Enter The Witcher. This first novel of Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher series is a must read after the first two short story collections. Fianlly giving us the long form Witcher tale the short stories have set us up for and drawing us into the thick of Geralt's life. From the blurb; 'The Witcher holds the fate of the world in his hands. 'For over a century, humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves have lived together in relative peace. But now the races are fighting once more - killing their own kind and each other. 'As the threat of war hangs over the land, Geralt of Rivia, must protect the child of prophecy, Ciri, from those who are hunting her for the extraordinary power she holds. A power that could save the world - or destory it. This time, Geralt may have met his match.' Transitioning between characters viewpoints and narration throughout the novel, Blood Of Elves, provides a broad world view and keeps readers on their toes as Geralt hides Ciri from the world that longs to control her. Pressed into the role of protector and father figure a softer side to The Witcher emerges in this fast paced high fantasy read, and the risk is higher than ever. While for those who have seen the live action verison of the books on Netflix much of this first entry into the series will be familure, however Netflix has failed to capture a lot of the nuance and delicate world building that Sapkowski is expert in, making this novel an intence and engageing read for those who have seen the live action Netflix adaption as much as for those who have not. A returning cast of favourate characters from the short stories bouys this novel, and brings with it some comic releife scattered throughout the tense chapters of the story. Blood of Elves stands as a captivating introduction to the series that will leave readers wanting more. While the world is going to war on itself we are left to wonder whether Geralt can keep his promise to protect Ciri, or if her destiny is one even the great White Wolf cannot fight. We give Bloof Of Elves four stars, ISBN - 978-1-473-23107-8 Cover Price - £9.99 Firts published in Great Britain in 2008 by Gollancz an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd.

The almighty conclusion to the Demon Road Trilogy from Derek Landy is packed full of horrors, laughs and excitment. From the blurb; 'Bigger, meaner, stronger, Amber closes in on her murderous parents as they make one last desperate play for power. Her own last hopes of salvation, however, rests beyond vengeance, beyond the abominable killers - living and dead - that she and Milo will have to face. 'For Amber's future lies in her family's past, in the brother and sister she never knew, and the horrors beyond imagining that befell them...' Landy's first adventure into the world of Young Adult novels has been an exciting play on the American Road trip and a reverse uno card on the perfect American Family one pictures taking it. We have enjoyed the growth of main character Amber throughout the series, as she transforms from scared girl into powerful and strong lead character. American Monsters brings all of this to a powerful conclusion as Amber makes her final stand against the family that wishes to destroy her, supported and humourously guided at all times by wise cracking companion Milo, Amber faces down the threat that has kept her running throghout the series. The perfect conclusion to The Demon Road Trilogy, American Monsters stands proud at the end of the road. We give American Monsters four stars ISBN - 978-0-00-815710-4 Hardback Cover Price - £14.99 First published in hardback in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children's Books 2016

The sequel to Dangerous Creatures, Dangerous Deception is a short but fast paced conclusion to the Beautiful Creatures world of Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. From the blurb; 'Some loves are destined. Some loves are cursed. Her love is dangerous. 'After a car crash outside New York City, Ridley Duchannes - Dark caster, Siren, Bad girl - goes missing. 'When her boyfirend, Link, regains consciousness the only clue to Ridley's wherebaouts is the giant raven emblazoned on the truck that hit them. It means one thing: Silas Ravenwood is back. And he has Ridley. 'Determined to track her down, Link will finally uncover the truth about the infamous Ravenwood labs and exactly what Silas has been doing behind those walls. 'But when he reaches Ridley she is no longer the Siren they know. She is something new. And this time, love might not be enough to save them...' In Dangerous Deception we finally get the answers to the bread crumb trails that Garcia and Stohl have been leading us down throughout the Beautiful Creatures books, and are rewared with an enticingly dangerous cast of underworld characters and settings that will keep readers on their toes throughout this short read. A comfortable conclussion for the Beautiful Creatures story overall, and an explosive end for our favoutire side characters Link and Ridley, Dangerous Deception is the clousour fans are looking for while remaining an enjoyable and explosive read. We give Dangerous Deception three stars ISBN - 978-0-141-35412-5 Cover Price - £7.99 First published in the USA by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachetter Book Group, Inc. 2015

