Fairytales and strange beasts feature in our first pick, a superb review by Laura137 of the brand new book by Sarah J Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses. This book retells the classic story of Beauty and the Beast with a supernatural twist:
“I highly admire Maas’s character building; none of her characters can be labelled wholly good or wholly evil. Maas has a great ability to make you like both good and evil characters ... The love story is paced extremely well; it’s lovingly built up and is so great to read. Ready your official top pairing list, reader. I would award A Court of Thorns and Roses 4.5 stars.”
It’s fairies galore in our next review, as Ink Blot penned a terrific critique of The Girl who Soared over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente. This tale follows September, who misses Fairyland and is offered the chance to return. What she doesn’t expect, however, is a time-travelling adventure via the moon…
“This book has lots of twists and turns with new and interesting characters everywhere and a very interesting plot … The writing style was similar to that of The Phantom Tollbooth and Alice In Wonderland. A beautiful modern classic with an easy-to read writing style, I would recommend this book to fantasy lovers and those who enjoy classics. It is an amazing trilogy for 10+ children and I highly recommend you put it at the top of your reading list!”
Similarly adventurous, but travelling instead to a dystopian future, Firefly wrote a magnificent review of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. If there is anybody left in the world who hasn’t read it yet (!), in this story the world is divided into districts who are forced to compete in the annual Hunger Games – a battle to the death. Katniss puts herself forwards for this task and ends up fighting to overthrow the oppressive Capitol.
“It created an extremely thrilling and enticing style of writing and motif. Written in first person using the same characters point of view throughout the entire series. While juggling many characters, it is written greatly … It is addictive and overall immensely spectacular (especially for a dystopian future/science fiction book). It’s a book that normally I wouldn’t immediately grab off a shelf but it is deeply moving. Above all I recommend it for ages 10-25 and you will be highly expected to enjoy it.”
On a lighter note, now, ellathebookworm wrote a wonderful review of the short story collection Love Hurts by Malorie Blackman. These short stories about all aspects of love are written by a variety of authors including E. Lockhart, Patrick Ness and Non Pratt.
“This collection explores love from every angle and is unexpectedly unique and engaging … Overall, I thought Love Hurts was enjoyable and emotional. While it could not be named as one of my most life-changing or memorable reads, it was a comprehensive and beautiful collective of all the forms of love in the world.”
Moving on to a thought-provoking read, Butterfly Rainbow wrote an outstanding review of The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. This book is the published diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl living in Nazi Germany who went into hiding to avoid being sent to a concentration camp.
“I was overwhelmed after finishing this book. Anne’s writing had so much depth and feeling that it almost felt as if I had travelled to the secret annexe and spent time with her. After I had finished reading the book, I considered myself genuinely lucky because I didn’t have to live in a cramped little house with eight people; I didn’t have to listen to the marching army boots; I didn’t have to hear the army planes soaring high above; and I did not have to listen to the pounding of my heart in terror … I hope you are moved by this book. Please do read it and I would recommend to people of all ages.”
Finally, we end this week’s roundup with a delightful review by bunkbedbobby of Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. This book follows three sisters who are adopted by an absentminded professor at birth who leaves for distant travels. When he doesn’t return, the three sisters go on to join a school for dancing and stage acts.
“When they get older they can earn money for performing! But they are not getting enough and they might have to sell the house! I love this book so much because it is so exciting and funny at once! Please read this awesome book! You will want to read it again and again I can tell you!”
A massive thank you to our site members for all your fabulous reviews! As always, if your review has been mentioned in our roundup, be sure to email the Book Elves at childrens.books@theguardian.com and we will send you a bookish-shaped parcel in the post.
Happy reading!
