I am aware that this post is LONG overdue but I had it half written so I may as well finish it!
Here are some short reviews of some books I read!
10. The Gilded Ones - Namina Forma
Category: YA
Our main character is Deka and she is about to have her Purity ceremony which happens when girls reach a certain age. If their blood flows red, they are fine, if it is gold, they are impure. This is a very patriarchal society. Her rejection by the village is horrendous but she is offered an opportunity to join an army of girls who fight against Deathshrieks who are increasing in number and boldness at attacking the people. Her new life is difficult and Deka wonders if she will ever be accepted anywhere. Will she ever come to terms with herself and the terrible truth she discovers?
The world building in this book incredible and this felt very different. I felt like I went on a huge journey with the character and I felt very much for her constant feeling of rejection and devastation. The ending was unexpected. I would love to read the sequels even though there is some pretty gory description and allusion to violence and rape. I give this 4/5
11. The Stormkeepers' battle - Catherine Doyle
This is the last book in a trilogy (and I haven't read the last 2) set on an Irish island telling of a boy called Fionn Boyle who is facing an epic battle. An evil sorceress, a crow character called The Morrigan has been raised from her death and they are all trapped on the island of Arranmore. Fionn becomes the Storm Keeper of Arranmore and so it is he that stands between her and the future of only darkness. He will need to find a way to defeat her. But does everyone believe in him? Will any of them be left to help him before their capture? There were a lot of battles- a lot of the character build up and introductions had been done in previous books which meant I found the book exciting but exhausting. I found the book quite dark, as is intended with this character but nonetheless very exciting.
I gave it 3.5/5
12. I, Cosmo - Carlie Sorosiak
This book is told from the first person perspective of family dog, Cosmo. Cosmo is worried about his family. The parents seem to be arguing a lot. It was so full of heart. I found myself very anxious about what would happen to Cosmo who is getting very old and when I saw a review comparing it to Charlotte's web, I spent most of the book getting worried about how it would end! The idea of the dog dancing classes and competitions seemed a bit far-fetched but funny. I bought an Author proof of this from Barnardo's. I give this 4.5/5
13. The secret of Haven Point - Lisette Auton
Told from the perspective of Alpha Lux, a wreckling. She lives at Haven Point, a lighthouse which is isolated from the rest of the wound. All the wrecklings have found their way there and have various disabilities or things which make them special or outcast by the rest of the world. It's all about positive naming. The Author is herself, a disabled person (her naming) and I like that her main characters all had disabilities and this was part of the plot. It had a fantasy element to it, mermaids who help the wrecklings rob cargo boats every so often to ensure they have the things they need to survive. One day, our main character Lux notices a glint as if someone is watching with binoculars and she investigates and discovers a spy! I was confused a bit with the writing at times and I found the ending a bit strange and abrupt but I can't say why I feel like that. I give it 4/5
14. Sangu Mandana - Kiki Kallira breaks a kingdom
Based on characters from Hindu tradition, Kiki Kallira is a chronic worrier. She worries about what she does to the detriment of her mental health. She enjoys drawing a fictional character based on the folk stories and characters of Hindi mythology in Mysore to soothe her anxieties. One day, it all goes wrong when characters start jumping out of her sketch book and she has to enter her fictional version of Mysore to save the city from the god she gave power back to by somehow releasing them from the prison they were placed in by the gods aided by a bunch of rebel children who are orphans and her beloved main character who defends them. The book has an unexpected twist and great description and is very imaginative. I gave it 4/5
15. Zillah Bethel- The Song Walker
This is one of those books where you have no idea where it will end! I was gripped. Our story begins with a girl who wakes up and finds herself stranded in the Australian outback, alone with no memory of who she is or how she got there. She only has with her a metal case with a combination lock. She must survive the desert and see if she can discover who she is and why she is there. It was gripping with an surprising ending. I don't want to spoil this for you by saying more but is very respectful towards and educating of First Nation culture and I really enjoyed learning the secrets.
16. The Body in the Blitz- Robin Stephens
The latest in the Murder Most Unladylike series spin off- The Ministry of Unladylike activity. May, Eric and Nuala find themselves staying in a small Cul de Sac in London during the Blitz as they are needed at the Ministry of Unladylike behaviour. They find themselves involved in another murder as a body is found in a house that was recently bombed in the Blitz. Who is it? How long has it been there? Who killed them. The children must try to solve the mystery before the authorities do. There was a LOT of red herrings and round the houses with this one which seemed quite realistic and made it hard to work out who the murder was. The children's friendships are tested and there is added difficulty that Daisy Wells is missing after a mission to France! This was excellent as I always expect from Robin Stevens. She represents a lot of different social groups in her stories, well and sensitively. I give it 5/5