The Forbidden Atlas - Sam Sedgman

The second in the Isaac Turner investigates series, The Forbidden Atlas, sees Isaac and Harriet in Paris receiving an award for their heroics in The Clockwork Conspiracy (you can read my review here), however, things don't go as planned and an attempt on the life of businessman Balthazar Blaise sees Isaac and Harriet drawn into an underground world where a stolen letter and a missing map will lead to a long forgotten secret and a whole world of danger.

The Clockwork Conspiracy was hugely exciting and I've been looking forward to reading the sequel ever since I finished book 1!  It was wonderful to be back with Isaac and Harriet again, especially as this time they are in Paris, a city dear to my heart. It was brilliant to be able to visualize everywhere they went (the catacombs and Père-Lachaise have long been on my list of places to visit and I'm now even more determined than ever to visit them next time I'm there).

The book is full of danger that will delight readers. Bouyed by their success in London, Isaac and Harriet are determined to get to the bottom of what is going on, which leads them to some incredibly dangerous situations (at times, I really felt for their parents!).

Like The Clockwork Conspiracy, The Forbidden Atlas is a book that excites and thrills, making it a read that is impossible to put down. With twists and surprises to keep readers on their toes, Sam has another guaranteed hit on his hands, which works as a stand-alone but is even better if you've experienced the adventure of The Clockwork Conspiracy. 

Publishing 27/2, secrets, lies and daring all weave perfectly through the streets of Paris in this brilliant book that is even better than book 1. The Forbidden Atlas definitely needs to pre-ordered. 

Alex Neptune Dragon Champion - David Owen

Brineblood is back and is intent on stealing all the sea magic in order to raise a monster from the bottom of the ocean.  It's up to Alex, Zoey and Anil to stop Brineblood, but can they manage to defeat him in time?

Alex Neptune has been a series I have adored since the very first book and so it was a mix of emotions that I began reading Dragon Champion over the weekend: I was excited to get back to Alex and his friends to find out how it all would end, but I was also sad that this will be the last of the books.  I was torn between savouring the book and gobbling it up - gobbling it up won as I couldn't put the book down!  From the start, the action and adventure seeps from the book and Alex is tested in ways he's never been before when he loses his magic (this is not a spoiler as it's mentioned in the blurb).  Not only does he have to come to terms with this at the worst possible moment, but he also has to deal with the fact that Zoey and Anil still have their powers.  Luckily, the bond between them is stronger than ever and the trio make a great team.  Alex has come so far in this series; from being terrified of the sea to helping keep the sea safe, it's wonderful to see how strong he's become and how passionate he is about keeping Haven Bay, its residents and his family safe. 

Alongside the adventure, David maintains the subtle environmental messages through this book.  They are messages that have been present through the previous books and are evident again in Dragon Champion, especially when the trio are descending into the depths of the ocean.

I can't finish this review without giving a nod to the host of animals who have befriended Alex along the way; in particular Kraken who often feels more human than octopus!

Publishing 2nd January, Alex Neptune Dragon Champion is an action-packed, rollercoaster of a ride and a fitting end to this brilliant series.  I can't wait to see what David writes next.

Libby And The Egyptian Escapade - Jo Clarke

The travelling school have headed to Egypt and the trip is far from plain sailing!  During a visit to a museum, Noah buys a canopic jar in the gift shop and, despite being initially thrilled, he bumps into somebody and his jar ends up with a crack in it, much to his disappointment.  However, they carry on with their trip, thinking nothing of the encounter.  However... things start going wrong and Miss Mousedale and Miss Khatun need to do everything in their power to keep their students safe, leading the kids to believe that they have unleashed a mummy's curse.  It's up to Libby and her friends to get to the bottom of things before it's too late.

I have adored the Travelling School Mysteries series from the very fist book and they're also incredibly popular in school too.  It was with mixed emotions that I heard that Libby And The Egyptian Escapade was to be the final book in the series: I was excited for their next adventure but sad that this would be the last.     

