Monthly Archives: August 2024

Blog Tour – The Beanstalk Murder by P.G Bell

Today I am pleased to announce I am on the blog tour for a unique mystery murder published by Usborne, which is the first in a brand new series, The Beanstalk Murder by P.G Bell.

My stop on the tour takes the form of a book review.

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Title: The Beanstalk Murder

Written by: P.G. Bell

Illustrated by: George Ermos

Published by: Usborne

Blurb

THE BFG meets MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE in this giant-sized whodunnit with a witchy twist, from the author of the bestselling The Train to Impossible Places.

Trainee meadow witch Anwen is having a bad day – which gets much worse when a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys her village. But when she examines the body she discovers something interesting. This giant was murdered, which means a killer is on the loose!

Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants’ royal palace – where the king is missing. Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer. But how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?

Review

When the Giants’ king is murdered, 11-year-old Anwyn Sledge the Meadow Witch apprentice and her nemises, Cerys Powell, have to work together to discover who-done-it.

This is a fun fast-paced mystery adventure, with well-developed 3-dimensional characters and brilliant writing that will keep young readers gripped to the end.

I was particularly impressed with the main characters’ voices, which highlighted the conflict between Anwen and Cerys and made for some hilarious scenes – a great example of show rather than tell. The gradual development of their relationship was also real and believable.

I enjoyed this middle grade cosy crime, full of twists and turns and a totally surprising yet crediable murderer.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The Big Bad Wolf is Dead.

Extract

Anwen was hiding behind a horse.

She was doing her best to pretend that she wasn’t hiding, of course – that she was, in fact, just standing there, minding her own business in a sheltered corner of the tavern stable yard – but she wasn’t a very accomplished liar, even when she was lying to herself. She was hiding all right, and the thought of it was downright embarrassing. Not so embarrassing that she was about to stop doing it, though – Cerys Powell was out there somewhere, and Anwen really didn’t want to bump into her.

As hiding places went, this was quite a good one. By peering around the horse’s backside, she could see most of the busy market crowd without being seen herself. She stroked the horse’s flank as her eyes darted from person to person, searching for the telltale flashes of golden hair or sea-blue dress that meant Cerys was on the prowl.

“I don’t see her anywhere,” she told the horse. “Perhaps she already left for the Academy.”

The beast snorted and flicked its tail in her face.

“There’s no need to be like that,” Anwen said. “I know you’re hungry, but I already told you I haven’t got any food. And don’t pretend you didn’t understand me, because I’m fluent in horse, I’ll have you know. Well, fluent in pony, actually, but it’s virtually the same thing.”

She realized this last statement had been a mistake when the horse huffed and stamped its hoof, narrowly missing her toes. Anwen sighed.

“Fine, I know when I’ve worn out my welcome,” she said. “Honestly, why do horses have to be so snobbish?”

Cautiously, she stepped out from behind the animal. She felt exposed, and her hand went instinctively to the sprig of lucky heather woven through the untidy thatch of her hair. Come on, Anwen, she thought. You’ve got a job to do. Feeling a little more confident, she smoothed down her green woollen dress and made her way into the market square.

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About the Author

P.G. Bell is a native of South Wales, where he was raised on a diet of Greek mythology, ghost stories and Doctor Who. He’s had all sorts of jobs over the years, from lifeguard to roller-coaster operator, but has always wanted to write stories. He lives in Wales with his wife Anna and their two children.

The Train to Impossible Places, P.G.’s debut series, has enjoyed widespread success, including shortlistings for the Branford Boase Award, the Crimefest Awards and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

You can find out more about P. G. Bell and his novel from his website:

and follow him on: https://www.pgbellwriter.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pgbellwriter

X: https://twitter.com/petergbell

To see posts from the rest of the tour check out the schedule here:

I would like to thank Bee from Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to take part in this tour. Thank you.

