Hello Friends!
Today I bring you a review of a Children/Middle Grade book called “Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer“, written by Lily Mae Walters. You may remember the name from my Promo Blitz: “Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer” post. And this is the first book in the series.
I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Lily Mae Walters for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.
Blurb
Josie James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays.
Whist staying at her Great Grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter.
Her new friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will lift the curse, but there are more pressing matters.
The Teardrops of Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent catastrophe for their world.
Purchase Link – http://mybook.to/Teardrops
Author Bio
Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also stare in the Josie James series.
She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.
Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local places and even her old school in her stories.
Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series.
Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.
Social Media Links – Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
My Review
As a Social Educator that wants to work in a library I always look at middle grade books in a different light. I look at them as a material to help people, and after reading this book that was what happened. I thought about how we could use this magical adventure book to teach kids or maybe get them to create their own adventures inspired by the book… helped them with developing more their creativity. But that is just my educator brain thinking about ways to promote values, good qualities, abilities and imagination.
The Reader in me loved the book because it reminded me of being a young girl in her own magical world, with the characters she created or the characters of the fantasy books she read every day… And as soon as that “Saudade” started in my heart all the good memories, dreams, wishes upon a star, and feelings that were brought by the realization that I still have that young girl in me… It all made me emotional. And I thank the author for that.
The more rational part of me wants to talk about the story and the characters. How Josie was a relatable character and how the plot in this story made me wish I could be in it and have fun in this adventure, and help out the characters in the quest, by going on all the twists and turns that this journey took them (and me).
The world building was creative, it had vivid descriptions and as we start the slow ascend in the book and start learning about every aspect that was important in that moment about characters and the world… I fell into the vortex and jumped in the rollercoaster ready for a journey of fantasy, mystery and action. And as we buckle up for the ride, the pace starts to get quick and exciting.
This story had the classical fantasy elements: a magical world, magical creatures, a curse, the Chosen One, a group of friends trying to help the world, a girl that is intelligent and compassionate that really wants to make a change in the world… And all those elements combined with the writing style make the perfect recipe to cook a book not only for middle kids, but also to every single book lover.
Giveaway
If you want a chance at wining a Signed copy of Josie James and the Teardrops of Summer Click Here.
(UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Don’t forget to check out all the other bloggers that given their contribute in this Blog Tour, from reviews and basic promo/spotlight posts.
Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.
If you are an author and want me to do a review of your book you can go check out my Request Review page.
I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books.
And if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.
Love,
Jess
Jess Bookish Life 
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