Monthly Archives: April 2025

Blog Tour – Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond by Adrian Lynch

Today I am posting my review for the a thrilling new sci-fi adventure for middle-grade readers that introduces a high-stakes intergalactic challenge, Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond.

Blurb

For centuries, trillions of life forms throughout space have allowed humanity to believe we’re alone in the Universe. Any alien who dared to befriend us has met an unfortunate end: eaten, squashed, sent to a zoo, or even planted in a garden pot. But our advances in space exploration now threaten every civilisation across the Cosmos.

Amelia, a savvy, street-smart orphan, is one of four exceptional children selected from around the globe to represent humanity in the Human Inclusion Programme at the intergalactic Star Quest Academy. Here, they’ll unravel the Universe’s wonders, explore strange new worlds, and encounter magical creatures. Earth’s safety from invasion hinges on their success as cadets, but if any of them fail, Earth will be invaded by ruthless warlords.

When a series of sinister incidents jeopardise their mission, it becomes clear that someone – or something – wants them to fail. To save their world, the cadets must overcome their differences and combine their unique skills.

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Review

Title: Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond

Written by: Adrian Lynch

Book Cover by:

Published by: The Book Guild

Star Quest Academy is an exciting new sci-fi adventure for middle grade where four exceptional children are chosen to represent Earth in an Inclusion Programme at the Star Quest Academy. Their success at the Academy has high stakes in that if they fail Earth will be invaded by the ruthless warlord, Lord Fog.

The novel’s premise is immediately engaging, with a compelling blend of friendship, teamwork, and cosmic danger. Our main protagonist, Amelia, stands out with a well-developed backstory in that she is an orphan navigating deep emotional wounds and a longing for belonging. Her character arc adds depth and heart to the narrative. The dynamics between Amelia and her fellow Earthlings, Jaelyn (Jingles), Karim, and Trumpton, show great promise. I like that each are exceptional in their own way. The theme of their overcoming differences to work as a team is both meaningful and well executed.

That said, while each character is distinct, the emotional depth in key scenes would benefit from more ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling.’ At times, the text states characters’ feelings (fear, excitement, etc.) without grounding them in gesture, internal dialogue, or sensory detail. Adding these layers would help bring the characters to life in a more vivid, three-dimensional way.

The story builds tension nicely, especially with the reveal that spies for Lord Fog are working from within the Academy. These twists create a strong sense of intrigue. A few scenes, while humorous, felt more like digressions and didn’t significantly advance the plot. Tightening these moments could enhance the pacing and overall impact of the story.

There are charming literary nods to Alice in Wonderland and clear echoes of the Harry Potter series, which will appeal to fans of whimsical yet high-stakes fantasy. As a potential series opener, Star Quest Academy lays a solid foundation, and there’s exciting room for further development, especially in exploring the backstories and arcs of the other team members.

In all, this is a fun and imaginative read with a lot of potential. With some refinement in character depth and narrative focus, it could really shine as a standout in middle-grade science fiction.

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About the Author

Adrian was born a long time ago in Harrow Weald, North London. He is dyslexic, which wasn’t allowed in those unenlightened times. As a kid, when he wasn’t learning to be ‘normal’, (he failed), he would hang out in the nearby bluebell-carpeted woods. To him, they harboured space aliens, mysterious creatures and the ghosts of Grims Dyke whose mournful songs rustled autumnal leaves. This inspired stories that Adrian would tell eager audiences for pocket money.

Following successful careers within the NHS and as a Company Director, Adrian obtained a BA degree in Creative Writing from the Open University and is now bringing those fantastical stories to life in his novels. The Star Quest Academy – Above and Beyond is the first to be published. Adrian hopes that it will be as exciting and fun to read as it was to write.

Adrian now lives in North Bedfordshire.

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You can read more reviews here:

Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/79fe4e6c-7911-4343-b8ed-c0290ed1cf8d

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223726420-star-quest-academy

Amazon: https://a.co/d/6jjdGea (Canada) https://a.co/d/fZhLPiZ (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/fQelUs8 (UK)

Cover Reveal: Pirate Academy Sword Echoes

Today I am excited to be part of the cover reveal for the anticipated next instalment next instalment of Justin Somper’s exciting fantasy series, Pirate Academy, due to be released on Thursday 29th May, 2025 by Uclan Publishing.

Sit back and watch this dynamic video to get a sneak peek at the next thrilling episode for Neo and his friends.

Blurb

The Barracudas are at sea in the third thrilling Pirate Academy adventure…
The kids of Barracuda Class are shocked to the core when one of their favourite teachers is revealed to be an agent of the League of True Pirates. Jacoby tries to make sense of the betrayal – and discovers evidence that one of his own classmates may be LOT P’s next target. Jasmine launches a maverick sailing mission to reunite with her father, but soon finds herself voyaging in highly dangerous waters. Neo is following a treasure-trail left by his mother, far away from the Academy. At the end of his journey lies an amazing gift: a sword with untold powers that, in the right hands, might just change everything.

