When We Were Monsters - Jennifer Niven

 

Brighton Hove is a college set near the woods of north-eastern Massachusetts.  Every year in January, the college holds 'Jan Term' where eight of the brightest and luckiest students are invited to live and study at Moss House  (the sprawling house in the nearby woods built by the college's founder; the same forest where a girl was killed years earlier).  This year's lucky students include Effy, Isaac, Vanessa and Arlo who will spend 16 days being mentored by Meredith Graffam, the famous writer director and actress.  At first, the group are excited by the opportunity and in awe of Graffam, but as her teaching methods being to grow increasingly unorthodox, the group start to wonder if this really is the opportunity of a life-time.

I've been reading an increasing number of YA books recently and have very much enjoyed them, so when I saw When We Were Monsters on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Told in dual narrative from Effy and Arlo's point of views, it is clear that the main characters all have 'issues' they are harbouring: for Effy it's the fact that her father killed her mother in a road accident when she was six; Arlo is still trying to come to term with the death of his best friend; Vanessa is quiet and just wants to be accepted; whilst Isaac is struggling to live up to his family's expectations.  Each is being encouraged to dig deep within themselves and step outside their comfort zone in a way they could not have expected, but under the guise of needing to be vulnerable to help develop their writing.  The more you read, the more you discover about each character's individual demons and how they influence their lives.  But how much are they prepared to take in order to win that one coveted scholarship?

There is a real darkness to this book.  Yes, it's set in January in an old and sprawling house in the middle of the woods; yes, they are cut off during bad weather; yes they are without mobile phones and phone lines - these are things that help to build the atmosphere.  But the real darkness comes from the teaching; the expectations Meredith has on each character; the secrets that she is determined to prize out of them and the deepest thoughts she wants them to reveal.  She is a character who is fascinating: enigmatic and compelling yet happy pit the students against each other to get to her end goal.  

The book is well-paced and made the perfect read for my homeward flight yesterday evening.  It's a thrilling read, especially as the first chapter hints at what is to happen which means some of the suspense comes from not knowing when or how things are going to happen.  

Publishing on the 4th September, When We Were Monsters is a darkly immersive YA that will make the perfect read at the start of a new school year as the nights start drawing in.   

Uncle Zeedie - Colm Field

 

Siblings George and Lacey's parents are getting divorced so things haven't been great.  When both parents are due to be working, the siblings are taken to stay with a friend of the family (Uncle Zeedie) who is staying in a remote mansion in the Welsh woods.  As soon as they get there, both George and Lacey know that something isn't quite right, and their fears are confirmed the longer they stay there: rotten food, the smell of sour milk, blood stains and posters for missing children.  When George starts seeing the ghosts of dead children, they fear that Uncle Zeedie is the one who's killing them.

Uncle Zeedie is the second instalment of The Blood Texts series (you can read my review of You'd Better Watch Out here) and is certainly not for the faint hearted!  The creepy atmosphere is evident from the very start, even before George and Lacey arrive at the house, and it continues to build: the darkness, the lack of phone signal, the lack of people... Then we have to look at how the characters add to the atmosphere: George is clearly spooked by lots of things, stemming from an incident at a train station; and there's the Feeling he gets and the things he sees that others don't seem to be able to - it all sets readers on edge.  We know from the start that Lacey and George find Uncle Zeedie 'weird' and this is confirmed when we meet him: there's definitely something not right in the way he is behaving.  

At 168 pages, Uncle Zeedie is a fast-paced, short read that will set your heart racing.  Publishing on the 4th September it's a book to read during daylight hours (unless you're feeling particularly brave!) and is perfect for KS3.

The Big Bad Wolf Murder - P. G. Bell

It's the final of Tooth & Claw, a tournament where teams of runners must escape vicious wolves, and Ruby and her team are seconds away from victory over Alarick (known as the biggest baddest wolf) when he drops down dead putting a halt to everything.  Confusion ensues and then the police announce that Alarick has been murdered... and Ruby is their prime suspect.  Knowing she isn't guilty, she is determined to discover who the real murderer is so goes on the run in order to prove her innocence.  Along with her new wolf friend, Fillan, she faces her toughest challenge yet. 

The Big Bad Wolf Murder is the second in P. G. Bell's fairy tale murder mysteries (you can read my review of The Beanstalk Murder here ), and the prospect of seeing how he had twisted another tale excited me.

