REVIEW Cece Rios and the King of Fears (Cece Rios Book 2) by Kaela Rivera

Cece Rios and the King of Fears (Cece Rios #2) 

by Kaela Rivera
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: September 27, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Harper Collins 

Check out my review of book one in the series, Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Cece Rios and the King of Fears by Kaela Rivera is the second book in the Cece Rios series, and it picks up not that long after Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls leaves off. Cece has just saved her older sister from the clutches of one of the legendary Dark Saints, and they are finally back home. Things seem like they should be fine, with their abusive father out of the picture and Cece’s criatura friends happily living with them, but El Cucuy and Devil’s Alley are not done with the Rios sisters yet. 

After the events of the first book, it was interesting to get both Juana's and Cece’s perspectives. Both sisters have goals at the forefront of their thoughts; Cece thinks she still needs to do more to put her broken family back together. Juana, on the other hand, seeks to avenge all the wrongs that have been done to her. Their missions take them in seemingly parallel directions, and the confrontation with El Cucuy draws ever closer. In the background, there’s also their mysterious tia Catrina, who's been exerting her influence behind the scenes for a while now, and whose motives are entirely unclear. 

The world of criaturas and brujas was already big in the first book, and the world-building is only expanded with this book. I enjoyed learning about all of the new criaturas. I also enjoyed getting to see more of the infamous Devil’s Alley. Admittedly, it was hard to figure out how to spell some of the criatura names from only hearing them in the audiobook version so I appreciate the inclusion of a glossary for reference purposes. 

Almarie Guerra and Karla Serrato did an excellent job bringing Cece and Juana’s perspectives to life. If you or a young reader in your life enjoy adventure stories influenced by cultural myths, the Cece Rios series would be a great choice for what to read next. I haven’t seen confirmation, but I’m hoping that this book gets a sequel (which is reported to be Cece Rios and the Queen of Brujas at the time of writing this review). I’m excited to see what happens next for Cece, Juana and their friends. 

About the Book

In this thrilling sequel to the “spellbinding” (ALA Booklist starred review) and “mesmerizing” (Publishers Weekly starred review) Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, Cece and her sister, Juana, must journey into the stronghold of Devil’s Alley to discover the hidden origin of the dark criaturas.

Cece Rios thought saving her sister would be the end of her adventures in the world of criaturas. But part of Juana’s soul is still trapped in Devil’s Alley. As Cece tries to find a way to get it back using her new curandera abilities, Juana takes her fate in her own hands and sets off alone, intent on restoring her soul and getting revenge on El Sombrerón.

But then they discover that El Cucuy, king of the criaturas, is hunting for Cece, craving her powers for his own dark purposes. Can the Rios sisters—along with Coyote, Little Lion, and their other criatura allies—uncover his secrets and reclaim Juana’s soul? Or will the sinister forces of Devil’s Alley overcome them all?

Connect with the Author Kaela Rivera

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Kaela Rivera grew up believing in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests.

She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she writes about them from the adventure-filled mountains of the Wild West. When she’s not crafting stories, she’s using her English degree from BYU-I as an editor for a marketing company (or secretly doodling her characters in the margins of her notebook). Her award-winning debut novel, Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, came out April 13, 2021.

Her biggest hope is to highlight and explore the beauty of cultural differences—and how sharing those differences can bring us all closer.

REVIEW Wild Sign (Alpha and Omega #6) by Patricia Briggs

Wild Sign (Alpha and Omega #6) 

by Patricia Briggs
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: March 16, 2021
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Ace

Check out my review of the second book in the series, Hunting Ground

Check out my review of the fifth book in the series, Burn Bright

If you’re familiar with the previous books in the Alpha and Omega series as well as the Mercy Thompson series, you’ll know that one of the most dysfunctional and unconventional relationships in the books is that of Bran Cornick and his mate Leah. Patricia Briggs’ Wild Sign, the latest book in the Alpha and Omega series, takes readers through an exploration of their relationship, as well as into Leah’s past before changing and becoming the mate of the Marrok. 

