Shadow Thieves Island Of Skulls - Peter Burns

Tom and his friends from Beaufort's School, along with The Corsiar, are heading to the Île Tête de Mort (The Island Of Skulls) in search of treasure, hidden by the Duke of Nimes in the caves on the island, but he also hid a terrifying weapon.  It's up to Tom and his friends to locate the treasure without encountering the weapon.

Although now a firm member of the school, there are still those who doubt Tom and this becomes apparent during the trip. His bravery is ever evident at so many points during the book, as is his loyalty. But that will be seriously tested. With secret agents, mysterious side missions and danger lurking round every corner, Tom and his friends will need to keep their wits about them if they are to survive.

Shadow Thieves was a brilliant book (you can read my review here) and Island Of Skulls is just as brilliant.  Once again, the book has all the elements of a gripping read: adventure that keeps on coming; a remote island with caves and tunnels that are rigged with bobby traps (think Indiana Jones); twists and turns in the plot that will keep you on your toes... it's no wonder I couldn't put the book down.  

Publishing on the 4th June, Island of Skulls is a gripping read that will leave you desperate for The Iron Mountain (the extract at the end of this book was just a deliciously cruel teaser!!!)

Camp Murder - Sophie McKenzie

The second in the Murder Academy series sees Georgia, Wren and Billy heading to summer camp along with some of the other students from Milfield Academy. However, on their first full day one of the other camp mates dies falling from the starting platform of the zip wire. The police quickly declare it an accident but Georgia and her friends aren't convinced. Determined to get to the bottom of what really happened, they quietly begin their own investigation but can they uncover the truth before their own lives are put in danger?

Still reeling from the death of Mr Truckle, the teacher whose murder they solved in the first book, the friends are looking forward to some time enjoying themselves in nature, but that doesn't last long. And things aren't helped by the fact that everybody has had to hand over their mobile phones when the arrived at camp. As clues and evidence begin to emerge, the list of suspects grows and needs to be narrowed down but that proves tricky.  

There's also the small matter of the fact that Shelley-Ann announces that her gran's older sister disappeared from the camp nearly fifty years earlier.  Is there a link between the two events?

Like Lessons In Death (you can read my review here), this is a great book that will keep readers guessing. It would make a great class read along (but maybe not before an outward bound residential!) or the perfect summer holiday read.

A camp set on the edge of a forest, virtually no phone signal (and phones confiscated), a spooky water tower looming in the distance, an unsolved murder ... Camp Murder is a gripping book that will keep readers guessing.  I wonder what's in store for the friends next!

Max And Ella Stuck Together - Kristina Rahim

Max has 2 mums and loves them both dearly, but after being bullied for this and losing his confidence, his mums suggest he meet Hari, his 'dad', the friend who was the donor.  Meanwhile, Hari's daughter, Ella, is busy planning an end of summer hike for her and her parents. She's already worrying about school next year without her best friend, so when she's told she has to miss a camping trip with her to do this hike with Max and his mums, she's even more annoyed. But then, as the day gets going, things go wrong and it's up to Max and Ella to save the day.

I loved The Doughnut Club and the messages it conveyed (you can read my review here) so there was no question about me packing Max and Ella Stuck Together in my luggage this half-term.

Both Max and Ella are struggling for very different reasons: Max has been bullied about his mums which has caused him to lose confidence at an event with his band; he's now hoping that an old photo of Hari playing guitar at a concert means that meeting him will help to regain his own confidence. Meanwhile, Ella is struggling with the fact that her mum's job keeps her away more than she would like; she's also really worried about starting secondary school without her best friend.  Ella, in particular, is furious at the idea that Max is joining their final family hike of the summer and is determined not to make him feel welcome.  But as with many things in life, things don't always work out the way they were planned. 

Max And Ella Stuck Together is a story that reminds us that families come in many different forms; it shines a wonderful light on donor conceived children (read the acknowledgements for more on that) and reminds us that kindness is key.  It's a story about family, friendship and finding your confidence that will warm your heart.

Impossible Creatures The Neverfear - Katherine Rundell

 

It's the longest day and everyone of Gilmouria is celebrating with a feast. However, all anyone can talk about is reports of masked men burning villages.  Something is wrong and when Irian is kidnapped, it's up to Christopher and Anya to rescue her ... without Nighthand discovering what is wrong. Along with Ratwin and Jacques, they set sail to recover three precious treasures that they hope will save Irian before it's too late.

The Neverfear is a book I've been anticipating since reading The Poisoned King last summer, so the opportunity to read an early copy on NetGalley is one I was never going to turn down!  At this point, I have to say that I finished reading the book on Sunday and I have been trying to write my review since then - 4 attempts later and I still can't do the book justice! But I want everyone to know how wonderful and beautifully written it is so here's my best effort:

Christopher and Anya are caught in the most impossible situation: they are desperate to tell Fidens what has happened, but the threat of Irian being killed if he finds out proves too much of a risk.  They have no choice but to work their way through the three trials to find three impossible objects linked to Hercules to help their friend. 

