Book Reviews – Page 52 – Everything Is Better With Dragons

Review: ‘Divine Invention’, by Linden Forster

Blurb
Most stories begin with either an unforeseen turn of events or a problem.
Krank has a problem. For centuries, the people of the island have lived on the animals and plants to be found there. It was bliss and so the population grew. It was not until very recently anyone noticed that the quantity of plants and animals had not. The delicate balance of the ecosystem has tipped and food is dwindling.
The King assigned the island’s two resident self-proclaimed geniuses, the Creators, to find a solution. The fruits of their labour ripen into the invention of the world’s first aquatic transportation device and promises to provide passage from the island to search further afield for food and resources.
So, there it is. Problem solved. End of story. Barring any unforeseen turn of events…

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Divine-Invention-Heros-Arc-Book-ebook/dp/B01BU60DOA

US – https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Invention-Heros-Arc-Book-ebook/dp/B01BU60DOA

Unplanned review: ‘Artemis’ by Andy Weir

36426750 — Published By: Del Ray
Publication Date: 12th July 2018
Format: Paperback
I.S.B.N.: 9781785030253

Blurb

Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.

Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of Jazz’s problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself – and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even more unlikely than the first.

Review: ‘Strays and Relations’, by Dizzy Greenfield

Blurb

Strays and Relations follows the story of Dizzy, whose search for her birth parents is sad, humorous, and in parts bizarre. Dizzy learns that she began life as a surviving twin, then was fostered until a permanent home was found.

Dizzy begins her search for her original identity. Why was she given up for adoption in the 1960s? Following a tenuous lead, she travels to Ireland with her best friend Sugar, but the trail takes a misleading turn. It ends in what they mistakenly believe is Dizzy’s mother’s grave.

Dizzy falls in love with Will, a blacksmith. But something is missing. Dizzy’s life changes when her birth father Tommy makes contact using a private detective. He reveals that her birth mother is alive and married to a man called Vernon. Now the bigger, trickier task lies ahead: working out how to fit the disparate bits of her life together. This is a book which will both amuse and touch readers’ hearts.

Strays and Relations manages sensitive subject matter with engaging wit and sharply-observed dialogue, and includes vivid descriptions of some rather unusual animals and people. It will appeal to readers who have encountered a recycled animal or family.

Purchase Links

https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/contemporary/strays-and-relations/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strays-Relations-Hours-Decades-Greenfield-ebook/dp/B07BGF2YKF/

https://www.amazon.com/Strays-Relations-Hours-Decades-Greenfield-ebook/dp/B07BGF2YKF/

Non-fiction Bonus Reviews #1

I haven’t been feeling great so my reviews are a bit behind. I have a stack of books next to my laptop that I need to tell you all about. I’ve got three Pen & Sword books for you and an indie about comic book history.

Children’s Picture Book Review: ‘Dancing Fairies’, by Jenny Way

Blurb
Follow the adventures of the Dancing Fairies as they dance and play every night and day!
See them fly over hills, in gardens, on window sills and in the treetops! Join them and their animal friends having fun in the rain and sun. Watch them as they paint flowers – it doesn’t take them hours!
You will be amazed and enthralled by their beauty and that’s not all! These little fairies are amazing and a delight!

Information about the Book

Title: Dancing Fairies

Author: Jenny Way

Release Date: 5^th March 2019

Genre: Picture Book

Page Count: 20

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43850984-dancing-fairies

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Fairies-Jenny-Way/dp/1912562987

Children’s Book Review: ‘The Secret Life of Moles’, by Liz Burgess

Blurb

Liz Burgess has always held a keen interest in nature, especially small furry mammals!
Long fascinated by their secret activities at home in her own back garden, and the fields surrounding it, she decided to explore this special underground world, and find out more about moles and their other little friends. Liz Burgess lives in South Yorkshire and The Secret Life of Moles is her first book for children.

