Book Review: The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson My rating: 5 of 5 stars This was a truly wonderful book with themes of grief, faith and friendship. I found Marinka to be such a strong character with a fierce determination of spirit. Her conviction that things could be different was admirable and her loyalty to …

Book Review: Animal Lovers by Rob Palk

Animal Lovers by Rob Palk My rating: 4 of 5 stars Not my usual genre but I really enjoyed this book. I found all the characters really interesting and enjoyed their interactions. Rob Palk's writing is quick and punch and manages to pull Stuart up from what could be a sad and desperate character to …

Book Review: The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant

The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant My rating: 5 of 5 stars A highly enjoyable adventure story which highlights friendship, trust and the importance of having someone care for you. With vivid descriptions of the beautiful Scottish Landscape (which of course is the best in the world and I'm unbiased obviously) this lovely …

Book Review: Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe by Madeline Miller My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was delighted to receive an advanced reading copy of this beautiful book from Bloomsbury as I had no previous knowledge of the Goddess Circe and had heard great things about the author’s previous book ‘The Song of Achilles’.I can genuinely say I wasn’t disappointed …

Book Review: Spark by Alice Broadway

Spark by Alice Broadway My rating: 5 of 5 stars Not only is Spark one of the prettiest books you'll see this year but it's also a cracking read! This sequel to Ink by Alice Broadway is every bit as outstanding as her debut novel covering issues such as segregation, fear and sense of belonging. …

Finding the Uncommon in the Common

The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Crooked Sixpence is Book 1 of The Uncommoners series from Jennifer Bell and sits in the 9-12 years kids section with a stunningly beautiful cover with art by Karl James Mountford. I received the arc of the second in the series so …

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell My rating: 4 of 5 stars I've always felt that Cressida Cowell was an excellent children's author and was eagerly anticipating this first in a new series from her. I received an advanced copy through work and dove in. This book has two main characters; a warrior princess …

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received an advanced reading copy of this book at work and was so pleased about it!! I love Victoria Schwab's writing and was waiting impatiently for this concluding title to the Monsters of Verity duology. It was well worth the wait. Watching …

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk My rating: 4 of 5 stars I absolutely adored this book. The three main characters were exceptionally written and the setting so vivid that it reminded me of my own childhood growing up on an island (albeit one that was in no way as remote or barren as …

Lost For Words by Stephanie Butland My rating: 5 of 5 stars I powered through this book and enjoyed it immensely. As I've said in many reviews before I am a bookseller so it goes without saying that I love reading novels set in or around bookshops. But it wasn't the bookshop setting that captured …

Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb My rating: 4 of 5 stars Dragon Haven is the second book in the Rain Wild Chronicles and I found it an excellent sequel, even better than the first in the series. This book concentrates on the journey to try and discover Kelsringa focusing on a small group of characters …

Book Review: The Legend of Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood

Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood My rating: 4 of 5 stars I read this book in preparation for it being the June 2017 Waterstones Children's Book of the Month and I am so glad I did as it was really wonderful. A 9-12 years fantasy tale that was exciting and fun and fast paced, The …