The Haunting of Aveline Jones - Phil Hickes

Aveline is obsessed with ghosts and when she's sent to stay with her aunt in Monmouth, she thinks she might just find some in the creepy seaside town. There are all the weird and mysterious scarecrows around and no one really seems to know why. And when she finds a book specifically about ghosts around Monmouth, some seriously strange things start happening.

When I first read that Aveline could even have considered going away without taking any books with her I gasped in shock! But then she fully redeems herself with her joy at finding the second hand bookshop. The bookshop sounds wonderful, especially the back which is like a secret book cave. The owner, Mr Lieberman is a great character, I can see her aunt warns her about him but he is definitely Aveline's (and my) kind of person. I loved the way he describes books and his shop, as if he's adopting all the lost books!

There are the mysterious notes by PP. Sentences interspersed though the book, before each new chapter, which start out quite straightforward but get progressively more ominous. Who is PP and what do these notes mean? They become more meaningful and connected to the story as the book goes on. 

The eerieness and suspense intensifies until you're just waiting for something big to happen. The humorous, quirky writing made me smile quite often as I read. I enjoyed reading this book so much, it's got the perfect blend of creepiness, unusual friendships and booklovers. Book 2 is out around Autumn next year which is far too long to make me wait!

It's not a Christmassy book but as I'm writing this around Christmas time (and I love cherries) I've made a Christmas Cheer-re. I had to substitute some of the ingredients but it still turned out pretty well. 1 shot each of genever, cherry heering liqueur and barolo chinato, 1/2 shot gin, 1/4 shot maraschino and 2 dashes of orange bitters. Stir all with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry (or 3).

 Amari and the Night Brothers - B.B. Alston

Book Summary

Amari Peters knows three things.

Her big brother Quinton has gone missing.

No one will talk about it.

His mysterious job holds the secret . . .

So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon.

Amari must compete against kids who’ve known about the supernatural world their whole lives, and when each trainee is awarded a special supernatural talent, Amari is given an illegal talent – one that the Bureau views as dangerous.

With an evil magician threatening the whole supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she is the enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t pass the three tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton . . .

Thank you so much to The Write Reads for letting me be part of this blog tour. The proof for this book was as exciting as the book itself, with high security warnings and lots of magical sparkles. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished book too which I hear will have illustrated chapter headings which I love.

The book starts off quite seriously but soon turns completely magical and fantastical. It's a bit reminiscent of Men In Black but with supernaturals like fairies and witches instead of aliens. I really loved the magical world which was full of so many different mythical beings, countless magical talents and all the amazing technology like Sky Sprints, shoes that let you walk up walls and even on air! Imagine a world where every magical being you've ever heard of is real.

The writing is really good, every time I read I felt fully immersed in Amari's world. There was one twist I suspected but really didn't want to believe and some others that I didn't see coming at all. A lot happened very quickly at the end and I was starting to think there might need to be a sequel, but it actually didn't feel rushed after all. Nevertheless, I definitely think we need more Amari! I'm hoping for a long series.

I've been sipping on an Amarita Cocktail made by shaking up a shot of tequila, half shot of aperol, 1/3 shot of lime juice and a few dashes of grapefruit bitters. Strain into a martini glass.

 Books I MUST Read Before the End of the Year

I'm setting my December reading list out here so that someone out there can hold me accountable and make sure I read all the books I've committed to! I've seen others do this and thought it was a great idea. I should really have posted this at the end of November but at least now I can say I have read the first two on my list :) To reach this year's Goodreads challenge I'll need to read all of these.

Amari and the Night Brothers - B.B. Alston

This proof is really exciting, it's for a blog tour and I recently got my date of 13th Dec. I'm happy to say I finished this one! You will be able to read my review soon, spoiler alert I really enjoyed it.

The Word Trove - Elias Vorpahl 

I got this from Readers First and need to review for the release date though there are so many conflicting dates and I only just received this at the end of November!