We see a different side to Libby in this book: she's worried about her mum and her father is on her mind. Too add to that, when things heat up, Libby is at odds with the idea of a curse and this causes friction between her and her friends.  It's a complex situation and one that needs careful negotiation as they also brave the heat and the danger they find themselves in. 

Once again, readers are treated to an epic adventure that excites and teases in equal measure.  The plot is pacey and Becka Moore's illustrations perfectly enhance Jo's storytelling.  Libby And The Egyptian Escapade is a fitting end to the series and, although I'm going to miss Libby and her friends, I'm pleased with the way things worked out. 

 Libby And The Egyptian Escapade publishes 16/1/25.

Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society - Phil Hickes

 

Lilian, Serena, Marian and Angela have started a ghost story club, meeting in the library after lights out, but when sixth former Tiffany arrives and tells them about a book that once belonged to a witch that was brought into school by an old drama teacher for a performance of Macbeth, things take a more sinister turn.  According to Tiffany, the book has magical qualities and it may still be hidden in school.  The girls are drawn to the story and feel compelled to investigate whether there is any truth in the tale.  It doesn't take them long to discover a book during drama club that seems to have been hidden for years, and they take it back to their dormitory to test whether this is the fabled book Tiffany spoke of.   Soon after, strange things begin to happen and the girls realise that they are dealing with dark magic, but Lilian can't resist the pull of the book which could lead to danger for herself and also her friends.

Phil Hickes is a genius when it comes to writing scary books and book 1 in this series, Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls, left me wanting more (you can read my review here) - it's also been a huge hit in school, with one child in my class begging me to print out Ghost Story Society from NetGalley when he heard I was reading! (I haven't, but I have promised him first read as soon as I get a physical copy).  It was Saturday tea-time when I sat down to read Ghost Story Society, curled up under a blanket with the sky darkening - I wasn't certain whether I was being brave or daft, knowing how easily I get spooked!  However, I was desperate to read it, so with a cushion to hide behind, I dove in!

As with The Whispering Walls, the setting immediately lends itself to a creepy read: an old boarding school with creaking and groaning as the place settles at night, and this time, the story begins at night, in the library, under candlelight as the girls congregate to tell ghost stories - it gives me chills just thinking about this!  Then when school legend is added to the mix, you know that things are going to get creepy.  And it really does!  The thought of a book that will bring your deepest secrets to life will send chills through readers.

Publishing 13/2/25, Shadowhall Academy: Ghost Story Society is a chilling story where secrets are revealed and friendships are tested.  It's guaranteed to creep you out and keep you gripped in equal measure - just make sure you have a teddy bear for company and only read it before bed if you're feeling very brave!

Ice Apprentices - Jacob North

 

'Oswin Fields is an outside, rescued from the ice.  Then he gets a chance to for to the school for ice apprentices, and he sets out to prove his worth.  When the beasts begin to strike, Oswin has to risk everything he holds dear...'

In a world that is frozen and revolves around the freeze and the thaw, monsters lurk and survival is everything, so much so that people's worth is decided by how useful they are.  Then along comes Oswin, a stray who was found on the ice.  Until now, he has lead a sheltered life away from everyone; he is incredibly curious and always desperate to ask questions; he doesn't like not knowing, yet his new world seems to be full of the unknown and secrets. Life is difficult for him as an ice apprentice, especially as a stray - he faces prejudice and hatred, yet all he wants to do is show that he is worthy of being there.  He quickly discovers that his uncle was not well thought of in Tundra and he is advised to forget about him; however, Oswin in unable to do this and is determined to discover exactly what he did.

The friendship that forms between Oswin and Ennastasia is wonderful to read.  From very different backgrounds, Ennastasia's feeling of superiority is evident from the start but Oswin's persistence slowly leads to her thawing - their relationship made me smile.

