Review: Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons

Written by Abi Elphinstone
Illustrated by Kristina Kister
Published by Simon & Schuster

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons is a splendiferously magical, mesmerising adventure brimming with action, excitement and warmth that completely captivated me.

Ten-year-old Ember Spark lives in Yawn, a quiet village on the east coast of Scotland surrounded by cliffs and the wild Swirling Soup Sea. This might sound like the perfect place for an adventure, but Ember believes that, despite craving it, she is living in the most unlikely place for it to find her … but, of course, adventure has a habit of sneaking up on you … especially where magic roams.

On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, Ember is at the beach, skimming stones across the water but, as she is about to leave, she spots something clinging to a rock in the sea. She is surprised to see a hamster in danger and, determined to save him, she jumps in, only to be pulled beneath the waves. The hamster makes an extraordinary jump on to her shoulder and together the two make it back to shore with Ember learning that her new friend’s name is Forty Winks – and she may just have been wrong as to what kind of creature he is!

When a malodorous smell invades the village, Ember is keen to investigate but school awaits. Once in class, her teacher, Mrs Rickety-Knees, gives her some strange instructions, instructions that lead her straight into an incredible adventure …

Making her way to Stonechatter Castle, Ember finds a secret cave where magical beasts recuperate, cared for by Rusty Fizzbang, Vet to Magical Beasts. And he is looking for an apprentice vet. Well, actually, he’s looking for two apprentice vets. Luckily, Mrs Rickety-Knees has also sent new classmate, Arno Whisper, but he’s not really looking for adventure … and Ember is definitely not looking for a friend.

But these two have been brought together to help a baby dragon, whose heart is breaking, after being separated from her parents … Can Ember and Arno become a team and work together to protect these magical beasts? Can they thwart the plans of dastardly criminal, Jasper Hornswoggle, who is intent on exploiting these wonderful creatures? And, can they become the friend each of them needs?

I am always in awe of Abi’s ability to draw me into a magical world and make my heart connect so deeply with the story and characters. I loved meeting both the magical beasts (including dragons, unicorns and hippogriffs) in the hidden sanctuary, accessed via a most brilliant password, and those in our world who need help and protection.

I adored Ember Spark whose name suits her perfectly. She is a flame-haired, feisty and courageous girl who clearly adores animals and has an affinity with them. But she has also been hurt by her parents’ separation and is so scared of losing anyone else that she rejects her friends in order to protect herself, and is not prepared to make new friends. Arno Whisper seems an unlikely adventurer, but he has a lot to teach Ember about facing your fears even when you are scared. Together, they make a brilliant team, protecting magical beasts, but can friendship sneak up on them in the midst of adventure?

The chapter heading and whole-and-partial-page illustrations throughout are gorgeous and complement the magic and warmth of the story perfectly.

I have no doubt that these two incredible children, and their daring missions to help protect and care for magical beasts, will find their way into the hearts of young readers who will be eager to continue their adventures in Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix.

I was lucky enough to have been gifted a proof copy by the wonderful Mel Taylor-Bessent – thank you. I have pre-ordered a special sprayed-edge signed edition for my niece who is a huge Abi Elphinstone fan, and will be buying a finished copy for my class library where I know it will be very popular.

WWW Wednesday

I really have no idea what happened to the me that could only ever read one book at a time! My evening read is The Gathering (definitely one for adults) which has totally hooked me in from the start. I’m also reading Angel of Grasmere which is absolutely riveting – really packs an emotional punch. I’m listening to On Silver Tides which I’m absolutely loving – but definitely worried about what will happen to Kelda’s little sister, Isla as she is becoming ostracised.

I have finished The Narzat which is such a funny, heart-warming story. I have posted my review. I have also finished listening to the audiobook of Son of the Sea which was a wonderful adventure which I really enjoyed. I also read The House at the End of the Sea and have posted my review. Finally, I read The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie and have posted me review.

