This week we begin on a sombre note, as site member Scoutingforbooks wrote a wonderful and thought-provoking review of the poetry anthology Ariel by Sylvia Plath. Plath is a poet renowned for her sensitive explorations of depression and her obsession with death, and Scoutingforbooks felt Ariel offered "an insight into [Plath's] mind".
"There are many poems in the book, but I will write about some of the most interesting, mind boggling and beautiful of them … There's 'Lady Lazarus' … I'm not sure why but it's got this kind of funny brutality to it, someone else might not even notice it but to me it shimmers in the poem, like a gleaming light … I give this book a 8/10 for its sheer greatness."
Continuing the theme of loss but in a more uplifting vein, Livi penned a fantastic review of The Hero Pup by Megan Rix. This book follows Joe, who has recently lost his Dad, and his friendship with an extraordinary puppy called Patch.
"This is a one of a kind of book, the kind that's so stunning you literally can't put it down! I had immense fun reading this, and you will too! 86/100 score! Read this book in time for Christmas! Read it now! Hip hip, hooray! What will become of Patch and Joe?"
On a lighter note, but similarly quick-paced, Beaver wrote a terrific review of Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. In this mysterious series, Skulduggery Pleasant is a skeletal detective who fights enemies with his 12-year-old companion, Stephanie.
"Peculiar? Mysterious? Thrilling? Frightening? Yes, to all of the above! … Full of action and suspense, this book is the first in the series and is seriously gripping. I could hardly put it down and can't wait to read the others!"
Another teenage detective features in our next pick, a superb review by BookieCookie of Ruby Redfort: Feel the Fear by Lauren Child. As book number four in the Ruby Redfort series, this book follows the adventures of 13-year-old code cracker Ruby who has to try and defeat the plans of some psychopathic villians!
"The story is high octane throughout, with loads of clues and subplots. I think Lauren Child does a fantastic job of weaving all the parts of the story together without ever leaving you confused … Everything about this book is enjoyable. Once I started it I simply could not put it down until I had finished it. At the end I felt like I had actually been on the mission with Ruby and done all the exciting things that she did. I would say that this book would appeal equally to both girls and boys as Ruby does parkour amongst other dangerous things. In summary: it is a brilliant book!"
It's spies galore as our next reviewer, Rider, sent in a super critique of Silverfin by Charlie Higson. A young James Bond is the protagonist of this story, which starts during Bond's schooldays at Eton in the 1930s and explains how he came to join the secret service.
"Silverfin is a brilliant and dramatic adventure for young readers who don't mind a bit of gore, and aren't afraid of eels … This is a great read and I would highly recommend it for ages 10 plus. I can't wait to read the next book, Blood Fever, which sounds even more gory."
And finally, we're travelling even further back in time as HorseLover3000 wrote an intriguing review of The Last Tiger, a historical novel by Tony Black. In this book Myko and his family flee from Lithuania to Tasmania and Myko befriends the last of the Tasmanian tigers.
"I loved the way the tigers were represented in this book, the way they seemed so mysterious and other-world-like … Though I found the Last Tiger very interesting in both its storytelling and the historical aspect, I couldn't really call it exciting or a page turner. I would recommend it to both girls and boys over the age of 12, as it is quite heavy going at times, and to those who enjoy historical fiction."
A big thank you to all our reviewers – that's all for this week! If your review has been mentioned above be sure to email the children's books team for your free bookish prize!
