Shadow and Bone * Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. 

Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Alina Starkov isn't your average girl, she's a mapmaker for the Second Army. With her best and only friend Mal by her side, nothing can go wrong. 

Until they venture into the Unsea, a place where few have returned, but when their ship is doomed and they somehow find their way home. The only person they have to thank is Alina, and her hidden gift.  

Soon her old life is quickly taken away from her when she is thrust into the unknown world of the Grisha. But with the watchful eye on her from the beautiful Darkling, can Alina really be the hope for all mankind? Or is she just a pawn in a deathly and lethal game? 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, is the first book in the Grishaverse series. I am currently doing a buddy read with the lovely Katherine and it's been a great book to start with. We have decided to read the entire series, one book a month until we finish and I can't wait to get started on the next one.  

I really enjoyed this one, it took me a while to get into it and I felt that it was quite a slow burner to begin with. Though it soon picked up the pace and I was turning pages as fast as I could to keep up with the story. I loved the writing style, and I certainly loved Alina's character - She comes across as a total badass and I'm down for that. 

To be honest, the names in the book sometimes totally threw me out, and I didn't understand why some words were constantly in italics, such as Kefta cause damn that started to annoy me after a while. I'm sure there must be a reason to it, who knows? 

Can we talk about that shock towards the end of the book though? Because I was not expecting that to happen. Damn, that changed the story dramatically. 

Without giving too much away, I really enjoyed the book and I can't wait to get back into the series and onto the next book.  

I will be giving this book 4 out 5 

(Cawpile rating of 7.64) 

Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords - Laura Ellen Anderson

Amelia Fang is the biggest hearted vampiress you'll ever meet. In this adventure, she and her friends Florence the yeti (DON'T CALL HER BEAST), Grimaldi the Death and Prince Tangine (reformed spoiled sprout), along with her pet pumpkin Squashy, must brave the journey to the terrifying Kingdom of the Light to try to find Tangine's missing mother, Queen Fairyweather.

Amelia and her friends are back in a glitter filled adventure. When Amelia, Florence and Grimaldi find out about Tangine's missing mother, the gang head out on a quest to find Fairweather. Though there's just one catch, they need to venture to the scary world of The Kingdom of Light.  

But when they arrive, something doesn't seem right and it certainly doesn't sit well with the little vampire. Once more, the friends aren't used to the sun being up, let alone the glitter, unicorns, bunnies and sugar. 

With time running out to save Fairyweather, the gang must find out the source of the strange pink mist...and fast!

Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords by Lauren Ellen Anderson, is the second book in the wonderful Amelia Fang series, and I loved it. This was another read that was part of the Believeathon 2 in May and I just can't get enough of this series. 

I love the illustrations, the word play, it's highly hilarious for adults as well as children which I think is a fabulous thing to be able to write. I especially love Grimaldi, I think he's got to be my favourite character in all the books so far. Even as a 25 year old, I can resonate with Florence, I just love her language it makes me laugh. 

If you're looking for a new children's series for your little ones, I would highly recommend this one. Andersons writing style is beautiful and a pleasure to read. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. 

I will be giving this book 4 out of 5

The Starlight Watchmaker * Lauren James

Wealthy students from across the galaxy come to learn at the prestigious academy where Hugo toils as a watchmaker. But he is one of the lucky ones. 

Many androids like him are jobless and homeless. Someone like Dorian could never understand their struggle - or so Hugo thinks when the pompous duke comes banging at his door. 

When Dorian bursts through Hugo's attire space, demanding that he fix time travel watch. Hugo thinks it will be just another normal day in his mundane, android life. 

However, when he starts takes a look at the watch, Hugo soon realises that something isn't right, and it's certainly not good. 

With the surprising help from Dorian, both android and human must overcome their differences and embark on a journey to uncover who is breaking the watches and why, but it doesn't come without a cost. 

Oh, they also need to save the planet in the process. 

The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James, is the first in a series by this lovely author.  I picked up this book  whilst I was away last year, when I visited a lovely little local bookshop and I'm happy I did.  

The story centres around an Android named Hugo, a human named Dorian and their differences from where they're from. Both characters already have presumptions about the other and through their journey are made to question their brought up beliefs and what their first impressions of each other are.  

The story is lovely, quirky and uplifting. Filled with friendship and overcoming various problems. I think this would be a great read for children to understand not to judge people on how they look. 

I will be giving this book 3 out of 5

The Switching Hour * Damaris Young

Never stay out after the Switching Hour...

never let the outside in...

Amaya lives with her grandmother, her small brother Kaleb and her pet goat in a land suffering a terrible drought.

Every night, the doors must be locked after twilight, the Switching Hour, because the drought has awoken Badeko, a creature that snatches people away to eat their dreams.

