First of all. some good news! The sequel to my middle grade fantasy The Lucky Diamond will be published on 27th June. The book title is Revenge of Queen Rose, and if you’re on social media, you may see the cover reveal on April 16th.
Now onto the reviews. This week I am reviewing two books, although only the second one is middle grade.
Merrylegs is a delightful, charming story of a riding school pony who needs a little help to see the magic in life and in himself. For younger readers, perhaps 5-6, and beautifully illustrated, this will touch a chord in your heart.
This is my third Pam Smy story, and I’ve loved each one!
TOTP and I award this charming story 10 out of 10 Diamonds.
The Monster Missions
By Laura Martin.
My middle grade review this week is The Monster Missions, with a cover I really like!
When the earth is completely submerged by water, humanity (or what is left of us) has to survive aboard ships. Berkley and her best friend Garth are talented divers, the youngest members of the salvage team from the Atlas. Berkley likes to invent things, but when testing out her latest device on a dive, she accidentally disturbs a hideous sea creature who comes after the ship, and they narrowly escape with their lives. As punishment, the captain of the ship wants to send Berkley and Garth to a prison ship. Fortunately fate in the guise of the captain of the submarine Britannia intervenes and recruits Berkley and Garth as part of their talented crew. Their job: to protect ships from attacks by other sea creatures disturbed by the rise of the oceans.
This is a fast-paced enjoyable adventure, lightly told despite the somewhat grim scenario. Berkley with her courage and inventiveness is a good character, and I liked her friendship with Garth, and how they wanted different things. I am not a big fan of an animal with a grudge trope, but I don’t think kids would mind that. An inventive and well-written adventure.
TOTP and I award The Monster Missions 7 out of 10 Diamonds.
Valinora Troy 
17 responses to “Book Reviews: Merrylegs & The Monster Missions”
Very excited for your new book!
LikeLike
Thank you very much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the upcoming publication of your new book! You must be so excited.
With the rising sea waters, I’m surprised we haven’t seen more stories with similar themes. This sounds like a fascinating adventure, even though what has happened to the planet is so grim. Will look for this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I am! 🙂
It’s pretty grim world but the story is told so lightly you can forget about the fact that most of humanity must have drowned, as well as most animals, and of course there are none of the comforts that many of us currently enjoy… 🙂 It’s a fun read all the same!
LikeLike
Great news on your new book. Can’t wait to see the cover. Your MG selection has a plot I would like. Thanks for featuring it on MMGM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Greg 🙂
LikeLike
I like this cover and the story sounds interesting.
Bravo! Congrats on the soon to be release of your MG book. How exciting! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLike
I wasn’t a fan of the cover of this one– funny how we all like different things. I love this author’s Hoax for Hire and Glitch, but underwater adventures (and books with pirates of any kind) tend not to circulate in my library. Congratulations on your sequel coming out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂 . I must watch out for Hoax for Hire and Glitch because while I didn’t love this book as much as I wanted to, I thought I would like to read more from this author. Thanks for the recommendation!
LikeLike
Congrats on your upcoming book! This book sounds interesting. Not my cup of tea, but interesting to know about. Thanks for the reviw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks for the reviews. It’s hard to keep up with all of these good books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so hard – there are so many! It’s great – just wish I had time to read them all!
LikeLike
Congrats on your new book! I’m excited for you. The Monster Missions sounds like a great story. Thanks for featuring it this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Yes, it’s a fun read 🙂
LikeLike
[…] Monster Missions, by Laura Martin, at Valinora Troy The Ogress and the Orphans, by Kelly Barnhill, at Bellis Does Books Once Upon Another Time, by […]
LikeLike