The explosive finale to the phenomenal Winterkill trilogy will not dissapoint as Kate A. Boorman throws us back into the dangerous thick of it. From the blurb; 'I can't bring myself to give voice to what people have been whispering for weeks - since before we arrived. The remedy no longer protects us. 'Emmeline has finally made it to the saftey of Matisa's settlement. But trouble has followed them. The sickness that the Healing Circle has cured for so long is killing people again. And Matisa's people can't afford any weakness. The Dominion are coming and a fierce battle is on the horizon... 'Emmeline must choose: save her people and risk sacrificing those she loves, or face losing everything.' Darkthaw left us holding back tears, but Heartfire will leave readers burning. Throwing us back into the heart of a world plundered and dying Boorman takes no prisoners with this triumphant finale, bringing all the strength out of main character Emmeline that has been building throughout the sereis. Hinging around a battle for fertile land, Hearfire is packed with the gory action sequences Boorman has a talent for and laced with the passions and conflict love and friendships create. Torn between her convictions and her heart Emmeline is forced to face the biggest challanges she has yet, which is a feat considering everything she has already been through, and readers will be delighted with the strength Boorman pours into her characters as they make their final stands. We give Heartfire four stars ISBN - 978-0-571-31376-1 Cover Price - £7.99 First published in the US by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams in 2016

Prepare for your newst addiciton with Kate Jarvik Birch's Perfected. From the blurb; 'I was bred to be the perfect pet. I was bred for my beauty and grace, to be a showpiece, an ornament to sit upon the couch, to sing, to dance, to play the piano and paint. I was bred to willingly put my owner's happiness before my own. 'Until Penn. The handsome and rebellious son of the congressman who owns me, he's the only person who's seen past my perfect exterior to the girl underneath. Falling for him is forbidden. Falling for him is freeing. 'But there's a dark underworld lurking beneath my pampered life. The only thing more dangerous than staying with Penn's family is escaping it, because if I fail, I face a fate worse than death...' This destopian styled novel drags us deep into a glamous but harsh world were the rich rule over the lower classes, and people have become a comodity sold and kept like glamouriche egg's. Our main character starts off a namless number in this quick paced read, and her stiffled life, being raised and trained in preperation of being sold, is swiftly highlighted by her lack of knowledge for the outer world. As she is sold and bought into a new enviorment both she and the reader get to experience the eye-opening, quick paced, reveals that Birch brilliantly twists into the story, keeping us ever on our toes and searching for the next big revalation with baited breath. Perfected is an addictive introduction to an outstanding and empowering series that will have you rushing to buy the next book. We give Perfected four stars ISBN - 978-1-63375-304-4 Cover Price - £8.99 First paperback edition November 2015

This Holiday week curl up with all the family and return to the world of Hayao Miyazaki's beautiful Totoro. Scattered with original Hayao Miyazaki artwork this novel version of the Ghibli classic is a gorgeous read to enjoy with even the youngest of children. From the blurb; 'Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closter to their ailing mother. Soon, in the woods behind their spooky old house, Satsuki and Mei discover a forest spirt named Totoro. When Mei goes missing, it's up to Satsuki to find her sister, and she'll need help from some new, and magical, friends.' Expert children's author Tsugiko Kubo perfectly captures the magic of the My Neighbor Totoro movie and translates it to the page with deft hands. Turning this gorgouse film experience into a brilliant family evening read to be enjoyed by all ages. We give My Neighbour Totoro The Novel Five Stars ISBN - 978-1-4215-6120-2 Hardback Cover Price - £10.99 First published in Japan by Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd 1988 English translation by Jim Hubbert

