Review: Outwalkers

Outwalkers by Fiona Shaw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A scarily plausible, slightly future novel. I wasn't too fond of the format, using the dash instead of quotation marks - I found it difficult to tell when dialogue ended and narration kicked in. I enjoyed the story, though, it was interesting and had twists to keep me reading. I'll watch out for more by the same author.

View all my reviews

Blog tour: The God of All Small Boys

Hi and welcome to my first ever blog tour! I couldn't have chosen a better book for it; the wonderful God of All Small Boys by Joseph Lamb, set in WW1. Joseph was kind enough to answer a question for us about this fascinating book.


What makes Joe's book different to other WWI children's books out there?

I suppose the biggest difference between my book and others set during WWI is that mine only touches on the actual fighting which took place - and even that a little abstractly through a dream sequence, and the cinematic showing of The Battle of the Somme (which is available to watch online for free as it has been in the public domain for a long time - and was a valuable resource for research!)

It also focuses on the lives of the children who lived through the war; and includes events which impact upon the families left behind, as well as touching upon the way people thought in those days, living under the belief that war was in some way noble.

It also isn’t just based on the children all the time. Some of their parents play important roles in the story, as do people’s parents in the real world!



You can follow the rest of the blog tour for more insights and answers. The next stop is Roachies Reviews tomorrow. The book itself will be available from 14th February in all good bookshops.

Some summers were made for growing up...

Dundee, 1917. When his father goes to fight in the war, 11-year-
old James is sent to live with his mill-town relatives and his cousin, Billy. In this unfamiliar world of poverty, bullying, and uncertainty, James fights to be accepted and learns the true value of friendship and family.
‘The God of All Small Boys is the one who grows trees, with branches in just the right places, so we can climb right to the top. He invented  fireworks and dogs and sticks and horses and muddy puddles. And he lets us find secret places... like this!’ 


James and Billy are flung together when James' father goes to fight in 1917. Through initial misunderstandings, the boys come to like and respect each other, and with the help of The God of All Small Boys they will learn from each other and from those around them during one tumultuous year. Perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne.

Review: Enchantée

Enchantée by Gita Trelease
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Richly imagined and so clearly written I was almost there. Gita has created a fascinating new world laid over the French Revolution, peopled with fantastic characters. I was riveted to the book, desperate to find out what was going to happen.

The actual Revolution didn't seem to affect much, although maybe the follow up will deal with that, and it did happen almost at the end of the novel to be fair. I can't wait to get back to this world and these characters again and find out what happens now. I'm sure Alain hasn't given up, for one!

I'm looking forward to handselling this title. I think it'll go very well.


I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review: Slayer

Slayer by Kiersten White
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to be honest, although it physically pains me to do so; this book is not as good as I hoped. Other readers may love it! I sincerely hope they do. It just fell straight into one of my least favourite tropes; the whole plot turns on people not telling each other things, even important things, even when telling each other those things would clear up misconceptions or make things more understandable. Tip to teenage guys; if you're trying to get a teenage girl somewhere safe from a danger she doesn't know about yet, don't just sling her over your shoulder and carry her into the forest while saying ominous things into your phone. Actually explain to her what you're doing. Especially if she's the Slayer; it'll spare you some broken ribs when she gets sick of it.

I'll keep reading this series, because I think there's a good story under there and I'd like to see what happens next. Hopefully the characters will be a bit more communicative next time.

View all my reviews

Review: Watch Us Rise

Watch Us Rise by Renée Watson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fantastic addition to this growing genre. It took me several chapters to remember which of our POV characters was which, but that's a common problem for me. I really enjoyed the story and it kept me thinking after I'd read it, which is always a good sign! I also liked that the authors didn't demonise anyone; the principal should have listened to the girls, but he was doing his job otherwise, the teachers were mostly nice, and even (view spoiler)[the mean girl came around when they talked things out properly. (hide spoiler)] This is going to go well, I think.

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


"What happened?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing, we just pretty much got James and a few of the basketballs players to run up and down the bleachers while doing their sprints and drop statements in all the seats. It looks like it's been raining women's rights in the gym," Nadine says, clearly proud of herself.
"At one point, Namel was throwing up statements like it was cash money," Isaac says, smiling at us.
"And he also might have been singing some of the statements," Nadine finishes, and as if on cue, Namel and James walk down the hallway, Namel singing, "I resolve to raise my hand more. I resolve to answer questions more in algebra. I resolve to use my voice." He enters a falsetto on the last note, and we all start laughing. I see him tucking one of the statements into his pocket.
"What's that one say?" I ask, hanging back as they all continue down the hall practising their new songs.
"Ah, nothing. I just liked it." He hands it to me. It says: I resolve to ask for what I want. My voice should be valued and heard.
"Why do you like it?" I ask.
"I guess I'm just curious. What do you want?"

View all my reviews

Review: The Black Coats

The Black Coats by Colleen Oakes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There's nothing wrong with this book - it's exciting, it's a good plot, I wanted to know what was going to happen - but I wasn't desperate to find out, I was happy to wait until I got back to it. It's a perfectly good read, but not a breathless, staying up at night one.

I'll still recommend it to others, because I think it'll do well.


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


There was still no word from Drew, so she took a deep breath and texted him everything she wanted to say. After Natalie's loss, she should have known better: the time to say important things was always now. I'm sorry for lying to you. You were right--about almost everything. Can we talk after the ceremony tomorrow? Then without thinking, she typed:

Drew Porter, I think I might love you, in spite of everything.

Thea sat back in her chair, anxiously waiting any response as the night grew long around her.

