NEW RELEASE: The Myriad Mysteries of Eartha Quicksmith by Loris Owen

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Published by: Firefly Press, 7th July 2022

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It feels like a long time ago since I read The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith - the brilliant debut novel by Loris Owen, released in September 2020. But my eager wait for the second in the series has been well worth it. Packed full of adventure, mysteries and world-jumping, Kip and his crew find themselves embroiled in a dangerous quest. 

With the recently discovered 'Ark of Ideas' remaining unfathomable, Kip, Albert, Timmi and Leela are baffled as to how they can continue Eartha' Quicksmith's mission. But when their 'Dreambomber' invention leads to a discovery, Kip and Timmi find themselves plunged into a myriad of different worlds. Trying to find their way home, they stumble upon the next pieces of the puzzle. But can they elude the Myriad Pirates long enough to fulfil their quest and will they ever be reunited with Albert and Leela?

This is one action-packed, amazingly plotted novel. Loris Owen's imagination and in-depth creation is extraordinary, bringing together riddles, puzzles and mystery with fairly complex science and technology. After the set-up in the first novel, here we are thrown immediately into the action - be prepared to keep up!

Whereas Book One reminded me very much of the first Harry Potter story where the three children solve puzzles to find the philosopher's stone, this novel has more of a Strangeworlds Travel Agency aspect to it, although it remains a very different story. There is slightly less emphasis on the riddles and more on the Myriad worlds and the children's own inventions. The world-building is exquisite, as is the attention to detail, and you immediately know that there is a very big picture to this quest, with far more exciting stuff still to come. 

Kip remains an amiable main character who has a deep fragility, really making him a protagonist to root for. In this novel, there is far less emphasis on his family's personal circumstances, which very much drove the internal arc of book one. However, the final dream scene is truly touching and brings back Kip's heartbreak with full force. I love the power of teamwork between the four children and their professors and how everyone plays a valuable part in the mission. In fact, the characters and plot keep us so capitavated that there is only a slight touch of villainy, which grows stronger at the end. 

Science and technology were my two weakest subjects at school, occasionally leading me to be put off by complicated and technical plots involving the theory of time travel, dreams and world matter. However, Loris Owen has made the world of Eartha Quicksmith so engaging, lively and imaginative that these threads of the novel literally jump of the page, infecting the reader with their crackling energy (or should I say 'strange energy'). It's magical in a different way to other comparison novels and it's definitely a series I want to reread in order to get the most out of it. Highly original and memorable, this is definitely something special. 

A big thanks to Netgalley and Firefly Press for allowing me a review copy. The Myriad Mysteries of Eartha Quicksmith is out now. 

The Fire Cats of London by Anna Fargher

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Published by: Pan MacMillan, 7th July 2022

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Middle-grade animal stories have been one of our highlights for 2022 so far. From The Lost Whale to The Girl Who Lost a Leopard to While the Storm Rages, these stand-out tales have warmed our hearts and kept us gripped and The Fire Cats of London is no exception. This is the first novel we've read by Anna Fargher and we highly recommend it.

When young wildcats, Asta and Ash are taken from their natural habitat and sold to a London apothecary, Asta is determined to escape. But further horrors lie in store - an horrific fighting ring and a deadly plot which is about to put the whole city in danger. How will Asta get out with her own life, let alone save her brother?

This is the perfect story for animal-lovers and history fans. However, although the publisher's website recommends it for 6-8 years, I would personally place it firmly in the middle-grade category. Gripping from the outset, the animal cruelty makes it a challenging read in places, leaving readers with a very stark question hanging over the actions of humankind. Yet, to counter balance this, there is bucketloads of bravery and kindness too, showing readers that there is always another way...

Asta is a wildcat to root for. Despite her fear and suffering, she remains selfless, tenacious and true to herself. Her love for her brother is endearing and her bravery, in the face of absolute terror, is awe-inspiring. We loved her relationship with Tilia - another wonderful character - and her uneasy acceptance of Miriam. In contrast, there are also some seriously nasty villains, both of the human and feline kind. Beauty was a particularly love-to-hate character and brilliantly written.

Our favourite thing about this novel is how fact and fiction are so cleverly interwoven. We learnt so much about the period - the lifestyle, architecture and the brutal entertainment - alongside the devastating impact of The Great Fire of London and the treatment of supposedly 'lesser creatures'. At the same time, we were gripped by a compelling, fictional story that uses both the era and the fire as a dramatic backdrop and which draws the readers' attention to the animals so often forgotten within human history. Now we can't wait to read more of Anna Fargher's work...

