TEEN: Immortals: Everlasting - Alyson Noel

Release Date: 07/07/11

BOOK BLURB:

With 3.2 million copies of her Immortals series in print, Alyson Noël is one of the hottest paranormal teen authors writing today. EVERLASTING is the sixth and final instalment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Now in EVERLASTING, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united . . . or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!


REVIEW:

OK, I’ve enjoyed this series from start to finish and whilst for a number of fans it lost direction, the final title in the series will be one that they absolutely have to read as it will reveal a few truths as well as mysteries that make the previous titles all make sense. As usual with Alyson’s writing, its emotional, descriptive and contains prose that suit the temperments of the characters as well as the target audience. The pace it decent, the characters growth continued but it’s the way that the series concludes that will keep the reader glued to the end. Back this up with an almost impossible to put down set of hooks and it was a book that will demand more than enough attention from their imagination.

TEEN: Solstice at Stonewylde - Kit Berry

Release Date: 07/07/11

BOOK BLURB:

Yul stands at the threshold between life and death. Poisoned at the festival of the dead, his life now hangs by a thread. More than his own will to survive, it's his fellow Stonewylders who must save him. But will they, when Magus has done so much to undermine Yul and turn the people against him? Yet there are cracks in Magus' following. When he confesses a secret that shocks the community, the Stonewylde folk begin to understand his true nature. Magus' spiral into obsession and darkness continues, his kindness and charm now vanished. The cruelty that lies beneath is becoming clear . . . as is the deadly web of deceit and betrayal in which Yul and Sylvie are trapped. The Winter Solstice approaches and Yul and Sylvie refuse to give up hope. But Sylvie is unaware of Magus' real plans for her and she's horrified when he finally shows his hand. Can this really be why she was brought to Stonewylde? As the final conflict draws near, how can she avoid Magus' trap? Yul will need all his strength, and all his supporters, if he is to make a stand and put an end to what Magus has started. As the darkness draws in around them, the wise woman on the hill makes a chilling prophecy. There is no escape and no compromise when death comes knocking: five will die at Stonewylde. The only question is who . . .


REVIEW:

Stonewylde has been a series to capture the readers imagination since its original inception and release a few years ago and with a new fourth part to come shortly it’s was time to catch up with everything as well as to see what would unfurl for the stories heroes as the villains were left with the upper hand in the end of the last instalment.

What occurs is dark and bleak but also shines the greater for the hope that springs from within. Its well written, the characters crisp and whilst the crueller aspects are played to great effect by Magus, the heroes always struggle against his darkness and as such bring this tale to a gripping conclusion. Add to this great prose, wonderfully detailed landscape and of course the growth of the characters that really keep this novel gripping as death and mayhem ensue which make this series one that refuses to let go. Great stuff.

8+: Highway Robbery - Kate Thompson, Ill. Jonny Duddle

Release Date: 07/07/11

BOOK BLURB:

'Hold the mare for me, lad. And when I come back I'll give you a golden guinea.'

It's more money than the street urchin has ever dreamt of. But who is the rider, and why is there so much interest in his big black horse? And will the boy ever see the money he has been promised?

There's highway robbery in the air, but it isn't always entirely clear just who is trying to rob who.


REVIEW:

As the old saying goes “A story never loses anything in the telling” and that’s the premise of this tale by Kate Thompson, aimed at the seven year old market.

It’s witty, the protagonist a cunning as well as witty narrator and above all else the story wends it’s way in such a wonderful pace that it wouldn’t have been out of place at the Santon Bridges yearly competition (held at the Bridge Inn.)

Finally, add to the mix the enchanting artwork of Jonny Duddle and it’s a story that’s fanciful play on words will entertain the reader for a long time. I definitely look forward to more of Kate’s work.

3+: What the Ladybird Heard Soundbook - Julia Donaldson, Ill Lydia Monks

Release Date: 01/07/11

BOOK BLURB:

Two crafty robbers hatch a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But the quietest, tiniest creature in the farm has a plan of her own and things are going to get noisy; very noisy.

With 10 amazing animal sounds, this book is a whole farmyard of fun!


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of Julia Donaldson, it is always great to find something a little different. Children will love this colourful title (illustrations are by Lydia Monks) as they can have the story read and then get to push buttons to hear the relevant story sounds to accompany the experience. Add to this Julia’s usual enthusiasm for storytelling, her uncanny ability to write the tale as a song and all in it’s a very satisfactory experience. Great fun.

8+: Evidence of Dragons - Pie Corbett

Release Date: 01/07/11

BOOK BLURB:

EVIDENCE OF DRAGONS brings Pie Corbett’s achingly beautiful poems together for the very first time. His poems are full of the wonder of the ordinary and introduce us to characters and topics as varied as THE LAST UNICORN, MY BROTHER’S PIG, THE DRAGON WHISTLER, STARS, SHADOW PUPPETS and THE CLOUD APPRECIATION SOCIETY.

