Mix & Match 14

I have read A LOT this month so to keep up with all the reviews, here's another mix and match post. Today I am posting from Greece so I'm using a unique Greek liqueur called mastiha in 3 different ways. To start, you can just enjoy a delicious shot of mastiha. A very simple drink is to try mixing it with pink grapefruit tonic. Or make my Mastiha Magic cocktail with 1 shot each of mastiha and lemon juice, 1/2 shot triple sec and a dash of Angosturra bitters. Stir with ice, then strain into a short, ice filled glass.

The Light Hunters by Dan Walker

Years ago, the Light Hunters were applauded, even revered. Until a fatal error of judgement turned the people of Daven against them. However, there are a few people who still believe in them and would love to see them back in action, fighting monsters.

Lux is one of those, and even more, he can actually use Light. I really felt for him, having to keep his power a secret from the people around him, even his best friend. Of course it all comes out eventually and he and Maya are drawn into the Light Hunters' world.  

I loved the idea of Light as a powerful force, like magic. All the light technology was fascinating. This was a really exciting start to the series and I am looking forward to book 2 which is out soon.

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell

So, I probably should have expected it, but this book is quite romance-heavy which is something I'm generally not too interested in. However, I did still enjoy a lot of the stories. I started off with the authors I already knew, but I think my favourite stories were Roja, by Anna-Maria McLemore, and Walking After Midnight by Kody Keplinger. Both of whom are new authors for me.

The Journey After the Crown by Andrew Mackie

After losing both parents, twins Violet and Daisy are desperate to find work. Through a series of events, they end up serving on the Queen's official tour of Australia. As glamorous as this sounds, the reality is far from it! This is quite a slow paced book but it gives a tantalizing glimpse into life behind the scenes, how everyone answers to someone, even those that seem so high ranking to a lowly maid like Violet. I found Daisy so incredibly frustrating, it was hard to really get into the book when I disliked one of the main characters so much. The was an interesting author's note at the end, about how the idea for the book first came to her. It's amazing how a whole book can come from one scene.

The Colour of Hope by Ross MacKenzie

Imagine the entire world in black, white and grey, imagine not even knowing what colour is. But the world wasn't always like this. Years ago, a prince was born without colour and when he grew up, he used a spell to remove colour from everywhere, so he wouldn't have to be the only one without it.

How awful it would be to have a world without colour! The descriptions by the older people who can still remember it are really amazing, I wouldn't have known where to start. The magical way colour is described, how it warms and lights up the world, it's so evocative. I also loved all the fantastical elements in the book, Sandy's magic caravan and all his potions. The author has also managed to make a fantastic Death character who almost rivals the Discworld character.

After loving Nowhere Emporium trilogy, I was very happy to find the author had this new book coming, I love his writing.

Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin

The book starts with a lovely map, which really helps when the characters talk about all the different places.

The whole story is so fantastical, with sky fish, cumulous whales, floating cities and of course the paper animals that walk and talk and seem so alive!

There is one shocking revelation after another, it definitely kept me gripped and wanting to keep reading. I found all the different relationship dynamics very interesting, though I felt bad for Kurara, not having anyone truly close apart from Haru.

As usual with most books, I found myself loving the animal companion, they are always my favourite characters! Akane is a great one, such a sweetheart, so loyal and caring, and so intelligent, though his master doesn't seem to realise it.

I will be eagerly awaiting news of the next book!

The Billow Maiden by James Dixon

Book Summary

Ailsa's mum is ill, not the first time, so they spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. Aunt Bertha, Uncle Nod and their dog Moxie live on an island off the coast, by a beautiful fishing village surrounded by beaches and clifftops. Ailsa and Moxie spend their whole time there exploring these beaches and cliffs, until one day they find a hidden cave. Inside the cave, they find Hefring, a strange woman not keen on strangers.

Ailsa slowly gets to know who Hefring is. She is a selkie, a mermaid, a billow maiden from ancient myth. However, she is stuck on land and slowly dying. It is up to Ailsa and her new friend Camilla to save her, but there are plenty of obstacles in the way - not least Ailsa's own fears and her mum's illness.

This was a really delightful story that I just didn't want to stop reading! It was full of Norse mythology which I loved. I don't know as much about it as I do about some other mythologies, some of it was familiar to me but there was also lots of newness. I would love to find out more about some of the stories mentioned.

The scenery was beautiful, I could imagine running around the island with Moxie, exploring the endless caves and beaches. Though I probably would have been a lot more hesitant than Ailsa, she's so brave, diving into all these new places. Ailsa's friendship with Camilla is lovely too. Though Camilla seems so clever and worldly wise, she needs a friend as much as Ailsa does and together they can get through anything. One of the things I loved while reading was how "aye" is basically an answer for any question or comment made by anyone in this book! The perfect all-encompassing statement :)

I found this lovely looking cocktail on proofcocktails.nl which also has lots of other interesting cocktails which I will be trying out ASAP!

To make The Selkie’s Tears, stir the following ingredients in ice and then strain into a cocktail glass. 45ml scotch whiskey, 22ml Lilet Blanc, 15ml King's Ginger (ginger/lemon liqueur), 3 dashes of celery bitters. Then garnish with some samphire. Apparently the selkies love this garnish!

 Spotlight on...
Son of Shadow by John Lenahan

Today I have a spotlight for the start of the Son of Shadow blog tour. The book is out on 25th June 2022, and you can add it to your Goodreads shelf here

Book Summary

A world of faeries, leprechauns and dragons – and magic fuelled by the blood of trees.