This is an ingenious, fast-paced take on a traditional fairy tale - think Riding Hood meets Hunger Games! Tooth & Claw is a tournament that gets as much attention in Netherburg as a football world-cup final does here, so everyone is watching the tournament... and nobody expects anything to go wrong, least of all Ruby.  She is a fiercely determined character whose drive is evident from the very start of the book.  Success is all she knows and she's not about to let a wrongful accusation stand in her way.  She and Fillan make a great team: he is drawn into this purely because he was delivering to Alarick before the tournament.  He doesn't want to be involved anymore than Ruby does.  He lacks in confidence at the beginning but the more he is with Ruby, the more confident he gets.  It's lovely to see their friendship grow as their mission unfolds. 

Publishing 11th September, The Big Bad Wolf Murder is a brilliant second book in the series.  A perfect stand alone, this book is full of action, adventure with a generous sprinkling of fun which combine to create the recipe for a wonderful read. 

Role Model - Elle McNicoll

Ariel's life changes forever when her mum is elected Prime Minister.  Without being asked, she is thrust into the public eye and becomes a role model and the voice of autistics.  But it isn't what she wants.

Everything has changed for Ariel: she's moved from her home in Scotland to the unfamiliarity and bustle of London; she has a new school to contend with and new routines to get to grips with; this is difficult at the best of times, but factor in the fact that your mum has just become Prime Minister so the whole world is watching you, and this adds a whole extra level of complications - just the thought of that makes me panic.

Role Model gives the world an honest insight into one autistic person's life and highlights the fact that all autistic people are different.  Ariel's internal monologue, which is often different to the words she actually says, gives us a real idea of what she experiences, and the letters that she writes to her autism are particularly poignant and thought-provoking (especially the last one).

Without realising it, Ariel becomes the hero of her own story.  Learning to be yourself is incredibly difficult but she shows readers that it's important to do that; the character who desperately didn't want to become a role model has become a role model through this book.  Talking of heroes, it would be remiss of me not to mention Fizz in my review: she's a wonderful character who gets Ariel and I was so pleased that she was there for her.  Everybody needs a Fizz in their life (also, I have to mention that there were so many times when I wanted to reach into the book and slap certain characters!).

Role Model is an insightful and honest book that shows the world what it's like to be autistic - everybody deserves to see themselves in the characters they meet in books and I am so pleased that Elle's extraordinary writing talent allows autistic children to see themselves in wonderful stories.  Thanks goodness the world has Elle; having read the acknowledgements, it is clear this a very personal book for her and I am eternally grateful that she has been brave enough to share this with the world - it will make a huge difference for so many.

This is a book that needs to be read by everybody ... I was going to say every teacher but I think everybody needs to read this.  It's a book that will stay with me for a very long time and it has left me with a major book hangover (at the time of writing this, I still haven't started a new book, which is unusual for me).  It's a shorter novel at 169 pages but by goodness, it really packs a punch.

Role Model publishes on the 4th September and if it isn't nominated for a tonne of awards, then there is something wrong with the world. 

Spirit Warriors - Ashley Thorne

 

Evie is desperate to see her parents who were killed when she was a baby.  The Carnival of Magic (Myal to the locals) is the perfect chance for her to do that so she sets out with the larimar (a necklace from her parents) to find a spirit waker who can help her, but the evening doesn't turn out as she expected it and duppies attack.  Two of those duppies follow Evie and her friend Arthur and during a struggle, Arthur is accidentally switched into the body of Evie's cat, and the larimar is stolen, so Evie and Arthur set out to get it back (as well as find away of returning Arthur to his body).  Along the way, they team up with a warrior and his trainee who help them discover the truth.  

Spirit Warriors is set on an island full of magic, Caribbean history and folklore which is woven into the intricate plot.  Evie's quest is important for many reasons: she needs to help her friend, but she's also desperate to reclaim the only link to her parents, the necklace.  Along the way, she discovers things about herself she could never have imagined and  her life changes forever.  

One thing I always think is the mark of a good novel is the villains and Spirit Warriors has epic villains: both Blackheart Man and La Diablesse are terrifying and will stop at nothing to get the result they want.  It creates such tension. 

Spirit Warriors is action and fantasy at its best with vivid world building and heart-stopping action that will grip readers.  Finding yourself, friendship and fantastic heroes all merge into an unforgettable book that is out now.

