Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls - Phil Hickes

It's the start of term at Shadowhall Academy and Lilian's first term at the boarding school where her mum was also a student.  She makes friends quickly with her new room mates, Marian, Serena and Angela (who is also new), and, despite rumours of the place being haunted she thinks these are just stories to scare new students.  However, when she awakes one night to find Angela terrified by knocking coming from within the dorm walls, things begin to take a sinister turn.  

I am a huge fan of Phil Hickes' Aveline Jones books and love the creepiness he brings to his books (you can read my reviews here: The Haunting Of Aveline Jones , The Bewitching Of Aveline Jones , The Vanishing Of Avenline Jones) so the thought of a new book sent shivers of excitement down my spine.  The book jumped straight to the top of my reading pile and I curled up with it on Thursday evening, teddy bear handy, and dove in.

The setting is perfect and sets the story up wonderfully: an imposing boarding school in a grade II listed building; dodgy heating and power which means that it's cold and students sometimes require a torch; basements and long corridors with shadowy stairways ... I think you get the picture.  

Lilian is clearly dubious about starting at the school and feels the pressure of her mother's history with the place as well as worrying she won't fit in; however, she and Mariam hit it off quickly.  She is a strong character who is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery; she is a loyal friend and one who can empathise with others.

There are also a host of staff members who help to add to the plot, Mr Bullen in particular.  He is the sort of character I would love to get to know and I love the sound of his office.  But there is something about him that made me curious...

The plot gets to the action quickly and is a wonderfully atmospheric ghost story.  It's a book I couldn't put down but genuinely left me needing a cosy blanket to hide under and I was prepared with my teddy to cuddle too!  Spine-tingling, utterly moreish and deliciously creepy, Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls is everything I hoped it would be and more.  Publishing on the 1st February, it is begging to be pre-ordered and is a perfect read on a dark, winter's night. I can't wait to see what happens next term.

The Undying Of Obedience Wellrest - Nicholas Bowling

Ned has lived his whole life with his grandfather in the grounds of a graveyard where they work as gravediggers.  Life is simple and sheltered until somebody starts stealing bodies.  Meanwhile, Obedience finds her world changed when her father decides to invite a rich scientist to their crumbling manor, with the intention of marrying her off.  However, Obedience's love of science leads her down a path that could be dangerous; a path where her and Ned's worlds collide. 

In a time when women were supposed to live quietly and subserviently, Obedience is anything but ... and I love her!  She is a strong, determined character who reads about science and has a huge desire to learn and find answers - she is way ahead of her time.

In contrast, Ned is a quiet boy who is happy with the quiet, sheltered life he is living.  There is a clear sense of pride in the work he does with his grandfather and he is happy with his lot; yet when their two worlds collide, everything changes and Ned's sense of pride becomes ever-more apparent.

Set very firmly in Victorian Britain, The Undying of Obedience Wellrest is a dark gothic tale of what happens when life and death collide, when science becomes stranger than fiction and when curiosity can be a dangerous thing.  Told through a dual narrative, the plot explores the role of women in science and will undoubtedly leave readers with questions about death.

Perfect for those looking to begin to bridge the gap between MG and YA, the magic and dark humour will entice you in and compel you to read 'just one more chapter'.  Perfect for this time of year, The Undying of Obedience Wellrest publishes on the 9th November and is begging to be read whilst curled up under a blanket (unlike me who read it on a sun lounger in Southern Spain a few days ago!).

Villains Academy: How To Steal A Dragon - Ryan Hammond

 

I first discovered Villains Academy at the Simon & Schuster blogger brunch in January; I was so intrigued that I began reading it on the train home and absolutely adored the book (you can read my review here).  Since then, I have been patiently (well, fairly patiently!) waiting for the second instalment which arrived last Thursday and it took me every once of will power to wait until the weekend to dive in.

