📚 ‘A crazy fast paced whole lot of fun.’ Rosie’s #Bookreview of #YoungAdult Story The Caravan At The Edge Of Doom: Foul Prophecy by @aJimBeckett

The Caravan at the Edge of Doom: Foul Prophecy: A funny, magical, action-packed adventure, new for 2022 for 9+ fans of Terry Pratchett and David Walliams! by Jim Beckett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Caravan at the Edge of Doom: Foul Prophecy: A funny, magical, action-packed adventure, for kids 9-12: Book 2

This is book two of a middle grade series, however, it can easily be read as a stand alone story.

Twelve-year-old Harley has recently discovered that she is the Gatekeeper for the Land Of The Dead and it is her duty to help the restless souls cross over by making them a special cup of tea and allowing them to use the portal in the bathroom. As her school attendance must take priority she has set up a self-service tea machine in her Grandparents old caravan so that souls can cross without her help.

Trouble comes in the form of a broken tea machine and then a closure of all the portals of Doom which lead to the Land of The Dead. Harley must come to the rescue and uphold her Hero status.

This book was a crazy fast paced whole lot of fun. There was plenty of toilet humour, clever characters, magic and friendship mixed with foul deeds and baddies who need banishing.

The book is sprinkled with some fantastic black and white illustrations which depict Harley and the action very well. I think that this would appeal to the reading age audience very well, particularly advanced readers.

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Book description

Twelve-year old Harley is happy to be back home after her adventures in the Land of the Dead. But strange things soon start happening. A bunch of Restless Souls turn up in at school, the portal of doom breaks AND everyone thinks Harley has blown up her best friend Bess. Is this all connected to a mysterious ancient prophecy that everyone in the Land of the Dead keeps talking about…? There’s only one thing for it. Harley has to unleash her inner Legendary Hero and head Beyond Life for more monsters, mysteries and mayhem!

This must-read sequel to the The Caravan at the Edge of Doom is full of heart, humour and heroism.

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🦟Adventures in a #Fantasy World. Rosie’s #Bookreview of #middlegrade A Flash Of Fireflies by @aishabushby

A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby

4 stars

A Flash of Fireflies is a middle grade or 9-12 years reading age story. It focuses on Hazel who is moving to England from Kuwait. She is sent on ahead of her parents to begin living with an eccentric aunt.

Hazel is visited by three Fireflies who lead her on adventures in a fantasy world. In the real world Hazel starts summer school and makes new friends in her English class where they are studying fairy tales.

I thought the story was a good mix of fantasy and real life issues. The snippets about Kuwait and how Hazel saw England were skillfully written into the narrative. The story also deals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in both child and adult forms and how it can be recognised and talked about. It was introduced with sensitivity and I never felt like it was a lesson; it was just a part of Hazel’s everyday life. A good story and I would be happy to recommend it.

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Book description

A magical middle grade book about family, friendship and finding your place, with a delicate touch of magic. Perfect for 10-12 year olds and fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Michelle Harrison and Kiran Millwood-Hargrave and The Girl Who Speaks Bear.

Hazel’s new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her aunt’s cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures.

But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world –⁠ making friends, missing her family –⁠ she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . .

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A #middlegrade Adventure. @LizanneLloyd Reviews The Dark Side Of Midnight by @carolJhedges, For Rosie’s #Bookreview Team #RBRT

Today’s team review is from Liz. She blogs here https://lizannelloyd.wordpress.com/

Liz has been reading The Dark Side Of Midnight by Carol Hedges

In a changed world of the near future, Jazmin Dawson and her mother Assia are growing apart. Assia’s job with an International Security organisation often takes her away from her daughter on important missions. Jaz dreams of being a secret agent too but she also wishes her Mum would spend more time with her. But Assia has to travel abroad again following up a worrying crime. This time Jaz has to go to stay in one of the new Tower cities with her uncle’s family. Uncle Ian & his wife Dee are a wealthy couple who work long hours so that they can spend plenty of money on their children. 16-year-old Clea is supposed to be looking after Jaz, but the spoilt girl is alternatively sarcastic or ignoring her.

As Assia finds herself a captive of a dangerous couple, Jaz’s life improves. She meets Tonda, a handsome, kind, young entertainer, whose friends welcome Jaz into their company. Sadly, he will soon be leaving England, but Jaz is also summoned to Prague by her mother’s colleagues hoping that she can help them to find Assia.

The story shows Jaz gradually developing skills as a crime fighter in an increasingly frightening scenario. Both Clea and Tonda have unexpected parts to play in the terrifying events and the conclusion draws the reader into seeking out the next book in the series. A recommended read for a middle grade reader who enjoys adventure with a smart, likeable heroine.

Jazmin Dawson is a super-cool secret agent with hi-tech kit and a hi-octane life of crime-busting … in her dreams! In reality, Jazmin Dawson is a fourteen year old teenager, whose biggest battles are with her homework and her addiction to snacks.
But suddenly, everything changes. Jazmin’s mother works for the London branch of GID (Global Intelligence Department) an organisation responsible for tracking down individuals and groups that threaten world security. Tasked with locating a stolen dead body, she goes missing in action, and Jazmin is sent to find her.
Stepping off a plane in Prague, Jazmin finds herself at the centre of an international mystery, and with a dangerous mission: to infiltrate a rogue scientific institute.

“Jazmin Dawson’s first assignment is a thrilling read, full of fast-paced action and put-downs as deadly as an assassin’s bullet.”

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