This holiday season we're hoping the literature focus for inspiring story will be on James Norbury's beautiful The Journey. Unlike previous years Holiday spirt book of choice The Journey is not winter themed, however, the message and gorgeous artwork that fill this well written novel fully embody the holiday and New Year's spirt and certainly deserve recognition for the inspirational message. Norbury originally created the Big Panda and Tiny Dragon drawings for publication online, however this enviorment didn't leave Norbury the space for the longer narrative that was blosoming between the artworks, opening the doors for The Journey, featuring the gorgeous pictures seen below. Unlike many inspirational books of it's kind Norbury's story is lead by the artwork, with each image's design furthering the story and emotional impact. Thanks to this The Journey is not only a beautiful and impactful written story, but a visually astonding one. From the blurb; ''We shall go on a journey, across the river...' 'Join Big Panda and Tiny Dragon as they set off on an extrodinary adventure in this companion to the global bestselling phenonmenon Big Panda and Tiny Dragon. 'Although content in their temple high up in the mountains, Tiny Dragon realizes that somehting feels incomplete. So it is that they decide to make a journey together, to new and distant lands. As they encounter dangers and challenges, they learn that everything they need is already inside them and that change, thogh sometimes scary, is possible and, with patience, can lead to better things. ''If we have to be lost,' Said Big Panda, 'I am glad it is with you...'' With charming characters The Journey is the perfect story to end your year and kick of the next. A strong message of self worth, friendship and trust carrys The Journey's story and will leave readers feeling enlightened. We give The Journey Four Stars ISBN - 978-0-241-58538-2 Hardback Cover Price - £16.99 First published in Great Britain by Michael Joseph, 2022

The highly anticipated sequel to last years stand out novel Fourth Wing is finally here and it does not let up for even one minute as Rebecca Yarros flys us into the thick of The Empyrean Series. From the blurb; 'She survived her first year at Basgiath War College, but the danger is just beginning... 'Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during the first year at Basgaith War College - Violet included. But threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy and the unlucky. 'Now the real training begins, and Violet's already wondering how she'll get through. It's not just that it's grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it's designed to stretch the riders' capacity for pain beyond endurance. It's the new vice commandant, who's made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is - unless she betrays the man she loves. 'Although Violet's body might be weaker and frailer than everyone else's she still has her wits - and a will of iron. And leadership is forgetting the most important lesson Basgaith has taught her: Dragon riders make their own rules. 'But determination to surive won't be enough this year. 'Becuase Violet knows the real secret hidden for centuries at Basgiath War College - and nothing, not even dragon fire, may be enough to save them in the end.' While readers are desperatly excited to return to the epic lives of Violet and Xaden the blurb may leave many scratching their heads after where Fourth Wing left our main characters. As Yarros finds a way to return our cast to Basgaith War College we are quickly thrown back into the immersive and edge of your seat world of Dragon Rider training, and the secret underbelly of politics which rules this enviorment. Prepare yourself for an edge of your seat ride with Iron Flame. With the world already set out Yarros throws her readers straight back into the fire and dose not let up as the story races towards the final chapter. While some readers may find Iron Flame dissapointing it must be rememberd the replicating the explosive experience of Fourth Wing is a hard bar for even the author to reach. Without the slow burn build up of the relationsip between Violet and Xaden the book still remains passionate but has lost the will-they-won't-they vibrancy that hooked so many readers. Furthermore as Yarros explores further into her world many readers may find themselves struggling to keep up with the history and information pouring out of the pages. These changes however do not stop Iron Flame from being an emersive, exciting, must-read novel of 2023 and enusre that readers across the world will be waiting with bated breath for the next installment. We Give Iron Flame Four Stars ISBN - 978-0-349-43702-6 Hardback Cover Price - £22.00 First Published in the United States in 2023 by Red Tower Books, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC

The final and almighty conclusion to The Sin Eaters Daughter series will leave readers desperate for more from Melinda Salisbury. From the blurb; 'Dawn will rise. 'With Errin a prisoner in Lormere, and Twylla powerless and on the run, time is running out for the ragged band of rebels trying desperately to prevent the Sleeping Prince from destroying everything they love. 'But Aurek will stop at nothing to keep the throne forever...' Salisbury throws us back into the world of The Sin Eaters Daughter and keeps us running throughout this climatic finale novel. As we struggle to see how Errin will escape her imprisonment we also run with Twylla, desperately scavenging to survive and wondering if all hope has been lost. After trying to keep her family safe above all else Errin must face the reality of her failure and pull herself, and her ally's, back together to fight one last desperate battle against the unrelenting power of the Sleeping Prince. Once more Salisbury delights us with her characters arc's and their growth throughout the novels, drawing us deeper into her fantasy world through the power of their raw and well drawn emotions. The Scarecrow Queen is a delightful conclusion to an explosive debut series and leaves us looking forward to what more Salisbury will write in the future. We give The Scarecrow Queen Three Stars ISBN - 978-1-407147-65-9 Cover Price - £7.99 First Published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd. 2017

