The Vanishing Trick - review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you are staying safe during these difficult times. 

Today I am doing a review for:

The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler

• Illustrated by Chris Mould
• Published by Simon and Schuster Ltd
• Release date: 30.3.20

Synopsis
Madame Augustina Pinchbeck, travels the country conjuring the spirits of dearly departed loved ones... for a price. Whilst her ability to contact ghosts is a game of smoke and mirrors, there is real magic behind her tricks too - if you know where to look.

Through a magical trade, she persuades children to part with precious objects, promising to use her powers to help them. But Pinchbeck is a deceiver, instead turning their items into enchanted Cabinets that bind the children to her and into which she can vanish and summon them at will.

When Pinchbeck captures orphan Leander, events are set into motion that see him and his new friends Charlotte and Felix, in a race against time to break Pinchbeck's spell, before one of them vanishes forever...

Review

Wow. What can I say other than I absolutely loved this book! 

I really enjoyed the setting. I'm liking historical fiction more and more. I think it can be particularly hard to capture the time period when writing for children, as they may have little understanding of this time, but I felt there was enough historical detail for them to understand.
Then there was the premise of the story set around the dark, sinister world of the seance and being able to see and talk to spirits of past loved ones. This was utterly believable. The introduction of the early camera was portrayed well and the whole mysteriousness of the 'other world' had a real sense of foreboding, even though we know, as readers, it was all done through magic. Yet, we're not actually sure how the magic works! Love that element.

This story follow Leander, an orphan and street child who just about scrapes through life stealing morsels of food and sleeping wherever he can, as he gets duped into believing Augustina Pinchbeck when she says she will give him a job and food in exchange for him working for her.

 I thought the character of Leander was totally believable. Despite where he has ended up in life, he has good morals. He knows right from wrong (even though he steals) and he believes that there is good in everyone. Just before he agrees to work for Pinchbeck, we get a mysterious glimpse of Charlotte, who we later find out also works for Pinchbeck, as she tries to stop him making the wrong choice. That section of the book in itself was a mystery as we feel ourselves asking the same questions as Leander.

Leander soon discovers that all is not as it seems. He learns to trust Charlotte and Felix (the third child) as together they try to stop Pinchbeck fooling the rich as she tries desperately to become a famous medium.

Pinchbeck reminded me of the child catcher. The author really worked her magic in making us, as well as Leander, believe that she is just looking out for him. Yet soon, we see her other side. A side that encompasses magic, stories, evil, darkness, greed and trickery. The more I read the book, the more I hated her but I just couldn't quite work out why things were happening. I just had to keep reading!

The book was full of suspense and a sense of fear for the children. Would they die? Would they survive? Would they be locked away forever? A fantastically written story that takes the reader on a heart stopping journey. There were times when I found myself reading quicker and quicker. I could feel my heart thumping as I was totally sucked in to the plights of the children.

For me, this book stands out as one of a kind. The setting, the characters and the plot all were different to anything I've read at middle grade before.

I'd highly recommend this book to children of about 9 upwards. It may be a little too tense for lower key stage 2. It easily fits within the Victorians topic and further research could be done in class to enhance the children's understanding of the time period. There would be so much to look into: clothes, development of the camera, travel, beliefs etc.

This has to be the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Happy reading,

Allison xx

The House of Hidden Wonders - Review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

How are you?
I'm actually off work today but not because of the dreaded virus. I hope you are all safe and well.

So today I am reviewing The House Of Hidden Wonders by Sharon Gosling.



This is due to be published 02.04.20

Synopsis:

Zinnie and her sisters live in the murky tunnels beneath Edinburgh's Old Town. They keep out of the way of the authorities and remain undetected. Until, that is, rumours of a ghost bring unwanted visitors into the caverns they call home. Among them, a young Arthur Conan Doyle, keen to investigate, and MacDuff, the shady owner of Edinburgh's newest attraction, the House of Wonders. 
Caught up in a world of intrigue and adventure, Zinnie seeks answers. But how can she discover what secrets lie in the House of Wonders while also protecting the sisters she holds so dear? 