One of my favorite parts of the series has always been Charles and Anna’s relationship, and their chemistry holds strong in this book. They are a great team, and their strengths help to balance each other out. This sits in contrast to Leah and Bran’s relationship, which only works because of their wolves. Charles and Anna also have some cute moments interspersed between the action, like when Charles (the bogeyman of the North American werewolves) starts pouting because Anna is covering her freckles with make-up. Their relationship plays a big part in how others interact with them - for example, Tag is only more playful with Charles when Anna is around to mellow him out. Anna’s presence also allows regular humans to be more comfortable with Charles and how much dominance he naturally exudes in any given situation. Simply put, Charles is the muscle and the powerhouse in their relationship while Anna is the people person and the calming presence. 

Similar to many of the other books in the series, Charles and Anna have a mystery to solve in determining what happened to those who were living on the land Leah formerly called home. This turns into somewhat of a redemption arc for Leah, as readers get to see why she’s been such a bitch in the past and what exactly makes their relationship so dysfunctional. However, it also borders on a horror story because of how the villain operates in the world (please see the trigger warnings below for more clarity). While Leah was redeemed a bit in my eyes, Bran’s character went down in my estimation as he is responsible for a large part of Leah’s emotional turmoil over the last two centuries. Both Anna and Charles called him on it though, so I hope that will be addressed in future installments of the series (or possibly a short story). 

Holter Graham once again did an excellent job bringing Anna, Charles, and Leah’s perspectives to life in the audiobook narration. It’s uncommon for male voice actors to voice both genders as well, and he seemingly did it with ease. His performance set the tone of the story well, and added another layer of depth to each of the characters. It’s gotten to the point where I hear his voice narrating the book even if I’m reading the print version. If you are an audiobook fan, you’ll be in for a treat with this book. 

Urban fantasy and paranormal readers who are looking for a book with great world building, a well-developed set of main characters and ensemble cast, and a mystery bordering on a tale from a horror movie at the center of the story should definitely pick up the latest book in the Alpha and Omega series as soon as possible. As much as I love the Mercy Thompson series, it’s a bummer that the next Alpha and Omega book won’t be out till 2024. This book ends on a cliffhanger, and reveals some major changes that will have ripple effects in the larger Mercy Thompson universe. I’m counting down the days until I can see what happens next!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Miscarriage, Sexual Assault, Violence, References to Child Trafficking, Incest, Mind Control, Animal Death

About the Book

Mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham must discover what could make an entire community disappear — before it's too late — in this thrilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Alpha and Omega series.

In the wilds of the Northern California mountains, all the inhabitants of a small town have gone missing. It's as if the people picked up and left everything they owned behind. Fearing something supernatural might be going on, the FBI taps a source they've consulted in the past: the werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham. But Charles and Anna soon find a deserted town is the least of the mysteries they face.

Death sings in the forest, and when it calls, Charles and Anna must answer. Something has awakened in the heart of the California mountains, something old and dangerous — and it has met werewolves before

About the Author

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

REVIEW Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega #5) by Patricia Briggs

Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega #5) 

by Patricia Briggs
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Ace 

Check out my review of the sequel and sixth book in the series, Wild Sign

With the two most dominant werewolves on the continent at the helm, the Marrok’s pack in Aspen Creek is home to werewolves that would not be able to function anywhere else. This includes a group of old and unstable werewolves known collectively as the Wildlings - wolves who live in the Marrok’s territory but are unable to safely be around the rest of the pack. In Burn Bright, the fifth book in the Alpha and Omega series, Charles has been put in charge of the pack in Bran’s absence. When one of the Wildlings reaches out for help, Charles and Anna head out to investigate. Once there, they realize that things are (like usual) much more complicated than anticipated and that everyone in Aspen Creek might be in danger. 

“You cannot look at a person, and say, 'If I could change this or that, if I could pick what I want and discard other things, I could love this one.’ Such a love is pale and weak - and doomed to failure.”

Anna and Charles’ relationship is one of the healthiest I’ve ever seen in an urban fantasy series. Charles celebrates her strength and intelligence, and despite the fact that he is literally one of the most dominant werewolves in the world he’s never attempted to dominate her. He is also cognizant of her past and how that has shaped her. The relationship isn’t one sided though. Anna has always accepted Charles for who he is, and never questioned the role he plays for the wolves (though she occasionally questions the toll it has on him). She’s also brought light back into his life, and reminded him what it’s like to experience joy. It was particularly heart-warming to see how devoted Charles and Brother Wolf are to Anna, and vice versa.   