Blog Tour – Tangletree Mysteries by Steve Roberts and Joel Stewart

Join me today on the blog tour for a brilliant new adventure series for early readers, ages 6 – 7, which have been packaged as graphic novels.

My stop on the tour takes the form of a book review.

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Title: Tangletree Mysteries

Written and Illustrated by: Steve Roberts and Joel Stewart

Published by: Wellbeck Publishing

Blurb

Join Peggy the dog and her faithful sidekick, Stew the shrew, as they go on TWO brilliant adventures in Tangletree! This colourfully illustrated comic series is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly.

Peggy the dog has a secret… every day, during her walk in the park, she scampers into Tangletree Wood and becomes a brilliant detective! No mystery is too tricky to solve for Peggy and her faithful sidekick, Stu. Join them for these two twisty adventures:

Case 1: Slime Time

Something strange is happening in Tangletree. Lots of the townsfolk are sleepwalking, and when they wake up, they’re covered in disgusting sticky slime! What could be causing these weird occurrences? Only Peggy and Stu can find out!

Case 2: Mud Race

It’s competition time and the Tangletree Mud Race Challenge is in full swing. But the course this year is incredibly difficult and dangerous! Could it have something to do with a runaway track-laying machine? It’s another case for Peggy and Stu!

A graphic novel series ideal for readers starting to enjoy stories independently, visual readers and aspiring mystery solvers!

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In book two,Peggy and Stu Play the Wrong Notes, there are two more fun-filled adventures:

Case 1: Trumpet Trouble

It’s the day of the Tangletree Spring Dance and the town band is desperate to play. But the trumpet-player’s trumpet has developed a life of its own and has run off into the forest! Can Peggy and Stu catch it, discover why it’s moving, and save the Spring Dance?

Case 2: Cake Crimes

Tangletree has a visitor: a pop-up bakery with the most delicious cakes. So delicious, the townsfolk can’t stop eating them. And so sweet, they’re giving everyone terrible toothache… Can it be a coincidence that a pop-up dentist has opened up as well?

Review

These bold and vibrant graphic novels where a joy to read and I hope we see a lot more books like this in the future. The short story format of about 30 spreads and told entirely in dialogue speech bubbles, make these books highly accessible to readers just beginning to read independently.

I particularly liked the way Peggy disappears on her walk everyday to visit her office in Tangletree and gets pulled into another adventure with Stu. Then after she has jotted down the mystery they have solved in her casebook at the end the story, she returns to her owner with her ball as if nothing has happened.

There are also a host of other fun and dynamic support characters, such as Flo the cafe owner and my favourite, misunderstood Warrington.

With hilarious plots, these books are ideal for encouraging reluctant readers at Key Stage One and early Key Stage Two. I wish I had something similar when I was at school instead of the formidable Janet and John books. The Tangletree Mysteries definitely make reading fun.

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To follow the rest of the tour take a look at the schedule:

I would like to thank Antonia Wilkinson for inviting me on this tour. Thank you.

Blog Tour – The Red Tunic by Kate Wiseman

It is my stop on The Write Reads book tour for The Red Tunic by Kate Wiseman, published by Neem Tree Press this month, August 2024.

Blurb

History and gender are intertwined in this fast-paced arresting account of the First World War and its devastating impact on familial and romantic bonds.

As headstrong as her twin is gentle, Nina has never fit the womanly mould society expects of her. Alfie and Nina Mullins have always relied on their shared world of hope and make-believe for comfort, but as the pressure on Alfie to prove himself at the Front mounts, Nina is presented with more possibility than she had ever imagined and the two are pushed in wildly different directions.

Coming of age as the First World War breaks out, the Mullins twins’ fates are inextricably interlinked with the turmoil of conflict in this fascinating exploration of gender roles and the extremes to which war pushes us.

About the Author

Kate was a late developer, attending university to study English and Creative Writing in her late 30s. She was one of the real life ‘Ritas’ featured on the Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Programme commemorating the anniversary of the play, Educating Rita.

