Category: Recommended Age

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig Reviewed by Farrah

The Thirteen Child is a spellbinding, enchanting stand-alone fairy tale retelling that follows Hazel Trépas, a young healer with an inextricable connection to the gods.

Before Hazel is born, her parents promise her to one of the gods – the Dreaded End, god of Death. However, it is over a decade before her godfather comes to collect her, and Hazel spends the first years of her life as a neglected and disregarded thirteenth child.

When the Dreaded End finally does come to collect her, he has planned out Hazel’s entire, long life. She will become a celebrated healer, known kingdom wide for her skill and success rate. To aid her, her godfather has blessed her with the gift of seeing precisely the cure for every person whose sick bed she attends, but also saddled her with the curse of knowing when death has laid claim on a patient, and saving their life is not an option.

The path her godfather has pushed her onto sends Hazel across the kingdom, towards the capital and the palace itself, for she is the only one who can save the life of the king.

There, she is caught in the crossfire of oncoming war, politics, entitled royals and moral dilemmas.

Hazel must grapple with the weight of her gift and responsibility, beginning by deciding whether or not she goes against all she has been taught and saves the king marked to die.

The Thirteenth Child is a wonderful, enchanting novel, that captures you from its very first pages. Despite it being around 500 pages long, I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in only two days.

The reader follows Hazel as she grows up, learning alongside her, and sharing in her joys and miseries. She is a character who will stay with you after you close the book, inspired by her courage, fierce integrity and real, tangible humanness.

Hazel is a character who will stay with you after you close the book, inspired by her courage, fierce integrity and real, tangible humanness.

Farrah

The world Craig has created is vast and fantastical but also easily digestible, and one so vivid that you will feel fully immersed in it. In particular, the royal court that Hazel is plunged into is as vibrant and exciting as it is unnerving. Overall, if you enjoy fantasy stories, with an eclectic, striking cast of characters, a pantheon of gods with clashing agendas and questionable regard for human life, moral complexities and a delicious love story, this is the book for you.

‘The Super Sunny Murder Club’ Edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens and Illustrated by Harry Woodgate

Reviewed by Aysha

‘The Super Sunny Murder Club’ Edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens and Illustrated by Harry Woodgate

‘The Super Sunny Murder Club’ is a wonderful collection of short stories written by outstanding authors including Robin Stevens, Abiola Bello, Maisie Chan, Benjamin Dean, Roopa Farooki, Sharna Jackson, Patrice Lawrence, Elle McNicoll, E.L Norry, Serena Patel, Annabelle Sami, Dominique Valente and Nizrana Farook. We can’t forget the perfect illustrations throughout the book and the cover by Harry Woodgate. 

This book is a great book for people who love murder mysteries and also a little bit of fun! My favourite short stories in this collection were from Elle McNicoll and Maisie Chan. In Elle McNicoll’s short story, called ‘Say i Dunnit’, when her cousin nearly gets killed at her own wedding by a falling chandelier, Briar takes it upon herself to figure out who is responsible. In Maisie Chan’s ‘The Treetop Trials’ two siblings go on holiday to a caravan park and when someone dies in the new treetop trials, they realise they have a mystery to solve. 

I loved reading this book as every time I read a new chapter, I got a whole new and exciting story to captivate me. 

I would definitely recommend this book as a Christmas gift this year for a fond reader who wants to try a different approach to reading and for reluctant readers who like short exciting stories. 

The Beanstalk Murder: A Giant-sized Murder Mystery by P.G. Bell reviewed by Aysha aged 14

Anwen, a meadow-witch, witnesses a Giant falling from the sky and destroying her village of Old Stump completely. When she discovers that he was Giant royalty, she’s determined to figure out who murdered him. With her Grandma’s magic, Anwen and her Cerys, her trainee sorceress, are transported by a beanstalk to the Giant’s Land. They use the fact they are small to sneak around the palace in order to discover who the murderer is.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept me guessing until the end.

My favourite person in the story is definitely Anwen, because I love her character and how she has this thrill for investigating and searching for the answers. I really enjoyed reading this book, it kept me guessing until the end.

I would recommend this book for ages 9+.

Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine by Claire Fayers, reviewed by Niamh (11)

Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine is a thrilling adventure through space by Claire Fayers, who’s best known for the Accidental Pirates book series. It is illustrated by the brilliant Becka Moor who has drawn some of my favourite books like the Mickey and the Animal Spies trilogy and the Libby series. 

The story features Tapper, a boy from the planet Eris who has been sent to space by his uncle. He is accompanied by Argo and Belladonna who are there to look after him. On an unplanned trip to Earth, they meet Fern Shakespeare, her dad and a talking plant called Morse. 

“It’s so imaginative and funny. I absolutely adored how Claire Fayers created so many planets in this book, and who wouldn’t love a book with lobster mobsters and talking plants?!”

Niamh (11)

When Mr Shakespeare loses his memory, Tapper and the others must travel to outer space on an adventure to find the mysterious Nemo Machine to restore his memory, but it isn’t easy doing so when you’re being chased by two lobster mobsters armed with ray guns that turn you into stone!  

Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine is a brilliant, unique story full of twists and non-stop excitement. I love this book because it’s so imaginative and funny. I absolutely adored how Claire Fayers created so many planets in this book, and who wouldn’t love a book with lobster mobsters and talking plants?!

I particularly enjoyed the exciting chase scenes through space, my heart was pounding I was so excited reading it! I also liked the Greek Mythology names (e.g Scylla) and references. 

This book is ideal for people who love space adventures, imaginative characters and thrilling twists! 

Perfect for fans of: The Peanut Jones series by Rob Biddulph. 

The Girl Who Broke The Sea by A. Connors, reviewed by Farrah (16)

Lily, who has deep-rooted emotional problems, has an outburst which leads to expulsion from her school. In a desperate attempt at helping Lily and saving their family, her mother accepts a research job on a deep sea, mining rig (Deephaven), with Lily in tow.

The setting of Deephaven was unlike anything I have ever read before. It was an incredible backdrop for this story, providing a creepy, stark surrounding, to amplify the tensions and conflicts, as well as Lily’s internal battles.

Farrah (16)

Initially Lily feels just as unbalanced and isolated there as she did topside, but as the story unfolds, and she discovers more about her surroundings (and the suspicious nature of certain events), Lily gradually grows and adapts to her new-found environment. She begins investigating the death of a scientist on the rig, suspecting that his death is not all it seems, and discovers many enlightening things. With a blossoming friendship under her belt, Lily goes on a multitude of deep-sea exploits, ending up in several death-defying circumstances, as she attempts to untangle a web of mysteries, lies, and fascinating scientific discoveries. 

The setting of Deephaven was unlike anything I have ever read before. It was an incredible backdrop for this story, providing a creepy, stark surrounding, to amplify the tensions and conflicts, as well as Lily’s internal battles. The worldbuilding was expertly crafted, and you will be able vividly picture all of the action in your mind’s eye. 

Lily is a compelling main character, whose growth you root for, as you follow along with her identity- asserting journey. This fast-paced sci-fi thriller will have you enthralled, and on the edge of your seat, as you venture to the depths of the sea, with both villainous and courageous characters alike. 

I would recommend this novel to fans of ensnaring mysteries, as well as lovers of sci-fi and anything that will question and engage your mind. 

The Octopus, Dadu and Me by Lucy Ann Unwin, reviewed by Niamh (10)

The Octopus, Dadu and Me is the heart-warming debut book from Lucy Ann Unwin. 

Sashi is left completely heartbroken when her parents tell her she can no longer visit her beloved grandfather, Dadu, because of his dementia. Instead of visiting Dadu in the care home, her parents start taking her to the local aquarium to take her mind off things and that’s when she meets Ian… an octopus who longs to escape. 

I really like this book because it’s extremely unique and a great insight into octopuses and dementia.

Niamh (aged 10)

With the help of her friends, Darcie and Hassan, they come up with a plan to break Ian out of his aquarium prison. 

It has loads of fascinating octopus facts and fun cartoon illustrations throughout the book, drawn by Lucy Mulligan. Did you know that octopuses can squeeze through spaces smaller than their eyeball?!

My favourite parts of the book were Sashi’s special memories with her Dadu and about what it’s like to have someone so close to you who doesn’t even remember you because of dementia.

