Book Review: The Apprentice Witnesser by Bren MacDibble

 The Apprentice Witnesser

by

Bren MacDibble

Award-winning author of How to Bee and Across the Sea

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th April 2024

Genre: Middle Grade / Teen

Pages: 256

RRP: $17.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: The Apprentice Witnesser

The Apprentice Witnesser is set in a post-apocalyptic world. A sickness is sweeping the land however the people have learnt how to live and adapt to keep themselves safe.

 

Twelve-year-old Basti is the apprentice of Lodyma Darsey, a storyteller and witnesser of miracles. Basti and Lodyma have both lost their families and come together in a work / familial relationship.

 

Bren MacDibble has created a post pandemic world where there is a sense of self-care and communities working together to minimise further risk.

 

The Apprentice Witnesser is a story that lets children and teens see that there can still be a beautiful and meaningful life after a catastrophic event. Humans are resilient and can change and adapt to the environment around them.

 

What I loved about this story is that it shows how everyone can work together for a more natural, sustainable world and that miracles can be found in all number of places.

 

The Apprentice Witnesser is a story rich in wonder, intrigue, hope and resilience.

 

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Content: death of mother

 

Publisher recommended age: 9 -13 years

My recommended age 11+ years (I find I'm always a little on the cautious side with recommendations)

 

 

Book Review: Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

 Into the Mouth of the Wolf

by

Erin Gough

Publisher: Hardie Grant Children's

Publication date: 1st May 2024

Genre: Young Adult / LGBT

Pages: 384

RRP: $ 22.99AU

Source: Publisher

 

Review: Into the Mouth of the Wolf

Into the Mouth of the Wolf is set in a dystopian world where earthquakes are happening all over Sydney and people are escaping the  city.

Rohan Moretti has evidence that a big corporation is putting profit over safety. Rohan and 17 year-old daughter Iris are now being pursued. They must be silenced!

Lena is feeling isolated by her sexuality, she hasn't met anyone like her. When she meets Iris online there is an immediate spark and as they get to know each other an affection grows. Iris desperately needs to escape her pursuers and Lena promises to help.

I raced through this story. It is a fast paced mystery read with a whole host of likeable strong teens who face moral issues head on. There is plenty of drama to keep the reader invested.

Into the Mouth of the Wolf is part thriller, part climate fiction with a side of romance.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Recommended age 12+

Book Review: Fledgewitch by Lian Tanner

Fledgewitch

A Dragons of Hallow book

by

Lian Tanner

Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Series: Dragons of Hallow #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 352

RRP: $17.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow book

I am so glad I read Spellhound first. Although it isn't really necessary. If you have a copy of Fledgewitch and can't wait to read it there is some backstory. So jump right in!!

 

" Here are the Three Laws of Quill, carved in stone outside every town hall, and learnt by every schoolchild:
There shall be No Witches.
There shall be No Dragons.
There shall be NO SECRETS."

 

Our narrator from Spellhound is back with another enchanting tale filled with even more danger, magic and super cute characters than the first book. If that's even possible.

 

The book opens in the mountains of Quill with Brim living with her mum, dad and brother. She is taken away accused of being a fledgewitch and her parents are told she needs to be cured. Brim is sure she is not a witch, even if she has feathers growing from her elbows.

 

A young horned-glob named Snort (like a little calf) jumps in the car with Brim. Horned-globs are easily forgotten so Snort has no trouble venturing around as no-one remembers him. He wants to find the dragon, although he is terribly scared of them, to save his family.

 

This is another fast-paced immersive read. Brim and Snort are the cutest characters, they shake with fear but are courageous when the time comes.

Fledgewitch is a delightful tale of friendship, never giving up and using your powers for good.

 

Brim has her magic power in knitting. I loved this and wouldn't it be wonderful if it encouraged some children to try knitting themselves.

 

Bumbling laugh-out-loud villains and lots of jaw-dropping twists, which is something Lian does so well. I never see them coming.

Fledgewitch is a delightful story of family, love and working together. Championing commonsense, determination and perseverance.

 

My rating 5 / 5 🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮

 

Publisher recommended age 7 - 11 years 

My review of Spellhound

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Spellhound by Lian Tanner

Spellhound

A Dragons of Hallow book 

by

Lian Tanner

Illustrated by Sally Soweol Han

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th April 2023

Series: Dragons of Hallow #1

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 351

RRP: $17.99AU (paperback)

Source: own purchase

Review: Spellhound: A Dragons of Hallow book

"In a quiet corner of Hallow, far from cities and towns, roads and railways, walls and witches, there lived a family of Spellounds.