Kate is a dedicated and licenced mudlark who is never happier than when she is up to her eyes in mud. She has won several literary awards and this year judged the historical fiction and biography category of the prestigious Eyelands International Book Awards.

My stop on the tour is an author interview about the The Red Tunic

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What are the underlying themes of The Red Tunic?

The Red Tunic explores people who defied stereotypes and societal expectations in the First World War. Neglected twins Nina and Alfie Mullins grow up heavily reliant on each other. Nina is headstrong, restless and perpetually in trouble; Alfie is a gentle peacemaker. Coming of age when conscription was introduced for all men over 18, it makes sense to Nina to disguise herself as her brother and take his place on the battlefield. Alfie takes Nina’s place as a nurse in a hospital treating those wounded in the war. As they adjust to their new roles, they discover facets of themselves they didn’t know existed.

So I guess the themes are gender, defiance, love, war, joy, despair, loss, hope, stereotyping… there are more but that’s probably enough!

In the acknowledgements of The Red Tunic, you explain that this book has been a ‘labour of love’. How long have you been working on The Red Tunic and what first sparked your interest?

My fascination with the First World War goes back as long as I can remember. It was a turning point between Victorian notions of duty to King and Empire, and more modern attitudes. Some of my favourite novels deal with the First World War, and the outpouring of art of all forms from that catastrophic event was, I think, unprecedented.

I grew up with several brothers and was always interested in books and comics considered ‘boyish’ in those unenlightened times. I loved reading Victor and Tiger and Scorcher – comics intended for boys. I think that this fostered my fascination with war. I wanted to imagine what it would be like for a woman to be placed in that ultra-masculine environment. Research revealed that there have always been women who penetrated the battlefield, usually disguised as men, with the exception of the remarkable Flora Sandes, a British vicar’s daughter who ended up fighting as a woman in the Serbian army. She became a sergeant major and has been commemorated on Serbian stamps.

So, to finally get round to answering your question, I have been thinking about the situation in which Nina and Alfie find themselves for years. Researching and checking took a long time. There was so much that had to be verified: the noise of various weapons on the battlefield, for instance, and the order in which would hear them if you were unlucky enough to be involved in the fight, and the make and weight of the rifle issued to Nina. I started putting words to paper in 2016, I think, and worked on the book for about 5 years.

Do you have a favourite character in your book and why?

I love Nina and Alfie, the twins who swap places, but I also love Great Aunt Julia. She’s the family black sheep – an outspoken suffragette who simply disregards rules that she disagrees with. Everyone is terrified of her, but she cares about Nina and Alfie and is there when they need someone. Very different to Cedric, their cold-hearted father. Nina and Alfie must have inherited their non-conformist attitudes from her. I also like Great Aunt Julia’s outlandish taste in clothes. She wears a hat that looks like a guardsman’s bearskin to a family wedding.

Which resources did you find most useful when researching The Red Tunic?

There are so many brilliant modern novels about the First World War. Birdsong and Pat Barker’s trilogy are special favourites. For a heart-breaking contemporary novel written from the German point of view, read All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque. Peter Jackson’s documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, is a real revelation. It features colourised original film of the conflict. It makes it seem as if it happened yesterday. Unforgettable. Finally, Sarah Percy’s Forgotten Warriors explores the lives of many of the women who made their mark in historical conflicts, disguised as men.

Have you got any writing rituals?

Nothing very exciting. I prefer to write in the mornings and always start off by rereading what I wrote the previous day. I don’t use a desk anymore; I lie back and balance my laptop on my chest!

What one piece of writing advice would you give to people aspiring to write a novel set in World War One?

Don’t be put off by what others have written before you, or by how they have written it. We all have our own story to tell, and our own voice to write in.

Tell us where you prefer to write and why.

