Advanced sample copy of Marionetta, to be published by Rock the Boat, 8 October 2026, ISBN: 978-1836433224
Marionetta is a Young Adult, manga-style graphic novel created by Spanish cartoon artist Míriam Bonastre Tur. It is a cult hit on the WebToon platform, and will be published in paperback format for the first time in October 2026 by Rock the Boat in the UK. I count myself very fortunate to have been sent a prepublication sample ARC. Based on this full colour sample, I think that teenage and older, graphic novel fans are in for a huge treat!
The story begin with fun-loving Kamille persuading her straight-laced, hardworking best friend Julia, to join her for a night of enjoyment at a travelling circus. After volunteering to accompany a performer onstage, Kamille stumbles into a boy who immediately makes her heart thump, swiftly followed by witnessing an unsettling event. When Julia, who had been waiting outside the circus tent goes looking for her friend, Kamille has disappeared but a performer tells Julia that Kamille has caught the bus home. The next day, Julia chases after the circus before it leaves town only to be entrapped in a weird half-life, and given twelve months to complete a mission or face death.
I have to admit that I am not an expert in the different formats of graphic novels, but I loved the artwork in Marionetta, which to my eyes resembles the manga style, with lots of close ups of faces and eyes, and cartoon panels filled with full-colour detailed illustrations. The dark maroon and brown palette implied a sense of impending doom to me. The three chapters, across 60 pages conjured a creepy vibe, an imagined world where military types like Julia’s father were opposed to mysterious three-eyed characters. The circus appeared to hide dark secrets, and overall this introduction gave me similar vibes to Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus. I loved it, and cannot wait to read the full story when it is published on 8th October 2026.
Disclaimer: I am very grateful to publicist Dannie Price and Rock the Boat for sending me an ARC sample of Marionetta. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.
Cover art by François Maumont, published by Post Wave, 10 September 2026, ISBN: 978-1836271239
The Dragon Mountain is a cute fantasy adventure filled with magical creatures and featuring an unusual band of intrepid adventurers. The original French story written by Mathieu Pierloot has been translated into English by Charis Ainslie; the beautiful and distinctive artwork is by François Maumont. In my proof copy, many of the illustrations are printed in grayscale but I believe that the final publication will be illustrated in full colour throughout. Based on the coloured artwork in the early chapters, I think that this will make the book hugely appealing for readers aged 6-8 years-of-age. Every spread contains a picture and with the short chapters and pacy plot this will be a fun read as well as an object of beauty for any child lucky enough to own a copy.
The story features two delightful young witch sisters, Lilith and Medusa, whose characters contrast but complement each other. They live in the Forest of Sidra with their uncle, a wise old wizard named Otto. Whilst out foraging for snapsuckle leaves for a new spell, they bump into Julius, a lost boy, and his pet duck Custard. Julius has pinched a very unusual egg from some Robgoblins, which Otto recognises as a dragon egg, and when a baby Stormbringer dragon emerges, the three children and Custard set off on a quest to return baby Fabulous to its mother. Their mission is laced with just the right amount of peril and their foes are suitably well-imagined to be enjoyable for a young audience, whether they are reading independently or enjoying hearing this story read aloud. I can imagine the frog-villains, the Croakes, would have been just the right side of scary for me as a child. Overall, I think this is a great introduction to the adventure quest genre, and features young protagonists displaying friendship, courage and determination, the addition of a pet duck playing a pivotal role was a great feature. For classrooms and libraries trying to diversify their book collections, this is a lovely example of European-created fiction, and might be of particular interest to children with French or Belgian heritage. The end pages contain a diary entry from Custard the duck, which provides some details of Julius’ back story. I do hope that this indicates that further adventures may be in store!
Disclaimer: I am most grateful to Post Wave Publishing for sending me an ARC of The Dragon Mountain ahead of publication on 10th September 2026. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.
