Mix & Match 10

I've just restocked my bar with Chambord so this was the perfect excuse to make a French Martini! 2 shots vodka, 1/2 shot Chambord and 1.5 shots pineapple juice, shake with lots of ice and strain into a martini glass. Once your cocktail is ready, pick one of these great books to relax with.

Shadows of Winterspell - Amy Wilson

Winterspell is full of magic right from the start which I loved. Stella's grandmother who brought her up is a ghost and they have an imp guarding the house. There is a mystery of how Stella ended up living with her Nan and why the forest is full of shadows. The book was quite fast paced and I liked that there were actually some answers early on as well as so much mystery.

I must say that while the cover is really beautiful, it gave me a totally incorrect vision of the forest which actually sounds so dark, creepy and absolutely terrifying. I really enjoyed the book but did feel like the ending felt a bit unfinished, I wanted more. I read this with the Middle Grade Marvels book club and we all agreed we want a sequel!

Nightbooks - J.A. White

Alex is on his way to the basement of his building when he gets lured into a magic apartment and trapped by a witch. In order to keep her happy he must read her the scary stories he wrote, but what will happen if he runs out of ideas?

I really enjoyed all of Alex's own stories within the book, they were so deliciously creepy and it made me want to watch and read some more horror. There are quite a few intriguing mysteries running through the book, is the apartment alive, what are those creepy figurines and why exactly was Alex trying to destroy his books? I loved every page of the book and will be looking out for more by this author.

House of Hollow - Krystal Sutherland 

This book is so mysterious, with one mystery layered on another, each clue just adding to the confusion. It was intriguing and gripping, I really couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen.

The descriptions were so vivid, the sights and smells and feelings. Some details were really gory and disgusting, mixing beauty and darkness together. It was actually pretty disgusting in a lot of places and a bit too much for me sometimes.

I would have loved to get the other 2 sisters' points of view too. Are they as confident and sure of themselves as they first seem?

I really didn't see that twist coming, though in hindsight maybe I should have.

The Bewitching of Aveline Jones - Phil Hickes

In Aveline's second adventure, she and her mum are on holiday in a tiny quiet village. However, just at the end of the garden is an ancient stone circle. Perfect for investigation! The Witch Stones aren't all Aveline finds and she makes a new friend, a mysterious girl called Hazel who seems to have some kind of connection with the stones. Unexplained things start happening but luckily Harold is on his way with a huge pile of books covering all eventualities.

I really liked Alice, the village vicar, who reminded me a lot of Geraldine from The Vicar of Dibley. Though I thought she could possibly have been a little bit more helpful to Aveline.

This was every bit as good as the first book, just as scary and thrilling. I loved the suspense and eerieness. I'll definitely be buying myself a physical copy as soon as it is released and already I can't wait for the third book in the series.

The Crackle Dawn Dragon - Abi Elphinstone

The conclusion to the Unmapped Chronicles is superb, just as wonderful as the other books. Full of adventure, suspense, magical places and fantastic characters. 

The descriptions really brought the places to life and I loved all the whimsical names and creatures. I absolutely adored it just as much as the previous books, I've been trying to think of some more original emotions but I can't do any better! The narrator is delightful, giving it an amazing storytelling quality, like listening to a bedtime story.

My only criticism is that I'm sad it's over and I want more books in the Unmapped Kingdoms!