I find that writing on holidays or on writing retreats works well for me. I think it’s because by removing myself from my everyday life and all its routines, I feel free to explore other lives and other worlds. It’s really liberating. I nearly always start a new manuscript while I’m away from home.

Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about The Red Tunic?

Nina’s lover – Liam – is based on my sixth form crush. Apparently he liked me too, but we never declared our love, alas! If he reads The Red Tunic, he will definitely recognise himself.

What are your social media links where can people find out about you and your books?

Find me on Instagram: @kittywise999

Twitter (X): @katewiseman

My website is: www.katewiseman.co.uk

Where is the best place for people to buy The Red Tunic?

It should be in all good bookshops. If it’s not on the shelves, they can order it for you. Or buy it direct from neemtreepress.com. Thank you!

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You can read reviews of The Red Tunic on Amazon and Goodreads or follow the tour to discover what othr book bloggers have siad about this WWI historical romance:

I would like to thank Dave from The Write Reads for inviting me on this tour. Thank you.

Blog Tour Two – The Legendary Mo Seto

Today is my slot on the blog tour for the fantastic middle grade adventure, The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan and publsihed by Simon & Schuster. This exciting action-packed novel was released on June 4th 2024.

I have previously reviewed this book on my blog here: Blog Tour – The Legendary Mo Seto by A. Y. Chan.

My stop on the tour today takes the form of an author interview.

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What are the underlying themes The Legendary Mo Seto?

The underlying themes in The Legendary Mo Seto are ones every kid can relate to—self-acceptance, loving yourself, forgiveness and figuring out how to navigate friendships and family. Mo’s story is all about setting goals and pushing through challenges, but at its core, it’s about embracing who you are and realizing you’re perfect just the way you are. My hope is that this adventure not only entertains but also inspires kids to believe in themselves and see the greatness they already hold inside.

How do you get inside your character’s heads? Talk us through your writing process.

When I get inside my characters’ heads, I focus on their essence—what makes them them—rather than on their physical appearance. I picture their energy, expressions, and how they move through the world. I love blending in traits from quirky people I know and imagining how they’d react in different situations. Then, I play around with dialogue and tweak their personalities until they feel real and relatable.

In your opinion what are the essential characteristics of a hero you can root for?

To me, a hero you can root for is someone who’s flawed but still redeemable—imperfect, yet relatable. They take charge, making things happen instead of waiting for life to come to them. They might be defiant or even a bit rebellious, but they never cross ethical lines. A true hero trusts their instincts, isn’t dependent on others to solve their problems, and, most importantly, continually challenges themselves to grow. When I created Mo Seto, I wanted her to embody these traits—a real, relatable hero you can’t help but cheer for!

Do you play music whilst your write? If so what is your favourite? If not, why not?

I don’t usually play music while I write because I’m easily distracted! When I’m deep in a scene, especially one with lots of dialogue or action, I need to “hear” the words in my head, and lyrics tend to steal the spotlight. But when I do use music, it’s all about setting the mood with instrumental tracks. For the fight scenes in The Legendary Mo Seto, I’d search for ‘Martial Arts Music’ to capture the right vibe and keep the energy high. While I usually prefer the quiet, sometimes the right music can really bring a scene to life!

If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which one would you pick and why?

What a fun question! I hadn’t considered a spin-off before, but there are definitely a couple of side characters who could shine in their own stories. Dax, the antagonist, is complex and intriguing—he’s dealing with a tough family situation, and his struggles have shaped him into someone who’s strong-willed but misguided. Exploring his journey as he learns to process his emotions could make for a fascinating story. Then there’s Nacho’s grandfather, Gramps, who has an incredible backstory filled with missed opportunities and dreams of acting. I’d love to dive into his life and see him finally tackle those movie roles he always dreamed of, having the time of his life.

Which part of The Legendary Mo Seto was most fun to write?