The Vine Eater - Carol Beth Anderson

An audiobook I got free for review but I had no many library reserves come through I didn't have time to get to this till now. It's the sequel to The Frost Eater and actually part of a trilogy which I don't think I realised till now. I have started listening and I'm enjoying it so far.

Specter - Katie Jane Gallagher

This is my last book for BBNYA (Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Award) and I have a deadline which is coming up very soon!

The Mirroculist Mission and The Mirrors Shattered - A.J. Hartley

This trilogy was sent to me with a very reasonable reading window and I have still managed to fall behind! I really enjoyed the first book, Monsters in the Mirror and I'm excited to continue on with the series.

Half A King - Joe Abercrombie

This was a birthday present and I don't know much about it but it sounds all twisty and mysterious. The cover looks so good and I'm excited to get to it!  

The Elephant in the Room - Holly Goldberg Sloan

This one looked so pretty, I jumped at the chance of a proof. It's quite short so I should be able to get this one read and reviewed quickly.

Owl and the Lost Boy - Amy Wilson

Threadneedle - Cari Thomas

The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow - Amy McCulloch & Zoe Sugg

These were wishes that came true on NetGalley and I feel so bad that I didn't get to the them right away, even though I fully intended to! Also Owl and the Lost Boy will help me with one of the last few prompts for A-Z readathon and I do love Amy Wilson's books so much.

The Vanishing Trick - Jenni Spangler

Another audiobook, this time from the library, it expires soon so I need to listen asap.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky - Kwame Mbalia

I've been wanting to read this for ages and it has finally been chosen for the Middle Grade Marvels book club. However as it has only just arrived I have not been able to start yet and I've missed the first week of the book club.

Do you have a TBR list for December to finish off the year? Have you read any of these, if so let me know which I should read first.

The Cousins - Karen M. McManus

The Write Reads blog tour for The Cousins is going strong and today it is my turn! The book is released in 2 days on 3rd December so still just enough time to get your pre-orders in!

Book Summary

The Storys are the envy of their neighbours: owners of the largest property on their East Coast island, they are rich, beautiful, and close. Until it all falls apart. The four children are suddenly dropped by their mother with a single sentence:

You know what you did.

They never hear from her again.

Years later, when 18-year-old cousins Aubrey, Milly and Jonah Story receive a mysterious invitation to spend the summer at their grandmother's resort, they have no choice but to follow their curiosity and meet the woman who's been such an enigma their entire lives.

This entire family is built on secrets, right? It's the Story legacy.

This summer, the teenagers are determined to discover the truth at the heart of their family. But some secrets are better left alone.

The three very different cousins have never met their grandmother Mildred and hardly even know each other, so they are very surprised to each receive a letter inviting them to work on Gull Cove Island, Mildred's exclusive resort. While Millie and Aubrey immediately bond, Jonah seems determined to stay moody and distant. None of the teens know why their parents are estranged from Mildred. Their only clue is the 'you know what you did' letter and the parents are not very forthcoming, all saying they are convinced they didn't do anything.

I liked Milly and Aubrey right away, and even Jonah grew on me, but I have to say their parents all seem terrible! It's hard to believe the kids turned out as well as they did. Only the three kids really get fleshed out in terms of their characters as they are the main protagonists. We do get a bit of Milly's mum as a young girl but I really would have liked to know more about the grandmother.

The book is gripping and full of interwoven mysteries. Each new twist or piece of information just adds to the complexity. The flashbacks to the past add another intriguing layer to the mystery, and I really wanted to find out how it would all fit in together. I had plenty of theories but I don't think I could ever have guessed the final outcome!

I made a Milly Martini - muddle a few basil leaves in a shaker and then add a shot and a half of gin, the same again of pineapple juice, a dash of sugar syrup and a few drops of orange bitters. Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

 Mix & Match 8

Start with making yourself a G&T, get out your favourite gin and pour a generous measure. Top with tonic then garnish to suit your mood.  You can try grapefruit, rosemary or be more adventurous with strawberry and black pepper.  You could even just stick with a classic slice of lime. I've gone for some juniper berries to bring out the flavour of the gin. Once you've decided what you're drinking choose a book to go with it!