The rules is simple; never go out after The Switching Hour, never let the Badeko in and never under any circumstances, leave the door unlocked. Amaya just did all three.

When Amaya forgets to lock the door one night, her younger brother Kaleb soon goes missing and the only 'thing' that has taken him is the Badeko - The creature who feeds off children's dreams.

Amaya must go on a quest to find Kaleb, but it doesn't come without a price. Leaving her home and her only remaining family behind, she must face the dark and mysterious world alone, apart from her pet goat Tau.

With the heat of the sun, a stranger from another distant town and the monster hot on her tail. Amaya must find her brother fast, before the Sorrow Sickness takes her and the Badako catches her dreams.

The Switching Hour by Damaris Young, is this new authors debut novel. And what a novel it is!
This book became my favourite book on the whole of Believeathon and I adored and devoured it as quickly as I could.

The story is rich and inviting, the characters are wonderfully written and the whole plot and world building is wonderfully spooky. The only was I can describe this book is that it's kind of like a children's horror. Think 'Stranger Things' and 'Everything Under' combined into one and you get this spectacular read. This book is not just for children, it's a splendid read filled with love, hope, grief and loss. Also mingled with friendship and goosebump-chilling spookiness.

I highly enjoyed this book and I seriously can't wait for more by this talented author!

I will be giving this book 5 out of 5
(Cawpile rating of 9.71)

The Lost Magician * Piers Torday

1945. They have survived the Blitz, but when Simon, Patricia, Evelyn and Larry step through a mysterious library door, it is the beginning of their most dangerous adventure yet. They discover the magical world of Folio, where an enchanted kingdom of fairy knights, bears and tree gods is under threat from a sinister robot army.

The many stories of the Library are locked in eternal war, and the children's only hope is to find their creator - a magician who has been lost for centuries.

What they discover will change not just their own lives, but the fate of the world, for ever...

When four siblings venture to a library through the attic door of an old country home, they can't believe what they're seeing. 

Simon, Patricia, Evie and Larry have come to Hatfield Hall to live over the school holidays after the most recent war. Though none of the children envisioned getting caught up in a war of their own, especially a war between robots, bears and other mythical creatures. 

As the children embark on an adventure of a lifetime, they must decide how brave they are, how much are the willing to sacrifice and most importantly, who can they trust? 

The Lost Magician by Piers Today, is the first in a new Children's series and I'll be honest, I wasn't that keen on the story. 

Whilst I do love the reason behind it and some elements of the book, such as the world building and the retellings of children's classics from various character's point of views. I also feel the story lacked imagination, and here's why. 

As I was reading there we're very similar notes to various different stories, the main one being 'The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe' by C.S. Lewis, which don't get me wrong is an absolute classic, but I think one of the reasons why I wasn't too keen on this books because, I was never into TLWAW to begin with. 

I know that this book is different and I persevered and read till the end, but I just felt it lacked imagination and was a little lacklustre. I just feel that the book could have had a lot more potential. Simon and Patricia's characters also annoyed me. 

With that said, I would give the second book in the series a chance and will read it, I believe the next is based on the children's own children in the future.  

I sadly gave this book 2 out of 5. 
(Cawpile rating of 2.86)

Amelia Fang and The Barbaric Ball * Laura Ellen Anderson

Meet Amelia Fang. She loves playing Goblin Tag and cuddling her pet pumpkin, Squashy. She hates going to her mum and dad's boring Barbaric Ball.

Oh, and one more thing - Amelia is a Vampire. 

When the spoilt prince of Nocturnia captures Squashy, Amelia must plan a daring rescue. But things in the Kingdom of the Dark may not be all they seem...

It's time for the annual Barbaric Ball again and for the young vampire, Amelia Fang. It's the worst time of year! Though when there's talk of a new boy starting school and not just any boy, but Price Tangine, Amelia and her friends can't wait to meet him. Though not all is what it seems.

He's rude, unpleasant and a downright spoilt sprout. But when Amelia's pet pumpkin, Squashy is stolen away from her, the little vampire has an idea on who may be behind it.

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson, is the first book in the Amelia Fang children's series and I loved it so much. I feel if these books were out when I was younger, my Mum would have definitely get them me.

It's cute and cooky and quite funny in some places, the imagination and play on words used to describe some of the things in the books, such as the food and places of interest were wonderful. I loved Amelia and her friends Florence and Grimaldi, the characters are well written and I feel this would be a brilliant asset to any children's bookshelf.

Also, the drawings and the map themselves we're great! All done by the author herself too.

If you're looking for a new book for your child or even fancy some middle grade reads yourself and don't know where to look, I would recommend these! Small and quick reads but mighty on adventure!

I will be giving this book 4 out of 5 
(8.07 on Cawpile rating system)