Oliver's Great Big Universe: Evolution Changes Everything - Jorge Cham

 

Oliver is back and this time he's writing a book about animals and evolution so he can raise money to buy himself a new computer.  From cats to dinosaurs, mass extinction to the planet itself, the book looks at how things have evolved combining science with laughter and a host of wonderful illustrations.  The book is full of facts that will engage readers and impart new knowledge without them realising it.  There's even a section for those who want to learn more, and a double page at the end with quick facts readers can share with others. 

Evolution Changes Everything is a great addition to a fab series but can also be read as a stand alone.  Publishing on the 11th September, the book is perfect for fans of Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Louis Stowell's Loki. 

A Stocking Full Of Spies - Robin Stevens

It's December 1941 and May is still determined to leave Deepdean School, so she is thrilled when a bomb drops on the school, destroying the gym (which was empty at the time).  As a result, May and Nuala are sent to stay with Hazel in Bletchley where (along with Eric who is already there) they are given jobs as junior messengers; however, this is a front so the trio can investigate the death of one of the codebreakers.  At first glance it appears to have been Daisy's brother, Bertie, who shot him and it's up to May, Nuala and Eric to find the evidence to prove his innocence - they also need to discover who the real killer was and who the spy at the park is.

Ok, I'm going to have to admit that this is one of those reviews that I've found tricky to write!  Not because the book isn't brilliant - because it completely and utterly is - but because I'm struggling to put together how great I found it!  What I really want to say is, 'OMG, that was amazing!  Go out and pre-order it immediately and then let me know as soon as you've read it so we can discuss the plot in detail!' but I know I need to say more than that so I've given it my best shot - excuse my ramblings!

A Stocking Full of Spies arrived for me on Wednesday (huge thanks to the lovely people at Penguin for this, especially Daisy) which meant all plans were dropped and I spent the day in the garden reading (a terrible hardship, I know!).  Robin's books are hugely popular in school, and have been since they were first published (in fact, she was treated with rockstar status when she visited us way back in 2016!).  The beauty of her books is the timeless quality of them, the joy of the mystery, the puzzle of trying to work out who the culprit is - it's no wonder she's won so many awards for her work.  There's something completely thrilling about the start of one of these books; whilst Robin doesn't shy away from the horrors of the war, there is a joy in the innocence of the time (does that make sense?  After all, the main characters are investigating murders and dealing with dangerous criminals!).  What I mean is, the time period means there are no mobile phones, no social media - it feels more wholesome.

Robin once again has woven her magic to create an intricate plot with twists, a host of believable suspects, and characters who are wonderfully individual (more about that later).  I didn't guess the culprits and, at the end of the book, I sat in awe of how Robin must plot things out - I'd love to have a conversation about her methods (I have visions of the wall full of pictures, notes and string linking everything together).

The book is set in Bletchley, which is a place that has fascinated me since I visited it.  And although the book doesn't focus on the code-breaking, it does give you an insight into what life must have been like for those who lived and worked there.  

I also want to mention the individuality of the characters: we already know that Nuala, Eric and May are very different to each other and that's what makes things work between them (when they aren't arguing!).  I feel that we see more of May's character coming to the fore this time and I think there are many readers who will see parts of themselves in her (something that I think is really important in MG literature).  I also like the individuality of the other characters and the importance of them being able to be themselves at Bletchley.  Robin's author's note at the end explains things far more eloquently than I could so please read it, but it made my heart sing to see this celebrated (as somebody who grew up feeling a bit different to others, I love this, Robin, thank-you).

A Stocking Full of Spies is a thrilling mix of murder, spies, Christmas and mystery; with Hazel and Daisy's return a wonderful added bonus!  It's guaranteed to grip and to keep you guessing until the end!

I could easily gush about A Stocking Full of Spies and the entire series forever and a day, and I'm hugely grateful to Robin for creating books that I return to again and again (they are my comfort reads and Chelsea buns have become a favourite!).  

Before I start sounding like a complete loon, I will simply say that A Stocking Full of Spies publishes on the 11th September.  I already have my copy pre-ordered but I suggest you get one ordered too!  It's a gripping mystery perfect for curling up with as the nights become colder or as a stocking-filler this Christmas.

Detective Society Forever.