2022 is not the first time I’ve read Burn Bright (nor is it likely the last), so I’m coming into the book with the benefit of having read its sequel. The villain of the story was not obvious the first time I’d read the book, but on a re-read I noticed all the hints that the author had thrown in. I also want to note that, unlike some of the other books in the series, the events of Burn Bright connect very strongly to that of the main Mercy Thompson series (specifically Silence Fallen). While you can get through this book without having read that one, I do recommend reading Silence Fallen first for the best reading experience. 

Holter Graham once again did an excellent job bringing both Anna and Charles’ perspectives to life. There is a major theme of the villains in the most recent releases, so I’m excited to see where Ms. Briggs will take that story thread. Urban fantasy and paranormal romance readers who are looking for a book with great worldbuilding, a well-developed cast of main characters and ensemble characters, and another heart pounding mystery at the center of the story pick up the Alpha and Omega series as soon as possible. 

About the Book

Now mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham face a threat like no other–one that lurks too close to home…

They are the wild and the broken. The werewolves too damaged to live safely among their own kind. For their own good, they have been exiled to the outskirts of Aspen Creek, Montana. Close enough to the Marrok’s pack to have its support; far enough away to not cause any harm.

With their Alpha out of the country, Charles and Anna are on call when an SOS comes in from the fae mate of one such wildling. Heading into the mountainous wilderness, they interrupt the abduction of the wolf–but can’t stop blood from being shed. Now Charles and Anna must use their skills–his as enforcer, hers as peacemaker–to track down the attackers, reopening a painful chapter in the past that springs from the darkest magic of the witchborn…

About the Author

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

REVIEW Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3) by Patricia Briggs
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Ace Books 

Check out my review of the sixth book in the series, Wild Sign

For as long as he can remember (and since he was first introduced by author Patricia Briggs in the original Mercy Thompson series), Charles Cornick has been his father’s right hand and the bogeyman of all werewolves. When a problem needed fixing, it was always Charles that was sent out. However, the job he’s done for decades has started weighing on him after werewolves came out to the public. Thankfully, Omega wolf Anna (his loyal and steadfast mate) is not willing to give up her husband to his demons without a fight, so when an opportunity comes up where Charles can mete out justice (instead of a seemingly endless stream of death), Bran sends out Charles and Anna to assist the FBI in hunting down a serial killer that has started targeting supernatural victims. Once there, things get much more complicated than expected (with fae lords coming into the mix) and Charles and Anna have to be careful not to find themselves next on the killer’s hit list. 

Charles and Anna have a very different relationship than Mercy and Adam, and that’s a big part of what sets the two series apart. Theirs is more a relationship of opposites, balancing each other out. Adam and Mercy’s relationship, on the other hand, is more one of equals and their differences stem largely from their species (and the fact that Mercy is such a trouble magnet). Anna, in Charles’ words, is “...a miracle that had saved him from a lifetime of aloneness.” Anna’s Omega gift balances out Charles’ Alpha tendencies, and his love for her is what keeps him afloat when things get dark in his job as his father’s hatchet man. Charles’ Alpha tendencies and reputation protect Anna from those who would try to use her for her powers and give her a place of shelter after so long being afraid. Both are quite willing to let the other take the lead when the situation demands, and it was quite nice to see as a reader. 

Unlike some of the other books in this series, this reads a bit more like a paranormal suspense book than a true fantasy. If you’re a fan of detective shows or true crime documentaries, this would be a great book for you to read! It’s also different in that bad guys are not all supernatural - some of them are human. A large amount of the story revolves around the fear of those that are “different”, and that plays heavily into the case and the overall book. 

Fair Game is an enjoyable read and a fantastic addition to the larger Mercy Thompson + Alpha and Omega universe. I’m amazed at how the series continues to improve over time, and how Ms. Briggs continues to develop Charles and Anna’s characters. Audiobook narrator Holter Graham did a great job bringing both Anna and Charles’ perspectives to life -it’s uncommon for male voice actors to voice both genders so well, and he was excellent. If you are an audiobook fan, I think you’re in for a treat with this book.  