‘The Dragon Whistler

tucks stars into her pocket,

reaches for a sunset;

purses her moonlit lips

and whistles . . .’


REVIEW:

I do enjoy a bit of poetry every so often and whilst I’m usually found reading War Poetry, for a child this title from Pie Corbett is ideal. It explores so many different ideas and allows them to have something not only unique but meaningful to dip into whenever they get the urge. It’s witty, it’s clever and perhaps best of all it’s a title that explores so many different subjects that it’s one that will strike their own imagination. All in this is a wonderful experience for all who pick it up and the adult will get just as much from it as the child concerned especially when you consider how emotive and emotional this art form can be.

3+: Frank and Teddy Make Friends - Louise Yates

Release Date: 03/02/11

BOOK BLURB:

Meet Professor Frank Mouse. He's very clever, very inventive and very ... lonely. Though he loves collecting, making and mending all sorts of things, shy Frank would love to have a friend to help him, so one day he makes Teddy! But Frank doesn't realise that what he really needs is a true friend - someone to teach him that real friendship is all about sharing, and Teddy might be just the fellow to do it...


REVIEW:

Louise Yates is an author that charms the reader with the wonderful images that her tale evokes as well as gives the reader something special in the way of morals. In this title she demonstrates how much fun you can have when you not only make friends but also generate a whole new set of events to improve your own life.

It’s fun, the characters are wonderful and I hope to read many more Frank and Teddy adventures as the two, not only work well together, but could potentially generate a whole host of tales as events transpire around them.

TEEN: August - Bernard Beckett

span style="font-size:130%;">Release Date: 18/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

A wonderful introduction to numbers as each page reveals babies involved in various crazy antics ...until ten little babies lie fast asleep in their beds. With an easy-to-read rhyming text by Rose Impey and charming, humorous art by Nicola Smee, this is the perfect book for all young readers, whether they're learning to count or not.


REVIEW:

Whilst this title is originally sited as an adult book I’d suggest that its perhaps more of a break through from the Teen market to the world of adult titles. It’s cleverly written, the characters believable as well as interesting and when added to a writing style that is not only fascinating but one that feels like a warm guiding hand, makes this a title that was hard to put down. All in, whilst I’m not that familiar with this Antipodean author it is something that makes me think about looking more into his early stuff purely for the fact that I like his style.

Whilst it won’t be for everyone there are some interesting idea’s explored within which when blended with decent dialogue as well as a firm guiding hand make this a journey of discovery for all.

3+: Ten Little Babies - Rose Impey, Ill Nicola Smee

Release Date: 15/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

A wonderful introduction to numbers as each page reveals babies involved in various crazy antics ...until ten little babies lie fast asleep in their beds. With an easy-to-read rhyming text by Rose Impey and charming, humorous art by Nicola Smee, this is the perfect book for all young readers, whether they're learning to count or not.


REVIEW:

Nicola’s Smee’s illustrative talents come to the fore in this title by Rose Impey. As usual its bright and colourful, the images full of fun and interesting to look at and whilst the story is simplistic with repetitions its something that the young reader will love as they get the chance to join in on the refrains.

All in a fun book and one that will definitely appeal to many children at bed time especially when they can have the fun of finding the ten babies on the final page. Great stuff.

10+: The Encyclopedia of the Unexplained - Judy Allen

Release Date: 15/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

This encyclopedia is a guide to curious phenomena, strange superstitions and ancient mysteries. Within its pages there are ghosts of sea and land, disappearances and lost empires, water monsters and King Arthur, UFOs and superstitions, fireballs, frog showers, crop circles and missing treasure. As the introduction says: The world is such an extraordinary and complicated place that it's very unlikely we will ever solve every puzzle, break every code and understand every awesome phenomena. But we can - and will - go on trying, and any one of us may discover the key to something that has been lost, or hidden, or misunderstood for thousands of years.


REVIEW:

In a world where we like everything to be explained in simplistic scientific terms there are times when even the current development of the world is confounded and as such it’s a wonderful chance for the reader to learn that magic can and does exist in certain areas.

As such this compendium of the weird, unusual as well as unexplained by Judy Allen comes into its own with its wonderful illustrations, great threads and of course all written in an easy to comprehend language that doesn’t talk down to the reader. It’s concise; it has great themes and overall made this a wonderful read for an adult.