About the Author

Justin Somper is the award-winning author of eight novels for young people, all with a focus on high-octane fantasy adventure, driven by strong, complex characters. Justin’s Vampirates sequence comprises, to date, six main novels and has been published in 35 countries and 25 languages. Justin developed his acclaimed Pirate Academy series with UCLan Publishing in 2024.

About the Illustrator

Teo Skaffa has lived in many places but currently lives in Istanbul. He grew up in a small town in the Netherlands you’ve probably never heard of. Besides making art, he likes video games, the colour pink and weird electronic music. He uses simple shapes filled with texture and detail to tell a story and is grateful that he’s able to make a living by drawing, especially since he’s not particularly good at anything else.

Book Review: Do Not Say These Words

Title: Do Not Say These Words

Written by: Frances Tosdevin

Illustrated by: Rhian Wright

Published by: UClan Publishing

Do Not Say These Words by Frances Tosdevin and Rhian Wright is an absolute giggle-fest. This book delivers belly laughs with a brilliantly bonkers premise that each time we chuckle at cheeky words, we unleash a dangerous Giggle-Gas. If we don’t stop, the whole world might zoom off into space like a rogue balloon with a puncture.

Enter the ever-serious Professor has devised a ridiculous but totally hilarious solution to ban all the funny words. To enforce this, she has invented a machine that changes them into something completely different. Fancy saying Floppy Peach-Cheeks instead of Bottom? Well, you’d better get used to it.

This book is a riot of imagination, encouraging kids to dream up their own side-splitting word swaps. Every page bursts with colour and chaos with Rhian Wright’s bold and bright, edge-to-edge illustrations.

Do Not Say These Words will have children (and grown-ups) laughing out loud, making up their own silly alternatives, and coming back for more. Even the most reluctant reader won’t be able to resist this books charm.

Book Review: The Whisperwicks

Title: The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found

Written by: Jordan Lees

Illustrated by: Vivienne To

Published by: Puffin Books

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found book cover

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found is a brilliant middle-grade fantasy adventure debut by Jordan Lees, blending mystery, mythology, and an intricately crafted world. This atmospheric and emotional tale takes readers on a thrilling journey through grief, friendship, loyalty, and hope. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and immerse yourself in its rich world-building.

The novel follows Benjamiah Creek, who stumbles through a mysterious door into the parallel world of Wreathenwold. This eerie realm, filled with nightmares and peculiar laws, echoes the dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and the intricate soul-bound companionship of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. In Wreathenwold, every person possesses a ragdoll-like poppet that can transform into different animals, acting as an extension of their soul.

One of the book’s standout elements is its celebration of books, bookshops, and reading. Benjamiah’s life revolves around bookstores, from Once Upon a Time, where he lives with his grandfather and parents, to Follynook Bookshop, where he befriends Elizabella Cotton after her father rescues him. For Benjamiah, bookshops are sanctuaries, yet he prefers logic and science over magic, a stark contrast to the world he finds himself in.

Wreathenwold is a maze of shifting streets where mapping is forbidden. Those who wander too far forget their way home, and the sinister Hanged Men, family-men dragged from their homes and given a choice between execution or eternal servitude, enforce the law. Within this world of ever-changing paths, playing cards serve as currency, and the poorest even sell their eye colour for survival. Benjamiah’s shock at these strange customs deepens as he joins Elizabella on a mission to find her missing twin brother, Edwid Cotton.

The story is enriched at the beginning of each chapter with excerpts from A Brief History of Wreathenwold by Archscholar Collum Wolfsdaughter, offering fascinating insights into this mysterious world. The names Benjamiah and Elizabella stand out as different but familiar enough to remember, adding to the novel’s enchanting quality.

Central to the plot is the search for the Whisperwicks. These are candle-lit lanterns that, when extinguished, whisper a hidden message. Edwid had custom-made four of these lanterns and concealed them throughout Wreathenwold, leaving behind a cryptic riddle for Benjamiah and Elizabella to solve. Their quest leads them through a labyrinth of dark secrets and plot twists, testing their courage and trust in one another. Benjamiah, skeptical of magic, struggles to bond with his own ragdoll companion, further deepening his personal conflict.

The novel’s world-building is outstanding. From the ever-shifting streets of Wreathenwold to the magic of the poppets, where injuries to these soul-bound dolls harm their owners, every detail is meticulously crafted. The Hanged Men enforce the rule of a terrifying monster, a minotaur, at the city’s heart, but we can’t help wondering who is the real villain, adding an element of fear and high stakes. The story expertly balances tension, danger, and poignancy, making it an engaging read.

Beautifully illustrated by Vivienne Tor, The Whisperwicks is a visually and narratively stunning adventure, perfect for KS2 readers and fans of magic-infused fantasy. With its intricate plot, vivid descriptions, and compelling characters, this book is a must-read for those who love imaginative, well-crafted tales filled with mystery and wonder.

I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series, The Whisperwicks: The Impossible Trials of Benjamiah Creek, when the paperback is released on the 3rd June 2025.

The Whisperwicks: The Impossible Trials of Benjamiah Creek book cover