Urban fantasy and paranormal readers who are looking for a book with great worldbuilding, a well-developed set of main characters and ensemble cast, and a heart-pounding case at the center of the story should definitely pick up the Alpha and Omega series ASAP. 

About the Book

It is said that opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son—and enforcer—of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant Alpha, while Anna, an Omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

When the FBI requests the pack’s help on a local serial-killer case, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston to join the investigation. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the preternatural. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer’s sights. . . .

About the Author

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

REVIEW Soul Taken (Mercy Thompson #13) by Patricia Briggs

Soul Taken (Mercy Thompson #13) by Patricia Briggs
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 23, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Ace

Get your copy of the book on Book Depository

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

Patricia Briggs’ latest book in the Mercy Thompson series, Soul Taken, is another dynamic tale of our fearless heroine, coyote shapeshifter Mercy and the rest of the Columbia Basin pack. The semi-stable powerhouse vampire Wulfe has gone missing, bodies are dropping all over the Tri-Cities area, and the pack must once again figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.

Mercy, is, of course, once again smack dab in the middle of everything happening in the Tri-Cities. Thankfully, she has Adam and the rest of the pack to back her up whenever necessary - and it’s very frequent she needs the backup since she’s such a magnet for trouble. Personally, I’ve loved seeing Adam and Mercy’s relationship develop over the course of the series. They balance each other well, and they are a great team. The pack bonds were also a highlight for me - the scene at the beginning of the book was fun, and I love any scene where they get to tease Mercy and Adam about their sex life. Happy Alpha wolves translate to strong healthy packs!

One of the strengths of this series has always been how well-developed the ensemble cast is, and that trend doesn’t stop with Soul Taken. Readers get to discover more about some of the major players in Mercy’s life - specifically, Zee, Wulfe, and Sherwood Post. Some stories get dropped about Zee and Sherwood Post’s past (there is a major development in discovering who Sherwood was before the witches took his memory). The major reveals, though, are all about Wulfe. Those who have read previous installments to the series will know that Wulfe has never exactly been stable in the time Mercy has known him. Soul Taken dives into his past, gives perspective on how he came to be as we know him today, and also gives a hint about how he earned his title of ‘The Wizard’. 

Wulfe’s background plays a big part in the story, but readers are also treated to more world-building with more info on how pack bonds work and clashes between different paranormal groups in the Tri-Cities area. First of all, there’s some more shifting in the ranks of Adam’s pack, specifically the order of dominance. Warren and Daryl clash a bit, and Sherwood’s dominance level comes into question. I was also intrigued by the power plays between the pack, the goblins, the fae (specifically Underhill), and the vampires. I can’t wait to see what happens as a result of the choices Mercy and Adam made in this book - it seems like the ramifications of their decisions may cross over to the Alpha and Omega series as well. 

Soul Taken is a fantastic book and an awesome addition to the series and larger Mercy Thompson + Alpha and Omega universe. I’m amazed at how this series continues to get better with every new release. Lorelei King once again did a great job with the audiobook narration. Urban fantasy and paranormal readers who are looking for great worldbuilding, a well-developed set of main characters and ensemble cast, and a witty, headstrong heroine should definitely pick up the Mercy Thompson series ASAP. 

About the Book

Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must face her greatest fears in this chilling entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

The vampire Wulfe is missing. Since he’s deadly, possibly insane, and his current idea of “fun” is stalking me, some may see it as no great loss. But, warned that his disappearance might bring down the carefully constructed alliances that keep our pack safe, my mate and I must find Wulfe—and hope he’s still alive. As alive as a vampire can be, anyway.

But Wulfe isn’t the only one who has disappeared. And now there are bodies, too. Has the Harvester returned to the Tri-Cities, reaping souls with his cursed sickle? Or is he just a character from a B horror movie and our enemy is someone else?

The farther I follow Wulfe’s trail, the more twisted—and darker—the path becomes. I need to figure out what’s going on before the next body on the ground is mine.

About the Author

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.

REVIEW Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 2, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + Hardcover (Personal Library)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire 

Rachel Griffin writes beautiful, atmospheric witchy novels that make you want to lose yourself in nature or curl up under a blanket with a warm drink while you read. Her debut novel The Nature of Witches was enchanting, and her sophomore novel Wild is the Witch created a similar effect. 