As we return to the academy, we are introduced to Felix Frostbite, the newest teacher who is causing quite the stir.  His knowledge of dragons is immense so all the students are desperate to join his Winter Warts club where he promises to impart his knowledge.  As well as that, there is the excitement of The Blizzard Bash to look forward to, but when Bram and Mona discover a dragon's nest and take 2 of the eggs, everything changes.  Can the Cereal Killers come together to nurture the eggs?  Will they pass their exams and be allowed to attend the bash?  Why are Bram and his friends wary of Felix?

Oh, this was absolutely another joyous read!  It was wonderful to be back at the academy and to catch-up with Bram and his friends and I love that we get to know everyone a little more. Whilst Bram continues to be a bit of a worrier, it is Mona that made me the most curious: she showed a more vulnerable side and it was lovely to see her friends supporting her.

From the beginning, How To Steal A Dragon had me giggling whilst eager to know what was going to happen.  With lightning farts, a nod to Mama Mia and the best teacher in the world (should I channel my inner Mardybum in school tomorrow?), coupled with brilliant illustrations, this is quickly becoming one of my favourite series of books!  How To Steal A Dragon is a joy-fest of villainous activity and I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of How To Win The Gruesome Games (only 6 months to wait).

Ps, if you're quick, you may be able to get hold of a limited edition copy from Waterstones with these gorgeous sprayed edges.

Recent Reads

I am woefully behind with my reviews, having been unwell recently, so instead of bombarding everyone with multiple reviews, I thought I'd pop them all together in one blog post...  grab a cuppa and settle in for a bumper edition!

The Body In The Blitz - Robin Stevens

May, Eric and Nuala are back and this time they are in London, training to be spies at the Ministry.  They are staying close by in Hogarth Mews, a street that was partially bombed during one of the blitz raids.  However, when they discover a body in the basement of the bombed out house, there is something distinctly suspicious about it, especially when they find out that the body wasn't there when the house was searched just after the bombing.  With Daisy away on a mission, May, Eric and Nuala decide to investigate the death themselves but things are proving trickier than expected.  

It was great to be back with Nuala, May and Eric and to see the relationship develop between them.  They are three very different characters but they work well together.  Nuala is thrilled to have joined May at Deepdean and is loving lessons and the friendships she is forming; however, May is finding this frustrating as she wants Nuala all to herself.  We definitely get to see May's impulsive and hot headed side in this book and I can imagine there will be readers who find her annoying; me, I enjoyed the contrast.  Then there is Eric, who is the steadying influence; a thinker, he enjoys the coding lessons they have at the Ministry and is quick with languages.  Together they make a formidable team.

Robin has become synonymous with murder mysteries and is the Agatha Christie of the MG world.  In The Body In The Blitz, she combines murder mystery with the gritty life of 1940s Britain, and does so brilliantly.  Whilst the mystery will keep you guessing, the setting in 1941 London shines a spot-light on what everyday people experienced during WWII: the fear of being bombed is never far away, and the nightly raids and sirens bring home how exhausting and scary life was for Londoners of all ages.  

With familiar characters appearing alongside new, The Body In The Blitz (publishing 12th October) is another triumph of a book and one I know is being eagerly awaited by many (there is much talk in school about it already!).  

Stepfather Christmas - LD Lapinski

Christmas is coming and Harper and her brother Will are preparing for their usual Christmas when their mum announces that her new boyfriend, Nick, will be joining them for the festive period.  Things get off to a positive start and Nick seems nice; however, it isn't long before Harper starts wondering whether he is, in fact, Santa!  She tries to talk to Will about it but he just shrugs it off so it's up to Harper to find evidence to prove her theory.

I have a weakness for Christmas books so being privileged enough to read an early copy of Stepfather Christmas filled me with joy.  It took no time at all for me to curl up with a hot chocolate (it would have been rude not to!) and dive in.

Harper and her family are clearly close and their family of three works well (although, Will seems to be a rather typical teenager!).  Bringing Nick into the equation undoubtedly comes with some trepidation and is something I imagine many readers will be able to associate with.  