The most fun part of writing The Legendary Mo Seto were the fight scenes. I drew on my own experience in taekwondo and all the martial arts movies I’ve loved over the years. In fact, I got to sit down and watch martial arts movies as “research,” which was a blast. Since Mo is trying out for a movie in the story, I wanted the fight scenes to feel cinematic—like you’re right there, watching it all unfold on the big screen. Bringing that energy and excitement to the page was a thrilling challenge, and I hope readers feel that same adrenaline rush when they dive into Mo’s world!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever been given about writing?

The most valuable piece of writing advice I’ve ever received is to keep writing, even when stuck. It’s better to have something on the page, no matter how rough, because you can always edit and improve it later—working with bad writing is easier than staring at a blank page! Another gem is to treat every character like they’re the hero of their own story. Even the side characters need their own hopes, dreams, and arcs. They’re not just there to support the main character—they each bring something unique and important to the story. This approach really shaped The Legendary Mo Seto and made the characters come alive in ways I hadn’t imagined.

Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about The Legendary Mo Seto and writing for children?

What I loved most about writing The Legendary Mo Seto is capturing the optimism and innocence that make middle grade books so special. There’s something magical about the way middle grade stories can uplift you, no matter your age. I’m an adult, and it is still my favourite genre to read! Every time I finish a book, I’m left with a feeling of joy and hope, and that’s what I aimed to convey in Mo’s story. I wanted readers to come away believing that anything is possible and to feel inspired to reach for their dreams. Middle grade books aren’t just for kids—they’re for anyone who needs a little extra magic in their life.

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About the Author:

A.Y. Chan is the author of The Legendary Mo Seto, a story about a 12-year-old female martial artist who auditions for a movie role opposite her favorite martial arts movie hero—only to find out she’s too small for the role. Growing up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area, A.Y. read all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres.

After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored a range of other types of martial arts, and she draws upon her experiences in learning new techniques and philosophies to inspire her writing. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

You can follow A. Y. Chan on Twitter/X: @aychanwrites, Instagram: @aychanwrites and Facebook: @aychanwrites.

Her website is: www.aychanwrites.com.

I would like to thank Dave at The Write Reads for inviting me on this tour. Thank you.

Blog Tour – Bloodtide and Bloodsong by Melvin Burgess

I was lucky enough to receive the 25^th anniversary edition of the duology, Bloodtide and Bloodsong by Melvin Burgess, to review as part of the Kaleidoscopic blog tour.

My stop on the tour takes the form of a book review.

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Title: Bloodtide and Bloodsong duology 25^th anniversary edition

Written by: Melvin Burgess

Cover design and Illustration by: Kate McKendrick Grove

Published by: Anderson Press

Blurb

London is in ruins. The once-glorious city is now a gated wasteland cut off from the rest of the country and in the hands of two warring families – the Volsons and the Conors.

In Bloodtide, Val Volson offers the hand of his young daughter, Signy, to Conor as a truce. At first the marriage seems to have been blessed by the gods, but betrayal and deceit are never far away in this violent world, and the lives of both families are soon to be changed for ever…

A generation later, in Bloodsong, fifteen-year-old Sigurd, son of King Sigmund, is the last surviving member of the Volson clan. His father’s kingdom – the former city of London – is gone. Armed with a legendary weapon, Sigurd faces death, fire and torment as he travels through Hel and back to unite his country once again.

Review

This duology is a thrilling and violently gory, fast-paced adventure set in post-apocalyptic United Kingdom, 200 years in the future. Both Signy in Bloodsong and Sigurd in Bloodtide have to fight to overcome the villainous and menacing technology engulfing what is left of the UK.

I was totally consumed by this incredible Terminator meets Lord of the Rings fantasy. The reimagining of Norse Legend mixed with science fiction, kept me turning the pages despite the fact I found the physical book rather bulky and heavy to hold.

With themes of betrayal, revenge and despair, I would recommend this duology to all fantasy fans who enjoy discovering links with popular mythology.