Review
To start, Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities in the Uk. I've only been there twice and both times I fell head over heels in love with it. I love the juxtaposition between the old and new architecture, the vibrancy, the history, the people, the accent and everything else associated with it; so I was already excited to read this knowing it was set deep in Victorian Auld Reekie. 

Add in a strong female protagonist who strives for the best despite adversity and we're on to a winner. Zinnie, the eldest of 3 sisters has a strong mother role where, despite living hand to mouth in the slums, wants the best for her siblings and will do anything to make sure they are all ok. Sadie, the next sister down is quiet and demure with a love for botany and the medicinal properties of plants. Lastly, there is Nell. The youngest sister and one who takes ill through the poor living conditions. The relationship between the sisters is extremely powerful and shows the bond they all have. They will do anything for each other and anything to stay together. Zinnie knows they don't live well but knows it is her duty to look after them. She wants the best for them but understands she can only do what she can. However, that doesn't mean she rests on her laurels and accepts things for what they are. In fact, quite the opposite.

She has a friendship with a young Arthur Conan Doyle and between the 2 of them, they seem to feed off each other. He understands Zinnie knows the streets of Edinburgh like the back of her hand. Zinnie knows that he is a learned man who is inquisitive and won't stop at what is there before him. If he feels there is more to something than the obvious, he and Zinnie almost think aloud together in a search to unravel a mystery.

Also in the book is another very powerful, strong lady called Lady Sarah Montague. How I would love to be her! She is widowed and has travelled extensively around the world on her own and intends to keep going, much to the dismay of the gentlemen around her who think a lady should be doing no such thing! Lady Sarah puts these men swiftly back in their place. She is an endearing character and one who takes an instant liking to Zinnie, albeit she is a street child,  knowing she is a friend of Conan Doyle. 

Then we have Dr Sophia Jex-Blake. Again another female character and as it turns out, another factual person from the time. I'm not going to spoil it here and tell you her history as I think it will be interesting for you to find out, as I did, when you get to the end of the book. I must admit, the author really has done her research and I love this aspect of the book, mixing fact with fiction. Delicious!

Then there is the bad guy. A supposedly American freak show owner who isn't all that he seems. As you read the book, you take an instant dislike to him and that's all down to the power of the writing.

Finally there is one more girl who I'm not going to say anything about. All I will say is that I cried when I found out about her. I'll leave that little nugget with you.

This was an absolutely fantastic book and one that I will definitely be buying. Suitable for upper key stage 2 as there are some darker themes, we follow Zinnie as she takes us on a rip-roaring adventure to solve her own Sherlock Holmes style murder mystery. You are thrown straight into the story from page 1 and to be honest, as I was reading, I forgot it was even a middle grade book. I was so engrossed that I needed to read and read until every little twist was put into place. 

This is a story of sibling love; a love for someone no matter what they look like, be that in race or disability. The bond between people through adversity to not only make the best of what they have but also stand by their morals and fight for justice and what is right. There is the history of the underground streets and a glimpse into life as it was then, yet just down the road, the rich lived with their staff.
I can already say with confidence, that this will be one of my best books of the year. I'd highly recommend this to anyone, adults and children alike who want an adventure that draws you straight in and you can get your teeth into.

Without hesitation, this gets ...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  5 stars!

I hope this review has inspired you to read this.

I would like to thank NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book for my honest review. Also Little Tiger Press Group and Sharon Gosling.

Happy reading.

Allison xx

The Unadoptables - review

Hello, hello my lovelies, 

How are things? Have you done much reading?

I read The Unadoptables by Hana Tooke a little while ago now and just haven't got around to reviewing it. So here we are!



This is due to be on the shelves 14th May 2020.

So I have to get this off my chest first and foremost ... I freaking loved this book!! Without a doubt is the best book I've read this year so far. I will definitely by buying a hard copy as I had a kindle version. 

This is the story of Lotta, Egg, Milou, Fenna and Sem, The Unadoptables. So called as they weren't left for adoption in the 'normal' way. They landed at the Little Tulip Orphanage under the watchful eye of the matron, Elinor Gasbeek. She is quite a tyrant and particularly loathes these 5. Desperate times call for desperate measures and she agrees to sell the children to a Scrooge-like character in order to cook the books and make it look like she is able to re-home all her little adoptees. 