A big thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for allowing us a review copy. The Fire Cats of London is available to pre-order and is released on 7th July 2022.

Upcoming Release: Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab by Paula Bowles

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Published by: Simon and Schuster, 7th July 2022

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With an endearing main character and an important message, this new release from Paula Bowles is a beachy delight. Echoing the long summer days that hopefully we're all enjoying, this picture book is all about having fun, being considerate and looking after the planet too. 

Crab loves his beachy home. But when he invites some friends to come and enjoy it too, he's shocked when they make a real mess. Soon Crab is doing all the tidying up while the others have fun. Maybe it's time to make his voice heard...

Living close to the beach ourselves and trying to do our bit to keep it clean, this is the perfect picture book for my three, gently reinforcing the need to take responsibility for our actions. But whether you live near the beach, are visiting the beach or have never even been to the beach, the message is still applicable to everyone; be considerate to others and protect our special places. Although this might seem slightly didactic (but hugely important), the takeaway is wrapped up snugly (just like a snail in a shell) within an entertaining story and told through the eyes of an adorable but tiny character who really cares. Surely, his friends will have way more fun on a clean and tidy beach?

Crab is a brilliant choice of main character - representing that small lone voice we often feel we have. But although easy to ignore, this little guy is not giving up and proves a tiny voice can make a difference when it finds its boldness. The illustrations are a joy and will put you right in the holiday mood but, best of all, adults can also use the book to gently introduce the idea of a 'tidy house' too. Okay, I may be joking about that (mostly) but tidy definitely doesn't mean 'no fun!'

A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me a review copy. Tiny Crab is a Tidy Crab is available to pre-order and out on the 7th July. 

New Release: The Midnighters by Hana Tooke

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Published by Penguin: 23rd June 2022

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Science meets superstition in this beautiful second novel by Hana Tooke. Author of one of my favourite reads in 2020, The Unadoptables, this is another example of Tooke's exquisite storytelling, set in a similar time period but in a different city and with a completely different plot to her first novel.

Growing up as the youngest member in a large family of scientists, Ema soon realises she is different. Superstitions, omens and a strange fear of shadows seem to follow her wherever she goes and, according to her parents, superstition and science do not mix. 

Sent to stay with her uncle in Prague, Ema forms a friendship with an elusive, mysterious girl called Silvie. But their midnight adventures come to an abrupt halt when Silvie goes missing. Now Ema must find the courage to enter the mysterious Midnight Guild and find out what has happened to her. 

This is an upper middle grade novel for competent readers and perfect for those who love science, superstition, history or a really good mystery. Ema is an endearing main character, trying to find herself amongst family members who are very sure of themselves, and I found her fear and uncertainty very relatable. In contrast, Silvie is far more worldly, but with knowledge and secrets that also evoke fear. As a supporting cast, Ema's uncle provides some adult reassurance and Ferkel, an injection of humour.

The world-building is richly imagined. The city of Prague, which we mostly see at night, has a dark, gothic feel and the whole tone of the novel is as mysterious and secretive as a river shrouded in mist. There are lots of truths for Ema to uncover and, from the get-go, it is clear that the Midnight Guild is fully imagined by the author, with an in-depth backstory and wondrous detail. I really enjoyed the clash of science and superstition and how this plays out throughout, with Ema at the centre. As with The Unadoptables, Tooke writes very much from the perspective of a child who is navigating the dangerous world of adults and, for me, this is what makes her novels stand out. 

A big thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for allowing me a review copy. The Midnighters is available to buy now. 

New Release: The Knight with the Blazing Bottom by Beach

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Published by Simon and Schuster, 9th June 2022

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The sequel to The Dragon With The Blazing Bottom is out! A 'fiery fairy tale' told in hilarious rhyme, this is a story that is as roarsome, bold and explosive as the main characters...

Dragon is down! His fire is still coming out the wrong end and he doesn't know what to do about it. But Sir. Wayne does. If they start doing everything in reverse, Dragon's fire is sure to change direction. But when Dragon and Sir. Wayne start swapping everything around, they get a rather unexpected results. 

This is toilet humour at its funniest - a quest to get Dragon's fire to come out of his mouth rather than his bottom. In the same ilk as The Dinosaur That Pooped series, it perhaps won't be for everyone - my mum refuses to read toilet humour books to my children - but have no doubt, the kids will LOVE it! Dragon and Sir. Wayne are a great double act and I can see this series becoming crazier and more madcap as it continues, which hopefully it will. 