I’m hoping to read Nush and the Stolen Emerald next.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Review: Fablehouse: Heart of Fire by E.L. Norry

*Written by E.L. Norry*
*Cover Illustration by Thy Bui*
*Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books*

Fablehouse: Heart of Fire is the second book in the Fablehouse series, blending magic, history and Arthurian legend in a spellbinding adventure of connection, friendship and belonging – utterly captivating!

Heather is enjoying spending time at Fablehouse with her friends who have newly discovered magical powers which they are strictly forbidden to use by their headmistress, Miss Isolde. During a game of hide-and-seek, Davey, the youngest child at the orphanage, goes missing which causes Heather to panic and lose control of her own power: the ability to conjure fire. With help from her friends, Davey is found safe and well – but showing off his own powers! Are these new-found powers a curse or a gift for the children?

Later, there is a knock at the door, and Heather opens it to discover a stranger: an Inspector who has come to inspect the orphanage, threatening to close it down if they don’t pass their impending inspection. Could the children be in danger of losing their home, the place that has provided them with a safe haven, away from the prejudices of the locals?

And so begins an edge-of-your seat, action-packed adventure as the children fight to save their home from being closed down, as they face the prejudices of the local villagers and as their Arthurian knight protector, Pal, is distracted by a centuries-old quest that he must complete. Can the children discover the truth of who is a friend, and who is an enemy, before all is lost? Can Heather find the strength to accept and control her fiery magic and use it to save her family and home?

This is an absolutely riveting read which kept me on tenterhooks as tension and danger build to a crescendo. I loved that I had a real sense that the children were facing danger, but not quite sure what direction this was coming from. I genuinely gasped at the unexpected twists and revelations, and was both angered and saddened at the rejection the children were shown by the local villagers. I loved how Arthurian legend steps into 1950s Britain to bring magic, danger and hope.

Heather and her friends are the most wonderful group of children who have really grown as a family within Fablehouse but, as with all families, there is some friction as fears and vulnerabilities are shown. Whilst the other children are more willing to use their magical powers, Heather knows that she possesses a powerful and dangerous ability that can destroy as well as help so it takes a great deal of courage and inner strength to accept and control it.

This is a magical, mesmerising adventure with family, friendship and belonging at its heart. Perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour: The House at the End of the Sea by Victoria M. Adams

*Written by Victoria M. Adams*
*Cover Illustration by Sharon King-Chai*
*Published by Anderson Press*

The House at the End of the Sea is an enthralling, contemporary fantasy adventure that kept me completely captivated throughout.

Saffi has started a new life with her father and younger brother, Milo, living with her grandparents in their B & B (Fortune House) in Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coastline. The family are grieving the loss of the children’s mum, a death that seven-year-old Milo is struggling to accept which has led to him telling lies and having angry outbursts. Whilst grandma is welcoming, there is a much more strained relationship between granddad and his son.

When Saffi wakes in the middle of the night, she hears the laughter of guests arriving but, when she goes to investigate, her grandma sends her back to bed. The following morning, she notices strange changes in her new home: a pantry now filled with posh food, wallpaper changing colour, a bell constantly ringing, and a strange face in the mirror. Could these changes have something to do with their elusive guests, guests that seem to scare her grandparents. Could they be the reason for the awkwardness between her father and granddad?

On a beach walk, Saffi and Milo hear the sound of a flute which leads them to the boy they had first met when arriving in Breakwell: Birdy. When Saffi shares the strange things that she has witnessed at Fortune House, Birdy tells her that her ancestor may have made a bargain with those from another world.

Saffi is determined to discover the truth behind her family’s dark, supernatural secret and so begins an incredible adventure that held me completely mesmerised. Will Saffi be able to break the contract which has been made by her ancestor, a contract that has become a curse upon the family? Can she find a way into another world to undo the bargain made by her ancestor for which generations of her family have suffered?

