I Read, Therefore I Blog

The Blurb On The Back:

Your secret mission, should you choose to accept it:

Save the world from chaos by unmasking the hacker threatening to shut down the internet!

Put your spy skills to the test with four areas of puzzling challenges from hidden words and codebreaking to logic and observation puzzles, before you take on your top-secret mission.

Hurry, this message will self-destruct in 3, 2, 1 …

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The Verdict:

This entertaining puzzle book for readers aged 8+ works imagines that the reader is a secret agent who has to complete their training at Spy HQ before they go out in the field. It has a good mix of logic and graphic puzzles - certainly something for everyone - and is a good way of introducing young readers to puzzle solving techniques but the black and white illustrations prevent some of the visual puzzles from working quite as well as they should.

SPY AGENCY PUZZLE BOOK MISSION: THE HIDDEN HACKER was released in the United Kingdom on 27 March 2025. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Tamzin Pook is a fighter in the Amusement Arcade, where she does battle with Revenants - reanimated brains within armoured engine bodies - and is never sure whether she’ll survive another day.

In the wheeled city of Thorbury, a rebel faction has brutally seized control and it will take someone skilled at fighting Revenants to save the day … Enter Tamzin.

Along with an oddball gang of mercenaries and a teacher named Miss Torpenhow, she must outwit a pair of assassins to secure a peaceful future.

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The Verdict:

Philip Reeve’s standalone adventure set in his MORTAL ENGINES universe for readers aged 12+ is a thrilling story of friendship, belonging and what it means to be a hero. Although Tamzin and Miss Torpenhow are the main characters, this is very much an ensemble piece that explores the geography of the Traction Cities’ world at a breakneck pace. Although this is a standalone story, there is scope here for a sequel, which I would definitely read.

THUNDER CITY was released in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Cornwall, 1786.

For years, the villagers of Mirecoombe have turned to their Keeper, the old and battle-scarred Lord Pelagius Hunt, mediator between the worlds of men and fey, for help. But this is a time of change. Belief in the old ways, in the piskies and spriggans, has dimmed, kindled instead in the Reverend Cleaver’s fiery pulpit. His church stands proud above the mire; God’s name is whispered, hushed, loved. And now, death stalks Mirecoombe on the moor. There are corpses in the heather. There is blood in the gorse.

Nancy Bligh is determined to do what Pel will not: maintain the balance between the fey and the human world, be the Keeper that he refuses to be. Blessed with natural sight, friend to spriggans, pinkies and human locals of Mirecoombe, Nancy has power that Pel never had and never lets her use. But as Mirecoombe falls into darkness, perhaps her time has come.

A poignant and lyrical examination of faith, love and grief, Gorse asks what do we choose to believe, and how does that shape who we are?

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The Verdict:

Sam K Horton’s debut dark historical fantasy novel (the first in a series) is richly written with well drawn main characters and detailed world building. Horton handles the book’s main themes about faith, tradition and finding your own identity in an intelligent way and although I have some nitpicks (there are a couple of historical anachronisms and at times the writing too much), the ending has a neat set up for a sequel that I’d definitely read.

GORSE was released in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2024. Thanks to Rebellion Publishing for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

It’s me … Nina Peanut.

I’m Nina Peanut: a famous megastar, mystery-solver extraordinaire and extremely kind and patient big sister to the world’s most annoying brother.

Guess who is a ghost and is living right here in my school? It’s Lady Deborah from our history lesson, and she is stuck in her own shoe.

Watch as Brian and I film our investigations to find out what she’s doing there and how we can set her free. I’m also battling Megan Dunne to become class captain - vote for me, because who is more of a ghost expert than I am? Answer: hardly anyone!

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The Verdict:

The second in Sarah Bowie’s self-illustrated humorous graphic novel for readers aged 9+ is a well-constructed, fun affair filled with verbal and visual jokes. There’s a useful summary at the front if you haven’t read book 1 and Nina is such a well drawn character that you root for her, especially against the awful Megan. Certainly there’s more than enough here for me to want to read book 1 and I look forward to seeing what Bowie does next.

NINA PEANUT MEGA MYSTERY SOLVER was released in the United Kingdom on 26th September 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

A house explodes in a quiet Oxford suburb, a child disappears in the aftermath, and Sarah Tucker - bored and unhappy with life - becomes obsessed with trying to find her.

Accustomed to dull chores in a childless household and hosting her husband’s wearisome business clients for dinner, Sarah suddenly finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew, as her investigation reveals that people long-believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead.