What I particularly liked about this story was the plot. "How is doing everything in reverse going to have any effect on solving Dragon's problem?" I thought as I read it. But, of course, this picture book hasn't been written for me or any other adult - it's been written for children and this is an example of awesome child logic that delivers an hysterical punch line at the end. 

Reading the text out loud is a delight and far funnier than reading it in your head. The rhyme is as riotous as the story is ridiculous and you can't help but snort with laughter at the characters' escapades. So why not give in to five minutes of silliness, gather together as a family, forget about your day and just 'laugh your socks off'...just make sure your laughter comes out the right end!

The Knight With The Blazing Bottom is out now. A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me a review copy. 

The Worry Tiger by Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy

 

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Published by: Two Hoots, Pan Macmillan, 21st July 2022

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Following the release of The Fire Fox last year, Alexandra Page and Stef Murphy have teamed up again to bring us another beautiful picture book called The Worry Tiger. 

Rory is feeling anxious. It's show-and-tell tomorrow at school and he has nothing to share with the class. But then he meets his very own worry tiger who takes him on a magical journey and encourages him to find his inner calm. 

As with The Fire Fox, which deals very gently with grief, The Worry Tiger is extremely subtle in tone. With the focus firmly on the magical adventure, readers are encouraged to breathe and stretch and to enter a state of mindfulness without even realising it. 

For me, there is a slight hint of the classic picture book, The Tiger That Came to Tea, in this story, but instead of the tiger invading the home of the child, the tiger takes the child out into the world. However, thanks to the stunning illustrations by Stef Murphy – who this time takes us on an adventure into a vibrant jungle rather than the arctic – I still felt that same sense of awe at the appearance of such a magnificent creature who is both wild and yet completely soothing at the same time. Surely, if a creature famous for its ferocity can enjoy being mindful, then readers can too!

To reinforce the gentle message of the story, the endpapers at the back of the book provide some exercises for mindfulness, reiterating the breathing and the stretching that Rory was taught in the jungle. Yet Alexandra Page's lyrical words and lulling rhyme are relaxing enough in themselves. Perfect for bedtime or for calming worried or hyped-up little ones, this is a truly magical combination of words and pictures. 

A big thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for allowing me a review copy. The Worry Tiger is released on 21st July 2022 and is available to pre-order. 

New Release: Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tola Okogwu

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Published by: Simon and Schuster, 9th June 2022

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Hooray! Courtesy of Simon and Schuster and NetGalley, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this much anticipated middle grade novel that I've heard so much about. And, trust me, readers are in for a treat. Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is a fantastically fresh superhero novel set in both London and Nigeria and Onyeka's superpower, or ike as it is called in Nigeria, just happens to be linked to her hair...

British-Nigerian girl, Onyeka, has spent her whole life battling with her hair. But when she finds out it has psychokinetic powers she is promptly whisked away to The Academy of the Sun in Nigeria - a training programme for Solari (children with superpowers). But it's not long before Onyeka and her new friends are caught up in a battle that threatens the entire future of the Solari.

Firstly, don't be fooled! What begins as a fairly normal story - two friends heading to a swimming pool in London - swiftly tranforms into fast-paced, enthralling adventure as Onyeka develops overnight superpowers and embarks on a journey of acceptance and self-love. Finding herself in Nigeria surrounded by other Solari, Onyeka is not only faced with having to make new friends - as well as making friends with her hair- but she is forced to face serious questions about her identity and her family. 

The world-building in the novel is excellent and has such a level of depth and detail that you know a whole world, beyond just one book, is about to open in front of you. The plot is visual, action-packed and dynamic and it's clear to see why it has been snapped up as a feature film. I loved Onyeka's ongoing battle with her hair and her burgeoning friendship with Adanna, compared to her solid relationship with Cheyenne, gives the story heart and warmth. There's humour as Onyeka's hair comes into its own and tons of secrets to unravel.

Reminding me of the Nevermoor series and also comparable to the new Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, this is clearly going to be a epic fantasy series. I loved the Nigerian setting and the authenticity that Tola Okogwu brings to the narrative. There's also some excellent haircare tips woven into the story, braided seamlessly with virtual quests and training battles. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it on screen as much as I'm hoping for book two.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me a review copy. Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun publishes tomorrow, June 9th 2022.