Delivery to the Lost City

The Impossible Postal Express is off on another incredible adventure! Since learning that their daughter has been sneaking out of the house to deliver mail to the Impossible Places, Suzy’s parents have understandably become a little over-protective. In an effort to bring her two worlds together, Suzy has asked her friends from the Impossible Postal Express to come for tea and meet her family. Things are not going quite according to plan when the crew are called away to make a delivery. Determined to make her parents understand, Suzy suggests they hop on board and find out what life on the Express is like. But taking delivery of a mysterious talking book which is stealing words and causing chaos, setting off on a mission to find a lost city and facing untold dangers might not be the best way to put their minds at rest…

This is the third adventure for Suzy and her friends from the Impossible Places and it doesn’t disappoint. One of my favourite things about these books is the incredible world building which makes each place visited full of detail and come alive around you as you read. In this story, Suzy visits new locations as well as familiar ones, each vividly described and full of wonder. The story makes an amazing read aloud as it is richly told and offers much to linger over and imagine.

Suzy continues to be a wonderful personality. Resourceful and curious, she is also a loyal and caring. This book explores her relationship with her parents as she is desperate to both please them and continue to be Deputy Postal Operative Smith, performing the duties she knows she is so good at aboard the Postal Express. On their adventures, Susie and the crew meet new characters- and bump into some old ones. I couldn’t help wondering whether P G Bell had modelled one of the new ones on someone often in the news!

Speaking of news, this story also shows how people can be controlled by misinformation, prejudice and fear, making it an excellent starting point for discussions about questioning what we are told in the media. That said, the writing maintains the characteristic humour of the previous books, steaming along at a great pace with lots of action and adventure. I believe this is to be the last book in this series which I think is a great shame as there are many adventures still waiting to be had in this incredible world with these wonderful characters.

Delivery to the Lost City

P G Bell, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474948630

The Great Brain Robbery

Desperate to take up her position of Deputy Postal Operative, Susie can’t wait to get back aboard the Impossible Postal Express and return to the Union of Impossible Places to see all her friends. However, a sudden earthquake ruins the train’s re-launch and throws Trollville into chaos. Realising that something is amiss, Susie and her friends set off to solve the problem and save everyone from imminent danger.

Another fabulously fast-paced and magical adventure from P G Bell which has you completely absorbed in the action from the outset. As with book one, this story is full of wonderful characters and as Wilmot and Susie separate for much of the action in this book, the reader is able to come to know Wilmot even better and appreciate how brave, loyal and kind he is. Members of the ‘Old Guard’ also come into their own in this story.

P G Bell’s world building is just amazing, offering a rich, imaginative background to the action. As with the first book, the illustrations are a joy and add much to the story. It’s hard to say too much about the plot without spoiling it for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading the book yet, but it all comes together brilliantly at the end, making a very satisfying, entertaining read!

‘The Great Brain Robbery’ is every bit as enjoyable as ‘The Train to Impossible Places’ and I can’t wait to see what Susie and her friends get up to next!

The Great Brain Robbery

P G Bell, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino

Usborne ISBN: 978--1474948623

The Train to Impossible Places

‘The Train To Impossible Places’ is a brilliantly magical, exciting story, full of wonderful characters! It is illustrated throughout by Flavia Sorrentino and if you take off the beautiful dust jacket, this is the stunning treat that lies beneath!

Suzy is a wonderful character. Passionate about physics, her curious mind introduces readers to many science concepts throughout the book and she questions the ‘fuzzics’ of negotiable gravity, fusion bananas and other ‘impossible’ concepts as she journeys through her adventure. Her logical mind doesn’t stop her impulsive nature as she leaps headlong into situations without thinking of the consequences, making her an exciting heroine!

Other characters are equally well drawn. I love Wilmot, his passion for the job that has been in his family for so long, his conscientious nature and loyalty. His mother is also a joy- the perfect proud, adoring maternal troll! Ursel is another great character who I hope there will be more from in future stories as a hint was given about her past which needs to be explored!

The plot is a roller-coaster of a ride which hurtles along at a fabulous pace. Full of imagination and adventure, the world P G Bell has created is a stunning one which deserves further exploration! A must for all fantasy fans!

The Train to Impossible Places

P G Bell, illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474948616

The House of One Hundred Clocks

When Helena’s father gets a new job, it takes them away from London and the life she knows. Taking Orbit the parrot, her constant reminder of her deceased mother, with her, Helena prepares for a new life in Cambridge. However, her father’s new job is not as simple as it seems and the house they are now living in is not only full of clocks, but full of mystery too. In their bid for a new life, will they end up losing everything?

I loved A M Howell’s first book, ‘The Garden of Lost Secrets’ and ‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ was no disappointment. Inspired by the clock collection of Frederic Gershom Parkington, it is a fascinating story full of description, detail and colour. The atmosphere in the house is decidedly eerie with family mystery and heartache threatening to take everything from Helena and her father should the clocks falter.

Grief at the loss of a loved one permeates the story yet the girls find solace and strength in their new friendship and work together to make things better. The villain of the piece comes as a surprise, but encourages the reader to think about questions of inequality and how people are treated can make them act in certain ways. Orbit is a delight- a little flash of mischief and humour!

‘The House of One Hundred Clocks’ is an atmospheric, enchanting read, perfect for sharing and reading aloud. Can’t wait to read it to a class!

The House of One Hundred Clocks

A M Howell

Usborne ISBN: 978-1474959568

Cogheart

What an adventure! Full of action and secrets waiting to be uncovered, this is a book you will want to read in one go!

When Lily's inventor father disappears in his airship, Dragonfly, she is determined to find him. Locked in her room by the awful housekeeper, Madame Verdigris, Lily escapes with the help of Robert, the clock maker's son and her mechanical fox, Malkin. Chased by silver-eyed men who will destroy anything that gets in their way, they embark on an amazing adventure which takes them to London. 

Once the story gets going, there is no stopping it and the reader finds themself swept along in the adventure. The book is full of very engaging characters: Lily is feisty and head strong whilst Robert is more reserved, but equally brave. The mechanicals are wonderful- Mrs Rust is my favourite!

Gripping twists will keep you turning the pages to the very end. I'm delighted to see that there will be a sequel, 'Moonlocket', next year. 

Cogheart    

Peter Bunzl, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Usborne    ISBN: 978-1474915007