Extract

The top thirty floors had broken away a long time ago, but the Galaxy Building was still the tallest in London. Engineers had cleared it up so it was safe up there – sort of. A man with close, curly white hair was standing on the viewing platform, pointing out landmarks. His face was a net of fine, soft wrinkles and hard lines cut across by a Y-shaped scar over one eye. He was dressed in a loose suit, rolled up at the sleeves. As he leaned forward to point out Big Ben, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge, Docklands and beyond, the man’s jacket hung open. Under the suit was a shoulder holster. You could see the neat, deadly shape tucked inside.

This was Val Volson. He owned half of London.

By his side, following his finger, was a tall, wiry girl aged fourteen. She was wearing a short skirt and leggings and a little green jacket which hung open to reveal another shoulder holster containing another, smaller gun. It was handmade for her – girl-sized. But just as deadly.

You could see it all from up here – the buildings of London, its hills and peaks as far as the suburbs and the Wall. Beyond the Wall, dappled in the distance, lay the halfman lands – acres of rubble and tumbling walls, and the trees turning yellow on this mild autumn day, pushing their way through the Tarmac. After that, the world began.

And far out of sight to the northwest, Ragnor. Its towers and buildings were said to dwarf Old London. Halfman captives said that it seemed to float on the air, made of glittering stripes of light and glass and dark stripes of shadow. At night it shone like a bright little galaxy in the great world Outside. Its very existence was a reminder that London was locked out of the world.

‘And when we’ve got the rest of London just like that,’ said Val. He pushed his thumb down hard onto the palm of his other hand to show just where he wanted the rest of London. ‘Then, my girl, we’ll break out into the halfman lands. And after the halfmen it’s the fields and the farms and the villages and the towns. And after that we take Ragnor itself and deal with the security forces . . .’

‘But the halfmen!’ cried the girl, in an agony of delight and terror.

‘That’s the easy part. They’ll be all dead and gone by then. Then . . . England . . . Europe. Be part of the nation again. We’ll be the nation. Yeah. Not long now. We’re getting so close, Signy!’

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About the Author

Melvin Burgess was born in London and brought up in Surrey and Sussex. He has had a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer. Before his first novel, he had short stories published and a play broadcast on Radio 4.

He is now regarded as one of the best writers in contemporary children’s literature, having won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize for his acclaimed novel Junk.

You can follow Melvin Burgess on Twitter: @melvinburgess

To see the rest of the tour take a look at the schedule below:

I would like to thank Bee from Kaleidoscopic Tours for inviting me to take part in this tour. Thank you.

Blog Tour – Scareground by Angela Kecojevic Spotlight

To celebrate the release of Scareground by Angela Kocejevic in the US, I am on another tour for this ‘spooky adventure story set in Victorian England’, which is published by Neem Tree Press.

This time I will spotlighting some of the fantastic reviews already on the world wide web for this ultimately eerie read, ideal for Halloween.

To start pop over and see my review of Scareground by Angela Kecojevic for the blog tour written to celebrate when the book was first released in the UK on September 2023: Blog Tour – Scareground by Angela Kecojevic

Next it is my great honour to present some more reviews of Scareground written by other fellow book bloggers. You simply must take a peek at these blogs:

You can also read reviews of this spectacularly spooky middle grade book on Amazon and Goodreads.

As an added bonus you can read my interview with the author about the writing of Scareground on my blog here: Special Guest Q & A with Angela Kecojevic.

To follow the rest of the US book blogging tour see the schedule below:

I would like to thank The Write Reads for inviting me to take part in this tour. Thank you.

Spotlight – Seawitch by Skye McKenna

Skye McKenna’s Hedgewitch middle grade series continues in this bewitching third book Seawitch, published by Hachette Children’s Books and due for release on Thursday 26th September 2024.