Monsters in the Mirror - A.J. Hartley

Darwen has just moved to Atlanta to live with  his aunt and feels completely out of place. When a strange, bat-like creature catches his eye in a shopping mall, he is led to the mysterious and wonderful Mr Octavius Peregrine's Reflectory Emporium where he discovers there are other worlds behind the mirror.

The gorgeous holographic cover and the contents pages immediately hint at a very magical book. The book is full of so many weird creatures, like Scrobblers, terrifying apelike giants on top of huge motorbikes, and Gnashers, monsters with no head but a horrible mouth in their chest and lots of shark-like teeth. Of course there are also lovely creatures like Moth, who befriends Darwen. I also loved that there was a magical shop with a mysterious shopkeeper, this is one of my favourite elements in fantasy!

I absolutely devoured this book. I was a bit daunted by the size at first but it actually reads pretty fast. This is the first of a trilogy but thankfully there is no big cliffhanger to worry about.

The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides 

Alicia is found standing over the husband's body, covered in blood and holding a gun. From that moment she refuses to speak, not even to protest her own innocence, and everyone is convinced she's guilty. But Theo, a psychotherapist, believes there may be more to the story and is determined to get through to Alicia and cure her.

Fast paced and easy to read, this kept me reading all the way through and had a very clever twist which I didn't guess.

Venom - Bex Hogan

Marianne finally feels like she is making progress. She will marry prince Torin and the King has agreed that he will finally step down and let them rule after the wedding. Of course things never go to plan and when there's an attempt on Torin's life, she finds herself on the run again.

She decides her only option is to learn more about the magic that is supposed to be in her veins. Only as a mage will she truly be able to fight and save the islands and her people. But instead of finding help, she finds more people in need of her help. Marianne faces so many difficult decisions, none seem right and all lead to some kind of pain and heartbreak. The word sacrifice keeps coming up, following her around wherever she goes.

The ending of this book literally left me breathless! I don't know how I'm supposed to wait a year for Vulture.

Cursed Luck - Kelley Armstrong

As a curse weaver, Kennedy specialises in un-hexing magically cursed items, so when Aiden comes to her for help, she's understandable suspicious of his motives. The job gets bigger and more complicated as siblings are kidnapped and ever more powerful magical characters are involved.

This was an intriguing world of curse-breakers. I love that there were hints of Greek Mythology at the start which then grew to much more and brought in other mythologies too, all with quite a different take than usual. Kennedy is descended from Arae, mythological spirits of curse, Aidan may or may not be descended from Leprechauns! The way curses are described is wonderful. Kennedy sees them like golden threads weaved together for untangling, while others hear it like music or see it as a mathematical problem.

It also has what might just be my favourite line in a book, ever:

“Does he have a magical power?”

“He doesn’t need one.... He’s a librarian.”

I read a free version of the book which was posted in chapters online before editing so the final version may be a bit different.

Rumblestar - Abi Elphinstone 

Caspar never does anything unless its on his To Do list. There's no way he could ever be prepared for ending up in the magical kingdom of Rumblestar, but that's exactly what happens when he escapes from a bully by hiding in a grandfather clock. Another thing he doesn't do is have friends, which is absolutely fine by Utterley Thankless, the strange girl he meets, as she doesn't either. However, the evil Harpy Morg is hell-bent on destroying both their worlds and the two find themselves working together to save their homes.

I loved listening to this, the narrator was wonderful and gave the book a real storytelling quality. It's all so magical, with Drizzle Hags making rain marvels, places like Shiverbark Forest where snow marvels are conjured and Arlo the miniature dragon who I adored, he is the best character. The book had elements of Narnia and the Magic Faraway tree. I would love to read more about the Unmapped Kingdoms and will definitely be picking up more of Abi Elphinstone's books.

The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker - Lauren James

Harriet doesn't bother with all the signs saying Danger of Electrocution, or Unstable Structure. She knows this is the perfect place to take photos for her photography project and a bit of danger isn't going to stop her. She's bound to get a good grade with all the amazingly atmospheric photos she's taken. She has so many big plans for her life but unfortunately life has different ideas for her.