Return to the world of the Sin Eaters Daughter in this marvelous second novel by the talented Melinda Salisbury. From the blurb; 'Some fairy stories should never come true... 'Errin knows the old story well: the Sleeping Prince, who rises from his slumber every hundred years to wreak horror and bloodshed. She just never imagined he was real. 'As this terrifying enemy rises and a war begins, Errin is forced to flee. With no one to turn to, her only hope is the mysterious Silas, a man whose face she has never even seen...' This almighty adventure is a thrill of a ride as Salisbury dives deeper into the world of The Sin Eaters Daughter and throws the reader headfirst into a thwart and desperate situation. We hang on the edges of our seats as Errin is forced to put all of her faith in a mysterious and potentially dangerous ally, and are torn from the world we know into a strange and dark unknown. As war savages the land we watch as Errin fights to find a way to destroy the foe before her, but not knowing how this particular fairy tale will end every choice could be her last. While an adventure and fantasy epic Salisbury also manages to weave a love story into this edge of your seat novel which quickly becomes the life blood of the tale and encourages the reader to invest in the main characters. As we learn more about the depth of this worlds fantastical elements we are also bought back down to earth with the raw and human emotions Salisbury expertly shows on the page. We give The Sleeping Prince Three Stars ISBN - 978-1-407147-64-2 Cover Price - £7.99 First Published in the UK in 2016 by Scholastic Children's Books

The second short story collection in The Witcher series is an explosive ride along in which Andrzej Sapkowski truly starts to have fun with his characters and the immersive fantasy world he has built. From the blurb; 'Geralt of Rivia is back. 'The Witcher's legendary powers and lifelong training make him the perfect killer. Revered and hated, he hunts the demons that plague humanity. 'But not all monsters are evil, not everything fair is goof - and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.' Throughout the short stories Sapkiwski makes use of much loved European fairy tales and fables, interlacing their stories with his fantasy realm and spinning them into the world of The Witcher. This use of well known fairy-tales creates for the reader some grounding in the complex majesty of the Witcher universe and grants us an easy way into the world. After The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny follows a more linear story arc as we build towards the novels, and throws the reader back into Geralt's life a few years into the future from were we left him. In the years between The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny a lot has changed between Geralt and his friends; relationships have blossomed and died; and we come to meet an older, wiser Geralt who has had more life experiences than the one before. While we put together what has happened in the years between the two books we are also treated to a wider, more expansive view of the world, and enticed by a building trouble creeping in from the horizon. As Geralt moves from one daring adventure to the next, with and without friends in tow, we begin to see the ground work for the novel's falling into place and conclude the short stories ready to dive into Geralt's world fully. We Give The Witcher: Sword Of Destiny Five Stars; ISBN - 978-1-473-23108-5 Cover Price - £9.99 First published in Great Britain in 2015 by Gollancz an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd.

Before the infamous Netflix live action series Andrzej Sapkowski's exciting stories sold in the millions world wide and won plenty of awards and esteem in the science fiction and fantasy communities. The Last Wish, the first collection of short stories from The Witcher series introduces the rough and tantalizing main character Geralt of Rivia and lays out his world in a series of daring adventures. From the blurb; 'Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher. 'He uses his legendary power and lifelong training to protect the innocent by hunting the vile fiends that ravage the land. 'But not all monsters are evil. 'And not everything fair is good.' With each short story separated by a core story-arc told in sections Sapkowski leads the readers backwards through the recent events of Geralt's life. Event's that set him on a course towards his main story arc to be seen later in the Witcher Novels. While laying out Geralt's arc and giving us insight into the powerful Witcher's personal struggles and issues with identity Sapkowski entices the reader with glimpses into different elements of the sprawling fantasy realm and hints at the worlds history. While the Netflix series took a lot from these tales it must be noted that the Netflix writers also took their liberties with Sapkowski's work and the impact of the short story collection itself and the view of the world it creates is powerfully changed from what readers may have enjoyed on screen. If you're looking to read The Witcher novels starting with the short story collections, and thereby The Last Wish, is an absolute must for any readers looking to get the most out of the fantastic fantasy series. We give The Witcher: The Last Wish Four Stars ISBN - 978-1-473-23106-1 Cover Price - £9.99 First published in Great Britain in 2007 by Gollancz an imprint of The Orion Publishing Gourp Ltd.