ARC cover image by Philip Harris, publisher Andersen Press, 10 September 2026, ISBN: 978-1839138645
For those, like me, who thought that Pride and Prejudice ended too soon, please make the acquaintance of Kitty & Mary!
I could not believe my luck when I was asked whether I would like to receive a proof copy of this Young Adult novel inspired by my all-time favourite book, and now that I have read it, I declare it an utter delight from beginning to end. I have read many Jane Austen ‘spin-offs’ in the more than 40 years since I first encountered Pride and Prejudice, many of which have been quite disappointing, but Kitty & Mary is a marvel. The authors have not only written a fresh and engrossing story, they have also captured the wit, tone and cadence of Jane Austen’s writing. My only disappointment was that I started reading it during a very busy work week and therefore had to set it aside during the day; had I started it at a weekend, it would have been a one-sitting read for me!
This epistolary story is told through letters and journal entries. The correspondence is predominantly between Kitty and Mary Bennet, although there are occasional letters to and from Jane, Elizabeth and Lydia Bennet, as well as a few newly introduced characters. The journal entries are only written by the two unmarried sisters. The novel begins six months after the marriage of Elizabeth Bennet to Mr Darcy, and finds Kitty ensconced at Pemberley, providing the reader with insights into the domestic bliss on show at that great estate, while she attends balls and dinners hoping to find herself a husband as perfect as those of her two older sisters. Meanwhile, Mary is still at home in the Longbourn manor, having to respond to her mother’s every whim, bearing all of her insults about her lack of attractiveness, and finding very little time to attend to her own interests of reading and music. Their roles are somewhat reversed by the intervention of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who offers Mary a paid commission; to accompany one of her young relatives, Helena Fitzwilliam, to India and see that she finds a suitable husband there. Kitty must therefore return to Longbourn, although the arrival of a handsome new tenant at the neighbouring manor of Netherfield is some recompense for having to minister to Mrs Bennet’s neuroses.
The storylines of both sisters are thoroughly engaging, and by the end of the novel they have both grown from their experiences to become fascinating and memorable characters. During Mary’s early days aboard The Alexander, she overhears her personality being described in uncomplimentary language by her young charge. But as they share a cabin, confidences, and help each other through the trials of the 6-month voyage to Bombay, they build a trusting and strong friendship. Mary is also helped to emerge from her shell by the attentions of a highly-educated, young widow, Mrs Nell Butler, and by the time she arrives in India she has sufficient self-belief to think that she may not be unmarriageable after all. However, her observations of the behaviour of many of the young men, working for ‘The Company’ towards the servants hired from the local population, and their frankly dull personalities leave Mary questioning whether the safety and security offered by the married state is enough to tempt her down the aisle.
Meanwhile, back in Hertfordshire, Kitty has embarked on a self-directed course of learning and truly wishes that she had Mary to help her with the difficult books and musical skills that she is trying to master. These tasks are in pursuit of the rich poet Mr Whittaker who has taken on the lease of Netherfield Park. Kitty has become great friends with his niece Lucy, a budding playwright, and together they are plotting Kitty’s route to becoming the mistress of Netherfield, which involves less than honest portrayals of the extent of Kitty’s accomplishments!
The sisters’ experiences are vividly related through their (unposted) letters to each other, and their dedication and respect for each other becomes clear as time passes. Meanwhile, their journal entries allow readers into their inner thoughts, insecurities and emotions, building complex pictures of three-dimensional individuals who I felt were realistically built on the characters in the original novel. There are many new characters introduced, all of whom I felt merited their place in the story by adding different perspectives, embodiments of historical details or in some cases the opportunity for humour. It is clear that much historical research, as well as respect for the source material has contributed to the excellence of this story. I am fascinated to know how the dual authors worked on the manuscript together; whether they each wrote the entirety of one of the main characters or collaborated on both characters. Whichever course they took, the writing is seamless, flows beautifully and I think will be highly accessible to a modern audience. I do not want to give away the ending, but both Mary and Kitty’s trajectories take unexpected turns which I think readers will find satisfying.
