Month: November 2020

The Magpie Society by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

The Magpie Society is a YA mystery novel written by Zoe Sugg and ‘Jinxed’ author Amy McCulloch.

First of all, I was really excited to read this book as I have previously loved some of Amy McCulloch’s other books and I will say I enjoyed reading it. I did find myself eagerly reading on but I will say I didn’t love how the book ended which kind of hindered the reading experience.

I liked the writing style and the switch between Ivy and Audrey viewpoint throughout the book. I feel it gave both characters depth and time to develop within the story. The use of the podcast transcripts is something I really liked, almost as if I was listening to it myself and allowing you to know exactly what the characters are reacting to. It was also interesting to learn after reading that the two authors were Audrey and Ivy in the sense that their viewpoints were written by one of the authors throughout.

I thought that a lot of the characters in the book are interesting and suited to a YA novel. The introduction of someone as new to the school as the readers are so we get to learn about the school through a character who has been there for years and one only a few weeks.

The book ended on a cliffhanger, which suggests a book will follow however I feel that the book itself didn’t answer any of the questions it set out. It was almost as if I read the full book for nothing. I like a cliffhanger but I felt like too much of the story resulted in this. For example, who the magpie Society is? This I can understand being a cliffhanger but the full premise of the story, what happened to Lola?, I feel that this should have been explained more. The book was leading up to this answer as we see Audrey and Ivy investigate and explore but we don’t learn anything else as it seemed to end right in the middle of a scene. In my opinion, I don’t think the book answered enough of its questions. Maybe if the second book was out already and I could have immediately read on it would have been ok, but I don’t think a book should rely on another that much even if it is a series.

Overall, I would say that I enjoyed the process of reading it and will likely read the second once released to find out all the answers from this book but I was left frustrated at the lack of resolution in this one. I would maybe recommend waiting for the second one to be released so you can find out more without the disappointment of waiting.

 Many thanks, Caitlin Dermidy

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Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 1 Comment

Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters is a YA fantasy novel that centres around a character named Shady Grove and ghosts risen through a fiddle.

“If I could have a fiddle made of Daddy’s bones, I’d play it. I’d learn all the secrets he kept.

Shady Grove inherited her father’s ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle, but she also knows the fiddle’s tunes bring nothing but trouble and darkness. But when her brother is accused of murder, she can’t let the dead keep their secrets. In order to clear his name, she’s going to have to make those ghosts sing. “

I was unsure whether I would like this book when I first received it in a Book Box Club subscription but I am glad to say I was wrong. I did really enjoy this novel. It was filled with mystery, paranormal and great characters. It is a book filled with an eerie atmosphere with sprinkles of romance intertwined. I felt like I constantly had to see what was happening. The book also featured a crime that was committed and Shady Grove using the fiddle to try to find out the truth. I really liked this aspect as it is part of the typical genre I would choose of a crime and the investigators but it looked at it in a unique way. Having a teenage girl look for the truth which lay with ghosts of those lost to her world.

One thing I really liked about this book is that it dealt with some great and occasionally tough topics. It didn’t shy away. It featured an LGBTQ+ storyline with a love triangle, the topic of loss was prominent in this book, friendship was a big topic also. Loss being one of the main topic in this book as it features both with the living and with the ghosts brought to the front with Shady Grove fathers fiddle. I think the writing in the book dealt with this really well and it showed how different people can react to loss in different ways and that is ok.

I really enjoyed the writing style of Erica Waters, it allowed the reader to really feel apart of the story and feel themselves become lost in the atmosphere and setting of the book itself.

The characters in this book were charming and added to the story well. Shady Grove was a well developed character who I loved learning about and following her on her ‘quest’. However, I would say even although I liked the other characters, they didn’t have a whole ot of depth. What I mean by that is that we knew who they are but not how they became to be that. I still liked them but I love characters with backstory. But that is a personal opinion and I may think that, but you might not. So I recommend reading it and seeing what you think.

Overall, I really liked this book and would recommend it. I think a lot of readers would enjoy it as it features topics from many genres (crime, mystery, fantasy, romance etc)

Many thanks, Caitlin x

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Book Box Club – October 2020

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

This months theme was ‘From Afar’ and featured a book by Ayesha Harruna Attah.

This month, as per usual, featured some great bookish goodies! Those goodies were as follows; a beautiful Readers of South Korea mug with artwork by Cindy Kang and to go along with that a Chai Hot Chocolate by The Spice Kitchen. A Kingdom of Arawiya Room Spray by Bookish Bazaar to transform your rooms into a desert-scape. A tea towel with artwork by Helen Crawford-White based off of this months book was also included. Also include was some reading samples from Grown by Tiffany D.Jackson and The Once and Future Witches by Alix E.Harrow.

This months featured book was The Deep Blue Between by Ayesha Harruna Attah. Just from the title and cover this book has caught my attention, it is a beautiful cover. This book follows twin sisters Hassana and Husseina who were torn apart after a raid on their hometown. As they face dangers, forge families and discover new cultures, their differences become evident. But their dreams offer lucid insight into each others lives and they can stay connected through this. Will they ever be reunited ?

The Deep Blue Between is a moving story of the bonds that can endure even the most dramatic change. 

I am excited to read this book and upon reading some (spoiler-free) reviews it looks like something I will enjoy immersing myself into. I had not heard of this book or author before receiving it in this book box and this is one of the reasons I love this subscription service and would recommend !!! So keep your eyes peeled for a future post on this book!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to like, comment and share 🙂 )