This is a gripping, tense and atmospheric read where I was never quite sure who could be trusted, a story where danger lurks and where feuds bring mistrust and accusations.

This story sensitively explores some powerful themes including grief at a parent’s death, the impact of British colonialism, and dual heritage identity.

Saffi is an incredibly sympathetic young girl. She is grieving the loss of her mother, and trying to help her young brother, Milo, through his grief. She feels like she is in two worlds due to her dual heritage, and not quite belonging in either, a feeling that is accentuated by her discoveries in her grandparents’ home. Saffi shows great courage in discovering the truth of her family’s past, facing up to its detrimental impact on her family, and in being prepared to enter another world to attempt to bargain with those who are notoriously tricksy.

A gripping, magical mystery where fortune and forfeit dual, and where hope lies in one girl’s ability to open her eyes to the beauty of two worlds. This is one I would highly recommend to readers of 9+.

Author Information

Victoria M. Adams spent her childhood bouncing between Cyprus, Canada and the US with her Iranian mother, trying to achieve first place in the ‘Most Visas Acquired Before Age Eighteen’
sweepstakes. As an adult, she carried on the nomadic family tradition by adding France and New Zealand to the mix, where she worked as an animator, copywriter, tutor and story coach, in
no particular order. She currently shares her London home with two humans and a feckless cat.

Instagram: Victoria M. Adams

Thank you so much to Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and to Anderson Press for providing me with a copy of The House at the End of the Sea in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on this week’s Blog Tour below:

Review: The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie by Radhika Sanghani

*Written by Radhika Sanghani*
*Cover Illustration by Saskia Bueno*
*Published by Usborne*

The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie is a contemporary story with a twist of magic that utterly enchanted me: a story that sparkles bright with so much heart and humour and with strong bonds of family and friendship.

Twelve-year-old Priya Shah has been keeping her truths inside, telling lies to her family and friends so that she doesn’t let anyone down, letting them believe that her life is perfect so that she doesn’t disappoint.

But her life is far from perfect. She is grieving the loss of her Ba who was the one person who she felt she could speak honestly to. She is struggling with the pressure of expectation in her gymnastics, feeling that she must win to get the prize money to help her parents pay for her training. Her home life is chaotic with parental arguments and financial worries, so much so that she is losing sleep which, coupled with her heavy gymnastics training schedule, is making her fall asleep in class.

After another terrible day, she is comforting herself by looking at the gold bangle her Ba had given her, a bangle with a broken clasp making it unwearable but, when the bangle suddenly opens, she puts it on, wondering if her life will, at last, get any better …

The next day, Priya discovers that she is unable to answer a direct question with a ready lie. She finds herself telling the truth, no matter how hard she tries not to. Could her inability to lie have anything to do with the bangle, a bangle which she cannot take off?

Imagine being twelve years old and never being able to tell a lie – even a white lie – not to your teachers, your friends, your family and even the boy who you’ve been hiding your crush from. Luckily for Priya, she has two amazing friends in Mei and Sami who are incredibly supportive, but even they can’t always prevent her brutal honesty from getting her into trouble. Can Priya find a way to open up and be honest with those she loves without hurting them? Will her truthful revelations help or hinder her in finding true friendship and bringing her the happiness she has been yearning for?

This is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking read with plenty of humour and insight into the ups and downs of relationships. There is so much opportunity to empathise with the situations of others as people often keep hidden what they are scared to share with others as they are worried about a negative reaction or being judged.

Priya is an incredibly sympathetic young girl who is so busy protecting others that she is bottling up her emotions, her feelings of grief, her anxieties and worries and her loneliness. Whilst her Ba’s gift doesn’t always feel like a blessing, it helps Priya find the courage to face up to her own truths. I really enjoyed the friendship between Priya, Mei and Sami which felt so genuine and brought lots of humour. I also adored her younger sister, Pinkie, who has ADHD, and is a force to be reckoned with, not scared to show her emotions, express her own style, and stand up for herself.

