Release Date: 03/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Enroll in Monster High with this fab journal featuring a foil cover and ribbon book mark! All your favorite Monster High characters prompt you to share your dreams, fashion sketches and more, while offering royal beauty secrets, scary-cool inspirations, drop-dead gorgeous fashion tips and even some freaky-fabulous DIY projects!
REVIEW:
Whilst a woman’s best friend is apparently diamonds, a girl’s best friend is her diary so why get them something ordinary when you can get something that is totally “voltage” that they’ll love to use, have fun writing in and of course allows them to keep up with their friends from Monster High.
This item is an absolutely great thing, its sparkly, has loads in it to occupy the owner and of course has plenty of space for them to write their thoughts in when they wish to. It’s great value, makes a cracking Halloween (or even a Christmas gift) and will be something that will be enjoyed for a lot longer than a number of toys. All in a decent present and currently there is nothing else like it on the market, definitely something for the budding writer and in some cases the adult who likes to stay young (Editor Note: and yes LE does also own a Draculaura. LOL)
Release Date: 03/02/11
BOOK BLURB:
April Dunne is not impressed. She's had to move from Edinburgh to Highgate, London, with her parents. She's left her friends - and her entire life - behind. She has to start at a new school and, worst of all, now she's stuck in a creepy old dump of a house which doesn't even have proper mobile phone reception. Ravenwood, her new school, is a prestigious academy for gifted (financially or academically) students - and the only place her parents could find her a place, in the middle of term, in the middle of London, on incredibly short notice. So she's stuck with the super-rich, and the super-smart . . . and trying to fit in is when the rest of the students seem to be more glamorous, smarter, or more talented than she is, is more than tough. It's intimidating and isolating, even when she finds a friend in the conspiracy-theorist Caro Jackson - and perhaps finds something more than friendship in the gorgeous, mysterious Gabriel Swift. But there's more going on at Ravenwood than meets the eye. Practical jokes on new students are normal, but when Gabriel saves her from . . . something . . . . in the Highgate Cemetery, and then she discovers that a murder took place, just yards away from where she had been standing, April has to wonder if something more sinister is going on. . . . and whether or not she's going to live through it . . .
REVIEW:
To be honest I missed out on this one until I had the second title land and requested the original as I hate to jump into a series if I can read the preluding books. What this title by husband and wife team Tasmina and John Perry, does is give the reader a story that whilst it starts slow allows the reader to get a firm grip on the lead character in order to be able to associate the strange world into which she’s thrust through her eyes.
Add to this some very nice descriptive pieces, a setting that you can walk through mentally and of course a plot line that will grasp the reader within its palm to guide them to where the author wishes them to travel. All in it was a story that I enjoyed reading, I loved the twists and I hope to see more from this couple as they work very well together.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Highgate When April's family moved to the sleepy North London village of Highgate, everyone told her it was the start of an amazing new life. They didn't know the half of it. Weeks later, her father was the latest in a series of brutal killings, someone has tried to kill her, and now her boyfriend, Gabriel, is dying too ...Murder April couldn't save her father, but there's just a chance she can save Gabriel. There's an ancient recipe, hidden in a forbidden book, which holds the cure. All April has to do is find it. Somehow. Vampires But she has to keep a low profile. In a school full of vampires, where one of their own has been killed, they're beginning to suspect they have a Fury in their midst. April's blood might be deadly to vampires, but even that won't save her if they figure out who she is. Time is short, the stakes are high, and surviving school has never been so tough ...
REVIEW:
This is the second title in the Ravenwood Mystery and whilst the original guided you into the world, this one really doesn’t lt up from the first page to the last. The action within comes thick and fast, the characters continue to grow and the novel changes that sets this series apart from the multitude of other vampire titles really takes this one in a direction of its own.
Add to this the seemingless blend of a writing couple that work well together, backed up with stunning prose and pace which leaves you with a title that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible until the final page is turned. Whilst at times harrowing, it’s the strength of the characters that drives the story through and the emotional turmoil to which they find themselves. A stunning series.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed...Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.
REVIEW:
The concept of this title was more than intriguing to me and whilst I liked the lead character and the first part of the story, the author seemed to lose cohesion as well as believability by the second part of the title, almost as if it had been well planned and required extending to turn it into a full novel. It does have some clever twists, some interesting notions but with the loss of cohesion alongside a mishmash of characters I soon found it hard to continue reading in any seriousness.
All in this was a great shame to be honest but with this being the first part in a trilogy it is balanced on a fine edge of either going into the realm of ridiculous or whether the author can pull it back. I’ll wait and see but if it doesn’t improve I’ll leave the third well enough alone.
Release Date: 03/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Lucy's cousin Christabel has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is hard to respect. Surely something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel starts to notice some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy, her boyfriend Nicholas and his brother Connor are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake. When Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.