A mystery portal to the Real World.

And a pair of curious young adventurers who know they shouldn’t step through it…

Meet Fergal the Second, nicknamed ‘two’. Or ‘Doe’, in his own language. He can do magic. But, for the moment, he’s forgotten where he’s from. Or what’s happened to his blind friend Ruby.

He’s actually from Tir na Nog, the enchanted world of Shadowmagic, where a new generation of the royal House of Duir are cheeking their parents, preparing for adulthood and itching to see the Real World for themselves – whatever the peril.

Author Bio

Born in Philadelphia but long settled in the UK, John Lenahan is an acclaimed magician and TV performer. He fronted his own BBC2 magic series Stuff the White Rabbit, played the voice of the toaster in Red Dwarf and has appeared on a wide range of entertainment shows including TFI Friday, Comedy Café and Celebrity Squares. He is a member of the exclusive Magic Circle. He is also the author of the popular Shadowmagic trilogy, a fantasy adventure series for young adults which combines Irish folk myth with 21st-century wit. Son of Shadow takes up the story once more, following the noble houses of the magical parallel world of Tir na Nog into the next generation.

 Mix & Match 13

Start by making yourself a Bee's Knees cocktail, then choose any one of these awesome books to accompany it! Add the following ingredients into a shaker with lots of ice: 60ml gin, 25ml lemon juice, 15ml honey syrup, 10ml orange juice. Shake and strain into a glass.

The Mesmerist by Claire Luana

Adrijana has always dreamed of leaving her small village and going to the palace, where her best friend Simeon is one of the princess's guards. However, when she and her father are persuaded to spend the evening there, they are embroiled in the murder of the queen and considered suspects.

Jana seems to have a special ability, but how rare and unusual is it? With everything that happens, it seems that only one of the Mesmers, can help her. So much mystery and intrigue, everyone seems suspicious and like Jana, I never knew who to trust.

There's just something so delightful about Claire Luana's writing, it's easy to fall straight into the worlds she creates. They are so rich and colourful, with such wonderful characters.

The Friendly Mammoth by Anna Terreros-Martin

Mansi shares my love of museums, but what she really wants is a friend to share things with. While drawing in the museum she finds herself in the past. The illustrations are beautiful and as much part of the story as the words are. Hopefully this can inspire lots of children to care about animals and the world around them. I learnt a few things myself, including that there was an elk whose antlers were each longer than I am tall!

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold

Rio has been sent to stay in California, with the grandmother he hardly knows, while his mother is in hospital for 4 weeks. At first he's scared of this new life, Rio has been the responsible adult in his family his whole life and doesn't really know how to let go and be a kid. But when he meets the ocean, everything changes. 

I could share Rio's excitement and astonishment at learning about the whales and particularly White Beak, the first whale his mother ever saw. I felt like I was growing with Rio as he discovered more about the whales and the ocean, and also about himself. It was quite an emotional ride! I also loved the touch of magic in the book.

Without being at all preachy, this book gives a strong message to kids (and adults) to try to be more thoughtful about the world. It's scary how much humans are damaging the world and I want to do more to help. It has definitely inspired me to step up my efforts and make a few more changes in my life.

Willow Moss and the Lost Day by Dominique Valente

I really enjoyed the writing and the characters. Willow is an adorable character who you can't help loving. Quite downtrodden at home by her more powerful sisters, she's actually so brave and determined and ready to save the day.

It was a really lovely story. I liked the ending, though I feel it was a bit unfinished in some aspects, I suspect they may get picked up in later books. I've already bought book 2!

The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read & Laura Trinder

The midnight hour is a time and place where all the magic has been contained and the magical creatures and monsters can live safely, away from normal people. But this one place isn't enough for some of them, who want the daytime realm for their own too.

Emily has always thought she was too normal, if anything. Apart from having a totally bonkers, embarrassing mum, her Dad more than makes up for it by being the most boring person in the universe. However, Emily is very wrong! Her parents have been keeping some huge secrets from her and when they both go missing, she finds out about this amazing other world.

This book is written with such a wonderful sense of humour, I loved Emily and the Gob, which seems to have a life of its own.

 Spotlight on...
The Knave of Secrets by Alex Livingston

Today is the first day of the blog tour for The Knave of Secrets by Alex Livingston and I have a spotlight for you with all the information you need to know! UK publication date is 9th June 2022 and you can add it to Goodreads here.

Book Summary

A twisty tale of magicians, con artists and card games, where secrets are traded and gambled like coin, for fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora and The Mask of Mirrors.

Never stake more than you can afford to lose.

When failed magician turned cardsharp Valen Quinol is given the chance to play in the Forbearance Game—the invitation-only tournament where players gamble with secrets—he can’t resist. Or refuse, for that matter, according to the petty gangster sponsoring his seat at the table. Valen beats the man he was sent to play, and wins the most valuable secret ever staked in the history of the tournament.

Now Valen and his motley crew are being hunted by thieves, gangsters, spies and wizards, all with their own reasons for wanting what’s in that envelope. It’s a game of nations where Valen doesn’t know all the rules or who all the players are, and can’t see all the moves. But he does know if the secret falls into the wrong hands, it could plunge the whole world into war…

Author Bio

Alex Livingston grew up in various quiet New England towns before moving to Buffalo, NY to study English at Canisius College. He writes SFF prose and interactive fiction. Alex is married and lives in an old house with his brilliant wife and a pile of aged videogame systems.