News & Reviews

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller, reviewed by Tegan (16)

Alessandra is the second daughter of a wealthy man. This means that she has been overlooked her whole life. Her older sister has always been the one to go to balls and have boys fall in love with her. 

One day she convinces her father to let her attend the ball of the Shadow King. The King has never let anyone touch him however no one knows why. Alessandra is convinced she will be able to seduce and marry the king. Then, kill him in order to claim the kingdom. However, she does not take into consideration that her feelings might just get in the way. 

“I was hesitant at first when I read the blurb…however, Levenseller manages to hook the reader by keeping the suspense running all the way to the end. Overall, I loved this book.”

Tegan (16)

I was hesitant at first when I read the blurb, as it sounded like the average stereotypical enemies to lovers. However, Levenseller manages to hook the reader by keeping the suspense running all the way to the end. You learn to have mixed feelings about Alessandra but in the end, I just ended up feeling sorry for her. She thought the only way to gain her Father’s respect was to murder the king. And when she starts to develop feelings, she feels as though she cannot disclose this to him. 

Overall, I loved this book. The characters develop throughout the book in positive ways. The Shadow King learns that he can’t shut people out and Alessandra learns she can’t shut out her feelings. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a simple read and enjoys the stories of enemies to lovers. It is not for young readers however, as it does have graphic scenes and also sexual scenes. 

Friends And Traitors by Helen Peters, reviewed by Emily (13)

Helen Peter’s novel, Friends and Traitors, is a thrilling and fast-paced story which kept me turning the pages from start to finish.

“Who will listen to a servant and a schoolgirl with an overactive imagination?…I found this story incredibly engaging. The plot was full of twists and turns as their adventure develops.”

Emily (13)

Set during World War Two in the 1940s, the main character is a teenage evacuee called Sydney whose boarding school is evacuated to a large stately house in the countryside.  Sydney is a loner and makes friends with a maid called Nancy and together they unwittingly uncover a secret Nazi plan which would threaten the security of Britain and their chances of winning the war.  But who will listen to a servant and a schoolgirl with an overactive imagination?  And will the girls succeed in alerting the authorities to the revealed traitors top secret plot?

I found this story incredibly engaging. The plot was full of twists and turns as their adventure develops.  I would recommend this book for 10-year-olds and up particularly if you enjoy war and mystery stories.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, reviewed by Oliver (10)

The Hunger Games is a marvellous book written by Suzanne Collins.  This book is such a thrilling page turner  – I couldn’t put it down.  The intense storyline was so engaging I actually felt I was there with the main characters.

“I actually felt I was there with the main characters.”

Oliver, 10

Once a year the capital city of Panem holds a Hunger Games where 12 unfortunate boys and girls fight to their death.  Katniss Everdeen (a sixteen-year-old) steps forward to save her little sister from competing.  Not knowing what was coming, the selected warriors would have to survive in a created arena watched by millions until one survivor was left.  Will Katniss win, or die fighting? 

This book is full of pace and heart-stopping scenarios. Its futuristic theme keeps the reader on their toes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and feel that it is a suitable read for children aged 10 and up.*

*Book Nook note – The Hunger Games is generally recommended for children 14+

A Game of Life or Death by Triona Campbell, reviewed by Tegan (16)

Asha Kennedy is sixteen when she finds her older sister, Maya, dead in their apartment. They both grew up in the social services due to having no parents anymore and now Asha has to avoid them all over again.

Triona Campbell created a whole new world in a short book in immense detail and vivid colour.

Tegan (16)

Asha soon realises that Maya was hiding some deep secrets about her job, working at a gaming company called Zu Tech as a lead coder. Asha decides that she must leave her old life in order to infiltrate the newest video game that is being launched, ‘Shackles’. The deeper she goes however, the more sinister the secrets become.

Triona Campbell created a whole new world in a short book in immense detail and vivid colour. There are a limited number of characters, giving more chance to really develop their personalities. Asha grows as a person over the story and really comes into her own. 

I really enjoyed this book. It’s like a mix of Ready Player One and a murder mystery. I would recommend it for any avid reader. Specifically however, for readers who don’t mind next to no action until the end of a story. But I would happily read it again.

Dead Lock by Simon Fox, reviewed by Oliver (10)

Simon Fox has produced an outstanding book called Dead Lock.  After reading the first chapter, I was hooked or should I say “locked in!” 

Every chapter ended with a cliff hanger and I couldn’t put it down or wait to turn the next page.  Simon Fox’s storyline was so gripping – I felt I was with Archie on his thrilling adventure throughout the story.  If you are a fan of Alex Rider, then you are sure to love this!

“If you are a fan of Alex Rider, then you are sure to love this!”

Oliver (10)

Archie Blake and his dad share a useful skill – they can pick locks. After the loss of his mother, together he and his father have lock picking competitions to see who can pick a lock the fastest. His dad is a policeman and he works for the art crimes department.  Archie’s whole world falls apart when his dad is arrested for the theft of a diamond necklace. 

Archie decides to go on the run and to prove his father is innocent – but he only has 48 hours to do so. His only option is to go to the safe house where he meets a girl called Bunny who helps him with his quest. Together they fall deeper into the twists and turns of jewel heists and police corruption.  Maybe his dad wasn’t as innocent as he thought?