REVIEW:
The Drake Chronicles has long been a series that I’ve enjoyed since I read the original title, My Love Lies Bleeding. As usual with this series the characters are the driving force and when you add the vampiric touch to the mix, it’s one that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible.
It’s clever, it has some cracking twists and the prose really helps this title move at quite a pace. The only downside to this book in the series is the cliff-hanger ending that it leaves you with that will have you screaming to the skies for the next part to land sooner rather than later. Great stuff.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
No real information.
REVIEW:
When I get the chance to bring the joy of books to the younger relative I usually jump at the chance, so this title from Campbell Books was an ideal gift to give for a nephews first Christmas, the teether is star shaped, the book attaches to the buggy and it will be quite handy to nip down to distract him when we’re out and about. Add to this the chance to let him look at bright colours and get him used to have stories will really help me get him into books in the future, in much the same way that I’ve done for my others. A great piece of fun and something that quite a few might find as an ideal gift.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
It's nearly Cedric the dragon's bedtime -- there's just time for his mum to read him his favourite book. Unfortunately for her, Cedric likes the story so much that he wants to hear it again ...and again ...and again ...with incendiary consequences! A typically clever and quite irresistable book from a star talent.
REVIEW:
Apart from Julia Donaldson, one author that I aways keep an eye out for is Emily Gravett, I love her sense of whimsy and the wonderful illustrations that back her style of storytelling as well as enjoying reading the titles time and again to my nephews who find something new to enjoy with each reading.
Add to this bright colours, full of movement illustrations as well as some wonderful twists and the reader really will get a blast (literally looking at the back cover) from this title as it goes to show that patience has its own virtues. Magical.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
The Gruffalo's Child returns with her very own song to introduce a truly monster musical session! As well as being the UK's most successful picture book author and the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson is a gifted songwriter for children. This volume contains nine of her best-loved songs, including The Gruffalo's Child, Nut Tree and The World Inside a Book, as well as a number of other fun-filled action songs, all of which have been wonderfully illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Each score includes piano accompaniment and guitar chords. The songs will be familiar to anyone who has heard them on TV or radio, or enjoyed one of Julia's hugely popular live performances. Now everyone can sing along!
REVIEW:
Coming from a musical background I’ve always wondered if some children’s books have a tune to accompany them, here, in this title by Julia Donaldson, she brings her other talent for music to the fore giving the reader a set of wonderful tunes with which to sing along and entertain at the same time as reading the story.
All in a lot of fun and a book that I know my nephews are going to love, especially when they get to bang their toy drums in time to me playing the guitar to give them the full experience. Great fun all in although you may have to look up some of the chord patterns. Other than that add to this a CD with the tracks upon them as performed by Julia and the reader really will have a lot of fun joining in.
Release Date: 07/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Belladonna Johnson has got used to having parents who are ghosts, and most of the time they're just like other parents. The only problem is, no one can see them but her. When someone catches her having a conversation with thin air, Belladonna is carted off to a foster family. But all is not as it seems - there's something very weird about her new guardians, and something even weirder about their house. Soon Belladonna and her friend Steve are forced to go on another mission to the shadowy underworld - facing more than one bloodthirsty mythical beast along the way . . .
REVIEW:
Having read and loved the first Belladonna story I really couldn’t wait to see what Helen would come up with next, what arrived with this book was a story that readers will love, it has a great lead character and one that demonstrates positive traits that help the character make her way through the current set of problems. Add to this a deeper story arc that shows that Helen has a whole host of deeper issues for Belladonna to work her way through and it’s a series that will be a deep joy to unravel with each passing title.
Lots of fun, great characters and when you and decent prose and pace which when backed with the authors own identifiable writing style makes this a series that’s hard to put down.
Release Date: 06/10/11
BOOK BLURB:
Will, there's something you should know. Something I should have told you long ago...
There are stories about the Rangers that have never been heard before and it’s time for you to hear them. Stories about your parents and how you came to be an orphan. About how a Ranger's life was saved. And about what happens next for you and your loyal friends. Are you ready to hear the truth?
REVIEW:
As a huge fan of the series I was sad to see the end of it although this final gem from author John Flanagan takes the reader on a few additional short story adventures to help fill in some gaps within the series history. It’s cleverly done and if you’ll forgive the pun, ranges across the many years of the series.
Add to this some wonderful additions that not only flesh out the world but the characters and the reader is in for a real treat on their final excursion for the moment. If you’ve got into John’s writing, look out for November and his new series Brotherband, which centres around the Skandians. Cracking.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you owe it to your friend to find him.
Horace is missing. Months have passed since he was sent on a military mission and you, Evanlyn and Alyss set out to discover what has become of your old friend.