An insightful, relatable and absorbing story of family and friendship for children of 9+ who I have no doubt will be discussing it with, and recommending it to, their friends.

Thank you to Usborne for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog Tour: The Narzat written by Luke Marchant and illustrated by Rory Walker

*Written by Luke Marchant*
*Illustrated by Rory Walker*
*Published by Everything with Words*

The Narzat is a fantastically funny, fast-paced adventure fizzing with warmth and friendship – and a huge explosion of wickedness!

If you ever make the loooooooong trek to the Jumble Jungle Wood, you will find a feast of imaginative delights with a myriad of astounding animals and plants – mostly harmless, but some absolutely lethal! I’d make the journey for the choco-oaks alone!

This magical place is home to The Narzat who doesn’t know how he arrived in the Jumble Jungle Wood, but he does know that the sparkling silver, inscripted locket (his ‘shiny’) he wears is his most precious possession. In fact, wishing on it has brought him his two best friends: The Looky Lizard and the Chatty Chirper. They become inseparable after thwarting the persistent attempts of the always-hungry Ravenoserous to make them a tasty meal. Luckily, if you stay away from the Deep Dark Depths, you are unlikely to meet his insatiable hunger – and his jagged teeth!

One day, whilst playing a game of Snakes and Ladders (with a python who likes back massages), the friends are interrupted by a loud bang. It is not until later that they discover who was responsible when they meet Lord and Lady Snide who have arrived in search of shiny treasure, and eager to kill these wondrous creatures for their furs.

Can the Narzat and his friends defeat these cruel interlopers before they destroy the harmony of the Jumble Jungle Wood? Will the Narzat finally discover where he has come from?

Oh my gigglesome goodness, this is an absolute riot of humour and heart. I adored the playfulness of the language, the wackiness of the jungle creatures (I want a hug-a-slug) and the terrific twists. This story has one of my favourite paragraphs ever, and it refers to teenage trees (utterly genius!).

There is so much to laugh-out-loud at in this story (and I did!) but there is also danger and dastardly deeds courtesy of truly dreadful villains – and Lord and Lady Snide are truly some of the most horrid baddies I have encountered! I was desperate for them to get their comeuppance!

I absolutely adored the Narzat and his two best friends. The constant bickering between the Looky Lizard (who uses sign language and miming to communicate) and the Chatty Chirper (who is not so good at what most birds can do – flying) brought lots of giggles. These three have such a strong bond of friendship that was such a joy to witness as they endeavour to outwit Lord and Lady Snide. The Narzat is absolutely adorable: kind-hearted, courageous and protective of his friends, even when this puts him at risk.

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful – so full of energy and expression – complementing the story perfectly.

Take a visit to the magical Jumble Jungle Wood for a wickedly fun and heart-warming adventure guaranteed to bring giggles galore and gasps of wonder.

Thank you so much to Mikka at Everything with Words for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour and for sending me a copy of The Narzat in exchange for my honest opinion.

Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:

April Wrap-Up

I had a wonderfully relaxing break over Easter with lots of reading and catching up. I also went to Cornwall for the first time for our 10th Wedding Anniversary which was just wonderful. School, as always, is busy with the final preparations for SATs.

Books I’ve read:

I think this has been my best reading month in a long time. I read 22 books: 17 physical copies, 1 e-book and 4 audiobooks. I’ve written reviews for 13 of these.

NetGalley:

My feedback ratio is at 97%. I have requested and been approved to read one book in April.

Books sent by publishers:

I am grateful to have been sent twelve books by Publishers this month.

Books bought:

I’ve bought 9 books in March – and I’ve read read two of them: Shadow Girl and The Doll Twin.

How has your reading month been? Have you read any of these? Have you any of them on your TBR?

First Lines Friday

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

Kelda’s little sister seemed like a perfectly normal baby until her seventh day, when it was time to throw her in the river. They they found out she couldn’t breathe underwater.