Add to this a wide range of subjects from numbers to Stonehenge, from Pyramids to Levitation (each subject covered by a double page spread) and it was a book that was a lot of fun. All in I was very happy with this title and when new facts are presented to things you’ve never heard before, the trivia aspect is also a sheer delight (such as finding out about the origin of Foo Fighters.) Great fun for all.

5+: Cat's Ahoy! - Peter Bently, Ill. Jim Field

Release Date: 05/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

When Alfonso the cat hears there’s a boat coming into harbour carrying its largest ever catch, he hatches a plan. It’s brave! It’s bold! And it involves a ghost pirate ship, some rather gullible fishermen, and cats … LOTS of cats.

With an infectious rhyming text and laugh-out-loud illustrations, this book is set to become a firm favourite for fans of life on the high seas.


REVIEW:

This is one of my favourite children’s picture books of this year. Now this could be because I’m secretly Cat-Man, able to tickle cats in my sleep etc. but it also has a cracking story in poetry form that really captures the imagination making this a fun book for children who like not only animal stories but tales of pirates.

Add to Peter’s unique storytelling style, colourful pictures by Jim Field, a wickedly humorous twist or two and this title was a huge amount of fun for me. Definitely a tale that I’ll be revisiting again, perhaps with my nephews, although I do wonder if they’ll appreciate it on as many levels as me. Great fun.

5+: Yuck! What's that Smell? - Anja Boretzki

Release Date: 04/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

Puppy is trying to take a nice walk but - yuck! What is that disgusting smell? Is it mouse's mouldy cheese, or rabbit's revolting rubbish? Perhaps there is a way for Puppy to get his smelly revenge . . . Scratch the page and sniff the hilariously horrible odour to get really involved in the story!


REVIEW:

OK, yes to some this title may be a little childish, but hey, what can I say, I’m still 5 at heart with a father who is exactly the same and let’s face it, when you’re that old, body functions are hilarious. What this book from Anja does is take the reader on a journey with dog who encounters all sorts of awful smells which has a childlike payoff at the end. Add to this the unique “scratch and sniff” option at the end and it will heavily appeal to anyone with a similar sense of humour to mine.

Add to this colourful pictures in this card format title and it’s a book that can be enjoyed quite a few times. Although lets be honest here, the child is going to be getting everyone to sniff the unpleasant scent at the end. All in, for me, this is an ideal present for a “grandparent” with a silly sense of humour as they will enjoy sharing this with the grandchildren (in this case my dad with my nephews) as this title is hugely enjoyable and was great fun to read. I just hope that my nephews parents feel the same way when “Grandad” surprises everyone. LOL

9+: Max Cassidy 2: Jaws of Death - Paul Adam

Release Date: 04/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

His father is missing presumed dead and his mother is serving a twenty-year sentence for his murder, but teenage escapologist Max Cassidy is certain everybody is wrong –

about both things . . . And now, his quest to find the truth has become very dangerous . . .

Max learns that his dad was part of a secret global organisation, the Cedar Alliance. Desperate to find him alive, he seeks help from the other members of the group. But they are scattered across the world – and then they start disappearing one by one . . .

Escapology is dangerous but not nearly as dangerous as real life . . .


REVIEW:

Having had problems with the original release the second book picks up and fixes a number of the problems. Its well written, Max is outstanding and the whole overall arc really keeps moving at its own pace as the ups and downs of Max’s search continue to help put his family back together.

All in a well thought out and planned title and one that really did entertain me. Add to this that I’d heartily recommend the series to any young reader with an interest in high adventure and it’s one that will generate more than a few quiet moments on those holidays.

5+: Alien: An Owners Guide - Jonathan Emmett

Release Date: 05/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

If you have made the brave decision to own your very own alien, then brace yourself for an experience that is out of this world! This extra-terrestrial guide contains all you need to know about caring for your energetic, alien life form. With helpful hints and tips on how to pick the perfect egg and cope with cocoons and hazardous toilet habits (alien pee is acidic!). But watch out! Aliens are intelligent, they develop fast and may wish to return home. And if you're not very careful, they may take you with them ...This is an another superbly funny spoof user guide with an intergalactic twist. It is from the creators of Monsters: An Owner's Guide .


REVIEW:

As a reader of multiple picture books, one that I really remember well was the original, Monster: An Owners Guide, now his trademark humour and novel manual has come to the attention of the Alien and delivers as well as its predecessor. It’s colourful, its beautifully illustrated and when backed up with a great sense of fun in its delivery really made this a title to cheer up the reader as well as amuse them.

Add to this a whole host of different actions within the images as well as alien translations to make and it was a title that I really had trouble putting down and can see it being demanded time and again. My only real problem at the moment is deciding which Nephew this one will go to. Perhaps I’ll keep it easy and let their grandparents have it as a special treat for all to enjoy, especially when I know a certain Grandad will get just as much of a kick out of this as them.

