Release Date: 27/09/12
Book Blurb:
My name is Slither, and before my tale is finished, you'll find out why...Slither is not human. Far from the Spook-protected County, he preys upon humans, sneaking into their homes to gorge upon their blood while they sleep. When a local farmer dies, it's only natural that Slither should want to feast on his lovely daughters. But the farmer has offered him a trade: in return for taking the younger girls to safety, Slither can have the eldest daughter, Nessa, to do with as he wishes...Slither's promise takes him and Nessa on a treacherous journey where enemies await at every turn. Enemies that include Grimalkin, the terrifying witch assassin, still searching for a way to destroy the Fiend for good. The latest instalment of the "Wardstone Chronicles", the series that inspired the forthcoming movie "The Seventh Son", starring Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes and Julianne Moore.
Review:
A whole new tale in the world of the Spooks and one that was not only refreshing but one that I had a lot of fun with. Whilst our usual heroes didn’t raise their heads in this title, an old friend does and through her we get to see a world far to the north of the County in a new light as things that go bump and how they’re handled differs.
It’s a very cunning tale, wonderfully written with a whole rich new myth set for the author to play with. Add to this a lead antihero character that seeks to do right by a bargain as well as maintaining his own standard of honour and it’s a tale that really does keep you glued from start to finish. Add to the mix cracking prose, a great understanding of pace and of course enough action to keep you more than happy. Great stuff all in.
Release Date: 01/09/11
BOOK BLURB:
'I am Grimalkin, and I have already chosen those I will kill...' Grimalkin has made it her lifetime ambition to destroy the Fiend, avenging the brutal murder of her son. Having grudgingly joined forces with the Spook and his apprentice, Tom, and assisted them in the binding of the Fiend, she is now on the run. And her mission is deadly. She has to help them bind the Fiend's spirit for ever no matter who - or what - comes after it ...This latest chilling instalment in the "Wardstone Chronicles" follows Grimalkin, the terrifying witch assassin, feared wherever she is known.
REVIEW:
The latest book in the Spooks series and the first that has the tale told by another character, in this case Grimalkin the infamous witch assassin who fights against the fiends cronies who seek to reunite his head with his body. It’s cleverly written and the reader gets a real sense of the body count that is going to be coming in the final few instalments and sadly it appears that not everyone is going to survive.
As with the other stories its wonderfully written, the cast is delightful (and freakishly scary where they have to be) and when you add to the mix local knowledge of the area’s where the battles play out, the reader is in for a real treat. Finally add to this cracking prose and pace as well as a dark foreboding history and the reader has a real treat in store. Cracking.
Release Date: 26/06/11
BOOK BLURB:
WARNING: NOT TO BE READ AFTER DARK
'You belong to the blade now. You'll belong to it until the day you die . . .'
The Spook, Tom and Alice travel to Ireland, fleeing from the war in the County. There, Tom must tackle a group of evil mages who are desperate to rid their land of the Spook and his apprentice, and to increase their own dark powers.
His dangerous mission against the mages leads Tom to the Destiny Blade - a sword with a dark side, and a thirst for blood . . . Will this new weapon give him a fighting chance against the Fiend?
If he's to survive, he'll need training, and only one person can help - Grimalkin, the witch assassin. The dark against the dark . . .
The eighth volume in the terrifying Wardstone Chronicles. Read on if you dare . . .
REVIEW:
I’ve been a huge fan of Joseph’s series for quite some time now and it’s been a long wait in-between titles (or at least it’s felt like it.) So what has Ireland had in store for our daring trio who escaped the war in the County? Well in short, more danger, ancient heroes and of course deities set on revenge commandeered by those with associations with the Dark. As usual it’s gripping, the characters fun to be around and when you add a wonderful sense of dread that burns its way into your imagination (in much the way that the Fiend burns hoof prints into wood floors) it’s a title that will stay with you for quite some time.
All in this is a cracking series and for anyone from the “County” (Lancashire) then it’s definitely a series that will have repercussions long after the final page, after all is that knocking you’re hearing the water pipes or is it a boggart. Great stuff.
Release Date: 07/04/11
BOOK BLURB:
A chilling, beautiful debut novel inspired by a haunting folk song about murder, witchcraft and revenge. Beware of Long Lankin, that lives in the moss ...When Cora and her little sister Mimi are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Bryers Guerdon, they receive a less than warm welcome, and are desperate to go back to London. But Auntie Ida's life was devastated the last time two young girls were at Guerdon Hall, and now her nieces' arrival has reawoken an evil that has lain waiting for years. A haunting voice in an empty room ...A strange, scarred man lurking in the graveyard ...A mysterious warning, scrawled on the walls of the abandoned church ...Along with Roger and Peter, two young village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries - before it is too late for Mimi. Intensely atmospheric and truly compelling, this is a stunning debut.
REVIEW:
If you like a horror story, with a supernatural twist and one that’s set in the fifties then you really have to get your hands on this debut title by Lindsey Barraclough. It’s well written, the characters are not only fascinating but also intriguing with hooks that will allow the reader to associate and with a tale told from multiple points of view it gives the reader the chance to know all of them pretty well in order to understand their motives and driving goals.
All in its pretty accomplished and a great start to a writing career that will be interesting to see how it develops. Back that up with an addictive writing style alongside a huge plot based around the traditional English Song Lamkin which is not only haunting but a wonderful touch to build upon. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see what Lindsey will create next and with this sort of debut, will be an author who moves directly up my TBR list every time a new title is released.
Release Date: 04/03/10
BOOK BLURB:
Mum is ill and Dad has to go to work, so Lily will have to go to Melanie's house for the day. Dad says she'll have lots of fun, but there's a problem: Lily doesn't want to go! Join Lily as she braves Melanie's house, and realises that doing new things needn't be scary after all.
REVIEW:
I remember Dogger from my childhood and when I discovered that this had been released last year thought that I’d best get my skates on and obtain a copy. What you get with a title by Shirley is a story that has a very homey and realistic feel which is backed with some delightfully realistic artwork. It has a wonderful lead character, an everyday adventure and a child that all of us can associate with regardless of our age. That’s the key with Shirley’s titles, they appeal to adults as well as children and above all else they really will stay with you years later which makes this a wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Release Date: 07/10/10
BOOK BLURB:
This is a companion title to the phenomenally successful Spook's Apprentice Series . Discover how to bind a boggart and deal with a dead witch in this fascinating and lavishly illustrated Spook's own 'notebook'. This is a must for die-hard fans of the series and an irresistible introduction to the Dark and the dangerous for new recruits. 'My name is John Gregory. What follows is my Bestiary - my personal account of the denizens of the dark I've encountered, together with the lessons I have learned and the mistakes I have made. I have held nothing back, and my hope is that the spook who follows me will continue to keep this record of the practical ways in which we deal with the dark'.
REVIEW:
I’m going to admit straight away that I’ve only read Spooks Stories: Witches and now that I’ve been looking at this title feel that I really should be getting the other storiesin the series as this “guide” is beautifully put together.
Drawing from a rich heritage of county folklore, Joseph’s offering could be quite easily adapted for a guide for adults into the area’s old wives tales. It’s definitely creative, it brings creatures to the fore and above all else it’s a title that is easy to dip into. All in a great offering but when backed by Julek Hellers artwork takes this from a good book to a substantially unmissable title. The only change that I’d have made to this personally would have been to include a map with the creature attacks being recorded in easy reference. Even missing this its still a ton of fun and a novel that makes me wish that I had the rest of the series to enjoy now.
