Review: My Mum Tracy Beaker by Jacqueline Wilson

Publication Date: October 4th 2018
Publisher: Doubleday Publishers
Source: Purchased

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Blurb: 

Tracy has returned, hand in hand with her daughter Jess, she’s ready to make her childhood dreams come true.
Jess and Tracy Beaker are the perfect team. They do everything together.
Jess thinks Tracy is the best mum ever, even when she shouts at her teachers!

Tracy has made the perfect home for Jess, leaving The Dumping Ground far behind her.Yes, their flat’s a bit mouldy. It’s only just big enough for two. And the Duke Estate is a bit scary. But it’s their happy home.

Until Sean Godfrey, Tracy’s rich boyfriend, whisks them away to his mansion, life of fast cars and celebrity stardom.Will Jess’s brilliant mum turn into a new person altogether? And will Tracy realise that her childhood dream might not be what she needs after all?

 This is the first book in years that I have been so excited about, that I purchased it on its release day! 

If you don't know, Jacqueline Wilson has played a huge part in not only helping me fall in love with books but also in my formative years as a child and teenager. When I found out that Jacqueline was revisiting the character of Tracey as an adult, I knew it was going to be one I needed to buy. 

The novel is so perfectly reminiscent of "old" Jacqueline Wilson novels while also being set in the modern day. Tracey now has a child and it is so interesting to see how this stroppy, moody girl has grown into an independent, responsible and fiercely protective mother of her child, Jess. Jess and Tracey's relationship is so lovely and caring. It is so heart warming to read about their loving relationship when usually in Wilson's novels the children are in  the mix of very volatile dysfunctional family's. 

Review: Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden

Publication Date: March 10th 2016
Publisher: Puffin Books
Source: Borrowed

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Blurb: 

Denizen Hardwick is an orphan, and his life is, well, normal. Sure, in storybooks orphans are rescued from drudgery when they discover they are a wizard or a warrior or a prophesied king. But this is real life—orphans are just kids without parents. At least that’s what Denizen thought. . . . 
 
On a particularly dark night, the gates of Crosscaper Orphanage open to a car that almost growls with power. The car and the man in it retrieve Denizen with the promise of introducing him to a long-lost aunt. But on the ride into the city, they are attacked. Denizen soon learns that monsters can grow out of the shadows. And there is an ancient order of knights who keep them at bay. Denizen has a unique connection to these knights, but everything they tell him feels like a half-truth.
 If Denizen joins the order, is he fulfilling his destiny, or turning his back on everything his family did to keep him alive?

So this is a book I have seen so much buzz and chatter around since its release two years ago! I was so glad to finally pick it up so that I could see what all the hype was about. 

I was really looking forward to reading this novel as my interest was re-instated after seeing the recent publication of the third novel earlier this year. This series had taken the internet and my Instagram by storm! I really enjoy a gripping and adventurous middle grade novel and had not read one for a while, the final Percy Jackson book not included. This book also has one of the best first sentences I've ever read: "Looking back, it had been a mistake to fill the orphanage with books."

Review: Midnight by Jacqueline Wilson

Publication Date: October 25th 2004
Publisher: Corgi
Source: Own

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Blurb: 

Violet has always been in the shadow of her mesmerizing, controlling brother Will -- by turns delightful and terrifying. Now that Will has learned a shocking secret about his own past, things seem to be getting worse. Violet retreats further into her fantasy world built around the fairy characters created by her favourite author, Casper Dream. The arrival of Jasmine, a new girl at school who immediately befriends Violet, seems like it might change Violet’s life for the better and allow her to break free of Will’s spell. But is Jasmine a true friend? 

 Jacqueline Wilson was one of the most influential authors on my reading life. Her novels lit the spark to my love for reading and I knew I needed to read this novel as one of her only "classics" that I had not yet read. 

The novel centered around Violet, a thirteen year old girl with a love for fantastical worlds and her favourite author Casper Dream. Violet was a really well written main character. Jacqueline definitely captured the odd internal conflict of being a girl at that age, of wanting to hold onto your childhood but also wanting to be an adult and feel more adult as a teenager. 

Review: Sophie Someone by Hayley Long

Publication Date: May 2016

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Source: Review copy from publisher

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Blurb: 

'Some stories are hard to tell.
Even to your very best friend.
And some words are hard to get out of your mouth. Because they spell out secrets that are too huge to be spoken out loud.
But if you bottle them up, you might burst.
So here's my story. Told the only way I dare tell it.'