8+: Flight to Dragon Isle - Lucinda Hare

Release Date: 04/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

A brutal war against the united hobgoblin tribes rages, and Quenelda longs to accompany her hero Dragon Lord father into battle. But when the elite Stealth Dragon Services is ambushed and defeated - due to the dark treachery of the Grand Master - and her father is presumed dead, the Seven Sea Kingdoms are thrown into turmoil. Evil plots swirl - with even Quenelda's own beloved dragon in mortal danger - but Quenelda finds a magical, secret solace at the heart of the fabled fortress Dragon Isle. Can she use her new powers to set the tide of victory turning against the hobgoblins?


REVIEW:

Having loved the original novel by Lucinda I really couldn’t wait to get reacquainted with Root and Quenelda as their adventures continue against the evil behind the scenes, the Grand Master, former friend of Quenelda’s father Earl Rufus De Winter.

Whilst the first book set the scene, this one gets down to the bare bones of the matter at hand and like the Empire Strikes Back, it’s a lot darker than the first as there’s a lot of death as well as devastation and it looks overall like the Grand Master who would be King is all set to become the Emperor of all he surveys. Add to this a good number of twists, some very bleak outcomes backed up with one ember of light that will need the best efforts of everyone to ensure that the fire of righteousness takes light.

All in this title was a scary and thoroughly enjoyable read despite the darker aspect and one that I feel shows quite clearly that not every world is sweetness and light with the heroes not winning every battle. Its cleverly written, the cast addictive and when backed with stooges (the Hobgoblins and Quenelda’s Brother) as well as Patsies (Quenelda’s Brother again) it’s one that really will keep the reader demanding the third instalment. A cracking read although you may want to read through it with your own hatchling due to some of the subject matter.

NEWS: Jonathan Stroud Bartiameus Missing Chapter

Hail Mighty Readers,
We've had a hot tip from our Spy's at Doubleday. Today, Jonathan Stroud on his Facebook page, has a lost chapter from the Fourth Bartimaeus title (Ring of Solomon.) Sign up to see this secret chapter.

All the best,


Tatty

TEEN: The Beauchamp Family 1: Witches of the East End - Melissa De La Cruz

Release Date: 04/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

It's September in the fictional Hamptons town of East End, a self-contained community that seems to be stuck in time. A fantasy world, East End is torn apart by a rivalry between the resident warlocks and witches. Witches of East End follows the Beauchamp girls - Joanna, Freya and Ingrid - after their arrival in East End. Everything seems to be going smoothly until a young girl turns up dead. One by one, the town's residents being disappearing and everyone seems to have the same suspects in mind: the Beauchamp girls...


REVIEW:

This is a bit of an unusual title for us as its partly a teen title and yet in other forms a very adult story, the cast however is definitely intriguing and as their foibles as well as characters are drip fed to the reader, you start to understand the world in which they inhabit as well as the events that have shaped their lives alongside their characters.

Its engaging, it’s definitely interesting but to be honest this title feels more like an introduction to the series rather than a batten down the hatches for a real hell storm that’s about to be unleashed. It has some nice touches, Melissa has learned well from her young adult titles and all in the overall arc will keep the reader interesting right up to the fairly rushed ending. The only thing that I can hope is that with a lot of the scene setting as well as character background done here perhaps we can get more to the nitty-gritty and meat of the tale in the next outing.

Definitely one to watch however although you may wish to hang fire until the second title is almost here so that you can get a double spell of trouble in one deft swoop as well as getting something, we hope is going to spellbind the reader for future releases.

8+: Kung Fu Panda 2012 Annual

Release Date: 04/08/11

BOOK BLURB:

When Po and the Furious Five rush to the aid of Gongmen City, they hear that the evil Shen has a weapon that cannot be destroyed by kung fu. They'll have to work out how to stop him, but in the meantime Po has to confront the truth about his past...Join the panda-monium with Po and the gang in their brand-new adventure with this fantastic annual. This amazing book is the perfect gift for all Kung Fu Panda fans: packed full of fun-tastic facts, character profiles and activities. It is totally awesome.


REVIEW:

Let’s just say that when this landed Carl Douglas had nothing on me as I ripped open the envelope. As you’d expect from an annual its full of puzzles, of short excerpts from the film and of course brightly coloured pictures that any 8 year old is going to love from start to finish. It’s a beautifully constructed Annual and one that will keep your child occupied for hours on those long holiday journeys, especially if they’re already a fan of Po and the gang. All in this definitely occupied my time as I read through the pages and solved the puzzles and whilst I have nephews already biting at the bit for it, I’m saving it for a time when they’ll most appreciate it, perhaps their 30th Birthdays. LOL