This week we begin with a fantastic review by SophieScribe of a modern take on the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In David Almond's A Song for Ella Grey, Ella and Claire's friendship is tested when Ella's falls in love with a boy called Orpheus.
"I really don't know what I thought of this book … It seemed almost like two different authors had written it! Some parts seemed really real and vivid, with great style, amazing characters and engaging dialogue ... Other parts seemed perhaps as if he was trying a little too hard – they were almost overly poetic, spending two or three pages saying the same thing."
Similarly mysterious, but with a spooky twist, BookieCookie wrote a superb review of Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll. In this book Tilly Higgins goes skating on a frozen lake for a dare when the ice cracks. She survives but while in the water sees a boy, who she believes to be the ghost of Kit Barrington, who drowned in the lake 10 years ago.
"The story is told through Tilly's voice and the author has captured this brilliantly, you completely believe in the character because she is so well written. the phrases and words she uses really do sound like a not very well educated girl from the past ... As well as being a classic ghost story this book also has the theme of how to deal with the loss of someone you love, and moving on with your life. It is an astonishingly good book for someone's first novel but I do think you need to be about 11 to read it."
Continuing the theme of personal loss, site member The dark and the fog penned a terrific review of The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider. In this young adult novel, "typical high school jock" Ezra experiences a car crash that ruins his dreams of a sporting career.
"Robyn Schneider has created the perfect mix of romance, heart break and sharpened wit, giving every character their own carefully created personality creating endless layers of personal tragedy, humour and profound observations that never stop drawing you in and making you question why you haven't already read this book."
Likewise, on the importance of friendship, reader The Fanatical Reader wrote a tremedously good review of The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald. In this story, best friends Oscar and Meg learn the value of friendship when Meg moves to New Zealand and Oscar's mum dies unexpectedly.
"I was reluctant to start reading this book, as it seemed to be quite different to most of the books I enjoy. Once I did start reading, however, I was hooked from beginning to end. The book was told from two different angles – Meg's and Oscar's – and it worked really well, as you grew to learn about their different characters and intentions, which made the story a lot easier to follow, and a lot more enjoyable ... Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to try something different, but also grippingly unputadownable. The book itself is a little apple tart of hope."
Returning to the theme of mystery and secrecy, Noggin wrote an extraordinary review of The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson. This book tells the story of Anna, a Russian countess in 1914 who is forced to flee to England and take a job as a maid. This book follows Anna as she tries to keep her identity as a countess a secret.
"I enjoyed this book mainly because of the characters. They are really believable and you can imagine them existing in real life, although parts of the story are a little far-fetched. It was great the way all of the characters were different, yet you could tell that they all belonged together in the same story ... I really liked this book, it had some surprising moments and great characters."
Another protagonist leaves home in our final pick - a brilliant review by Booktunation of Diamond by Jacqueline Wilson. In this story, Diamond is sold by her father to the Circus for five guineas, and goes on to steal the show with her star act.
"This book has a great development of characters and Diamond changes throughout but at the same time, is not changed drastically. She is a very sweet and sensitive character who is difficult not to get along with, and we as the audience feel so much sympathy for her as we find out more about her ... Overall I was very impressed by this book and I am certain that it can be appreciated by any age group, rather than what it is marketed at. I am glad I decided to pick this one up."
That's all for our roundup this week, thank you to all our site members for sending in such delightful reviews. If your review has been featured in our roundup, be sure to email the Book Elves (childrens.books@theguardian.com) and we will pick you out some books from our cupboards.
Happy reading!
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