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The Verdict:

Mick Herron’s thriller (the first in the OXFORD SERIES) mixes sharp one-liners, genuine twists and cynicism but Sarah’s convoluted back story didn’t work for me given what you see of her before it’s revealed. Zoë Boehm makes a bigger impact despite limited page time and I found both her and the dangerous and driven Michael Downey more interesting characters. It’s an entertaining read and I will read on, but it’s not as good as SLOUGH HOUSE.

The Blurb On The Back:

The fourth in Julia Quinn’s bestselling and beloved Bridgerton novels, now a series created by Shondaland for Netflix. Welcome to Colin and Penelope’s story …

Everyone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London …

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for … well, it feels like for ever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret … and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same - especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, Colin must decide … is she his biggest threat - or his promise of a happy ending?

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The Verdict:

The fourth in Julia Quinn’s bestselling BRIDGERTON SERIES is an entertaining Georgian romance where most of my interest came in seeing where the story and characters differ from the Netflix series. It utilises the trope of friends to lovers and although some of the writing isn’t technically great (everyone feels the need to use each other’s name all the time), there’s some sharp dialogue and fun lines such that I’d read the rest of the series.

The Blurb On The Back:

If the fate of the multiverse was in your hands, what would YOU do?

Eleven-year-old Danny is Apprentice Caretaker of a super-secret Interdimensional Lost Property Office. It’s not an easy job, but luckily Danny has best friend Modge and cousin Inaaya to help him out!

But then a very special star is stolen from the vaults. If Danny doesn’t get it back, the whole universe is in danger. Buckle up and get ready for a rocket ride across the cosmos and an adventure like no other!

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The Verdict:

The second in Lorraine Gregory’s INTERDIMENSIONAL EXPLORERS humorous SF series for readers aged 9+ is an entertaining, fast-paced, action-packed read with lively illustrations by Jo Lindley. I emphasised with Danny’s insecurities as to his friendship with Modge and Inaaya and his worry about losing them as they grow apart. The plot has plenty of twists and turns and there’s a wider series suggestion that someone at Centralus is a secret baddie.

INTERDIMENSIONAL EXPLORERS - ALIEN APOCALYPSE was released in the United Kingdom on 14th March 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Dive into Puplantis!

Get ready to dive into a deep-sea rescue with the AQUA PUPS!

When Mayor Humdinger steals from the magical underwater city of Puplantis, it’s up to the PAW Patrol and their Mer-pup friend Coral to save the day.

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The Verdict:

This picture book (adapted by Matt Huntley from the episode ‘Aqua Pups Save A Merdinger’ by Jeffrey Duteil) has a lot of action but is very much for hardcore Paw Patrol fans as it assumes you know who the characters are and what the set-up is. There were times when I was confused as to who was who and the action is also a little confusing at times but if your young reader is a fan of the cartoon then it should pose them no problems.

PAW PATROL - DIVE INTO PUPLANTIS was released in the United Kingdom on 4th January 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Welcome to Dread Wood High. It’s a scream …

Club Loser are celebrating Colette’s 13th birthday. Pizza, go-karting, escape room … it’s going to be the best night EVER!

But nothing ever quite goes to plan. The supposedly fake zombies are out for blood. Two sinister figures lurk in the shadows. And, worst of all, there are creatures on the loose. And, worst of all, there are creatures on the loose. Vicious, poisonous creatures straight from your nightmares!

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The Verdict:

The 5th in Jennifer Killick’s comedy horror series for readers aged 9+ is another entertaining adventure that mixes out-loud laughs with some genuinely frightening moments. The friendship between the Club Loser members works really well and the budding romance between Angelo and Colette quite sweet. My one criticism is that although the horror elements are seriously chilling, the escape room formula is a little too formulaic and predictable.

DREAD WOOD - FRIGHT BITE was released in the United Kingdom on 18th January 2024. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.

The Blurb On The Back:

Do you want to make money while making the world a better place? Then this is the book for you.

After the bestselling success of Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, the founders of Female Invest are back, and this time they’re focusing on impact investing. Cutting through the noise and ditching the jargon, this book teaches you how to build wealth while creating positive change.

From understanding investment basics to identifying the ethics behind different assets, you’ll learn how to make money while supporting the issues you really care about. By introducing you to important concepts and strategies, and combining them with simple, actionable steps, aligning your investments with your values has never been easier. The good news? You don’t need to be rich or an expert to get started.

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The Verdict:

Female Invest is a learning platform aimed at helping women to make the most from their money. This informative follow-up to GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUNDS focuses on impact (i.e. ethical) investing, explaining what it is and what to look for in a way that is easy to understand. However I wished it had been more explicit on the financial and environmental risks of crypto and the financial risks in crowd-investing as I found it a little cursory.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE IMPACT FUNDS was released in the United Kingdom on 23rd November 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.