Holly Webb

I think Holly Webb might be my new favorite author. I've been indulging in a few of her books each month from the UK and this is the latest series I tried.

Emily Feather is the ordinary one in her family. Her mother is an amazing fashion designer, her father writes fantastical horror stories, her older sisters are good at school and popular, and her younger brother is everyone's darling. The only thing Emily can do that is special is cook - and even that doesn't always work the way she wants. show more But sometimes, especially recently, she's been seeing things in the house. Strange, possibly magical things. Now her family is acting strange - what is going on?

I love that this isn't the typical "ordinary girl discovers she's extraordinary" type of fantasy. Emily Feather is, well, just Emily all the way through to the end, even though magical things happen around her. She has to accept that her family loves her even though she's not magical and there are hints that she'll have to find her place in a world where she doesn't fit in.

This is a short, delightful read at less than 200 pages. It's difficult to find these light, magical stories for young readers, especially ones that don't hammer home some lesson about Friendship, Being Yourself, or Other Moral Virtues. Sometimes you just want to read a frothy, magical story with some thrilling moments, a little danger, and a happy ending.

Verdict: Sadly, this isn't published in the US - YET!, but it's quite easy to purchase online, either through Amazon, Book Depository, or Baker and Taylor, which allows you to order items from the UK (although they can take a loooong time to deliver). I can't wait to read the sequels and I can see a lot of young girls adoring this series. Most boys aren't going to pick up something that's so purple and floaty, but if you can get them to ignore the cover they'll enjoy it as well. More than worth a little extra time and money to purchase and add to your collection.

ISBN: 9781407130927; Published 2013 by Scholastic (UK division); Purchased for myself; Added to the library wishlist show less

When I think of Holly Webb, I think of her magical animals series, beginning chapter books which I believe are kind of a cross between Puppy Place and Rainbow Magic fairies. However, I was requesting some UK books on Bookmooch and the cover of this caught my eye so I asked for it as well.

I am in love. Utterly in love. Sometimes you get tired of all the unique, breathtaking, new, different books and just want a good, satisfying orphan fantasy.

Unlike her friends at the orphanage, Rose never show more dreams of her family coming to find her or of something magical happening to her. Her most magical dream is to get out of the orphanage and become a housemaid, which will give her a freedom beyond anything she's ever known. When a housekeeper collects her to housemaid for the mysterious Mr. Fountain, Rose is thrilled - and determined never to tell anyone about the mysterious pictures she's been seeing in shiny surfaces. But Mr. Fountain is a famous alchemist, magic really does exist, and Rose soon gets caught up in an evil plot involving a wicked witch, some bewitching glamours, a talking cat, and missing children.

This book was just, so, satisfying. Plenty of peril, but you know it's going to come right in the end. The snobby children turn out to not be so bad, but nobody is a perfect little angel. There's no magical, over the top happily-ever-after, but a good solid ending with room for more adventures for Rose and her friends. The cover isn't quite ideal, it's a bit more British than I'd like, but I can live with it.

Verdict: I was thrilled to discover that the Rose books are being published in the US this fall! They'll have new covers, which are quite attractive, and I can't wait to booktalk them to kids. I think kids will devour these, especially those kids who like a good, solid magical orphan story. *sigh of happiness*

ISBN: 9781408304471; Published 2009 by Orchard Books; Received through Bookmooch; Added new editions to the library's tentative order list show less

Since I've yet to finish a book yet this year, I thought it was a good time to go ahead and work on the reviews that I never had a chance to post last year. Which, especially in the case of Return to the Secret Garden, is a shame. This book was absolutely adorable, and I wish I'd been on top of my reviews enough to give it the pre-release love that it deserved. On the bright side, hopefully I'm reminding some of you out there of its existence, and it will scoot up your reading lists after show more this review.

First off, I feel it's only fair to explain to you that the original book is one of my all time favorites. Coupled with that, is the fact that Holly Webb is one of my all time favorite Middle Grade writers. So, you can easily see that my expectations were high here. I was so thrilled that the sequel to my favorite book would be done by one of my favorite authors. It doesn't get any more perfect than that! I was so eager to make my way back to Misselthwaite, and explore it with new eyes. I'm happy to say, I wasn't disappointed.

Much like the Mary we remember, Emmie is a little tough to love at first. An orphan, Emmie is used to mainly caring for herself and is, as such, a bit distant. Still, I could tell right away that she was a spitfire at heart. Her deep thoughts, her love for her adopted stray cat, all of it pulled me in to her world. It wasn't obvious early on how she would be tied in to the Misselthwaite of old, but I knew she'd fit in just wonderfully.

As it turns out, I was right. The backdrop of this book is the Blitz and it sets the stage expertly for Emmie's transition to her new home. I loved watching her go through the same kinds of feelings as her predecessor. It was that moment when she stepped into the garden though, that really had me rapt. Holly Webb evoked that same magic, the same air of sweet mystery, that the original book so wonderfully had. I ate it up. Even if the original characters hadn't been tied into this, which they absolutely are, I would have been happy just with this small piece of my childhood restored. Stepping back into the secret garden with new eyes was a wonderful feeling.

Truth be told, I really wanted to give this five stars. It was missing this small something that I couldn't fit my finger on though, and so I settled with four. It's really a fabulous book though, and I highly recommend it as an addition to your TBR! Emmie will steal your heart and, if she doesn't succeed alone, so will your new trip into the secret garden. show less

It's no secret that my absolute favorite part of books is falling in love with the characters. It's actually why I tend to read so much Middle Grade fiction. Characters like Rose make me smile. Vibrant, witty, and much braver than I could ever be, she stole my heart and made this book fly by for me! Even if the story hadn't been absolutely stellar, which it was of course, I would have read on just to follow dear Rose. Holly Webb's brilliantly showcases why MG fiction isn't just for one age show more group.

The real draw for me was that Rose had such big, and yet so simple dreams. While other girls dreamed of being adopted and fawned over, all she wanted as to make something respectable of herself. Despite her young age, Rose has a definite understanding of how the world around her functions. She's hardworking, intelligent, and polite. Even when faced with the possibility of magic, her level head keeps her calm. Who better to navigate a world filled with magic, both good and bad? I loved Rose.

Better still, she has a wonderful cast of characters surrounding her. Freddie, the boy apprentice with just a bit too much ego. Isabella, her master's daughter and a definite spoiled child. Even Gus, a cat a first glance and yet so much more than that, is fleshed out and fun to read about. It was these children that kept the story moving. Their interactions, the lessons learned, and of course the battle against the ultimate baddie at the end. Oh no, you won't get more from me. The synopsis doesn't spoil it, and neither shall I. You'll have to read Holly Webb's gorgeous book to find out what happens to Rose and her friends.

I honestly wish I had better words to describe how much I was enamored with this book. There's something about the old world charm of it that held me under its spell. Even at the ending, which I was satisfied with but made me want so much more, I couldn't stop smiling. Rose is a stellar start to the series. I simply cannot wait for the rest of her story, so I can devour it all over again. If you're a fan of magic, mixed with a bit of mystery, this is a book you'll adore. show less