I really like this book because it’s extremely unique and a great insight into octopuses and dementia. I found out lots of facts about both in a fun and engaging way, at the same time that Sashi and her friends are trying to work out how to sneak an octopus out of the aquarium without anyone noticing!

I would recommend this book especially to anyone whose families have experienced dementia, as there are not many books that deal with this subject well or even at all. It’s also perfect for people who like adventurous stories. I look forward to more books from Lucy!

Perfect for fans of: Keep Dancing, Lizzy Chu by Maisie Chan, and Me and My Dad at the End of the Rainbow.

Unraveller by Frances Hardinge, reviewed by Farrah (16)

Unraveller is a vivid and delightful fantasy novel, which had me gripped from the very first chapter. Featuring Kellen, an unraveller of curses, and Nettle, an individual whose curse was unravelled by Kellen, we follow these characters as they are joined by unlikely allies in a journey to uncover the conspiracy surrounding a band of fugitive cursers. Along the way they travel through the alluring and vibrantly depicted locations of Mizzleport, the Shallow and the Deep Wilds.

It will certainly go down as one of my favourite stories of the year.

Farrah (16)

Covering a variety of topics in this expertly crafted fantasy, this is a book which you will find yourself unable to put down. I loved the vast cast of characters, and the incredible set-up of this fantastical world and its ‘magic system’. From the fearsome creatures inhabiting the Wilds, to the victims of strange curses and their seemingly formidable cursers, these are characters who’s escapades are a joy to read. Nettle’s quiet compassion and Kellen’s vivacious lust for adventure (and often the danger that accompanies it) are enchantingly written.

Lover of the fantasy genre or not, the lyrical writing and engaging characters will entice you in from the get-go. I would highly recommend this book to a large variety of age groups, and it will certainly go down as one of my favourite stories of the year.

Leonora Bolt by Lucy Brandt, reviewed by Caitlin (7)

This book is really good and it has lots of mysteries. 

Leonora Bolt and her friend Jack go on an exciting adventure with Millie the cook. With lots of unexpected happenings.

Some bits were very funny and some bits were a little scary (but in an exciting way.)

Caitlin (7)

Leonora is a kind girl who is a secret inventor. But she does not know what the mainland looks like because she is stuck on an island, called Crabby Island, in the middle of nowhere with her horrible Uncle. Leonora Bolt also has a little sea otter Twitchy as her pet. And he helps her with her mission. 

The book was amazing, and some bits were very funny and some bits were a little scary (but in an exciting way). 

There is a cliff hanger and I think it is really cool that there is a mystery to be solved. I want to read the next one. And I loved the funny ferry timetable.

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter, reviewed by Riley (12)

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh, by Helen Rutter, is a touching story about a young boy called Billy Plimpton, who has a stammer.

Heart warming but also hilariously funny!

Riley (12)

He dreams of becoming a famous stand-up comedian, but first he has to overcome the many complications that come with his stammer.

This book is not only heart warming but also hilariously funny!

It is a perfect mixture of warmth and humour. And you don’t just have to take my word for it, as it has received great reviews, including one from Jacqueline Wilson herself!

I highly recommend that you read this book, or purchase it as a gift for a loved one. It can be enjoyed by anyone from age 11 to adult!

The Thief Who Sang Storms by Sophie Anderson, Reviewed by Aysha (11)

The Thief Who Sang Storms is a great book written by Sophie Anderson. 

It contains magic, creativity, teamwork and most of all love (but not the romance kind).

I love how this book has lots of flashbacks so you can understand the back story too

Aysha (11)

It’s all about a bird girl called Linnet and her Island of Morovia, which is now divided into areas where humans live and a swamp area where all the bird people now reside, after something drastic happened. 

The bird people formed a group called the Unity Movement who have been trying to take down Captain Ilya who separated the bird people from humans for ‘safety’ after what happened. When Linnet’s father, Nightingale, gets caught by the bogatyrs (Captain IIya’s troops), Linnet realises she needs to do something. 

She teams up with humans to help stop this nonsense, but can she do it?

I love how this book has lots of flashbacks so you can understand the back story too.