This novel will be published on 10 September 2026 and I believe is available for pre-order now. I think it will be hugely appealing for teenage readers, both those who have not read Pride and Prejudice yet, as well as those who might be discovering it for the first time. I would highly recommend it to secondary school librarians, and to parents/caregivers to purchase for their readers aged 14 years and above. I also hope that it will appeal to many other adults readers who enjoy a historical romance, and who perhaps like me have enjoyed Jane Austen’s works multiple times and wish to read a book which respects her work whilst refreshing it for a contemporary readership. I will certainly be recommending it to the book group that I run in my workplace.
Disclaimer: I am very grateful to publicist Jade at Andersen Press for sending me an ARC of Kitty & Mary ahead of publication. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.
Audiobooks, e-books and physical books read during July 2026
This month, I read two e-books on my Kindle. The Artist by Lucy Steed was a book group read and with its summer vibes and evocative south of France setting, was perfect to read during the heatwave. Front Desk by Kelly Yang is a tween novel that I have been meaning to read for years, it is a brilliant depiction of life as a Chinese immigrant in America and is based on the author’s lived experience. I am now planning to read the other books in this series.
I have listened to three audiobooks. Two of these have been adult novels, both of which I loved: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett was a gift sent to me as an audible audiobook, and The Frozen People, the first in a new time-travelling detective series by Elly Griffiths was borrowed from my public library via the Borrowbox app. Scaredy Cat, the fourth book in the middle grade Bigg School series by Lisa Williamson, was another Borrowbox loan.
The five physical books that I have read range from a picture book aimed at early years children, The Storm Cloud written by Frances Stickley and illustrated by Emily Hamilton, through to books aimed at the upper end of middle grade and young adult novels.
The Shadow in the Snow by Victoria Williamson is a Twinkl Original publication, which links to online learning resources. This book is aimed at children of 11+ and sensitively deals with bereavement and loss of a sibling.
Where the Tide Lines Lead is an intriguing contemporary teen novel with a splash of the supernatural, set in and around a Spanish island. An ideal summer read for 14/15 year-olds.
Blood of Gods & Girls by K.L. Kaine is an epic feminist fantasy novel for readers of 15 years and above. It has a richly imagined world and the main protagonists were characters that had me rooting for them from beginning to end.
The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros is a YA post-apocalyptic novel set in a small Welsh village and was borrowed from the international author collection in my workplace library.
Cover art by Maike Plenzke, published by Knights Of, 2021, eISBN: 978-1913311186
Front Desk is a stupendously good middle grade novel, which I am kicking myself for not having read sooner. The story is based on author Kelly Yang’s lived experience as a Chinese immigrant in the United States, and the authenticity of the characters and storylines leaps off the page.
Told in the voice of 10-year-old Mia, the story sheds a powerful light on the exploitation of immigrants who moved to the States seeking freedom and a better life for their families, only to find themselves almost enslaved by unscrupulous employers and reduced to working long shifts in manual jobs, despite their academic credentials. As the book begins, Mia and her parents think that their luck has finally changed when they are offered the chance to run a motel for Mr Yao. At last they will have a secure roof over their heads, and according to the terms they are offered, they will earn enough money to actually afford some of the good things that lured them to America. However, it doesn’t take long before Mr Yao starts cheating them out of their wages, leaving them with just enough money to exist rather than thrive. Mia’s parents are so exhausted by the constant cleaning and laundry duties, that at the age of 10, she takes on responsibility for the front desk during the hours between school and bedtime.
Despite all the hardships, Mia’s spirit absolutely shines through the narrative. She is tremendously kind and empathetic, building mutually supportive relationships with the ‘weeklies’, residents who live permanently at the Calivista Motel. She is a model student, with a burning ambition to be a writer, despite her mother’s attempts to turn her into a mathematician. With the aid of a thesaurus lent to her by one of the residents, she begins to use her letter writing skills to great effect. Mia also forms a strong bond of friendship with Lupe, whose experience as a child of Mexican immigrants closely resembles her own. The book does not hold back on the hardships faced by many people at the poorer end of society: loan sharks, violence, robbery and racism all feature. But it also relates many examples of kindness and is infused with humour and glimmers of hope amongst the difficulties. I loved the way the story ended and am now determined to read the remainder of the series.