I say Scrooge like but he more reminded me of Fagin I think. I just pictured Fagin's picture each time he appeared in the book. Adventures start when the children realise all is not as it seems and make their bid to escape.

Each child has their own backstory and each is just as heartwarming as the other. I felt an instant affinity with the children, almost understanding their turmoils and began willing them to make the right choices. I loved the fact that they all had a different talent which enabled them as a group to be self sufficient.

The main part of the book follows Milou and her quest to find her parents. She keeps a notebook in which she writes all her theories and clues she uncovers along the way as she desperately tries to not only find her family but also establish why she was left at the orphanage in the first place. She feels there must be a reason which would explain in a positive way as she can't believe that her parents would do such a thing unless something terrible had happened.

There are laughs and adventures along the way. Set in Amsterdam, homage is played to the frozen canals and ice skating, tulips, windmills and bicycles. All those things synonymous with Holland.

The writing is lovely and flows at a quick pace. The adventures are well written and I found myself quickly turning pages, longing to find out what happens next.

I thought this was an adorable book and one that would be suitable in an upper key stage 2 classroom, so maybe for children from about 9 onwards. I would have liked to have read it to my class (year 3) but I wasn't sure they would understand some of the underlying themes.

This book is about life, love, the past, the future and the journey between. 

I will easily rate this book 5 stars.

Let me know your thoughts about this book. Were they the same as mine? I'm biased with my opinion but I'm interested to hear what you think too. Treat yourself when it's published and buy a copy. You won't be disappointed!

Happy reading,

Allison xx

Book Haul

Hello, hello my lovelies,

My what a weird week this has been. We've had a corona virus scare at our school, reporters the lot so it hasn't been the most normal week. I went shopping yesterday and needed toilet roll. Not one roll on the shelves!!! People are panic buying when there is no need. Normal healthy hygeine rules apply.

Anyway, I finally managed to get to Lakeside Waterstones to pick up my signed edition of A Sprinkle of Sorcery by Michelle Harrison. I couldn't make it to the actual signing but managed to get a dedicated copy put aside for me.

I'm so so happy!!

Whilst there, I also picked up another signed book. This time, it is Katherine Rundell's new one, The Good Thieves.

I've not read this one but if any of her previous books are to go by, this is bound to be good.

'Normal' purchases were The Highland Falcon Thief, Starfell and Evernight. I was also tempted to get another edition of Frostheart as I loved the split cover and sprayed edges but just couldn't afford it. Sad times I know.

Here is the complete haul. One happy reader here!

Have you had any great purchases lately? Link me to them. I'd love to see.

Happy reading.

Allison xx

The Strangeworlds Travel Agency - review

Hello, hello my lovelies,

I hope you have all stayed safe during the storm and that you haven't suffered too much damage. 

I'm back with a short review of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L.D.Lapinski.



Let's cut to the chase ... this book is going to hit the children's book market by storm. 
It tells the story of the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, a shop that to any other person, looks like it is stuck in time, but to Flick, piques her curiosity so much that she just has to go in. 
Right from the start, we are sucked into this story and are with Flick as she begins her magical journey, jumping in and out of suitcases into other worlds. 

The story isn't as simple as that, there has to be a problem, and boy there really is one. Flick realises that in one of her worlds, the future of it is held in her hands. 

I really enjoyed the race against time, the world hopping, the journey and the sense of adventure that Lapinski has given us through this book. I felt that I was with Flick every step of the way and I'm sure that younger readers will feel that too.

It reminded me a little of Mary Poppins and the children when they jumped into a puddle to adventure in another world. This time the vehicle to and from reality is a suitcase. A genius idea. 

The writing was fast-paced and will keep the reader reading right to the very end in what feels like moments.  

I really can't praise this highly enough; so much so, I'm chomping at the bit for the next one already (Let's hope there is one!). This is definitely one that I will buy a physical copy of when it reaches our shelves in April. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Happy reading,

Ally xx