of them are places you come back from./78

View all my reviews

Review: Ladybird Tales of Adventurous Girls: With an Introduction From Jacqueline Wilson

Ladybird Tales of Adventurous Girls: With an Introduction From Jacqueline Wilson by Ladybird
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this time of year; the beautiful anthologies and collections start piling in, almost too many to read. This one I definitely made time for. Five folktales from around the world, each featuring a brave, clever girl who solves problems on her own.

You'll know Gretal and Hansel, of course, and probably the Snow Queen, but the others may be new to you. Each story is illustrated by a different artist, so there's plenty of styles to look at and enjoy. I love collections with stories I haven't read before, and this one certainly delivers on that.

Fantastic. Put this one on the Christmas lists.



"If she doesn't go, then neither do you," said their mother.
So off the three sisters went, down the long path to the sea.
"Don't you go anywhere without us," Tisha said to Tamasha, as she and Tosha rushed into the waves, laughing and splashing.
Tamasha sighed. I would much rather be searching for a tree to climb, she thought. But instead she paddled at the water's edge.

View all my reviews