Sophie Nieuwenleven is sort of English and sort of Belgian. Sophie and her family came to live in Belgium when she was only four or five years old, but she's fourteen now and has never been quite sure why they left England in the first place. Then, one day, Sophie makes a startling discovery. Finally Sophie can unlock the mystery of who she really is. This is a story about identity and confusion - and feeling so utterly freaked out that you just can't put it into words. But it's also about hope. And the belief that, somehow, everything will work out OK.

 I received a copy of this novel from Hot Key Books publishers in exchange for a full and honest review. I had previously read Hayley Long's novel Being A Girl and so was looking forward to reading more novels by her. This was the first novel I read after finishing my 3rd year exams and not having much time to read for the past couple of months and honestly I was kinda disappointed. 

Sophie Someone tells the story of a young teenage girl called Sophie who discovers that her parents have been keeping one of the biggest secrets from her her entire life, one big enough to call into question everything she thinks she knows about her life so far and about her family. 

Review: Fortune Cookie by Cathy Cassidy

Publication Date: June 4 2015
Publisher: Puffin 
Source: Gift 
Series: #6, (Book 1) (Book 2) (Book 3) (Book 4) (Book 5)

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Blurb: 

After the amazing twist at the end of Sweet Honey, the sixth and final book in Cathy Cassidy's Chocolate Box Girls series follows Jake, the Tanberry sisters' newly discovered half-brother...

As if the bombshell that he had three half-sisters wasn't enough, Jake's life in London is turning into a nightmare. He has nowhere to run - except for maybe his new family in Somerset... But Jake knows next to nothing about the Tanberrys. Will he be welcome there? And even if he is, can anyone really help him turn things around? 

I got this book as a Christmas present from my brother and sister. My sister and I have been fans of the series for years and we were sad that it was coming to an end. 

My Sister and I were lucky enough to meet Cathy Cassidy at a book festival recently. It was so wonderful to meet her, chat to her about the Chocolate Box Girls series and get our collection of books signed.

Cathy Cassidy is one of those authors that you read when you are young and just stay with you for your entire life, and any time you think of their novels you feel this warm, fuzzy positive feeling. 

Series Review: Prim Improper Series by Deirdre Sullivan

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I was lucky enough to meet Deirdre at Dept Con back in October of last year and attended one of her panels where I heard her talk about this series. I became interested in the series so I went home and was delighted to find it in the library. 

I recently finished reading the series and I have to say I was surprised at how thoroughly impressed I was. Upon first glance, I had thought these novels would be middle grade, light hearted sort of reads. I did not account for the range of difficult topics, character emotions and resonating story the books would hold. 

Through out the series Deirdre Sullivan writes about deep issues that affect Prim, from grief and loss, to parental separation, friendship, growing up, love and mental health. Deirdre Sullivan writes all of these issues with such honesty and does not rose-tint or sugar coat any of the more difficult themes. This made the story of Prim feel so real and really allows for the reader to sympathise with Prim and her family. 

If I could describe the series in a word it would be quirky! The novels are unique, with a host of unusual and fun characters and the format of the novel is broken up occasionally by Prim's word definitions as she one day wants to be a crossword maker. 

The writing style had great flow and kept the reader hooked. Prims narrative style was so blunt, humorous and compelling. 

Review: Testing Times For Tabitha Baird by Arabella Weir

Publisher: Picadilly Press
Publication Date: Nov 1st 2015
Source: Sent for review 
Series: 3rd in the Tabitha Baird series


Blurb: 

Tabitha's ignored her diary for a while but now there's just sooo much to say. Her family are still driving her crazy - it's time to choose GCSEs and Dad wants to get involved . . . MAJORLY bad idea. Little brother Luke is still mankenstein, Dumbledore Chops is 'officially' Mum's boyfriend (bleurgh!) and Gran's knitted creations for her dog Basil and the puppies are getting madder.

And now her gang of bezzies are acting oddly because she's been getting sort of friendly with Dark Aly - random or what? - and she's still not sure if Sam is 'officially' her boyfriend. Tab's birthday party's coming up - what's a nearly fourteen-year-old to do?

Thank you to Piccadilly for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

If you would like to see my reviews of the first novel in the series click the titles, the first novel; The Rise and Rise of Tabitha Baird and the sequel; The Endless Trials of Tabitha Baird . 

Testing Times for Tabitha Baird picks off where the last novel left off. Tabitha is still adjusting to being a teenager, coping with her family and trying to keep her group of friends together. 

