Scythe - Neal Shusterman

Set in a dystopian future where war, crime, hunger and disease have all been wiped out, humans have become immortal. However, population levels still need to be monitored so the world doesn’t become overcrowded, which is where the scythes come in: men and women who have been chosen and trained to kill in order to maintain numbers.  Amongst this, Citra and Rowan are chosen to become Scythe Faraday’s apprentices; both will be trained but only one will become a scythe; the other will return to their old life. But as their training progresses, things take a dark turn and the one who doesn’t become scythe will have to ‘gleen’ (kill) the other as soon as they are ordained. 

First published in 2018, Scythe is a book that I have to admit, had passed me by. Now re-covered, I am incredibly pleased I have read it and wish I’d done so sooner.  This is a darkly compelling YA novel where people know that they could be ‘gleened’ by a scythe at any moment unless they have been granted immunity. Scythes have a quota they have to adhere to every year and must not show biased but this means that when a scythe turns up, you pretty much know that’s it. Because if this, scythes are feared and revered in equal measure.

Scythes have 10 rules by which they must live but we quickly see that these are open to interpretation and can be bent to a scythes will - not all scythes follow the code in the same way. 

Then you have the two main characters, Citra and Rowan, who are thrown into this world unexpectedly. At first, they train together but as their training progresses book progresses, they become parted and their training takes very different paths. 

The morality behind this story is something that fascinated me and the book leads to many questions about life and death that could be debated for many, many hours. I’d love to talk to others who have read this book.

The plot itself is gripping and certainly makes you think. My first read of half-term, I’m now heading straight to NetGalley where I know I can find Rising Thunder, the prequel to the series. It’s about to become my second half-term read!  

The Wycherleys Fate and Other Charms

After discovering at the end of Love And Other Curses, that her cursed magic is killing Jules, Aurelia is on a mission to find a cure; however, there are changes afoot and dark magic threatens.  It's up to Aurelia and her coven to save both the magic and Jules.

Right, I don't quite know how I'm going to be able to put into words my feelings about this book (and the series, to be fair) without spoilers!  There is so much I want to say but can't as I absolutely will not give anything away - I just need other people to read it so I can talk to them!

Fate And Other Charms is the culmination of Aurelia and Jules' journey together and with Love And Other Curses ending on a cliff-hanger, I am enormously grateful to Simon & Schuster YA for sending me an early copy.  For many reasons, I was unable to sit and devour this book in one go (something I was desperate to do), but instead I found myself relishing the time I spent with the it and the characters I’ve come to know and love across the trilogy. The book was an escape and one I very much looked forward to returning to every time I picked it up, even if it was only for a few minutes.  

Oh my goodness, this is quite the ending for Wycherley and Nightly: everything is at stake, not least Jules' life; with Jonathan on the scene and his power growing, dark magic is threatening everywhere.  It will take everything the pair have, along with their coven and their friends, and danger lurks at every turn.  It's a whirlwind of an ending and I highly advise having tissues at the ready!

The book (in fact, the entire series) is achingly beautiful whilst also being strong and powerful.  This is a YA romance/fantasy with a twist, and one that is perfect for those looking to branch into the YA genre. 

Fate And Other Charms is a book that shows us that women can be strong, independent minded, well educated, influential and still long for love and beautiful dresses (gosh, how I long to attend one of those balls). It reminds us that it is a good thing to grow old and to celebrate that in the way we look. This is a book that celebrates women for who they are and has created role models and characters that readers will aspire to become.  

In a world that is often full of fear and negativity, The Wycherleys series is an escape that everybody needs in their life. 

For the kingdom and the magic.

The Demon Headmaster - Gillian Cross

 

Dinah is being fostered by Lloyd and Harvey's parents, and will be attending the same school as them.  However, on her first day at school, she quickly realises that there is something very unusual about this school for everyone is impeccably behaved, never putting a foot out of line; everyone that is except Lloyd, Harvey and a couple of other children.  How has the headmaster got control over these children?  Dinah, Lloyd and Harvey are determined to find out exactly what is going on.

The children at school love it when they discover a book I haven't read, and this was the case last week with t

The Demon Headmaster, much to the delight of the child I was chatting to, who immediately insisted that I borrow their book so I could rectify this wrong!  Who am I to refuse a new book to read?

The Demon Headmaster is a great read! A school story that will ensure you never quite look at a headteacher in the same way again!  A perfectly formed story at 146 pages, the plot is engaging and remarkably plausible in a rather weird way!  It's fun in its scares and full of characters you'll enjoy getting to know.  It was just the book I needed! And with 7 other books in the series, it's the gift that just keeps giving and goes to show that, at nearly 10 years old, it is standing the test of time.

Now, the next time my head wears his sunglasses, should I be worried?!

How To Steal The Future - Christopher Edge

 

Drew is facing the biggest challenge of his life: he must entre the maze in search of the Avenir, something which has the power to tell you your future.  His sister has already entered and hasn't come out so his mission has become two-fold as he is adamant he is going to find her as well as the Avenir.  As he and Meg, the other person who enters the maze with him, make their way through, they face challenges at every stage.  And they also encounter others along the way.  But can Drew do what he has set out to do and find his sister as well as the Avenir? 