I loved Harper who is astute and incredibly observant, not only when it comes to Nick, but also with her brother.  She's also determined and not put off by others.  Not only does she continue her theories about Nick when Will dismisses her, but she also notices that Will is struggling with his best friend.  The big question is: is Harper right?  You'll just have to read the book to find out!

The book is the perfect mix of modern story-telling with a traditional Christmas feel.  With themes of family, love and trusting yourself, Stepfather Christmas is split into 25 chapters and is a delightful read that would be perfect as a nightly family book in the run-up to Christmas.  I genuinely wish my son was young enough for us to have enjoyed this together like that.  We always used to enjoy family reading time after dinner and I could imagine us curling up every night in December and sharing the next chapter - it's the perfect way to build to the big day.

Full of magic, hope and love, Stepfather Christmas will leave you with a warm glow in your heart and a desire for gingerbread biscuits and hot chocolate!  Publishing 12th October, this is a book that will make the perfect alternative to an advent calendar!

City Of Horses - Frances Moloney

Misty lives with her father and the pair are managing day-to-day life since the death of her mother but when her father loses his job, everything changes.  They are forced to move house to a different part of town (Redbridge council estate), an area Misty feels embarrassed about.  Determined not to let her friends know what is going on, Misty begins to hide everything from them, worried about how they will react.  Feeling alone in her new home, she discovers that horses run free on the common near her house.  Could they be a way for her to find her feet again?

The Mystery of the Missing Mum was a great read last year (you can read my review here), so I was excited when an early copy of Frances' latest book, City of Horses, arrived for me. 

It is clear from the beginning that Misty hasn't had things easy with the death of her mother still impacting her.  When her dad then loses his job, everything that was so precariously balanced seems to come tumbling down around her.  She doesn't want to let her friends know what is going on and so, when she has to move house as well, she finds herself weaving quite a complicated web of deception in order to keep up a pretence.  She's embarrassed by the situation as well as by where she now needs to live.  Her defences are up and this is apparent when some of the local children near her new home try to make friends.  It's only the horses that allow her to bring down her walls a bit.  She is somebody I think many children will be able to relate to: embarrassed and worried about her home life and keen to keep it quiet from everyone.  The fact that her father finds it difficult to get a new job means they need to rely on foodbanks for a while and this adds another layer to Misty's emotions.  I think this is a book that will show children that they are not alone and it's ok to share what worries them.

City of Horses is a book that brilliantly dives into the effects of job loss, moving home, the need to use foodbanks and friendships in a heart-warming story that will remind children that it's ok not to be ok, and that change isn't always a bad thing.  Publishing 28th September, I don't think this will be on my trolley for long at school.   

Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up A Storm - GM Linton

My Name Is Sunshine Simpson is an uplifting read (you can read my review here) so I was excited to know what was in store next for Sunshine, her family and her friends when Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up A Storm arrived for me.

Things have been different since the end of the first book (I don't want to give away any spoilers) but Sunshine is doing her best to get used to things.  Lately, however, she has noticed that there is something not right between her parents and she's getting worried, even more so when she discovers that her father is going to have to live away from home during the week for work.  At school, talk is turning to moving to secondary school which is also causing Sunshine to worry.  Add in the charity event the class are planning and things are piling up.  Can Sunshine find a way to cope everything that is happening without it all crashing around her?

Sunshine is such a wonderful character who is just doing her best to manage her way through Year 6.  She's doing her best to navigate some pretty big things and doesn't always get it right (which I like) but I think this is what makes her so relatable.  

The book covers some big issues in a way that readers will be able to understand and relate to.  Grief, worrying about parents, racism, heritage and the anxiety of moving to secondary school are all addressed in a book that will warm your heart and leave you craving hummingbird cake (thankfully, the recipe can be found at the back of the book!).  

