This week we've been busy unraveling mysteries with a nod to: geocaching adventures, Tri-wizard tournaments and Egyptian secrets!
This week we've been busy unraveling mysteries with a nod to: geocaching adventures, Tri-wizard tournaments and Egyptian secrets!
If you're looking for an adventure, don't go geocaching on Loggerhead Island! When Tory and Hi find a box buried underground, what they expect to be a geocache turns into a deadly quest. This week site member ABitCrazy wrote a superb review of Code by Kathy Reichs, in which they enthused: "I don't think there was a single bit that I didn't love!"
"I don't know how Kathy writes such amazing novels with such great twists. Kathy's twists always catch me by surprise and they are never what you expect… You get so into the story that no matter how unrealistic it might be you feel like you're there solving it with them. And if you don't feel like you're there solving it with them you wish you were. Kathy Reichs does a really good job to capture her audience's attention and once you're reading it there's no stopping you. You are no longer sitting on your sofa, you are on Morris Island solving a mystery that's going to save hundreds!"
Similarly mysterious, but with elements of fantasy, reader CaraErica wrote an extraordinary review of Leslye Walton's intriguing tale The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. Trapped in her family home and determined to find out where she came from, Ava is an ordinary girl with wings who is "not a bird, nor an angel, but also … not quite human."
"Walton has truly surpassed herself with this story – a beautiful idea!… The many ideas vying for your attention show Walton's creativity, but perhaps too much is contained within too few pages to fully impact the reader. I found at parts I struggled to connect with some of the characters, therefore even some of the most moving parts failed to shed a tear. Overall, this book is definitely worth a read, but I wouldn't rush it to the top of your reading list… It should be remembered for the devastatingly beautiful character of Ava Lavender and how she depicts just what it is to be different, rather than some of the more complex interweaved ideas along the way."
Now to something legendary for our Percy Jackson fans, reader King of Hearts wrote a terrific review of the first in Rick Riordan's Olympians series! In this installment, Percy discovers he's the descendant of a Greek god when he accidentally vapourises his maths teacher on a school trip!
"This book is probably one of the best books I have read. I was always wondering what would happen next – some parts were filled with fear and emotion and some filled with action. My favorite part of the book was when Percy fights Ares, the god of war. I could not put this book down. Wherever I went this book came with me. Rick Riordan Is a very good author and I love reading his books. I can't wait to start reading the next one."
Agatha Christie's classic detective novels are up next, with a brilliant review by northernlights13 of Death on the Nile. Northernlights13 summed up the plot perfectly: "The detective Hercule Poirot is on holiday in Egypt when he is drawn into the mysterious affair of the newlywed couple: society's beauty, Linnet, and Simon Doyle."
"This was the first Agatha Christie book I'd ever read, and from page one I was enthralled! Now I own ten other Poirot books and if you like to read about crime/detective fiction and like really good plots, then Death On the Nile is perfect. Christie describes her characters brilliantly with exquisite detail. The cleverness of Agatha Christie is that the reader is given the same clues as the detective, so if you are bright enough, you can discover the identity of the criminal before the detective! I would give this book a definite 10/10."
Continuing the theme of mystery in this week's roundup, but something for our older readers – bedtimestories wrote a thought-provoking review of Never Ending by Martyn Bedford. When a family holiday in Greece ends in tragedy, Shiv decides to visit an unconventional clinic to come to terms with her guilt.
"What struck me the most was how well written it was. The way the chapters went on was just great. I really liked the fact that it went back and forth so I was absolutely hooked from the start. One downside was the third person perspective, I just cannot stand it when it's not in first person; however, the story let me look past it and read on… This story is going to stay in my mind for quite a while. The ending was so good, I just feel like something was missing but not sure what. The book is coming out this month so I really suggest it for those of you who are 13 years and older! I definitely recommend it! Just grab it and read it! I rate it 4 out of 5."
To end this week's roundup we turn to a much-loved children's classic: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling. Bookworm reminds us what a classic this book really is with his lively review of the story of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts when he is unexpectedly chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the deadly Tri-wizard Tournament.
"I recommend this book to bookworms who can't choose what sort of book they like best: mystery or adventure. This is the perfect book for these kinds of people because it is a mixture of both. The age group I recommend it to is 8-12s, but if you are not in this group and you would like to try it, go ahead! I wouldn't be surprised if you like it if you are a mystery and adventure type!"
And again a big thank you to our fantastic site members for sending in so many delightful reviews! If we have included your book review in this week's roundup, do remember to email the Book Elves (childrens.books@theguardian.com) and we will send you a book-shaped parcel in the post!
Happy reading!
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