I received a review copy of this book from Random House, UK, via NetGalley for which my thanks. A newer entrant to the world of Japanese feel-good fiction, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat (Neko Wo Shoho Itashimatsu) follows the rough pattern/structure of other series like Before the Coffee Gets Cold, The Kamogawa Food Detectives and…
Book Review: Twin Flames (2024) by Olivia Abtahi
I was kindly sent an e-ARC of this book by Sacha Chadwick at Lee and Low Books for which my thanks. Twin Flames (2024) is a young adult fantasy novel set around estranged twin sisters having to battle a horde of djinns who have invaded their town to protect both their family and the place…
Book Review: Finn Family Moomintroll (1948) by Tove Jansson and translated by Elizabeth Porsch #WITMonth #MoominWeek
One of the lighter volumes of the escapades of the Moomins, also the best-known, Finn Family Moomintroll (1948) is free of any catastrophe or grave danger, full of whimsy and small little adventures, some new characters and a bit of actual magic as well! With episodic adventures which do eventually tie up in a way,…
Book Review: The Nine Lives of Bianca Moon (2023) by Delas Heras #ReadingtheMeow2024
I received a review copy of this book from Double Six Books via NetGalley for which my thanks. 1950s New York—a journalist killed in a tragic accident— his heartbroken fiancée seeking revenge—ruthless mobsters—a glamorous former CIA operative turned contract killer—underdog policemen—restless ghosts—in other words, all the elements for a thoroughly entertaining read, and this was…
Book Review: The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki and translated by Jesse Kirkwood #ReadingtheMeow2024
I received a review copy of this book from Octopus Publishing via NetGalley for which my thanks. Along the lines of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Kamogawa Food Detectives books in its broad structure and emotional appeal, but also with a little more depth as well as uniqueness in having its base firmly…
Book Review: Neptune’s Secret Code (2024) by Genna Rowbotham
Neptune’s Secret Code (2024) is a full-length fantasy-adventure for children from author Genna Rowbotham, two of whose picture books for much younger kids I’ve read and reviewed previously. My thanks to Genna for kindly sending me a review copy of this book which explores themes of facing and not being imprisoned by one’s fears, positive…
Book Review: Her Radiant Curse (2023) by Elizabeth Lim
I received a review copy of this book from Hodder & Stoughton vis NetGalley for which my thanks. Set in a mythical far east, on the island of Sundau and its wider surrounds, Her Radiant Curse (2023) by Elizabeth Lim is a fantasy quest story which explores many themes from identity and family to burdens…
Book Review: The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by John R. Neill #Ozathon24
The only other of the Oz books that I’ve read other than The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (which was the only one I knew as a child) is The Marvelous Land of Oz (1904) but on revisiting it now after many years, I was surprised to find how, besides being a fun and imaginative adventure…
Book Review: Ellie May & Her Toy Dragon, Ben (2023) by Genna Rowbotham and illustrated by Shamima Afroz Alis
I received a review copy of this picture book from the author, Genna Rowbotham for which my thanks. Ellie May and Her Toy Dragon (2023) is a colourful and sweet story told (like another of Genna Rowbotham’s books I previous reviewed) in verse. This is the tale of a little girl Ellie May, who can’t…
Book Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2011) by Ransom Riggs #Dewithon24
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2011), the first in a five-book series, might in some ways be your typical young adult fantasy with our protagonist finding himself in a ‘new’, in its own way, ‘magical’ space where he finds makes new friends but is also thrown into a battle between good and evil, yet…
Literary Potpourri 