Glassborn - Peter Bunzl

Following the death of their mother, the Belle family are moving with their father to their new home, Fairykeep Cottage, which was their mother's childhood home and where their aunty still lives.  It's not long after their arrival when Acton, the youngest sibling heads out and befriends Coriel, a robin.  That night, when the siblings are in bed, a series of events leads Acton to head to fairyland in a quest to defeat the Queen of the fairies who holds a curse over his family. Reluctant to admit that he is the Chosen One, he only has hours before the Winter Solstice when it will become too late to save anybody.  Can Acton fulfil his destiny and can his siblings locate and help him in time?

From the very beginning of the book, it is clear that Acton feels different from his siblings (Cora, Bram and Elle) and doubts himself.  He is a timid character and one who doesn't know his inner strength.   The friendship he develops with Coriel the robin is delightful to read and one that gives Acton strength.  Glassborn is the sequel to Magicborn but reads perfectly as a stand-alone book.  It has a wonderful classic feel to it and will be adored by those who enjoy the Narnia series (the q & A with Peter at the end is definitely worth a read and explains the that The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe helped to inspire Glassborn).  

With an evil fairy queen, a quest to save the day and just the right amount of magic, Glassborn is a book that is perfect for this time of year. Publishing on the 9th November, I highly recommend grabbing a mug of chocolate and curling up under a blanket to enjoy this book in the run-up to Christmas.

The Body In The Blitz - Robin Stevens

 

May, Eric and Nuala are back and this time they are in London, training to be spies at the Ministry.  They are staying close by in Hogarth Mews, a street that was partially bombed during one of the blitz raids.  However, when they discover a body in the basement of the bombed out house, there is something distinctly suspicious about it, especially when they find out that the body wasn't there when the house was searched just after the bombing.  With Daisy away on a mission, May, Eric and Nuala decide to investigate the death themselves but things are proving trickier than expected.  

It was great to be back with Nuala, May and Eric and to see the relationship develop between them.  They are three very different characters but they work well together.  Nuala is thrilled to have joined May at Deepdean and is loving lessons and the friendships she is forming; however, May is finding this frustrating: she wants Nuala all to herself.  We definitely get to see May's impulsive and hot headed side in this book and I can imagine there will be readers who find her annoying.  Me I enjoyed, the contrast.  Then there is Eric, who is the steadying influence; a thinker, he enjoys the coding lessons they have at the Ministry and is quick with languages.  Together they make a formidable team.

Robin has become synonymous with murder mysteries and is the Agatha Christie of the MG world.  In The Body In The Blitz, she combines murder mystery with the gritty life of 1940s Britain, and does so brilliantly.  Whilst the mystery will keep you guessing, the setting in 1941 London shines a spot-light on what everyday people experienced during WWII: the fear of being bombed is never far away, and the nightly raids and sirens bring home how exhausting and scary life was for Londoners of all ages.  

With familiar characters appearing alongside new, The Body In The Blitz is another triumph of a book and one I know is being eagerly awaited by many (there is much talk in school about it already!).  

Stepfather Christmas - LD Lapinski

Christmas is coming and Harper and her brother Will are preparing for their usual Christmas when their mum announces that her now boyfriend, Nick, will be joining them for the festive period.  Things get off to a positive start and Nick seems nice; however, it isn't long before Harper starts wondering whether he is, in fact, Santa!  She tries to talk to Will about it but he just shrugs it off so it's up to Harper to find proof to prove her theory.

I have a weakness for Christmas books so being privileged enough to read an early copy of Stepfather Christmas filled me with joy.  Yesterday morning, I curled up with a hot chocolate (it would have been rude not to!) and dove in.

Harper and her family are clearly close and their family of three works well (although, Will seems to be a rather typical teenager!).  Bringing Nick into the equation undoubtedly comes with some trepidation and is something I imagine many readers will be able to associate with.  