Of course you have never heard of Spellhounds. They are one of the Three Great Secrets of Hallow, a country that loves secrets almost as much as it loves green jellybabies."

Spellhound is a truly adorable and fun story that will be loved by children and adults alike. Delightfully narrated bringing the reader right into the story.

 

Flaxseed (Flax) is a minch-wiggin, a tiny tree-dwelling creature. She has grown up knowing she is 'the one' destined to save Minchfold from the dragon. Flax is a wonderful character, she is scared and doesn't want to be the one to save everyone. Luckily they hadn't seen a dragon for 100 years. Then she meets a Spellhound pup who says his parents were taken by a dragon and Flax knows she must help him find them. It's her destiny. When the time comes she shows great courage and intelligence. 

 

Spellhound is filled to the brim with adventure, danger and ever so endearing characters. This is a fast-paced novel that I am certain middle-graders will find hard to put down. Short chapters and cliff-hangers make this an engaging read.

There is a crossover into the human world of Harrow when Felicia, the 10 year-old Queen of Harrow, is introduced to the mix as she goes searching for the puppy she could hear crying in the night. The young trio must draw on all their courage to confront the dragon.

 

A giant magical pup, a tiny tree-dwelling animal, a 10 year-old girl and a talking sword take centre stage in this fantastical adventure story with danger at every turn, jaw-dropping twists, magic wielding enemies, nonstop humour and boundless friendship. 

My rating 5/ 5 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

 

 

 

Book Review: The Witches Council: Lily Halfmoon by Xavier Bonet

 The Witches Council: Lily Halfmoon #2

by

Xavier Bonet

translated by Marie Trinchant 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Series: Lily Halfmoon #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 80

RRP: $ 17.99AU (softcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Witches Council

The Witches Council is the fabulous second book in Xavier Bonet's Lily Halfmoon series.

In book one Lily finds out she is a witch and learns all about the Royal Library of Magic, all the different gems and magical spells.

 

In The Witches Council we are back with Lily and her friends GiGi and Mai for the biggest day of the year when witches all over the world get together to introduce their gems and guardians and learn new skills.

 

Lily is faced with a moral dilemma when she has choices to make about her future. This is also a story about the power of empathy and understanding how others feel.

 

The Witches Council is a fun and bewitching graphic novel with bright, eye-catching illustrations with journal pages, symbols and charts. There is plenty to pore over and readers will find new things as the book is re-read over and over again.

 

This is an enchanting book that is sure to delight the middle-grade fantasy enthusiast.

My rating 5/ 5 🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄

 

Book Review: Footprint by Phil Cummings

Footprint

by

Phil Cummings

Illustrated by Sally Soweol Han

 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 27th February 2024

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 24

RRP: $24.99AU (Hard Back)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

Review: Footprint

Footprint is a beautiful reflective picture book teaching children to discover the beauty of the world around them and to care for the environment.

Children will be awed by the charming and detailed illustrations of the delightful fauna and flora that inhabit our world and for parents it's a chance to slow down and reflect on the simple pleasures of life.

Footprint is an enchanting picture book for younger children and older children will understand the message of conservation and caring for the environment behind the lyrical prose.

Sally Soweol Han's mixed media art work is a stunning addition to this contemplative and calming picture book.

 

 My rating 5 / 5 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

Publisher recommended age: 5 - 10 years

My recommended age: 3+ years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Cargo's Furry Friends! by Paul Dekmetzian

 The Adventures of Cargo the Army Truck

Cargo's Furry Friends!

by

Paul Dekmetzian

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 10th February 2023

Series: The Adventures of Cargo #4

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 26 (soft cover)

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

Review: Cargo's Furry Friends

Cargo's Furry Friends is another beautifully illustrated picture book in the Cargo series. In book #4 we are introduced to Paul and Cargo's pets. Coco the golden Cocker Spaniel, Poppy the Cavoodle, Carmen the fluffy white cat, Percy the shiny black cat and Olivia a sandy-coloured Groodle. When they are all together there is lots of fun and even a little mischief!

 

Spend the day with the pets as they do some important jobs around the yard and have fun playing together. Beautifully illustrated with full colour spreads and an engaging storyline.

 

Cargo's Furry Friends is an uplifting and positive story about friendship. It's a lovely, fun read that will be enjoyed by all children, especially those who love trucks and animals. 

 

All books in the Cargo series can be purchased on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. There are even matching colouring in books to purchase.

 

My rating 5 /5 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚

Publisher recommended age: 4 -9 years

My age recommendation 2 - 9 years