Information about the Book

Title: The Secret Life of Moles (and their friends)

Author: Liz Burgess

Release Date: 28^th February 2019

Genre: Picture Book

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Clink Street Publishing

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44015942-the-secret-life-of-moles

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Life-Moles-Liz-Burgess-ebook/dp/B07NJ4VR79

Colouring book review: ‘Uzbekistan: An experience of cultural treasures to colour’

I do enjoy colouring in when I’m stressed. Or bored. And when this one came up, I just had to accept it.

My Review

The book pairs images of architecture, fabrics, mosaics, carvings and paintings from the last couple of thousand years with line images for the reader to colour in.

The paper is dense and high quality, and I’m scared to get my pencils anywhere near it. It’s so beautiful! And informative. As a cross-roads of cultures and civilisations, Uzbekistan has an artistic legacy that continues to this day.

Thanks to Rosie Crofts at Pen & Sword for sending me this book. I think I’m just going to stroke it a bit rather than try any colouring in.

Children’s Book Review: ‘Anna & Evan Meet Charles Darwin’, by Tanya Hutter & Lina Daniel, illustrated by Karin Eklund

**Title:** Anna & Evan meet Charles Darwin
**Author:** Tanya Hutter and Lina Daniel
**Illustrator:** Karin Eklund
**Release Date:** 28^th February 2019
**Genre:** Picture Book
**Page Count:** 30
**Publisher:** Clink Street Publishing
**Goodreads Link:** https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44016125-anna-evan-meet-charles-darwin
**Amazon Link:** https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Evan-Meet-Charles-Darwin-ebook/dp/B07NJGGB5C

Blurb
Join Anna and Evan on a magical adventure to the Galapagos Islands where they meet Charles Darwin, discover unusual animals and learn some interesting scientific facts.
This engaging and educational book is ideal for young children to encourage curiosity and interest in the natural world and science.

The project was supported by L’Oréal UK and Ireland For Women In Science Fellowship.

The Department of Chemistry at Cambridge tweeted: https://twitter.com/ChemCambridge/status/1095236077911187456

Review: ‘Don’t Pack The Stress’, by Peter Black

Published By: Independently published
Publication Date: 28th December 2018
I.S.B.N.: 978-1792843594
Format: Paperback
Price: £6.99
Purchase Link

Blurb

Are you considering moving home? Are you starting to worry that the stress of a move is going to push you over the edge, or that you’ll make bad decisions? You are not alone. It is a fact that many people worry about the prospect of a move and whether it is right for them or their families. Many people also worry about the stress that might be cause by moving home. Which is where Don’t Pack the Stress comes in. This book is packed full of techniques and methods that take you through a step by step approach to moving home, in a concise and easy to read manner. This is not a 300 page technical manual, but it is a set of practical methods which help you to navigate the process of moving, from deciding whether to move, to picking up the keys to your new home. This book will almost certainly make the moving process less stressful and leave you feeling more confident about your choices. In this guide you’ll learn how to:
•Decide whether this is the right time for you to move
•Identify clear goals and expectations about your next home
•Get the best out of professionals helping you with your move
•Plan a calm, serene and productive move
•Avoid unnecessary stress, and feel content with your choices.
What are you waiting for? Read this book, apply the methods inside, and begin to plan and enjoy your calm home move today.

Review: One Last Prayer For The Rays, by Wes Markin

DCI Michael Yorke faces his most harrowing case yet.

When 12-year-old Paul disappears from school, Yorke’s only clue is a pool of animal blood. Fearing the worst, he turns toward the most obvious suspect, recently released local murderer, Thomas Ray.

But as the snow in Salisbury worsens, Ray’s mutilated body is discovered, and Yorke is left with no choice but to journey into the sinister heart of a demented family that has plagued the community for generations. Can he save the boy? Or will the evil he discovers changes him forever?

One Last Prayer for the Rays introducing DCI Michael Yorke.

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Last-Prayer-Rays-exhilarating-ebook/dp/B07M5H7JYS

US – https://www.amazon.com/One-Last-Prayer-Rays-exhilarating-ebook/dp/B07M5H7JYS