Author: MIqbal

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Everything was very fast paced so I got through the book very quickly.

The story is a mystery with adventure, of Newt going to find her family’s stolen emerald. However, the task is made more difficult than it already is because it’s the Regency period and she, as a girl, cannot go out and look for it herself. Therefore, she decides to disguise herself as a boy but that leads to lots of unanticipated trouble.

Along the way, you meet different characters, and each of them is quite strange which makes the story very funny.

There is also a hint of romance, so this story really does have everything all in one.

I definitely recommend this book to readers of all genres, because there’s something in it for everyone.

The series is set in a world where there is magic, but the fact that the main character, Sabriel, is a good necromancer adds a nice twist to it all. The way she casts magic is also very different, as it is cast by sound!

I would definitely recommend this to fans of Harry Potter because, like that series, Sabriel is out to put an end to a great evil and makes some good friends along the way. The adventure, magical world-building, friendships and self discovery are all the elements you’ll find in both Harry Potter and here.

You really want more after you finish the book, and it’s great that we have the book after this in our library too! And we hope to get the rest of the series as well.

This was a book like no other I have read before. It had all the normal elements of a YA fantasy novel, but was set in an Arabian land, bringing in Arab culture. This made the story feel both familiar and new at the same time.

Despite the Arab setting, there is no mention of religion in the novel, so if you don’t like (real) religions in your stories that won’t be an issue. It is also surprising how diverse the characters were despite being in a setting we may not normally think would be diverse.

I would also say that romance and love of different forms was a key element in this book. That may make some readers more eager to read the book and for those that don’t, I’d say the different setting is worth reading the book for, even if your enjoyment might be reduced slightly.

I’d liken this book in terms of themes and characters to that of Six of Crows so if you liked that book, you’ll definitely love this one too.

A great read for fantasy fans.

When a series of gruesome murders targeting apothecaries brings danger close to home, Christopher Rowe must find out who is behind them by solving the codes, or else he’ll be the next one to end up dead.

The book is fast paced with danger lurking around every corner. You really can’t put it down and want to know how Christopher Rowe will make it out of every dangerous situation he faces.

The characters of the book are likeable and make you want to root for their success. All of the references to apothecary work are also very interesting, learning what mixing different substances can do. Christopher uses his apothecary knowledge to overcome every situation, and the rate of success is realistic (so, it doesn’t always work and he does have to face the dangerous consequences when it doesn’t). This realism in the work is what makes it all the more exciting and tense, as the situation could really go either way.

There isn’t much more that can be said without giving parts of the mystery away, but it is a must-read for any fans of mysteries!

I usually find that the first books in a series (more specifically, a YA, dystopia trilogy) is good, but as you get onto the next book, and then the last, the story just gets disappointing. This was not the case for the Arc of a Scythe series.

Set in a world so advanced that people no longer die, a specific order of ‘scythes’ legally ‘gean’ people to keep the population numbers under control. Through this, you see issues of morality raised on how best to glean a person.

Each book was thoroughly unpredictable and you can’t see the plot twists coming. It kept me on my toes the whole time and I got through each book so quickly because I just couldn’t put it down.

The writing style is also quite unique, with the end/start of chapters beginning with scythe journal entries, Thunderhead’s musings, or even some mock-history source analysis. These items fit in well with the rest of the story, either giving you a glimpse of what may come, or a deeper look into a character’s personality and why they are as they are.

While the book was set in a world where there was barely any genetic racial difference left perceivable. it still somehow managed to make a diverse book, with characters from across the globe and still some different physical traits coming through.

I would highly recommend the entire series. Once you start reading it, you won’t be able to stop.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

This book is about a girl called Adunni who is from a small Nigerian village. Her mother dies and aged 14, she is forced to marry a man who is much older than her and who already has two wives. Her dream is to complete school and be a teacher but it seems that her dream will never be fulfilled as she runs for her life from her husband and then ends up as a house slave to a cruel family.

However, Adunni is determined to find her ‘louding voice’ and get her education so that she can speak for herself and all the girls who find themselves in her situation. Adunni is smart, funny , resilient and inspiring.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Adunni’s voice shone through with such authenticity you imagine yourself standing next to her and sharing her adventures.

I would highely recommend this book for anyone 14+

Mrs Jill Carr RPE Dept

Trevor Noah- Born a Crime.

The book made me laugh out loud (LOL) in places. I feel I know understand the Apartheid Struggle better from the point of view of a mixed race person in South Africa.

It also talks about his schooling, and the different types of school which were divided by race.

A good, light hearted read in lock down.

By Ms WaltersNisbett

In Magnus Chase, Rick Riordan brings a new world of mythology to life. This time, the focus is Norse mythology.

Riordan weaves an interesting and humorous story about a homeless teen who gets pulled into the world of the the Norse and must act to stop the release of Fenrir Wolf… all in only nine days.

The story also teaches you about the things in Norse mythology you may not have known, but without overloading you with information. To see a different portrayal of Thor and Loki from that of their Marvel counterparts was also interesting, and personally I liked these versions better.

The book features a host of diverse characters in terms of position, religion and race to an extent usually not found in books. This helps the book be relatable to marginalised groups that otherwise do not see much representation, or at least representation where they do cool world-saving stuff.

This book is definitely for old readers and new of Rick Riordan. For those that like action and humour, and a little bit of mythology sprinkled in.

The book is available both physically from the school library and also from the digital library.