I think that Front Desk would appeal to readers from aged 10, right through to teens and adults too. In a thoroughly engaging story, told by a character for whom you only hope for good things, you get a glimpse of the real hardships that many families face on a daily basis. At the end of the book, Kelly Yang shares some of her own experiences which made their way into Mia’s story and includes a short essay on the power of libraries and librarians to change lives. At a time when the leaders of our country are recognising the fact that investment in libraries can help lift people out of poverty, I hope that they will also recognise that libraries need to be staffed with individuals who will take time to encourage those who need kind words and intentional encouragement to realise their full potential.
This book was a personal purchase in e-book format on my Kindle.
Screenshot of Audiobook front cover, published by Guppy Books, March 2026
Scaredy Cat is the fourth book in the Bigg School series, set amongst Year 7 pupils attending the Henry Bigg Academy, and continues in the same vein as its predecessors, delivering some wise lessons, skilfully wrapped in a realistic story brimming with humour. (You can read my reviews of books 1-3 in the series at the links at the end of this review). I was delighted to find the audiobook version of Scaredy Cat on offer through the BorrowBox app from my public library, and even happier to find that it is beautifully read by Sachin K. Sharma.
The main protagonist in this story is Ajay, a fairly nervous and anxious boy, who chooses to spend his spare time indoors, building Lego, playing board games and drinking hot chocolate. His mother seems to like keeping him wrapped in cotton wool, whilst his dad offers encouragement to try new activities, and his teenage sister teases him for being a scaredy cat. When his two best friends, Ned and Gabby, rush to sign up for the Year 7 outdoor adventure school trip to Merrywood Activity Centre, they persuade Ajay to join them. Despite his misgivings about being outside, getting wet and muddy, and facing the terrors of a high-wire slide, Ajay doesn’t want to miss out on being with his friends, so signs up too. Unfortunately, a few days before the trip, Ajay falls foul of super-sporty, popular kid, Ollie, and is very unhappy to find that he and Ned have been placed in a dorm room with Ollie and his mates. They make Ajay’s first couple of days an absolute misery with their constant belittling of him. However, when Ajay and Ollie are forced to be partners on an evening orienteering course, and Ollie refuses to listen to Ajay’s superior map-reading skills, the opportunity finally arises for Ajay to prove his worth.
I think that this is an excellent story for children in years 5-7, because the scenarios are so familiar to those pupils embarking on their first overnight school trips. The adult and child characters are drawn sympathetically, even the bully Ollie clearly has a backstory which makes him act in the unpleasant way depicted here. Children who are slightly nervous themselves will clearly relate to Ajay’s experiences, while more confident children will observe the supportive actions and words of Ned and Gabby, and hopefully emulate this behaviour if they see their own classmates in distress. As I said earlier, the story is written with a great deal of humour, and I always find that Lisa Williamson writes with warmth and kindness which adds greatly to the appeal of her books. I would highly recommend Scaredy Cat to primary and secondary school librarians, as well as to parents/caregivers of children who are getting ready for a school activity trip.
I borrowed this audiobook from my public library service, via the BorrowBox app.
Click on the links below to read my reviews of earlier books in the Bigg School series:
Cover image by Becka Moor, published by Firefly Press, 2022, ISBN: 978-1913102784
The Blue Book of Nebo was originally written in Welsh by Manon Steffan Ros, and translated by the author into this English edition in 2022, which subsequently won the Carnegie Medal in 2023. Written in an epistolary style, as journal entries by a mother and son in a blue notebook found in an abandoned house, the story recounts an apocalyptic event and one family’s survival story.