Iris Gray is a witch, a supernatural human of sorts with the ability to recognize energy in the universe and harness it to create outcomes. She loves working with her mom at their wildlife rescue since their magic works best on animals as Lunars, but she cannot stand fellow employee and college intern Pike Alder. As a way to vent her frustrations, she writes a curse intended for Pike (with the goal of destroying it immediately after). However, disaster looms when an owl steals it and takes off into the forest. Given that owls are natural amplifiers for magic, Iris is forced to rely on Pike for help in finding the owl before it’s too late and the curse’s destructive power is unleashed upon the Pacific Northwest. 

The magic in Wild is the Witch is very subtle. Working in harmony with nature, it allows the witches to do multiple more minor feats of ‘spellwork’. I loved getting to learn about the different classes of witches, and how they use their magic to interact with the world. For example, when an injured animal is brought to the rescue, Iris’ mother is able to get the initial healing process started and get the animal out of the danger zone, but they have to allow nature to do the rest to get the animal back to 100%. Some witches who specialize in magic relating to humans are able to view memories, or even remove a witch’s power. However, despite this, there are only a few large-scale flashy supernatural displays in the story given that this leans more towards the contemporary genre than fantasy. 

Iris and Pike’s relationship is a “loathe to love” and forced proximity romance. They start off hating each other, forming a reluctant truce to hunt down the owl. While on their trek through the forest, they have lots of time to get to know each other and slowly realize the other person isn’t as bad as they thought. Of course, the fact that there’s only one tent doesn’t help matters when the tension between them starts to reach a boiling point. 

My only complaint about Wild is the Witch was the short length - it’s uncommon for a young adult book to be less than 300 pages nowadays. Don’t get me wrong, Rachel Griffin made every page count - I just wanted more time and more pages to enjoy Iris and Pike’s story. For any audiobook lovers out there, you’ll be pleased to know that the narrator Laura Knight Keating did a fantastic job bringing the book to life with her performance in the nearly 9-hour audiobook production. 

Overall, this was a fantastic novel and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy a contemporary romance tale filled with paranormal and fantasy elements.

About the Book

When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.

Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.

Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she's about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.

New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches' Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.

About the Author

Rachel Griffin writes young adult novels inspired by the magic of the world around her. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and the forthcoming Wild is the Witch, releasing from Sourcebooks Fire in summer 2022.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel has a deep love of nature, from the mountains to the ocean and all the towering evergreens in between. She adores moody skies and thunderstorms, and hopes more vampires settle down in her beloved state of Washington.

On her path to writing novels, Rachel graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor of Science in diagnostic ultrasound. She worked in healthcare for five years and taught ultrasound at her alma mater before making the switch to a small startup. She has been mentoring in Pitch Wars since 2017 and now writes full-time from her home in the Seattle area.

When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering the PNW, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband, small dog, and growing collection of houseplants.

Rachel is represented by Elana Roth Parker of the Laura Dail Literary Agency. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter @TimesNewRachel.

Rachel Griffin Author Photo Credit: Dawndra Budd

BLOG TOUR Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the GHOSTCLOUD by Michael Mann Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: GHOSTCLOUD

Author: Michael Mann

Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Peachtree

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 320

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

*Please note - this post contains affiliate links, from which we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase

A riveting, magical escapade about finding friendship and the courage to set yourself free against all odds.

Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground, in a half-bombed power station, 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma keeps his head down and hopes he can earn his freedom from the evil Tabitha Margate. Then one day he discovers he can see things that others can’t. Ghostly things. A ghostly girl named Alma, who can bend the shape of clouds to her will and rides them through the night sky. With Alma’s help, Luke discovers his own innate powers and uncovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha is kidnapping children and forcing them to shovel coal. Desperate to escape, Luke teams up with Alma, his best friend Ravi, and the new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before they each become victims of a cruel and sinister scheme?
 
Debut author Michael Mann delivers a wildly imaginative middle-grade fantasy set in a smoke-stained world that’s sure to entertain readers who are eager for an adventure with paranormal superpowers.

