Elias Zapple

There's something in this story that just reminds me of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and it's not just how our protagonists Alex and Katie enter the magical world - through a golden frame in this book, which is rather novel and highly inventive - or that there's a witch there - though she's more grumpy than evil - however, I can't quite seem to put my finger on it. I shall have to ask my slugs what they think. The story is also novel as it comes across as quite realistic even though it's set in a fantasy world and it's filled with many logical solutions - the wearing of glasses for one. I guess that's the message within, that most things can be explained by reason rather than the supernatural? Well, that's my interpretation.

The writing is crisp and nicely detailed and will give the reader a clear impression of the world they're encountering. Overall, this is highly recommended and I can't wait to read the author's other books.

P.S. And yes, dragons are animals too and so shouldn't be harmed! Jellybean the Dragon would wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

High-octane, adrenalin-pumping, action-packed thriller and it's a book for children! My slugs and I felt breathless when reading this book and needed to drink quite a few Noggin' Rockers. Most kids books are rather pedestrian when compared with this, or perhaps I should slugestrian... no, that doesn't work. This is a thrill a minute as we get taken around Paris, get to learn about Paris, see the attractions of Paris and make us want to avoid Paris - not really - as they battle the Good Company. The characters are fun, colourful and involving, the protagonist is a cool kid that most other kids will look up to and be inspired by. A great book for tweens, other kids, slugs and anybody that wants their breath taken away.

This is the 2nd edition of The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool with a new cover and illustrations and it was well worth the wait. My slugs have particularly commended the cover and asked why I don't have covers as pretty. I ignored them. Even though the beautiful cover gives a good impression of the kind of content inside - beautiful writing - it would seem to be more aimed at girls than boys. However, I'm male and most of my slugs are male - probably- and we enjoyed it so perhaps the male members of your household will like it too? And why not? This book is full of Greek mythology, specifically in relation to Ares (which is sure to get kids interested in the Greek mythologies) as the young princesses attempt to protect our protagonist Harmonie from her father and her siblings. Full of adventure and a lovely narrative, this is a promising first book and with the 2nd to take place in Hawaii, lots more great adventures and storytelling are sure to be told.

The Seren Trilogy is about a little girl's adventures in a fantastical place created by the imaginative Darren Lewis. The chief protagonist, Ellie, is based upon his own daughter which makes the story extra special as it's written from the heart with great love and affection. The characters are lots of fun as Darren's clever writing and wonderfully descriptive narrative flows along, interweaving between the three stories. The three stories are Ellie and the Rabbits where she meets talking rabbits and is turned into a rabbit herself! The second Ellie and the Dragon - as good a dragon as my own Jellybean? Hmm... By the way, she meets Cole, an orphan dragon in a basement! And the third, Ellie and the Battle - where she and Cole need to save the world with unexpected results.

A perfect story for children that is sure to make them excited and dreaming of their own fantastical adventures. Looking forward to the next adventures of Ellie.