This was a bit of a difficult book for me to review. I enjoyed The Quiet at the End of the World and really loved The Loneliest Girl in the Universe so of course couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. 

As usual the author's writing is very good and I loved the way you get to know all the characters and their perspectives, as well as Harriet. This is good because as the book progresses I liked Harriet less and less, and I cared less about her too. Usually I don't enjoy a book that much if I'm not invested in the main character, but thanks to the writing and the other characters I kept with it.

There's an unidentified narrator throughout the book which adds a wonderful mysterious element. Are they orchestrating the whole thing or just watching? I had my suspicions of who this could be though you don't find out till nearer the end. There are lots more surprising twists too!

Poisoned - Jennifer Donnelly

   

 

 

Welcome to my stop on the Poisoned Blog Tour run by Kaleidoscopic Tours, I am so excited to be part of it. The book was released just yesterday so it’s available for you to buy right now!

 

Book Summary

 

Beautiful Sophie, with lips as red as blood, skin as pale as snow, and hair as dark as night, is about to come of age and inherit her father's throne. But Sophie's stepmother wants rid of her - beautiful she may be, but too weak and foolish to reign. And Sophie believes her, as she believes all the things that have been said about her - all the poisonous words people use to keep girls like her from becoming too powerful, too strong.

 

When the huntsman carries out his orders of killing Sophie, she finds a fire burning inside her that will not be extinguished, and sets off to reclaim what was taken from her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The prologue was thrilling and really captured me, I couldn't wait to read more. Who is this mystery villain the huntsman is describing? As much as the Stepmother seems evil, I could almost understand why she had to become the hard woman she is. She knew she wouldn’t have survived in her world otherwise. As to her relationship with Sophie, she actually seems to believe it is necessary to toughen her up in order for her to cope when she becomes queen.

 

I really enjoyed Stepsister so I was very excited to find that Jennifer Donnelly had written a second retelling. However, as much as I wanted to love this book, I just didn’t enjoy the story as much as the first. Some parts, particularly the romance, were fairly predictable and it started to get a little ridiculous how many times the princess could be tricked and killed! I did really enjoy the occasional points of view of the Queen and other characters which gave intriguing insights into these others’ motivations. The moral of the story comes across a little saccharine, but ultimately it is uplifting.

 

 

Snow White Daiquiri

Shake the following with ice, then strain back into the shaker and shake again without ice (dry shake): 2 shots rum, ¼ sugar syrup, ½ shot each of pineapple juice, lime juice and egg white.

 

 

Make sure to check out all the other wonderful blogs on the tour too:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 20 Questions Book Tag

I just had to steal this great book tag idea from The Confessions Of A Music And Book Addict as it looked like so much fun!

1. How many books are too many books in a series?

For a beloved series, there are never enough, but when I'm feeling meh about a book it annoys me if it will take too long to get to the finale. I think the longest one I've read is the Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong and I enjoyed every page of it 💖

2. How do you feel about cliffhangers?

A great way to keep people reading but I wish they didn't apply to me!

3. Hardback or Paperback?

Paperback always, so much easier to read. But I like a beautiful hardback if I'm buying something I've already read and loved, just to have it on my bookshelf.

4. Favourite Book?

I have so many but there are three in particular that always stick in my mind. Flawed by Cecilia Ahern, Gilded Cage by Vic James and After the Fire by Will Hill. I just can't recommend these enough!!!

5. Least favourite book?

I don't really know... actually I do. A Tale of Two Cities was probably the most boring book I have ever read. I had to force myself to read a couple of pages a day just to get through it. I think that's the last time I will ever force myself to read something I enjoy so little.

6. Love triangles, yes or no?

Please NO!

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?

I have very few of these as I really don't like leaving a book unfinished but I did have to learn eventually (see Q5). Look Up sounded like it would be really interesting as I love astronomy but I just couldn't get through the whole thing.