Any ideas?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kelda has always protected her little sister Isla from danger on the rivers, and from the suspicions of their community. For Isla cannot breathe underwater – and so her very existence is forbidden by silvermen’s Lore. Now the rivers of England are growing, monstrous creatures are awakening and a fierce torrent of blame falls upon Kelda’s family. When betrayal comes, the sisters escape on a desperate journey upstream. Joining forces with a mysterious boy, Kelda discovers the darkest depths of her kind’s secret history. But to save both her sister and the very life of Britain’s waterways, Kelda will have to make a sacrifice – one that will change her life forever.

WWW Wednesday

I’m almost finished reading The Narzat which I’m really enjoying – it’s a really playful and humorous story with wonderfully heart-warming friendships. I’ve also just started listening to the audiobook of Son of the Sea which I was keen to listen to after finishing The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy.

I finished reading Serpent of the Sands which I absolutely loved. Gan is a brilliantly strong character, and I’m loving the sapient animals. I’m really looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. I also finished listening to the audiobook of The Peculiar Tale of the Tentacle Boy which was absolutely wonderful. I loved the messages of acceptance and the fishing puns! Finally, I devoured Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons on Saturday and, oh my goodness, Abi Elphinstone has done it again – an absolutely gorgeous adventure with such fantastic characters. I will be posting my review shortly.

I’m hoping to read The House at the End of the Sea next.

What are you reading? Have you read any of these?

Blog Tour: Bringing Back Kay-Kay

*Written by Dev Kothari*
*Cover Illustration by Tara Anand*
*Published by Walker Books*

Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for Bringing Back Kay-Kay. I have a wonderful piece from Dev Kothari to share with you where she reflects on train journey adventures.

You can also read my review of this wonderful story here: Bringing Back Kay-Kay.

Adventuring on trains

Growing up in a small town near Mumbai, in India, I walked or cycled to school, to the shops, to my best friend’s flat. To get to nearby towns, we took buses mostly, rickshaws and taxis were a luxury. And for farther distances, like when we’d visit my grandparents or go on a rare holiday or two, we’d take the train.

And it was during those travels, especially the long, overnight ones, that my love for train journeys began. Whether it is because of the rhythm of the carriages jostling on the tracks, or the views from the windows, or the serendipitous encounters with fellow passengers, travelling on trains has always felt like adventuring to me.

When I was 18 years old, I was lucky enough to be chosen to go on a very special train journey that brought together students from all over the world, to travel across India on a 20-day adventure.

Since then, I’ve ventured on trains in many different countries like Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S, to name some.

The more I travel by trains, the more I love it. I think that’s why the mystery-adventure in Bringing Back Kay-Kay is centred around a train journey too. Even though I didn’t set out to do so when I began writing it, I was very happy when the idea occurred to me. I loved bringing in and exploring different elements of train journeys. I think the best bit was writing the people that Lena meets like Stan the Man and Chacha and Singh Madam. What is interesting is that I had no idea when I was writing the story that these characters would appear. It was as if they were all waiting to be discovered – I’m sure that they’re all semblances of people that I came across one time or the other myself on a train somewhere.

I hope that my book is able to convey some of that sense of adventure and joy that I’ve experienced to the readers. And wouldn’t it be absolutely wonderful, if it inspirits them to adventure on trains themselves too?

Author Information

Dev Kothari grew up in a sleepy hamlet near Mumbai,
where she read obsessively, wrote furtively and daydreamed endlessly. She
won the Commonword Diversity YA novel prize in 2018 and went on to study
for an MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University. This is her debut
novel. Dev lives in north London. You can find Dev on Twitter: @DevyaniNK
and Instagram: devyani_nk

Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari (Walker Books) available now.

Waterstones

Amazon

Rocketship Bookshop

For the opportunity to win a copy of Bringing Back Kay-Kay, please check my pinned tweet.

Thank you to Lorraine Keating and Walker Books for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour. Please do check out the other stops on the Tour: