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Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan – Blog Tour (Review)
Add Shadow Magic to your Goodreads shelf
Synopsis
Thorn, an outlaw’s son, wasn’t supposed to be a slave. He’s been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they’re headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire.
Lilith Shadow wasn’t supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead. But how can she when, as a girl, magic is forbidden to her?
Just when it looks like Lily will have to leave her home forever, Thorn arrives at Castle Gloom. A sudden death brings them together, inspires them to break the rules, and leads them to soar to new heights in this fantasy with all the sparkle and luster of a starry night sky.
Author
Joshua Khan was born in Britain. From very early on he filled himself with the stories of heroes, kings and queens until there was hardly any room for anything else. He can tell you where King Arthur was born* but not what he himself had for breakfast. So, with a head stuffed with tales of legendary knights, wizards and great and terrible monsters it was inevitable Joshua would want to create some of his own. Hence SHADOW MAGIC. Josh lives in London with his family, but he’d rather live in a castle. It wouldn’t have to be very big, just as long as it had battlements. *Tintagel, in case you were wondering.
Website: http://www.joshuakhan.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerjoshkhan
What I Thought
Well, I couldn’t defy Rick Riordan – I loved this story.
This is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre aimed at younger readers (with much older ones able to enjoy it just as much).
Lily and Thorn are both great lead characters and immediately make you want to invest in their story. And, what a story. It’s full of twists and turns and working out who is good and who isn’t (like anything is that simple anyway) will keep you guessing. I found myself questioning my mind many times. The only one slight frustration I had was how easily the characters jumped to conclusions at times, but I will forgive them this time.
There are three key animal sidekicks in this and each play an important role in the story, there’s a clue to my favourite one on the front cover.
There is clearly a lot more to know about this world and the magic within in but the information is being given to us piece and piece, when necessary, and makes you want more. So I’m very happy to say there will be at least two more books in this series. Dream Magic comes out in 2017 and Burning Magic has been announced too.
If you like…Seven reasons you will love Shadow Magic
- Books in maps
- Abraxos in the Throne of Glass series – Hades is very cool
- Mia’s magic in Nevernight
- Game of Thrones (for a MG audience)
- A feministy slant to your books – women aren’t allowed to do magic – What?!
- Spooky castles with secret tunnels
- Graveyards, ghosts and zombies
Scholastic are really doing well on their acquisition of middle grade fantasy. Looking forward to reading more.
Check out the rest of the tour on the blogs below
I received a copy of the book from the publisher but as ever the review and opinion on the book is ALL MINE.
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Robyn Silver: The Midnight Chimes by Paula Harrison – Blog Tour
For today’s stop on Robyn Silver: The Midnight Chimes Blog Tour I will be reviewing this enjoyable middle grade story.
Synopsis
Life was very ordinary for ten-year-old Robyn Silver. The often-ignored middle child in a big family, the most excitement she had was the dash to the dinner table to reach the last slice of pizza. Until… she begins to see creepy creatures around her town – creatures that are invisible to everyone else. And when her school is forced to decamp to mysterious Grimdean House and she meets its equally mysterious owner, Mr Cryptorum, Robyn finds herself catapulted headfirst into an extraordinary adventure – with more excitement than she could possibly have imagined. Be careful what you wish for…
This book is out tomorrow so add to your Goodreads list and buy from your favourite retailer
Author
Paula Harrison is a best-selling children’s author, with worldwide sales of over one million copies. Her books include The Rescue Princesses series. She wanted to be a writer from a young age but spent many happy years being a primary school teacher first.
Website: http://paulaharrison.jimdo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/P_Harrison99
What I Thought
I would describe this as The Mortal Instruments for the younger reader – all the training, but not the romance (friendship instead). The storyline is very much a chosen one situation but this time our heroine isn’t alone in her discovery of a new world filled with monsters. I would say it took me a little while to get into this but once vampires were introduced the drama increased and I whipped through the rest of the tale, and was left hoping that there is more to come.
If you like the cover art – and what’s not to like – you will want to grab a hardcopy of this book because each chapter starts with a superb illustration by Renée Kurilla, and the book finishes with a mini monster compendium of all the weird creatures Robyn and her friends face.
The use of chapter titles had me in two minds, on one hand they are quite ‘telly’ giving you a heads up about what is to come and on the other I’d say they were almost like the summary headings a ten year old might put in a diary. I think younger readers will be fine with them though.
I loved all the main children characters from fiesty Robyn, her sweet younger sister Annie and her recorder!!!, Robyn’s best friend, dyslexic inventor, Aiden and bookish Nora. The children really do lead this with a few adult characters around to show them the way. They also learn to be very very careful of what you wish for – especially where sweets are involved.
There are plenty of surprises and some excellent scope for a longer series. I’d recommend this to readers that love middle grade and that enjoy urban supernatural fantasies where a hidden world exists alongside our own.
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Girl Hearts Girl by Lucy Sutcliffe – Blog Tour
If you recognise this woman you probably already have this book on your TBR. I have to admit though that I’d never heard of Lucy Sutcliffe when Faye approached me about being part of the blog tour for Girl Hearts Girl. Clearly I don’t spend enough time on YouTube because, Lucy, and her girlfriend Kaelyn Petras, have over 25 million views on their videos. I was, however, keen to read the book which is Lucy’s memoir of ‘Finding Herself. Falling in Love.’
Synopsis
An inspiring, uplifting and sympathetic story about sexuality and self-acceptance, Lucy Sutcliffe’s debut memoir is a personal and moving coming out story. In 2010, at seventeen, Lucy Sutcliffe began an online friendship with Kaelyn, from Michigan. They began a long distance relationship, finally meeting in 2011. Lucy’s video montage of their first week spent together was the first in a series of vlogs documenting their long-distance relationship. Now, for the first time, Lucy’s writing about the incredible personal journey she’s been on.
What I thought
There has been a huge drive for increasing diversity in YA in the book community online, and writers and publishers are stepping up to the challenge with some great fiction and non-fiction books about mental health and LGBTQIA issues. Lucy’s memoir is a great addition to this market and adds to the #ownvoices movement.
Although the beautifully rainbowed cover markets this as a coming out story Lucy writes about her life more generally too and touches on her experiences with anxiety, transition to university, and generally managing a long distance relationship (Lucy originally lived in the UK and Kaelyn in the US).
Lucy starts the book with sharing her ‘mantra of sorts’ about thinking that the best is yet to come and she goes on to demonstrate a real appreciation of those simple ‘best’ moments that we often ignore. Being with friends, being in nature. There’s a sense of mindfulness and joy in simple pleasures that I found infectious.
Lucy’s coming out story is mainly a positive one and will hopefully provide other teens in similar situations with the courage to be authentic. Throughout her journey Lucy mentions that she knows her friends and family are supportive but she still delays telling them and there is suggestion that it is more about her own comfort and journey in ‘finding herself’ that is the biggest barrier. Doesn’t that ring true with lots of us – that search for and acceptance of identity.
There is a young feel to the writing, and at times perhaps a little over described for me but that didn’t stop me reading this charmingly honest account in only a few hours, and searching out the YouTube videos afterwards. I’ve shared a video below that really shows the importance of having real stories available to young people discovering their sexuality. To hear from Lucy’s friends about their experience, alongside the book, is a great addition.
In another video Lucy describes this as the book she wishes she had had when growing up. I think that whatever your sexuality, or age, this is a great read for anyone, it demonstrates to friends and families the importance of being supportive when someone comes out. The main negative experience Lucy had was so damaging to her health.
I wish Lucy the best of luck with the book and her relationship. The book is out now.
The Tour-wide Giveaway
There is a tour-wide giveaway! 3 copies of Girl Hearts Girl for 3 lucky winners!
Participants must live in UK or IRL.
The Rest of the Tour
Links for Lucy and Kaelyn
Website: http://kaeandlucy.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucyliz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucylizz/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/kaelynandlucy
See Lucy’s friends reflection on the night she Came Out
kirstyes 