You find him in Nihon-Ja where the rightful emperor has been overthrown. Now you must face the highly trained Senshi warriors, while Alyss and Evanlyn must overcome their rivalry to seek help from a mysterious group of mountain dwellers.
REVIEW:
The tenth book in the impressive Rangers Apprentice series and one that is a standalone title. It’s cleverly written, the characters outstanding and our young heroes are coming into their own guided by our old friend Halt who takes matters in hand.
As usual there is peril, some wonderful classic jibes as well as the demonstration of working together as they each come to the fore in their own way. Add to this some top notch combat, cracking prose and a wonderful upbeat end to the title and it’s made this a real pleasure from start to finish. Cracking fun.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you will survive this battle, but others may not be so lucky.
You are on the trail of a renegade outlaw group that escaped justice for their crimes in Clonmel, and Halt is determined to stop them before they cross the border. When danger approaches, are your extraordinary archery skills enough to save you all, or will this be your mentor’s final battle?
REVIEW:
The second part of this two part story and one that places a lead character in mortal danger, its clever, it has some great tension and when backed with the authors flamboyant writing style alongside his grasp of tactics and strong characters makes this a title that was hard to put down.
Back that up with cracking prose, some cleverly thinking and the return of an old friend with an almost Q like ability with chemicals and it’s a title that really will please as well as enthuse the reader for more. Great stuff.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Will, sometimes the past is the key to your future.
The surrounding kingdoms have fallen prey to a religious cult who are spreading confusion and rebellion. The only Kingdom that is uncorrupted is Clonmel, and it is about to fall…
It is up to you, Halt and Horace to rid the land of this dangerous enemy and restore order once again. Could secrets from Halt’s past hold the key to your success?
REVIEW:
This is the first part of a tale that takes two titles to conclude, as with the other books, the author has cleverly thought the overall arc through, the characters are continuing to grow into their roles and smarts are the order of the day backed up with tactics as well as the strength of Horace to help the characters through.
It’s a wonderful read and alongside giving the reader a real taste of another kingdom, we get to learn a bit about the past of the mysterious Halt that readers have been demanding for quite some time. Add to this some sneaky double dealing and a foe who is just as smart about turning situations to his own advantage and the reader will really enjoy a story of cat and mouse.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you’re going to a place that is unlike anywhere you have ever seen.
You have been sent on a mission to rescue the Skandian leader who has been captured by a dangerous desert tribe. Their land is beyond all your experience so far. Violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger stalk you at every turn. Can you reach the hostage before time runs out?
REVIEW:
An unusual break in the sequence for the Rangers Apprentice Series and one that chronologically appears before book five, The Sorcerer in the North. It’s a wonderful additional novel that includes our old Skandian Friend Erak as well as the crew of his ship as they sail to Araluen to help raise the funds for Erak’s Freedom.
Drawn into a scheme cooked up between a traitorous Skandian as well as the Tualaghi, Will and our friends must fight their way through a foreign land to save their friend as well as learn to survive in an unfamiliar landscape of deserts. As with the rest of the series it’s fun, it has moments of peril and the characters are coming into their own, especially as our lead hero comes to a momentous moment in his own life.
Release Date: 02/09/10
BOOK BLURB:
Will, your time is running out.
A renegade knight has captured Castle Macindaw, poisoning the royal family and is conspiring to overthrow the Kingdom.
For you, this battle is even more personal. For inside the castle, someone you love is being held hostage.
You are a Ranger now, and you must be the hero you were trained to be.
REVIEW:
The sixth title and one that continues directly after events in The Sorcerer in the North and as such has to be read after the previous. It’s clever, the characters really are coming into their own with each adding their own strengths to the overall tale helping where others are weaker.
Add to this a virtual horde of Skandian’s, some Scotti and some magical deception which overall gives the reader one serious rollercoaster ride as they await to find out the results of our heroes latest endeavours for King and Country. Great stuff.
Release Date: 06/08/09
BOOK BLURB:
Will, you are a Ranger now, protect your land at all costs.
You are a fully-fledged Ranger at last, but your new land is already under threat. The Grimsdell Forest is being haunted by eerie voices and the terrifying figure of the Night Warrior. Could this really be the work of sorcery?
As you battle growing hysteria and traitors, your lifelong friend, Alyss, is taken hostage.
Time is running short. Do you save her or stay true to your mission?
REVIEW:
Here in the fifth release by John Flanagan is a title of magic, of deceit, treachery and friendship as our heroes struggle to make their own way in the world after Will has passed Apprenticeship to become a full ranger. As usual, its great fun, the characters are outstanding and with friends from the past coming into their own with careful manipulation by players behind the scenes trying to take advantage as well as manipulate the situation which makes this a tale that’s hard to put down.
All in a whole lot of fun, characters who will grip the reader and a story/series that just gets better and better as it continues. Magical.
Release Date: 03/10/11
