Middle Grade Marvels Book Club

As you probably know from some of my previous posts, I'm part of the Middle Grade Marvels book club. It's hosted by @HollyRawlins2, @theartsyreader1 and @ReadtoRamble and anyone is welcome to join. It's been going for a few months and while I had already read and reviewed some of the books chosen so far, I thought I'd share the reviews of just some of the newer (to me) books we've been reading. If you're interested, have a look at @GradeMarvels for more details, we'd love to have you!

The Jumbies - Tracey Baptiste

Corinne is very protective of her father and her Caribbean home and she's not afraid of anything. She's always believed her father when he said the Jumbies were just made up to scare children but when the myth comes to life she and her friends are the only ones who can save the island.

This is a very creepy book so take notice of the warning given, you don't want to read this at night! Although, maybe the monsters aren't always who you think they are and maybe sometimes everyone is just trying to survive.

I'm already on the lookout for books 2 and 3 of the trilogy.

Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows - J.M. Bergen

Thomas has been searching for magic ever since his Dad told him it was real, just before he disappeared forever. Most people have laughed at him but when he comes across a mysterious old bookshop he is finally in luck. The owner not only has just what he's been looking for, but he's been waiting for Thomas for a long time.

I liked the sound of the magical bookshop, especially when the sliding bookshelf ladder was mentioned! And the connection between physics and magic was great. It was a bit slow at first, particularly the chapters of the magic book which I found quite tedious and difficult to read. However it got more interesting after that and there were twists I didn't expect.

I have to say that my favourite so far has been Small Spaces, I easily could have read it in one day if I didn't stop myself and try to keep to the schedule. I had to read the sequel too and I'm very happy that there are more books to come!

Small Spaces - Katherine Arden

Ollie is sneaking away for a bit of quiet reading time at her favourite secret spot by the river, dreaming of the adventures in books and wishing she could have some of her own. But when she gets there she finds a woman crying and preparing to throw a book into the water. There's no way Ollie is going to allow that to happen so she grabs the book and escapes with it. Reading the book sparks off an adventure of her own with 2 unexpected new friends. They have to deal with creepy scarecrows, ghosts and the mysterious smiling man. The only warning Ollie keeps hearing is to keep to small spaces. She doesn't really understand it at first but when they get chased she realises the only way to stay safe is find somewhere small their pursuers can't follow.

This book was just so creepy! I actually didn't want to read it at night. Ollie is a great character, super-smart and very caring though she tries not to show it. I just love her cynicism. Even though we only get short sections of the stolen book, the story is written so well and I really enjoyed that story within a story. I almost immediately went on to the second book, Dead Voices and it was gripping as the first.

We're currently in the middle of Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. I'm really enjoying it and it is giving us plenty to talk about! It's part of an 8 book series (that I know of so far) so I'm sure there will be lots more to find out even after finishing this book.

What do you think of our club? Let me know which middle-grade books you would choose to read and any recommendations you have!

While you're trying to decide which of these books to read next, make yourself a Marvel cocktail. Put the following into a shaker: 1 & 1/2 shots orange rum, 1/3 shot grenadine, 1/3 shot lemon juice. Shake with lots of ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

 The Strangeworlds Travel Agency - L.D. Lapinski 

Flick's family move from a big city into a tiny village "In Little Wyverns, a shed had once fallen down in a night of strong winds. People were still talking about it." While exploring she stumbles into the most run down shop, the Strangeworlds Travel Agency, and here her life and her view of the world changes forever. This is a Travel Agency, but with a huge difference, not only do you travel by suitcase but you can go to completely different worlds! It seems Flick has arrived just in time, Jonathan has been holding up the Society on his own and strange things have been happening for some time. With Flick's help, maybe they can save the Strangeworlds Society.

I really loved the expressive language. The description of going through the suitcase, stepping down and up at the same time, into and out of, I imagine it really captures the feelings they get as they travel. And I could completely feel Flick's wanting and yearning for exploration and for being part of something magical. The characters are wonderful, Flick and I have lots in common, loving numbers and being mathematically minded, while Jonathan has to be the oldest 18 year old I've ever heard of! 

"He made a pot of tea and brought it out on a tray with some cups and an actual milk jug, like he was someone's grandma."

The whole book really is full of magic. Imagine being able to instantly travel to another place, that bouncy world is definitely one that's going on my fictional bucket list. I loved the cover too, it definitely gives a good flavour of what's to come.

After an exciting adventure, make Jonathan a pot of Mexican Tea, it will calm both your nerves much quicker than Earl Grey! In a glass, pour a shot of tequila, 1/2 shot of sugar syrup and top with hot breakfast tea. Stir and garnish with a slice of lime.