REVIEW of Ghostcloud by Michael Mann
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: ARC (Courtesy of Publisher and Rockstar Book Tours)

Michael Mann’s debut novel Ghostcloud is an action-packed new science fiction fantasy read for middle-grade audiences. Set in a far-off dystopian version of London unlike the one we know now, children are kidnapped off the streets and forced to shovel coal. Luke Smith-Sharma is one such child, kidnapped two years ago (and unable to see the sun since). When the cruel overseer punishes him, he is sent to the sewers (a fate few return from) and encounters a ghost girl named Alma. Together, they must fight to free the other children and save the day before it’s too late.

The action starts from the very first page. Readers are brought into a scene with hundreds of children shoveling coal, not knowing why or exactly what’s happening. We are also introduced to the villainous Tabatha Margate - not much else is known about her character except that she hates children and runs the operation. Still, everyone fears her and dreads her visits. In particular, she reminded me of Mrs. Trunchbull’s character from Roald Dahl’s Matilda. 

I loved the worldbuilding for Ghostcloud. Mr. Mann blends the past and the present well, describing how Luke and Alma’s world has been devastated by climate change. More modern landmarks like the London Olympic Stadium are referenced, and seemingly in ruins. Gas masks are the norm, buildings are sealed against smog, they preach the “coexistence” of people and pollution, and a point of pride for the government was the lack of smog-related deaths for the last hundred years. It sounds like an awful place to live, and I don’t envy anyone there. While this is undoubtedly a dystopian world (with some science fiction hints here and there), there is also an element of fantasy and paranormal blended in. 

As the name of the book might suggest, Ghostcloud features a ghost at the center of the story. Luke meets Alma in the power plant, and she reveals some hidden secrets about his history. I can’t say much more without risking spoilers, but I loved all the ghostly aspects of the story (and it makes the book a perfect read for the autumn season as we head toward Halloween).  

While the plot is undoubtedly action-packed and exciting, the author touches on a notably less fun topic in the book. Child exploitation and trafficking is a real thing, and it deserves more attention. A lot of the story revolves around the kidnapping and forced imprisonment of children, and how Luke is fighting for his freedom (and a chance to see the sun and his family again). There was a lot of care put into this aspect of the book - it educates without lecturing the readers. I imagine that comes from the author’s position as a primary school teacher. As a reader myself, it was horrifying to envision the conditions the children were working in, and I was rooting for Luke, Ravi, Jess, and the other children to break free from the start.

Ghostcloud had a fantastic ending, and I’m excited to read what comes next in the series. If you like lighthearted fantasy stories with elements of science fiction, dystopia, and the paranormal, then this would be a great choice to add to your to-be-read (TBR) list. 

Thank you to the author Michael Mann, the publisher Peachtree, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and Edelweiss for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in this tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Ghostcloud immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

About Michael Mann:

Michael’s first writing success was for a poem about potatoes - in a competition run by a Yorkshire school catering company. As a ‘reward’, he had to shake hands with a giant potato mascot in front of his entire school. It would be many years before he dared write again.

These days, Michael is a teacher by day, dad by night, and mostly writes when he should be sleeping. He owes the idea for his middle grade novel, Ghostcloud, to his coal-mining grandad and a lifelong love of cloudspotting. He’s half-Indian and passionate about diversity in children’s literature, and loves books that keeps kids turning the page.

He has a first-class degree in anthropology, lives in East London with his (very patient) partner and their (less patient) toddler, and can be found playing board games when he’s not busy losing his wallet. Michael was an Undiscovered Voices 2020 finalist, and his debut middle grade novel Ghostcloud will publish with Hachette in October 2021.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of GHOSTCLOUD, US Only.

Ends October 4th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/19/2022	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Review/IG Post
9/19/2022	laura's bookish corner	Review/IG Post
9/20/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
9/20/2022	Beers Books Boos	Review/IG Post
9/21/2022	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
9/21/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
9/22/2022	Two Points of Interest	Review
9/22/2022	Lisa-Queen of Random	Excerpt/IG Post
9/23/2022	@ablueboxfullofbooks	IG Review
9/23/2022	onemused	IG Spotlight

Week Two:

9/26/2022	Eli to the nth	Review/IG Post
9/26/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
9/27/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/27/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt
9/28/2022	PopTheButterfly Reads	Review/IG Post
9/28/2022	@jacleomik33	IG Review
9/29/2022	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/29/2022	Laurenreads._	IG Review
9/30/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
9/30/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post