Mini-Review: The Endless Trials Of Tabitha Baird by Arabella Weir

Publisher: Hot Key Books
Publication Date:  April 2015
Source: Review Copy from publisher
Series: Second in series 

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Blurb: 

'Witty, wise and wonderful ...such fun!' - Miranda Hart on TABITHA BAIRD Frank and fabulous - Arabella Weir on tricky teen life in the hilarious follow up to THE RISE AND RISE OF TABITHA BAIRD.

Tabitha Baird and her friends Emz and Aisha reckon they're the coolest, most popular girls in their year. But they have a rival in new girl, Alexandra. She's a seriously scary Goth who quickly attracts a following - and she doesn't like Tab at all!

That's only the start of Tab's problems. Basil, Gran's beloved dog, races off and Tab catches him with Sam's dog Fifi. There's absolutely no doubt who the father is when Fifi's puppies are born two months later - and Gran wants custody!

Then Tabitha's mum is offered a job because of her blog about life with a teenage daughter. She only had about two followers before, but not any more! To top it all, Mum's got a new boyfriend. He might be OK if Tab could only see beyond his huge, thick beard ... 

Thank you to Hot Key Books for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for a review. 

After finishing the first novel in this series, The Rise and Rise Of Tabitha Baird, in December of last year, I really wanted to read more of this cute and fluffy series. 

In this novel Tabitha goes through a puppy custody battle, her mum dating, friend drama and the arrival of a new "too cool for school" girl. 

Review: The Rise and Rise Of Tabitha Baird by Arabella Weir

| Publication Date: October 2014  |
| Publisher: Picadilly Press |
| Source: Review Copy  |
| Series: 1st in new series, Sequel called "The Endless Trials of Tabitha Baird" . | 

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Blurb~

When 13-year-old Tabitha Baird starts at a new school, she's determined to be the coolest, most popular girl there - whatever it takes. She adjusts her school skirt so it's just the right length. She has enough attitude to make it into the in-crowd. She even gets the attention of the hottest guys. But it's not easy being uber-cool. 

No one must find out that her mum, brother and her have moved into her gran's house, so she tries to persuade Gran to pose as a house-keeper. And if anyone discovers her mum's blog - about her teenage daughter - it'll be the ultimate in social death.

Thank you to Picadilly Press for sending me a review copy of this novel. This was actually the final novel I read in 2014 and I am so sorry that this review is so late! At the time of finishig it I was studying for my first ever College (Uni) exams and was under a lot of presurre. Now that I am more relaxed at college, I have finally found the time to upload this review! 

This book is 100% adorable. The cover looks so great and matches up with the story so well. The quote from Miranda Hart on the front definitely drew me in. I am such a huge Miranda Hart fan! 

This book was a joy to read, full of funny and awkward scenes but also briefly dealing with some heavier topics such as alcoholism and Tabitha's parents separation. 

Review: The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry

Publisher: Picadilly Press

Publication Date: February 2015

Source: Copy in exchange for honest review


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Blurb~ 

An outrageous plot of villainy starring seven brilliant young girls.

At Prickwillow Place, Disgraceful Mary Jane, Smooth Kitty and their fellow students are keeping a deadly secret.

When the headmistress of St Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies drops dead at Sunday dinner, her seven pupils agree on a clever scheme: to bury their teacher in the vegetable garden, dress up Stout Alice in her place, and educate themselves. This is tricky enough in a small Victorian community, but when the girls deduce that their teacher was poisoned - (it was the veal!) - they realise there is also a murderer on the prowl . . .

Thank you to those at Picadilly Press for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

I love love love the adorable cover of this novel! It is so cute. It's definitely one of the prettiest books I've read in a while and if you pick this book up it can add some serious book shelf candy to your shelves. 

Onto the review! This book was fun, quick and a good read. I didn't love this book but I also didn't hate it. Although the book was not perfect for me, I could see this book being enjoyed by many. 

Review: Stonebird by Mike Revell

| Publication Date: February 5th 2015 |
| Publisher: Quercus Publishing | 
| Source: Review copy | 

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Blurb : 

When eleven-year-old Liam moves house to be closer to his grandma, he's thrown into an unfamiliar place, with a family that seems to be falling apart.

Liam doesn't remember what Grandma was like before she became ill with dementia. He only knows the witch-like old woman who snaps and snarls and eats her birthday cards. He desperately wants to make everything better, but he can't.

Escaping the house one evening, Liam discovers an old stone gargoyle in a rundown church, and his life changes in impossible ways.

The gargoyle is alive. It moves unseen in the night, acting out Liam's stories. And stories can be dangerous things . . .