This is a powerful, shocking and ultimately hopeful story, told in spare language which leaves much to the reader’s imagination. In the space of 150 pages this novel spans eight years following an event which Dylan and his mother Rowenna call ‘The End’, when the electricity went off, everyone disappeared from their small Welsh village of Nebo and the nearby nuclear power plant exploded. Extreme foresight by Rowenna, and the work ethic of her young son, have ensured their survival through the use of scavenged materials to build polytunnels in which to grow crops, and a foraged library to feed their minds. Dylan has had to grow up fast and take on adult responsibilities from a young age. His journal entries depict the exhaustingly self-sufficient life that they have been forced to live, his love of the books that they have collected from the deserted dwellings in their neighborhood, and his curiosity about the origins of his toddler sister Mona after he has read a biology textbook. In contrast, Rowenna’s chapters tend to focus on the time before The End, her former friendships, her determination to preserve the Welsh language, and the secrets that she has managed to keep from Dylan. Their combined tale presents a poignant picture of survivorship, a tender mother-son relationship, and some heart-breakingly tragic moments.
Although this is a book written predominantly for a young adult audience, I think it is a meaningful and memorable read for anyone aged 14/15 and above. I borrowed this copy from the ‘international author’ wellbeing collection which the NHS library in which I work has purchased with funds from our hospital charity, to reflect the international diversity of our library users. I will certainly be recommending it to colleagues who enjoy a short read with a big heart.
Cover art by Kiuyan Ran, hardback edition published by Penguin Random House, 2 July 2026, ISBN: 978-0241707739
Blood of Gods & Girls is an epic young adult fantasy with magnificent world building and resourceful, resilient and bold protagonists. I was gripped throughout, from the first page description of five-year-old girls herded like sheep in pens as they awaited the selection of a new Mortal Goddess, to the final thrilling denouement.
On opening the book, the reader is instantly thrown into the melée of The Royal Square on the island of Khas Kura, as teenage Nisha tries every trick she knows to prevent five-year-old Ratna from joining the other little girls awaiting selection by the Immortal King. The fast-paced action, during which, details of the kingdom and its lore are gradually revealed, remains constant during the book. Nisha’s voice which narrates the story, combines a snarky sarcasm with a determination to defy the expectations of the patriarchal society into which she has been born. This is a land where females are owned by their father or husband, and all have to wear a bronze torc around their necks, inscribed with the name of their ‘Master’. A military force named the Garidan ensure that the king’s decrees are adhered to, and every town has a Pit, into which the women are thrown and left to die, if any man makes an accusation against them. We learn that the king’s immortality was granted by the Goddess Shantavi, who fell in love with him hundreds of years previously, and since her disappearance her spirit must be embodied in a constant sequence of Mortal Goddesses to ensure the prosperity of the king and his subjects. However, Nisha knows from personal experience that the people are being lied to, and when she is found by a golden eagle warrior, Garuda, and transported to a sanctuary for women in the distant mountains, she finds allies who will help her try to defeat the Immortal King.
I think that author, K.L. Kaine, has created a brilliantly imagined world, populated it with a cast of interesting characters and magical creatures, and built a history which is sadly all too believable in the light of current world events. The quest to find a magical artefact, the confrontations with opposing forces, and the emerging first romance are all likely to compel teen and young adult readers, I would recommend this story to readers of 14/15+. I liked that the feminist theme was careful to depict male characters who did not accept the norms of their society, as well as the way that power can slowly corrupt and that societies ruled by corruption need alliances of brave individuals to fight back against injustice. I certainly recommend Blood of Gods & Girls to young adult readers who enjoy fantasy fiction both for sheer enjoyment and perhaps as a portal through which the real world can be viewed and made sense of.
Disclaimer: I am very grateful to publicist Liz Scott and Penguin Books for providing me with the beautiful hardback edition of Blood of Gods & Girls. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.
