The Scavenger (A Hopps Town Duology #1) - Aidan Lucid

Jared Duval wants Lydia Moran to stop bullying him. He also wants the football captain to like him, even just notice him. And, to know why is he having vivid and scary dreams.

Adrian Cole needs to stay fit for soccer, keep his grades up, study harder. He also misses his mother, who died in a car incident. Aside from all of that, he’s looking for a relationship. The substitute teacher is stunning but why would she be interested in him?

Jessica Barlow craves for her mother’s love. Ever since her dad left them, any affection Bertha has for her daughter is hidden far beneath the verbal and physical abuse, smoking and alcohol.

Will life change for them? 

Hopps Town is small, so it's doubtful. But a chance encounter after the school’s Halloween dance with a seemingly lost girl makes change possible. In pursuit of the runaway girl, they come across an abandoned shack with a well outside. They lean in and all make a wish…

Jessica wakes up to her mother happy and making breakfast. Stunned at this change in attitude, the young girl heads off to school, prepared lunch in hand (she can’t remember when that last happened) in a daze. Is this real?

Adrian’s head is filled with his father’s chastisement of how important going to college is, but these thoughts are soon discarded when he finds a note in his locker. Who is it from and why do they want to meet him?

The nightmares that Jared experiences intensify but unexpectedly, Tom, the handsome football star has suddenly noticed him. Jessica loves her ‘new’ mom and Adrian's new relationship is turning out better than expected. Did those fanciful wishes they made at the well actually come true?

And then Adrian and Jessica encounter the same supernatural occurrences that Jared has. They are dismissive and unsure of what they've seen and felt, but soon become scared as the realization that the wish bestowed upon them comes at a price.

There is something obviously evil that granted their wishes – but what has the death of a disgruntled man back in the late '70s to do with this evil entity and can Jared’s aunt really help the three teenagers get rid of this supernatural being?

The author’s introduction to Hopps Town and its inhabitants is a great beginning. He has managed to entwine some chilling and horrific moments without it being cliché. The emotions of the teens as they experience an abusive mother or peer bullying are real and expressive. His characters are believable as are the episodes of hearing haunting voices and seeing frightening images that plague them.

With novella’s, there is a tendency to be short with descriptions or moments and they can have a slightly disjointed feel. There are elements of this in the book, but Lucid has managed to say a lot in a limited number of words and the overall premise of the book hasn't been lost. And whilst I wished the story could be expanded – more tension created, more dialogue to really get behind the characters -Lucid has still created a story that is exciting, filled with unsettling moments and believable personalities. 

As a YA book the language used is fairly suitable, it skims issues that teens face - sexuality, bullying, acceptance - with some positivity given to these situations but there is a lot of negative attitudes too. However, falling under the genre of horror, it perhaps shouldn't be expected to be teaching lessons of acceptance etc., - the main focus is the battling of evil spirits!

Overall an enjoyable story that is a good grounding for the next installment. It will keep the reader fairly engaged and for them to look forward to what happens next in Hopps Town. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to read and review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to give a positive critique.

Love Letters from God - Glenys Nellist

Designed for young girls, each story taken from the Bible, is transformed in to a letter of love from God.

From ‘The First Girl’ (Eve), through to others such as ‘The Busy Girl’ (Martha), ‘The Hopeful Girl’ (Hannah) and the ‘Happy Girl’ (Mary Magdalene), the stories teach a young child how to have courage, strength and understanding all with the knowledge that God is always in their corner.

Whilst the stories have been retold in a child-friendly manner, the author references the passage in the bible, so whomever is reading can find it and read the whole story directly. With a few lines from scripture and little lift-flaps containing the love letter from God, this book is interactive and will be an inspiration for girls of all ages. Beautifully illustrated by Rachel Clowes, the inviting, colorful, images enhance the stories and will bring the message of God alive for all young readers.

I read this with my three years old, and she enjoyed opening the letters, especially as each letter is left blank for you to insert your child’s name. It certainly made it more personal for her. There is an envelope at the end for the reader/little girl to write her own thoughts and feelings to God. As she is still so young, it will be something she can do when she's older.

An enjoyable read and a great introduction to the women of the Bible, their stories and the meaning behind them. A recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing on behalf of Zonderkidz Publishing. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Raie'Chaelia - Melissa Douthit

This three-part fantasy tale tells of a young girl named Chalice who has to leave the home of her grandparents as her village (Canton) is about to be attacked. Instructed to travel to Branbury she reunites with her childhood friend Jeremiah - whose own town is deserted of people including his family.

Together they realize that the evil king is looking for them - destroying towns and killing people in the process. But a book dropped by a creature called a Chinuka (that she met on the way to Jeremiah's father's farm) and The Delphaline explain a birth mark that is on Chalice - one that talks of a prophecy. This discovery answers some questions but raises so many others such as who were her parents and why would King Dar'Maalda wish her dead?

As the story continues Chalice and Jeremiah, who she realizes she's in love with, are made to understand that the prophecy speaks of one who will return the rightful king. With this knowledge Chalice sets out to discover what her 'gift' is and destined path may be, knowing that her decision is whether to follow the path of love or duty.

This is a very good story. The author's description of a far away land filled with lovable creatures and villainous rouges is excellent and the names of people and places will definitely make you re-read them! Chalice is a great role-model for young adults - strong beliefs in family, friends and loyalty. The writing is so vivid and very creative that the reader will get lost easily in this far away world.

Whilst I'm not a fan of fantasy and struggled a little at the beginning, I did find the story a page-turner and I easily got caught up in the drama. I really enjoyed the imagery and the author's ability to describe things like a tap as a weird and wonderful invention. However, Douthit does end the book on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to invest time in this trilogy - which if you're a fan of this genre will not be a problem as this is a compelling tale.

A recommended read.

Lady Languish - SCD Goff

Leading a happy carefree life, Lady Evangeline Languish celebrates her 16th birthday with her beloved parents. Just as the festivities are ending, she meets her never before seen Uncle Malachy. His arrival sets her parents on edge and Eva feeling sick - but when he makes her secretly drink a dark red liquid, she's rejuvenated.

The next thing she knows, she is taken to St. Rita's School for Young Ladies boarding school - a brooding and grey building filled with strict timetables and bullies.

Tragedy strikes as she leaves school for the Christmas holidays. Suddenly, Eva is faced with the truth of who she is and must now find a way to kill her uncle before he kills her.

This is Goff's first novel and it is so good. Set in a small town just outside of Dublin, it's a tale that builds up to an exciting last few chapters. Eva is a likable character; young and naive but with an inner strength that she won't let things just happen to her. Told from her point of view, you're taken along her journey of discovery of who she is, who her parents are and why she's a threat to a centuries old 'clan'.

Aimed at young adults, this novel is one I'm sure that will be enjoyed by many a teenager. I'm not a fan of this particular genre (I won't be specific as it will give the whole story line away), but I thoroughly enjoyed this and I think Goff has captured the thoughts and emotions of a young teenager very well. Her use of language in describing the Irish countryside and other characters creates a vibrant picture. Goff has mentioned that she's thinking of a sequel. I hope she does write one as I would love to know what happens next.

Lady Languish is scheduled to be (self) published on April 20th.

A recommended read.