I think this book would be a great read for 9 to 12 year olds.  Packed with thrills and dangerous feats I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down!

Launching our Summer Book Club!

Join us for a reading adventure this summer, with weekly book clubs! Each week we’ll explore a different story together in a small group.

Tickets are £7, but include the week’s book and a biscuit!

We’ll be alternating age groups to give all our young readers a chance to take part and discover new favourite books!

  • Book Clubs for 9-12s will be held on Tuesdays 25th July, 8th August and 22nd August.
  • Book Clubs for 7-9s will be help on Tuesdays 1st, 15th and 29th August.

Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. You can book here:

Please also check out our events page for our *free* summer event programme!

Fablehouse by E.L.Norry, reviewed by Niamh (10)

Fablehouse is a brand-new gripping middle-grade series by E.L. Norry. She’s already known for writing fantastic stories that tell the untold tales of black children in history and her first book, Son of the Circus, was previously shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards. 

Set in a children’s home for ‘Brown Babies’, mixed-race children born to black US army soldiers and white British mothers after the Second World War, the story follows Heather and her friends as they fight evil fae and stop everyone living in Fablehouse from being replaced by changelings.  

Fablehouse draws on E.L. Norry’s own personal experiences as a mixed-race child growing up in the care system in Cardiff, although we don’t know if she was battling fae during her childhood!

Niamh (10)

After they help injured Palamedes (also known as Pal), a black knight who served King Arthur, they are tasked with the quest to prevent his old friend, ‘The Champion’, from leading the fae to take control over the whole world!

I loved this book! It deals with real-life serious issues, while also telling a magical, exciting adventure story. I couldn’t put the book down after the changelings began to appear, which were fae left in the place of children living in the care home that talked in a low, threatening hissed voices.

Fablehouse draws on E.L. Norry’s own personal experiences as a mixed-race child growing up in the care system in Cardiff, although we don’t know if she was battling fae during her childhood! I was furious at the horrible way the local children treated Heather and friends in the book because they were mixed-race. 

I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure, folklore, magic and wants to learn more about the experiences of mixed-race children born post-WW2. I’m delighted there will be more books in this series and I can’t wait to find out what happens Heather and her friends next. 

I’ve got tickets to see E.L. Norry, Lizzie Huxley-Jones and Ross Montgomery at the Edinburgh International Book Festival this summer and I can’t wait to tell them all in-person how much I love their books! 

Perfect for fans of: Vivi Conway & The Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones; and The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery 

Katie Kirby Q&A for parents!

Join Katie Kirby (Hurrah for Gin) and Alison Perry (Not Another Mummy) for a glass of wine and to chat all things Lottie Brooks and parenting! 

Wednesday 5th July 7pm-7:30pm

Katie will be discussing her hugely popular character from the Lottie Brooks series and taking questions from the audience.

Tune in live from Katie and Alison’s Instagram pages, or come along to The Book Nook to attend the event in person.

Book here to be in the audience. (Or email: events@booknookuk.com)

*EXTENDED to July 1st!* We want your pre-loved books!

This June we’ll be collecting your pre-loved books, so that book charity the Children’s Book Project can re-distribute them to children who need them most.

The Children’s Book Project works with primary schools, foodbanks, prisons and women’s groups to gift gently used, donated books to children with very few books of their own. Last year, they gifted over 400,000 books to children in need.

The collection box will be in the shop from the 9th to the 24th of June, so get sorting!

The Book Project are collecting fiction and non-fiction and any age range from 0-14, they just kindly ask that books are in good condition, and they cannot use:

  • Used or incomplete sticker, colouring or craft books;
  • Academic books, dictionaries or 11+ practice papers;
  • Foreign language books;
  • Religious books; 
  • Ex library books;  
  • Adult books; or
  • Tatty, damaged, scribbled in or yellowed books.

Independent Bookshop Week @ The Book Nook!

We have loads going on to celebrate Independent Bookshop Week this year

  • 10% off ALL books, in store AND online Mon 19th – Fri 23rd

Online, use the Coupon Code ‘IBW’ at checkout to apply the discount. (Exclusions apply. Only for use with books, cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons or discount.)

  • £5 National Book Token giveaway!

Pop into the shop to find out how to claim your free £5 National Book Token voucher.

  • Interactive pre-school events with Poppy and Sam at 11am and 2pm on Saturday 17th!

We have two fun-filled interactive events, led by professional storyteller Liz Fost: can you help Poppy and Sam find all the animals on Apple Tree Farm? Events are aimed at ages 2-5. Tickets are £5, redeemable against any purchase of a Poppy and Sam book on the day. More details here.

  • Book Drive! Collecting pre-loved books in store for the Children’s Book Project.

We still want all your pre-loved books! All the details here.

  • Friends and Traitors early release signed and dedicated by Helen Peters!

Includes a gift! Order here.

  • Story time every day @ 10am and 3:30pm

Come along and enjoy a relaxed story time. Nursery groups welcome! (Max 14 children) Email events@booknookuk.com to enquire.