Finally it popped up:

See you tomorrow at graduation.

Thea let a small glimmer of hope pass through her. Maybe there was a chance that she wouldn't lose this, too. Still, before heading up for bed she triple-checked the locks and tucked a knife up her sleeve.

View all my reviews

Review: The Sisterhood

The Sisterhood by A.J. Grainger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm always intrigued by a cult narrative. This isn't the best I've ever read, but it's pretty good. I liked the characters, I just felt we didn't spend long enough with the Sisterhood to understand how Moon could keep them under such tight control. It was a good read and I was eager to find out what would happen at the end and what the secret in Mella's past was. A good read overall.

View all my reviews

Review: The Star-spun Web

The Star-spun Web by Sinéad O'Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sinéad hits it out of the park with her second novel, a tale of world slipping, spiders – *a* spider, at least – and children who might be each other. Trust me, it all makes sense when you read it. And you definitely should read this one. Children will love it, and it introduces its central conceits very gently. They'll be learning as they read!

I'm very much looking forward to having this one in my hands, so that I can shove it into other peoples' hands.


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


"They'd never leave me without saying anything, they'd never just go and not try to let me know they were all right. They'd never just forget me."

After a few minutes he lifted his face and sniffed, the ache in his chest so painful it felt like the air he was breathing had claws. "But Tess has proved one thing. Mum and Dad were right all this time. They knew this was possible, what Tess and me are doing." Moose turned, scampering up his sleeve until he came to rest on Thomas's shoulder. "I'll make sure their names aren't a laughing stock anymore. Whatever Tess needs, I'm going to help her - and then together we can figure out how to prove my parents were the best scientists the world has ever known."

He reached into his shirt pocket and took out a few crumbs of cheese. Moose crawled on to his outstretched palm to nibble them and Thomas felt his heart slow and the pain in his chest gradually lessen. "You were the best present they ever gave me," he whispered, running a gentle finger down Moose's back. The mouse responded by putting one tiny paw on Thomas's thumb and the boy smiled.

Finally Thomas blew out the candle and they lay down to sleep. High above the heads of the boy and his mouse, dashed across the face of the clear night sky, a web of stars was sparkling; in another world, in which the stars had been scattered in a different configuration across the heavens, a girl and her spider were dreaming of them.

View all my reviews

Review: Happy Girl Lucky

Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A sweet, funny read and a great introduction to a new series. Hope is a fantastic protagonist, slightly naive but well meaning, funny and much smarter than she realizes. Her siblings were all interesting in their own ways. I'm looking forward to seeing what they get up to in future books. Roz was my favourite of the supporting cast. And I was fist pumping at a certain scene near the Hollywood sign!

Spoiler, highlight to view: [I was expecting a really dark family secret, with references to Hope forgetting something and a mention of five kids when Hope only has three siblings, but I think it must have meant the friend referred to early on.][I was expecting a really dark family secret, with references to Hope forgetting something and a mention of five kids when Hope only has three siblings, but I think it must have meant the friend referred to early on. (hide spoiler)]

I can't wait to see what happens to the Valentines next.


My brother pulls the kitchen door shut behind him.
"Is everything ok?" His voice is low. "I got cornered by my agent and by the time I escaped you'd disappeared. Did something happen? I swear if someone hurt you I'll-"
Pain flickers but I push it away.
"Not even a little bit," I say brightly, kissing my brother's cheek. "Everything happened just like it was supposed to. I just had to go right then, that's all. But thank you for letting me in, Max."
"As long as you're ok." Max studies my face. "I was thinking, Po, I'm free this morning. Do you want to...go shopping or whatever? Hand out together - Little Sis and Big Bro time? I could treat you. Get you out of the house for a change?"
My phone buzzes again. PS I literally cannot wait J xxx
"Hmm?" I smile distractedly, bouncing on my toes again. "Oh, I'm actually busy today. Sorry, Max."
Then I send Me neither. X
And it suddenly feels like I'm a movie star, lit by my very own spotlight.
Warm and bright and seen.

View all my reviews

Review: The Midnight Hour

The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fantastic start to what promises to be a brilliant new series. It does suffer a little, like an increasing number of books, from 'Hero has no idea what's going on and no one tells them' which can make a book hard to follow if it's all from the hero's point of view. But once Emily starts understanding what's happening, things pick up and it's non stop to the conclusion.

I hope this series runs for a long time. It deserves to, and there's plenty more stories of the Midnight Hour to be told.


I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.


She rocked there for a while, stiff with fright. What had just happened? Also, why was she starving? She added 'fear' to the long list of things that made her hungry, and tugged her bag open to root around for an emergency sandwich.
'OW!' She yanked her hand back out and sucked the end of her finger. Something sharp had stuck straight up under the nail. 'What the heck?' She peered in the bag, muffling a scream when something moved inside. There was a shuffling and a grunting noise, and then a small black nose appeared, follow by a brown, sleepy face.
'Hog! What are you doing in there? You're very naughty."
She cupped her palm and his small-footed weight filled her hand with warmth. She held him up, grinning, and cooing over him. The old lady on the other side f the aisle was not as pleased. She got up and moved away, giving them both a filthy look. Who cared? Look what a nice nose her spiky stowaway had.
'Something very scary just happened, Hoggins. I'm glad you're here." The Hog did not respond, but wriggled with pleasure at the nose rub.
She squeezed him (not too tight) and he tucked in under her chin. The street lamps and headlights streamed by as the bus took them into the city.
'Wait, have you been eating my sandwiches, you little git?'

View all my reviews