Blurb

Cassie Morgan needs to earn her Sapling pin to get one step closer to passing her Witch’s Licence. To do this, she’s set the challenge of training a beginner witch by the Hedgewitch – but the newest member of her coven is not what she expected…

Meanwhile, the wicked Erl King is luring witches up and down the country to his side, with promises of unimaginable power. While those who stand against him are running a deadly risk.

When a letter arrives from Cassie’s cousin, Sebastian, desperate for help to solve an intriguing mystery, she travels to his home of Porthmorven with her friends, both old and new, to help work out what’s going on. But Porthmorven is no ordinary place – it’s a Faerie border town, like Hedgely, and it has its own protector: the elusive Seawitch. But she is nowhere to be found and Cassie is determined to help the people of Porthmorven however she can. Can Cassie use all of her training – along with help from her friends – to solve the secrets of the sea and foil the Erl King’s plans once and for all?

About the Author

Skye McKenna grew up in a mining town in the Australian outback. Surrounded by the red dust of the Pilbara, she developed a healthy respect for wild things and wild places at a young age.

She now lives in Scotland where she enjoys exploring the woods, hills and castles of her new home. She works in heritage, supporting rural communities to tell their own stories about the history of their land.

Her first book, Hedgewitch, was nominated for the YOTO Carnegie Medal for Writing and was a CBCA Notable.

Blog Tour – Spencer Edwards: Emperor of the Galaxy

Join me on the blog tour for Spencer Edwards: Emperor of the Galaxy by Alex Prior.

Blurb

In this gripping and spectacular rollercoaster of an adventure, a fourteen-year-old Earth boy is chosen, seemingly at random, to become Emperor of the Galaxy during a time of grave peril.

Spencer, an ordinary teenager, lives with his mum, his stepdad Hassan and his younger brother Mo. He is decidedly average at school, sports and at video gaming, but when he is chosen to become the new Emperor of the Galaxy everything changes.

Spencer must learn how to balance being Emperor of the Galaxy and battle the evil Haxenaar, trying to get his homework in on time, and all the while pursuing the love of his life, Amy Heartly. With the help of his new companions and Bradlii, the smartest and smuggest AI ever created, Spencer must brave an epic journey to save the galaxy and discover the ultimate truth.

My stop takes the form of a book review.

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Title: Spencer Edwards Emperor of the Galaxy

Written by: Alex Prior

Cover Art by: Adi Granov

Published by: Matador

This is a fantastic science fiction quest to save the galaxy in the vein of Ender’s Game, Star Trek and one of my ultimate favourites, Farscape. This fast paced adventure full of twists and turns that ticked all the boxes for me.

Fourteen-year-old spencer is an average teenager who is trying to navigate school, his homework and dating the girl of his dreams, when he is whisked away and told he has been chosen at random to protect the galaxy from falling into an intergalactic war. I was particularly impressed with Haxenaar who is a larger than life antagonist with an insatiable goal of dominating not only our galaxy but also the neighbouring galaxy of Andromeda. He makes Scorpious look like a kitten.

I must say, the final few chapters set the reader up in anticipation for the sequel. Full of breath-taking spacecraft, jaw-dropping battles, vivid aliens and some highly unique planets and planetary systems, this is the ideal book for young sci-fi fans to read over the summer.

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About the Author

Alex Prior graduated from Manchester University and worked in TV and Film as a cameraman, editor, then director, ending up at Elstree Film Studios. He decided to change his career and became a Headteacher for several challenging schools.

He has always written scripts and copy and his first book The Lost Case Files of Sherlock Holmes was published in 2020 and went to number one in several Amazon categories, selling many thousands of copies worldwide. Spencer Edwards: Emperor of the Galaxy is his second novel.

To find out more about Alex Prior and his books take a look at his website www.alexpriorauthor.com or follow him on Twitter @alexpriorauthor and Instagram @alexpriorauthor.

To follow the rest of the tour take a look at the schedule below:

I would like to thank Kelly from Love Book Tours for inviting me to take part in this tour. Thank you.