I loved Harper who is an astute and incredibly observant, not only when it comes to Nick, but also with her brother.  She's also determined and not put off by others.  Not only does she continue her theories about Nick when Will dismisses her, but she also notices that Will is struggling with his best friend.  The big question is: is Harper right?  You'll just have to read the book to find out!

The book is the perfect mix of modern story-telling with a traditional Christmas feel.  With themes of family, love and trusting yourself, Stepfather Christmas is split into 25 chapters and is a delightful read that would be perfect as a nightly family book in the run-up to Christmas.  I genuinely wish my son was young enough for us to have enjoyed this together like that.  We always used to enjoy family reading time after dinner and I could imagine us curling up every night in December and sharing the next chapter - it's the perfect way to build to the big day.

Full of magic, hope and love, Stepfather Christmas will leave you with a warm glow in your heart and a desire for gingerbread biscuits and hot chocolate!  Publishing 12th October, this is a book that will make the perfect alternative to an advent calendar!

A Walker Books weekend

 

Nightshade Revenge - Anthony Horowitz

'When his best friend Tom is abducted, Alex Rider is given an ultimatum by Nightshade – a sinister cult of assassins with a score to settle. But what twisted evil are they planning, and how is it connected to a revolutionary new gaming system?

With no idea who to trust, Alex finds himself dragged into a nightmare world – where nothing is real but the game could kill you.
The clock is ticking and Nightshade is closing in…'

Alex is back in his fourteenth adventure and I think it's quite possibly his best, most gripping adventure yet.  Alex is doing his best to get through his CGSE mocks when Tom is abducted by Nightshade and only Alex stands any chance of saving him.  His only hope is to help Freddy Grey (Number Nine) escape from prison and return him to Nightshade.  What follows is a rollercoaster adventure that readers will find hard to put down.  With loyalties tested and questions raised about who can be trusted, I promise that the end will leave you breathless.

The Stars Did Wander Darkling - Colin Meloy

'Maybe Archie Coomes has been watching too many horror movies.

     All of a sudden, the most ordinary things have taken on a sinister edge: a penny on a doormat. A man in a brown suit under a streetlamp. The persistent sound of an axe chopping in the middle of the night.

    He keeps telling himself that this is Seaham, a sleepy seaside town where nothing ever happens. Or at least nothing did, until his dad’s construction company opened up the cliff beneath the old – some say cursed – Langdon place.
    Soon, though, he and his friends can’t deny it: more and more of the adults in town are acting strangely. An ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed upon the community, and it’s up to the kids to stop it before it’s too late . . .'

This is definitely a summer that nobody in Seaham, Oregon will forget.  Set in 1987, the book follows friends Archie, Athena, Oliver and Chris as strange things start happening in their town.  For readers of a certain age (namely me!), the book is full of nostalgic references: cue music references; Betamax videos and heading off on a bike to go camping with friends; teenagers solving a mystery...  For everybody else, this is a gripping mystery that combines an eerie undertone that has definite Stranger Things vibes.  The atmosphere builds from the beginning and there's a tension built around the unknown.  It's a dark and creepy horror read for upper KS2 and lower KS3 that kept me up way past my bedtime!

Sona Sharma, Wish Me Luck - Chitra Soundar, Illustrated by Jen Khatun

Sona and her friends are excited to learn their beloved teacher, Miss Rao, is getting married - but then they panic that she might leave their school for ever after her wedding! They try all kinds of tactics, like wishing on a peacock feather and even starting a petition to keep Miss Rao. But Miss Rao's beautiful Indian wedding has a surprise in store for the girls.'

I love this series so was thrilled when a new book arrived for me.  This time, Sona is worried that her teacher's wedding will mean that she will be leaving school.  Full of warmth and with family at its heart, as ever, the book is full of tradition and culture which I always enjoy reading about - this time it's a wedding ceremony.  With positive messages and lessons to be learned, all enhanced by wonderful illustrations, I know that this book will go down well in school.