 The Beast and the Bethany - Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Imagine if you could live forever, in a huge house as wide as 12 elephants. And you could eat whatever food you wanted and have all the expensive art and anything else you heart desired. All you have to do is feed the beast whatever he wants. Easy enough when you have limitless wealth. Even the Beast's latest request, a child, doesn't actually bother Ebenezer that much. He doesn't particularly like children and anyway, one little child isn't as important as himself, is it?

The Beast is a huge, smelly, slimy thing with two tongues, Ebenezer Tweezer is an evil little man who cares for absolutely no one but himself. But probably the worst monster of all is Bethany. The naughtiest, rudest, meanest of them all! Ebeneezer picks Bethany as the Beast's next meal but unfortunately for him, things don't go smoothly at all. It's hard to say much without being spoilery, but over time Ebenezer and Bethany start an uneasy relationship. Grudgingly, they both find that they don't want to be quite as horrible to each other any more. The problem is how can they both survive the Beast?

This was so much fun to read, with just a touch of the ridiculous in the way of Alice in Wonderland. Apparently you only get 10 worms for a backpack, a flip-flop, a ruler and a half eaten biscuit. Not that you have much choice when the frog market is only open on Wednesdays. The characters are all well thought out, even the side cast who only get a few paragraphs. The illustrations are wonderful, really adding to the story. I really loved my ARC copy too, which was unfortunately delivered with a few bites taken out of it. Luckily I don't think the Beast ate too much of it so I still got the gist of the story. Thanks anyway to Egmont Books and The Write Reads for letting me take part in the blog tour 😂

In case the Beast ever comes knocking on your door, it's best to have something new and tasty to give him. Try making a Bethany & the Beast cocktail. In a shaker with lots of ice, shake up 1.5 shots gin, 1 shot apple juice, 1 shot lime juice and 1/2 shot rosemary syrup. Strain into a glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary. Make it a triple for the Beast and maybe he'll fall asleep before eating you!

The Wicked & The Dead - Melissa Marr

Genevieve is excellent at her job, removing the threat of the terrifying, newly reborn, again-walkers. But then again, maybe it's easier to hunt when you're a monster too. There's a reason she's so capable, one that she's been hiding for a long time, and one that she really doesn't want her friends to find out about.

Things are changing though, Gen is far busier than usual and the new Draugr she encounters are getting stronger and more aware than ever before. At the same time, her magic seems to be gong haywire and she needs to get it under control before she gets herself into trouble she can't get out of.

The main character was a little bit annoying at first. She came across quite arrogant at the start, but she definitely grew on me once we passed that. On the other hand, I really liked Eli and his bluntness immediately. This is the first time I've heard of Draugr and it was really interesting to learn about something new, but for those who like a bit of familiarity, the book also involves the fae which I love.

As always with Melissa Marr's books, the world is so elaborately built. It's been a while since I read such a rich world. There is a very different magic system and some unique traits, for example I loved how Gen could drink vodka for breakfast but fruit made her drunk! I really enjoyed the book and I'm very glad this is the start of a series. There's a reason Melissa is one of my favourite authors!

I was recently persuaded to make a margarita for a neighbour and thought it would be easier to just make big jug instead. Shake up 2 parts tequila, 1 part triple sec and 1 part lime juice with lots of ice. Strain into the jug. You might want to make a few at a time to avoid overfilling the shaker.

 Raybearer - Jordan Ifueko

The only thing more powerful than a wish is a purpose.

Tarisai has no idea who she really is or why her she has been brought up in this way. In a house and gardens with only the servants and her tutors for company. The servants are terrified to touch her because of her power to steal memories. Only her mother dares to hold her and she is very rarely there. But Tarisai was born for a purpose, and she will be forced to carry out her mother's magical wish unless she can find a way to fight back.

This book has a great opening line, but after that it was a bit of a slow starter for me. Around halfway it got a lot more exciting with some very interesting revelations that I really didn't see coming.  I liked that we got to see Tarisai as a young child at first but then through the book she grows up and matures.  She even finds positive uses for her memory power. There's a good ending, keeping me intrigued to know what happens next, but without leaving me on too much of a cliffhanger.

There's also a useful glossary which was at the back of the book and unfortunately I didn't see it till the end. I advise checking it as you read!

Here's how to make a Raybearer's Hard Lemonade! Muddle some mint in a shaker, add 2 shots of vodka, 1 shot lemon juice, 2 shots lime juice and a dash of sugar syrup. Shake with ice and strain into an ice filled glass. Top with soda and garnish with some more mint.