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!