But Liam's grandma's illness is getting worse, his mum isn't coping, and his sister is skipping school.

What if the gargoyle is the only thing that can save Liam's family? 

A big thank you to Quercus for sending me this copy in exchange for a full and honest review. My review has been in no way impacted by receiving this copy for review. 

This book can be described in a single word ...... Magic. 

Review: Crow Moon by Anna McKerrow

| Publisher: Quercus | 
| Publication Date: March 5 2015|
| Series: 1st in new series|

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Blurb~ 
Danny is a fun-loving 16-year-old looking for a father figure and falling in love with a different girl every day. He certainly doesn't want to follow in his mum's witchy footsteps.

Just as his community is being threatened by gangs intent on finding a lucrative power source to sell to the world, Danny discovers he is stunningly powerful. And when he falls for Saba, a gorgeous but capricious girl sorceress, he thinks maybe the witch thing might not be such a bad idea...

But what cost will Danny pay as, with his community on the brink of war, he finds that love and sorcery are more dangerous than he ever imagined?

Wickedness and passion combine in this coming-of-age adventure.



Check out my interview with the author HERE !

A huge thank you to Quercus for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and loved the magical elements of the story. This is a great UKYA novel and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel which is being released in spring 2016. 

The characters in this novel are extremely vivid and fun to read about. I enjoyed reading the story from the perspective of Danny, our young protagonists, and I enjoyed his voice as he narrates his journey from "Greenworld" boy into a world of magic and sorcery.Danny was extremely funny and cheeky and often made me laugh. Although at times I felt Danny was sexist and objectified women, it could be argued that this is just the way 16 year old boys minds work. I really enjoyed reading about his relationship with his mum and with Omar. 

Review: A Whisper of Wolves by Kris Humphrey

Publication Date: 2nd March 2015

Publisher: Stripes Publishing 

Source:  ARC Copy sent for review

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Blurb~ When a raven drops a white feather at the doorstep on the day of your birth, it is a symbol of your destiny. You are a Whisperer – a guardian of the wild. After many years of peace in the kingdom of Meridina, rumours are spreading of a planned invasion – could the demonic Narlaw be returning from the darklands? It is up to the Whisperers and their animal companions to defend Meridina, protect Princess Ona and stop the Narlaw from destroying their world.

When hunters from her village disappear without a trace, Alice suspects that something sinister is at work. With the help of Storm, her wolf companion, Alice fights to save her village. The Narlaw are on the attack and it’s up to the Whisperers to stop them…

Review~

Thank you to those at Stripes Publishing for sending me this Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this novel months prior to its release. I also thought that the packaging it came in was one of the most unusual and cool I've ever received. The book was wrapped in tissue paper and tied into a bow with twine, with a wax sealed letter attached! The wax seal letter has taken pride of place nestled into my bookshelves where I will keep it forever!

This book would be perfect for children, both male & female, from the ages of 9 and up. The book will capture their imaginations and introduce them to fantasy and adventure. 

The plot of this book is well paced and fun, especially for younger readers. I think the elements in this novel such as the journey, Alice's growth as a character and the idea of the Whisperers and their animal counterparts will draw in a child's imagination. I also think the fantastical elements such as the telepathic link between Whisperers and their beasts will appeal to all young readers with pets. 

Review: Geek Girl by Holly Smale

Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: Feb 28th 2013
Source: Borrowed from local library
Series: 1st novel in a series


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Blurb: Harriet Manners knows a lot of things. 

She knows that a cat has 32 muscles in each ear, a "jiffy" lasts 1/100th of a second, and the average person laughs 15 times per day. What she isn't quite so sure about is why nobody at school seems to like her very much. So when she's spotted by a top model agent, Harriet grabs the chance to reinvent herself. Even if it means stealing her Best Friend's dream, incurring the wrath of her arch enemy Alexa, and repeatedly humiliating herself in front of the impossibly handsome supermodel Nick. Even if it means lying to the people she loves. 

As Harriet veers from one couture disaster to the next with the help of her overly enthusiastic father and her uber-geeky stalker, Toby, she begins to realise that the world of fashion doesn't seem to like her any more than the real world did. 

And as her old life starts to fall apart, the question is: will Harriet be able to transform herself before she ruins everything?

Review: 

I was sort of worried going into this novel that they hype and buzz around it would make my expectations too high and result in me not enjoying this novel as much as everyone else has but thankfully I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. 

The themes in this book were put across so well by the author. I loved the way the novel made the reader look at family, friendship, betrayal, secrets and trust in a new way and really made you think about family and the importance of family and friends. 