For me, Christopher Edge's name has become synonymous with writing brilliant books that combine science with adventure in a plot that really makes you think and takes your breath away ... and don't get me started on the endings I never see coming!  With that in mind, I was excited to dive into How To Steal The Future, keen to discover what was waiting for me.

The plot is fast-paced and thrilling, not only in the obstacles Drew and his fellow questers face in the maze, but also their thoughts about the Avenir and their race against time.  Readers will find themselves questioning many things along the way, including characters' motivations (can they be trusted?) and whether they will ever find the answers they are looking for.  The ending, once again, was something I didn't see coming, even though I was trying to guess what the twist would be from the start!  I won't spoil anything but I will say that I'm still thinking about it days after I've finished reading the book.

How To Steal The Future is incredibly clever in its ideas as well as the way Christopher creates the plot. It's a novel I would love to read aloud to a class as the questions it would generate would be wonderful to discuss. At 198 pages, it's a fairly quick read and would be perfect for those who can be daunted by larger books.  But please don't be fooled: the book packs a real punch and will leave you pondering life and the future in a way you didn't expect to!

I can't wait to see what Christopher writes next!

The Monsters Of Rookhaven - Padraig Kenny

 

Mirabelle is one of the monsters who are part of 'the family' who live at Rookhaven Manor which has, for years, been separated from the rest of the world by glamour.  However, a fault in this results in orphans Jem and Tom stumbling across the house.  Tom is unwell which forces the pair to stay for a week and, during this time, Mirabelle and Jem become friends.  However, there is danger lurking that threatens everybody in the manor, meaning the the monsters and humans need to help each other in order to survive.

I had heard so many good things about this book so I was thrilled when I unwrapped a copy on Christmas Day and I most certainly wasn't disappointed.  It's a deliciously dark and sinister book that hints from the very beginning of secrets that are waiting to be revealed as the story unfolds.  The wonderful range of unusual characters only adds to the atmosphere and I found their different characteristics interesting - I particularly liked the chapters written from Piglet's point of view, although they were rather chilling and, in many respects, towards the end, thought provoking. 

This is a beautiful book both in its gothic writing but also in the illustrations by Edward Bettison which most certainly add to the atmosphere.  I shall miss 'the family' now I've finished the book but am pleased I got to visit Rookhaven, just for a while.

Spindlewood - Freddie Kölsch

 

When Lilac accidentally discovers that she can her family are all Seers, her world changes forever.  From being a non-believer, she learns that ghosts are everywhere, and her family can see them.  A misunderstanding leads her uncles to believe that she has developed the sight and before she can build up the courage to tell them otherwise, she is whisked off too Spindlewood School of Seeing.  She is the first student ever to attend who cannot see ghosts, but if she reveals her secret now, the consequences will be dire.  How long will she be able to keep such a big secret and what on earth is happening at the school? It quickly becomes clear that there is something ancient hidden in the library and it looks as though it might be down to Lilac to discover what it is.

A couple of weeks ago, a child in my class brought her copy of Spindlewood to me, declaring that I should read it immediately as she knew I would enjoy it! And she was right!  The plot is engaging and tempting, with a host of brilliant characters (I loved getting to know Lilac but I particularly like Em and her resilience).

The atmosphere that builds is just spooky enough and perfect for this time of year as the dark nights start to draw in and Halloween approaches.  The idea of something lurking beneath the library is intriguing and keeps readers guessing, and I love the connections to Lilac's family.

The school and its grounds are well developed throughout the book and are somewhere I'd love to explore (if I was feeling brave enough!) and give definite Wednesday vibes which I loved!  

Spindlewood is a temptingly delightful mystery with just the right amount of dark humour woven through it and I'm so pleased the student in my class thought to lend it to me!

Hawk's Justice - Jim Ross

When Judge William Ryland is found dead during a case between two Russian billionaires, Judge Tom Hawk takes over the case.  However, he begins to think that there is more to Ryland's death than a simple accident.  As the police begin to investigate, Hawk becomes more involved and the body count begins to rise.  Are there links to the case with the Russians?

I am a big fan of LJ Ross's books so when I heard that her husband, Jim, had written a book, I was intrigued.  Although both involve murder, that is where the similarities end and Jim proves himself to be a skilful writer in his own right.

This is a fast-paced, thrilling book that I read in under 2 days as I couldn't put it down.  Set in the heart of London's justice system, the book weaves a legal thriller with adventure and relationships seamlessly.  It is clear from the outset that Jim has used his years of experience as a barrister to create a novel with an authentic feel to it. 

Hawk, at first, feels aloof and focussed only on his career, but the more I read, the more I began to like him.  He's a well-crafted character who commands authority and is decisive in the court room; however he was warm and caring outside it.

With chapters that leave you wanting more and the end of the book definitely demanding a sequel, Hawk's Justice is guaranteed to be a hit when it publishes on the 5th November and I am already looking forward to book 2.