At the beginning of the book, Christopher is just beginning to realise how powerful his connection to animals is and the more he works at it, the more he discovers, but it comes with consequences: blackouts, vomiting, exhaustion, the risk of forgetting himself.  If he is to save his friend, he needs to find a way to anchor himself.  He needs to dig deep.  Christopher is brave (we've seen this since the first book) but I feel that it is Anya who really grows in this book: her determination and bravery really come to the fore as she begins to discover how strong she can be.  

As you would expect, Katherine's writing is, once again, superb.  Vivid description transports you to this magical world of wonderful creatures and heroes (those who know they are heroes as well as those who are still discovering the strengths they have).  The intricately woven plot will have readers entranced and will leave you desperate for the final book in the series which is due for publication in the summer of 2027.  As I said earlier, I really can't do this book justice so I highly recommend pre-ordering it to find out for yourself how wonderful it is. 

Impossible Creatures The Neverfear publishes 27/8.

Crater Lake - Jennifer Killick

Lance and his friends are on their way to Crater Lake on a school residential trip.  All is going as planned until they arrive and a half-dead member of staff is found in the middle of the road.  Strange ... but then they arrive at the centre itself to find things are even stranger: there's only one member of staff running the place; dinner isn't what they expected and then their first night results in children being locked in their rooms.  It isn't long before Lance and a group of his friends realise that something is desperately wrong and their teacher may not be all that she appeared to be.  The children are forced into the strangest weekend of their lives, fighting against strange, otherworldly creatures in a battle for survival.

Fast-paced and full of excitement and action, this is a book that will make you chuckle and jump in fright in equal measure. With a host of likeable characters (and those you'll love to hate), you'll find yourself quickly drawn into the adventure and rooting for Lance and his friends.

Sci-fi, horror and humour all wrapped up in a brilliant book that will keep you awake (which is great considering what happens to those who fall asleep!)

Gold Medal Mysteries: Racing For Revenge - Ellie Robinson

 

With the Grand Euro Cycle (GEC) taking place over the summer, Seb, Hannah and Maria are heading to France with Maria's adult cousin Lucas playing chaperone.  Together, they plan to follow the tour round the country, camping in the different places so they can watch every stage of the event.  But it isn't long before the trio are convinced that somebody is trying to sabotage the race.  Whilst trying to investigate, they become suspects themselves!  The question is can they clear their name and discover who the culprit is before it's too late?

This is the third book in the Gold Medal Mysteries series (you can read my reviews for the first two books here: Thief On The Track and Peril On The Pitch) and it was good to catch-up with the trio.  A lot has changed for them since the beginning of the first book, notably the level of fame they now have, but this isn't always a positive thing, especially online where negative comments about them are starting to appear (a good reminder to readers about the dangers of social media).  They are determined to have summer free of their phones and the negativity, but fate has other plans for them.

Once again, clues are dropped through the book as the investigation unfolds and readers will be able to use their own powers of deduction to see if they can work out who's behind the sabotage.  

Racing For Revenge is an exciting adventure and I know that readers will be thrilled to be alongside the friends as they try to get to the bottom of things.  Although confident they will succeed, there are times when doubt creeps in. 

Like the previous two books, Ellie's knowledge of sport is clear to see and this adds to the authenticity of things.  The books are perfect for sports fans but will also appeal to those who aren't as sporty but love a good mystery.  A great summer read, I wonder where the trio will end up next!

The Secrets Of Wild Hill: Lottie's Dream - Olivia Tuffin

 

Lottie absolutely adores her pony, Patch, and spends every second with him, but when her parents want her to attend a fancy school that will take her away from Patch, she knows she needs to do something to ensure she can stay.  Add to that the fact that the future of Wild Hill, her grandparents stables where Patch stays, could be in jeopardy, and Lottie begins to realise that her dreams of competing with Patch could be over before they've begun.  With her new Felix the only person she can talk to, she hopes he will be able to help, but he's from the neighbouring stables and the rivalry between the two families stretches back years. Can Lottie really trust him to help her?

I'm not a big horse person (In fact, I'm rather nervous of them when I'm close to one) but I thoroughly enjoyed Lottie's Dream and I know it will have huge appeal to horse-lovers.

It is clear from the beginning of the book that Lottie lives to ride, and her love for Patch is what spurs her on.  Despite him being half-wild, she is determined to compete with him, even if that means going against her parents' wishes.  With her grandfather injured, her parents call her older brother, Harry, back from America to help get the stables ready to be sold.  Lottie feels that his time working at a stables in the states has changed him and he is just as determined to sell Wild Hill as his parents.  Lottie, however, has other ideas. 

Felix seems to be the only person she can talk to.  She meets him without realising who he is and quickly discovers that he has been brought back from boarding school and now attends the same local secondary school as she does.  The pair quickly form a friendship and she finds it easy to talk to him, but can she really trust him once she knows that he is part of the McCavendish family who own the neighbouring stables?

Ancient feuds, friendships and family dynamics all weave into this story of hope and resilience.  Lottie's Dream is a lovely book and I'm now keen to know how the story ends - The sequel, A Pony's Promise, is due to be released on the 2nd July so I won't have long to wait.