The plot of  the novel was so fun and easy to read. I found that once i had started reading it was hard to stop. Each time I picked up the novel I was sucked into quirky Harriet's life with her problems and mistakes and hilarious antics. I loved reading about the modelling side and about Harriet's "transformation", which I had thought was going to be cliche but was written in a refreshing and wonderful way. 

I loved every character in this novel, even the antagonist because of how well she was written! First off, Harriet Manners is the kind of character I would love to jump out of the page and be my best friend. She was quirky, sarcastic, witty and had facts to last a lifetime. I loved her refreshing narration voice in this story. 

Review: Heart-Shaped by Siobhan Parkinson

Series: Companion novel to Bruised
Publication Date: 1st August 2013
Publisher: Hodder Childrens Books 
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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Blurb: Written with sensitivity, humour and a lightness of touch, HEART-SHAPED is a companion to Siobhan Parkinson's highly-acclaimed novel, BRUISED - for fans of Meg Rosoff, Aidan Chambers and David Levithan. Annie makes a startling discovery one day - and everything changes. She fears for the safety of her boyfriend Jonno, who has vanished, knowing he is in desperate trouble. Feeling alone, she clings to her dad, her only parent, but he can't fill in all the gaps in the puzzle that is Annie's life. Nor can her best friend. To do that, Annie has to look into her past and understand who her mother was, what happened to her and why. So the truth behind Jonno's disappearance - which is the story in BRUISED - becomes a mirror for what's happening in Annie's own life. The reader is desperate for him to come back, so that Annie can fully fit the pieces of her existence back together.



My Review- 


Heart Shaped is Parkinson's companion novel which takes place in the same time frame as Bruised. Although the books are linked, you do not have to have read Bruised before reading this which is good as it has been many many years since I last read Bruised and I still enjoyed this novel. 

This novel centres around Annie, an Irish teenager whose life is a little up and down lately. Firstly she has to deal with the troubles of secondary school, secondly she is dealing with the passing of her mum and living with just her father as a parent and lastly, she discovered her boyfriends mothers dead body. So you could say Annie has a lot on her plate!

One of the aspects I enjoyed the most about this novel was the really well written relationships that were key to the plot and story of the novel. Annie has suffered a lot of stress over a short period of time and is seeing a psychiatrist doctor who she goes to to talk and get things off her chest. I really enjoyed the humorous interactions she had with this doctor and often found myself chucking away at the things she would come out with!
I also enjoyed the relationship between Annie and her best friend and also the important relationship Annie has with her father and enjoyed reading about the father daughter bonding. 

November New Releases 2014

New month, new books! Sadly, October is over (time to put away the Halloween decorations), but we are getting even closer to Christmas yay! Here's my own personal round up of some of the new and exciting releases of November. Let me know in the comments what new release you're most looking forward to! 

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November 4;

Blurb: Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite's father is murdered, and the killer—her parent's handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him. Marguerite refuses to let the man who destroyed her family go free. So she races after Paul through different universes, always leaping into another version of herself. But she also meets alternate versions of the people she knows—including Paul, whose life entangles with hers in increasingly familiar ways. Before long she begins to question Paul's guilt—as well as her own heart. And soon she discovers the truth behind her father's death is far more sinister than she expected.

Blurb: Greg Heffley and his family hit the road in author-illustrator Jeff Kinney's latest installment of the phenomenally bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.





This is the 9th book in the Wimpy Kid series, which is such a guilty pleasure of mine! Check out my Wimpy Kid Reviews here. 

Blurb: Wherever you need to go--the Map to Everywhere can take you there.

To Master Thief Fin, an orphan from the murky pirate world of the Khaznot Quay, the Map is the key to finding his mother. To suburban schoolgirl Marrill, it's her only way home after getting stranded on the Pirate Stream, the magical waterway that connects every world in creation. With the help of a bumbling wizard and his crew, they must scour the many worlds of the Pirate Stream to gather the pieces of the Map to Everywhere--but they aren't the only ones looking. A sinister figure is hot on their tail, and if they can't beat his ghostly ship to find the Map, it could mean the destruction of everything they hold dear!

In Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis's first installment of a fantastical new series, adventure, magic, and hilarity collide in the treacherous skies and dangerous waters of the Pirate Stream. Heart-pounding escapades and a colorful cast of characters will have readers setting sail through this wholly original and unforgettable tale.

Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother's murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance. But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean's incarcerated father-a man he'd do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer's psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer's brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?