8. A book you’re currently reading?

Unusually for me I'm actually reading multiple books but my main one right now is Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly.

9. Last book you recommended to someone?

The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman and The Ship of Shadows by Maria Kuzniar. Both to my sister on the same day and she still has them so I can't take a photo 😞

10. Oldest book you’ve read?

No idea, probably A Tale of Two Cities but there might have been older books I read when I was younger that I've forgotten.

11. Newest book you’ve read?

Escape From Aurora by Jamie Littler just came out on October 1st!

12. Favourite author?

I CAN'T CHOOSE, DON'T MAKE ME!!!

13. Buying books or borrowing books?

Both! I love books so much I even buy copies of ebooks I've had for free if I really enjoyed them. And borrowing is good too as I can't possibly buy all the books I want. I adore visiting libraries.

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?

I think there are quite a few though none come to mind right now.

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?

Bookmarks, please!

16. A book you can always reread?

All the Harry Potter series, though I don't really have much time for re-reads any more.

17. Can you read while listening to music?

Depends on the music and volume. If it's quiet I can, as long as I don't forget my book and just end up singing along.

18. One POV or multiple POVs?

I never really thought about this before but I do like to get more than one person's view of things. It can be a lot more illuminating, but also confusing if there are too many or it's not done really well.

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?

I would love to have time to finish a book in a day but it only ever happens on days off with an extremely short book.

20. Who do you tag?

@ReadtoRamble

@theartsyreader

@lilikmarcus

@_tirilu

@AmysBookishLife

 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.

Author Interview with Maria Kuzniar

Today I have an extra special post!  As part of Middle Grade Marvels, I had the opportunity to put forward a few questions for Maria Kuzniar, author of the wonderful book The Ship of Shadows, which was released last week.  I've heard that Maria is partial to a bit of prosecco so that's what I'm drinking today!

Here are some of the questions we came up with:

I loved Aleja right from the start, is there a little bit of you in her character?

Thank you, that’s lovely to hear! Yes, there definitely is. Aleja was based off my own wanderlust and longing for adventure. I would have loved to have read about her when I was younger and that was my starting point. Since then I have been lucky enough to have plenty of adventures of my own but I still feel that tickly urge to go out and explore, the less travelled, the better! Just the word ‘expedition’ gives me a shiver of excitement.

Where did you get the idea of linking legends to the changing ship?

This one’s quite a hard question to answer as it was during the editing process that my brilliant editor began to make me think even deeper about the Ship of Shadows, its mythology and backstory and magic system of the shadows. The legends effecting physical changes on the ship came out of that process so it was more of an evolution of ideas than having a direct inspiration from the start.

Why owls? Are they an animal you’ve always been interested in?

I’ve always loved owls! I think they’re mystical, beautiful creatures. And they can be quite fearsome too. The main reason I went for an owl though was to avoid the parrot on the shoulder trope! It also fitted in very nicely with one of Athena’s symbols being an owl—if you’ve read the book, you’ll know what I’m talking about here!—but funnily enough, Penumbra, Captain Quint’s owl, was a later addition. I’d actually already signed with my agent with The Ship of Shadows before both Penumbra and Geoffrey made their appearance!

Is there a specific way you selected the names of your characters?

I love naming characters! I know some authors hate it but it’s actually one of my favourite parts of the early writing process. Aleja’s name popped into my head almost straight away but for the other characters, I looked at older names from the countries they’re originally from. Ermtgen’s name came from a Dutch ship’s passenger list in the early 18th century! Penumbra is the only character with a name that has a special meaning. . .

For more insights into The Ship of Shadows and Maria's writing, check out these other great blogs for the rest of our questions and answers:

Read To Ramble

Fi's Bibliofiles

The Artsy Reader

In case you haven't heard the news, Middle Grade Marvels is a super fun book club where we read one or two Middle Grade books a month and get together in a Twitter group each week to discuss. There's no obligation to get involved every single month and we all get input into the book choice.

Join us at @GradeMarvels for our August book - Small Spaces by Katherine Arden.