Screenshot of audiobook cover from Borrowbox app, published by Bonnier Books UK – Piccadilly Press, 12 March 2026, ISBN: 978-1038698056
I love the inventive way that author Ruth Lauren plays with the tropes of a locked room murder mystery in Murder at Hotel Marvelo. The magical elements in this story for middle grade readers add layers of extra intrigue and red herrings as siblings Finnian, Juniper and Teddy desperately try to clear their parents names and prove that they have been framed for a crime they did not commit.
The Hotel Marvelo is an ancient institution, designed to provide a sanctuary of rest and relaxation for all frazzled magical creatures. It has been under the stewardship of Finnian’s mother’s family for many generations and he is immensely proud of this legacy and determined to defend his family’s ownership of the hotel when it is threatened by the murder of a wizard in the spa. After his mother and step-father’s arrest, the arrival of a strict and unsympathetic guardian cannot prevent the three children from using their knowledge of the hotel’s secret passageways to scuttle about and try to uncover the real murderer. However, it soon becomes apparent that the hotel holds more secrets than Finnian had ever imagined and the clock begins ticking down towards the loss of their hotel and home forever!
There were many aspects of this novel aimed at readers aged 8/9+ that I found thoroughly enjoyable. The plotting was spot on and is likely to keep young readers guessing right up to the final chapters. The magical creatures had distinctive characters and back stories, keeping the reader wondering whether they were reliable witnesses. The blended family of Finnian and his step-sister Juniper, and their half-sister Teddy was beautifully portrayed, with a little bit of realistic sibling rivalry mixed with a great deal of kindness and mutual support. The character of Teddy is sensitively written, so that you assume she is neurodiverse without this being explicitly stated. The way that Finnian and Juniper communicate with her and look out for her is heart-warming, and her ability to reveal clues by examining the evidence from a different viewpoint makes her detective skills essential to the investigation. Although there is a murder, the story is age-appropriate in its content, contains just the right level of jeopardy to thrill and entertain readers without scaring them, and has that reassuring structure of a cosy crime novel that sees the villain brought to justice in the end.
I actually listened to Murder at Hotel Marvelo via the Borrowbox app provided by my local public library and it was expertly narrated by David Thorpe, I believe that the paperback contains illustrations. I would highly recommend this story to school librarians and key stage 2 teachers to add to their ‘reading for pleasure’ collections.
Cover art by Emily Hamilton, published by Post Wave, 23 April 2026, ISBN: 978-1836270737
The Storm Cloud begins with a springtime scene, bursting with newly emerged plant and animal life. Bear awakes from his winter sleep but he has a strange feeling in his tummy, and there is a constant drip, drip in his ears. There is a small rain cloud positioned above his head. He tries all sorts of activities to disperse the cloud but nothing works. His animal friends try to help by bringing bear all the things that used to make him happy but to no avail, Bear’s raincloud just grows and grows. Eventually, Squirrel provides Bear with the support of a listening ear and demonstrates the value of having a patient friend who will sit with you and wait out the passing of the storm.
Through this story, author Frances Stickley provides a positive message that encourages youngsters to be brave and take the first step to resolving a problem through having the courage to speak to someone about whatever is troubling them. Her words are beautifully amplified by Emily Hamilton’s artwork. The woodland landscapes provide huge scope for detailed conversations between adults and children who share this story. Bear’s facial expressions clearly indicate his feelings and I loved the use of scale to emphasise the size of his inner emotions.
I think that The Storm Cloud will be a valuable book for family practitioners, social workers, school librarians and teachers, as well as parents and caregivers, as a first step to encourage young children to discuss their worries and anxieties openly. It also shows children the importance of being a good friend and listening patiently to others who might be feeling upset. I will be giving my copy to the families hub service at the hospital where I work, who I think will find it useful.
Disclaimer: I am most grateful to publicist Antonia Wilkinson and Post Wave Books for sending me a copy of The Storm Cloud. It was my decision to write a review and all opinions are my own.
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