Oswin makes the most wonderful hero: he's brave, true to himself and loyal as a friend.  He's somebody readers will delight in getting to know and will be rooting for with every chapter they read.  

Publishing 30/1/25, magic combines with adventure in this epic tale where intricate world building means that readers are guaranteed to be transported to the icy Tundra and will be disappointed to leave - please tell us there'll be a book 2!

Vendetta - Catherine Doyle

After Sophie's dad was imprisoned last year, she is determined to spend the summer laying low whilst working in the family's diner in Chicago with her best friend, Millie.  However, when a new family move into the supposedly haunted mansion at the end of Lockwood Avenue, things take a very different turn for her.  Sophie finds herself drawn to Nic, one of the five brothers who have moved into the house, despite being warned away from them by a family friend.  When secrets about both families come to light, Sophie's world changes forever and she needs to pick a side: her family or the boy she is falling for.

I love Catherine's middle grade books, as well as the Twin Crown series she writes with Katherine Webber, so discovering her new YA, Vendetta, on Netgalley was exciting. 

Ok; short version of my review: This book is brilliant and I loved everything about it!

Now, for the more detailed bit...

From the beginning, this book is one that drew my attention and lured me in: the promise of romance combined with danger is an intoxicating one; add in the unknowns and you have all the qualities you need for a truly gripping read.  

You know that life isn't easy for Sophie: her father is in prison but you don't know why; all you know is that she and her mum are doing all they can to make ends meet, with occasional help from her Uncle Jack who is managing the diner whilst her father is away.  Millie is her best and only friend and the pair both work in the diner.  It's whilst Sophie is walking home from an evening shift that she realises that the big, deserted house on what is known as Priestly corner is finally occupied again.  Curiosity gets the better of her  and she is compelled to take a closer look ... and it's this chance encounter that changes everything.

Vendetta is everything I'd hoped it would be and more.  It's a grippingly immersive read and, even though I devoured it in 2 days, I found myself thinking of Sophie and the plot whilst I wasn't reading it (so keen was I to finish it on Saturday, that I fell asleep with it in my hands in bed!)  Good versus evil is most definitely brought into question here - what happens when good isn't completely good and when evil is doing it for what they believe are the right reasons?  The book is full of twists that will keep readers on their toes and will entice them to read just one more chapter.

Vendetta is the perfect blend of darkness and hope; forbidden love and the lure of attraction; it's discovering that everything you thought was true is actually very far from that.  Secrets are revealed, family loyalties are tested and lives will be changed forever in this truly wonderful read - I know the book is yet to be published (2nd January) but I'm already desperate to read the second book in the trilogy.  Vendetta is definitely a YA to pre-order if you want to guarantee to avoid the January blues.

Grumpfort - Jamie Hammond

 

The village of Bogfoss has long had a problem with monsters that terrorise the residents which is why there is always a warden to protect them.  Mo (Monday the sixteenth) had never wanted to be a warden so when he is appointed to the role he is terrified, more so when he is beaten up by a goblin on his first day.  Determined to prove the residents that he can do this, he heads into the woods to catch a monster; however, things don't quite go according to plan.  Not only does Mo need to cope with the monsters, but he also has to deal with the Grumpsnatcher.  

Grumpfort is a rather wonderful book with a host of quirky characters that readers will delight in getting to know (I loved Mo's Monsterology book).  Mo know he needs to follow his destiny but he really doesn't want to!  He's scared and would much rather do his own thing but heading into the forbidden wood may just lead him towards his destiny.  Full of twists and surprises, this is a funny story accompanied by Jamie's wonderful illustrations that are a joy to behold in their own right.

Grumpfort is a monster story with strong messages about friendship, acceptance and being true to yourself.  Publishing 13th March, this is the first of a brilliant new series; Jamie has created a place that readers will love exploring and, with an ending that will make you gasp, it will leave you wanting more.