Book Review - Ghostcloud by Michael Mann + Giveaway

 

Twelve year old Luke Smith-Sharma was kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground. He feels that if he keeps his head down, he can win his freedom from Tabitha Margate. Everything changes when he realizes that one day he is able to see things others can't. He is able to see spirits and other otherworldly things. He befriends a ghost girl named Alma, who can bend clouds according to her will and ride them through the night sky. Luke discovers his innate powers with Alma's help. However, he discovers a darker truth behind his kidnapping. Luke is desperate to escape but, will they be able to find a way out?

The novel was an entertaining read and it remind me of one of my favorite childhood author, Roald Dahl. The book had delightful world building details. The characters were all well developed albeit quirky.  The more we learn about Tabitha's nefarious plot, the more we worry for our beloved characters. The book does wrap up the story but, the author left a potential thread for a second book.

 

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion. **

 

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

 

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 new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before they each become victims to 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.

 

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.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

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

Ends October 4th, midnight EST.

 

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21520/?

 

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

 

 

Book Review - Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

 

In 2018, Morgan Christopher's life has taken a turn for the worst. She takes the fall for a crime her boyfriend has committed and in the process her dream of finding a career in art has been put on hold. She feels that her world is closing in around her until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer she couldn't refuse. They can get her released from prison immediately if she can restore an old post office mural. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration but, she is desperate to be free. As she begins to work on restoring the mural she discovers that the painting has a few secrets buried.

In 1940, Anna Dale is an artist from New Jersey, who wins a national contest to paint murals for a post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Anna is desperate for a change of scenery after her beloved mother has passed away. She is hesitant at first to work in a town where prejudices run deep but, she finds herself entwined with the townfolk. As she works on the mural, she realizes everyone has secrets that they will stop at nothing to keep hidden.

This was my second novel by the author and I thought this novel was enjoyable as my first. The book followed the same basic format as the other novel with the dual timelines.  I thought this was an interesting read but, I was still confused on how someone can be so nice in front of you but, then take any chance to harm you when given the opportunity. The novel reminds me that you can never know someone's true nature. Overall, the book had a few twists and I would be interested in reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

 

In Minnesota, there are hundreds of miles of glacial lakes and forests that are known as the Boundary Waters. Ten years ago, a man and his son went into the wilderness to camp and was never heard from again. People and search teams searched desperately for the pair because their campsite looks like it was ravaged by a bear. 

Everyone assumed that they were dead until a decade later, the son, Lucas, returns. He was found ransacking an outfitter store during the middle of the night. When the police arrived, Lucas became violent and uncommunicative. He was sent to a psychiatric facility to help him. 

Maya Stark is an assistant language therapist that is assigned to help Lucas. Maya tries to help Lucas answer what happened to his father and the last ten years of his life. Maya was abandoned by her mother at a young age. As she tries to help Lucas, her own secrets start to bubble up to the surface. She finds herself drawn to Lucas and she is willing to risk everything to reunite him with his father.

I found the novel to be an interesting and entertaining read. I found some parts of the novel to be unbelievable and predictable. I thought that the novel progressed very slowly during some parts with Maya and Lucas. I liked the backstory of Sarah and Josiah and enjoyed reading his narration. Personally, I didn't understand his need to be outside all the time but, I felt his story was poignant. I am a bit torn over the ending. The ending wrapped everything up neatly but, I felt like I needed something more.

Book Review - The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

Photo Credit - Amazon

 The Butler family has been put through their fair share of trials but, when a family secret is exposed, the entire family is sent reeling. Althea is the oldest sister and mother figure to her siblings since their mother passed away. Althea is known for her strong will and her siblings both appreciate and fear her. However, the family is stunned when Althea and her husband, Proctor is arrested for committing fraud. Their family goes from being well-respected icons in the community to being treated as public enemy number one. 

Her sisters, Viola and Lillian, are still trying to come to terms with the scandal. They have to step in and help care for Althea's two teenage daughters. Will the Butler family be able to come to terms with Althea's crimes and begin to heal?

I thought this novel was going to be filled with drama and dramatic twists. Instead, it felt like a cozy read where nothing happened. Page after page, I felt like the story kept dragging with little to add to the story other than Althea is in prison, her daughters miss their family, and the sisters have no idea how to manage the situation. I wish the author spent more time explaining their crimes and their motivation behind it.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nicki Daniels has learned how to live on her own since she was young. She learned how to depend on no one and how to take care of herself and her son. However, her life is about to be turn upside down when her career con father comes to visit and moves in with her, her son, and her boyfriend. Family drama fills the pages of the book when each of the characters wants different things. Will the be able to get along? Will Nicki be able to forgive her father?

The comedic novel is filled with humor, plot twists and bonds between family and friends with little gems of friendship, relationship and forgiveness sprinkled in. Personally, I didn't really care for the main character; I found her rather boring and a bit annoying. The story seemed one dimensional and lacked depth. I was expecting more from this novel and not just a "cozy read' where there isn't much going on. 

**Disclosure - I received an unedited ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**