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HEATHER FISHWICK

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HEATHER FISHWICK

Heather Fishwick is a writer of middle grade and young adult fantasy novels.

Heather Fishwick is a writer of middle grade and young adult fantasy novels.

Thank you @littletigerbooks for sending me this beautiful pop-up picture book to review.

Nature Pop-ups: Minibeasts is a visual treat, with colourful illustrations that leap (quite literally) off of the page.

Each stunning piece of pop-up artwork is accompanied by some gentle text and more detailed scientific facts, making this a great book for early years classrooms or nurseries.

My three-year-old has loved exploring this beautiful book, and her older siblings have been keen to spot the minibeasts on each page too.

Thank you @littletigerbooks for sending me this beautiful pop-up picture book to review.

Nature Pop-ups: Minibeasts is a visual treat, with colourful illustrations that leap (quite literally) off of the page.

Each stunning piece of pop-up artwork is accompanied by some gentle text and more detailed scientific facts, making this a great book for early years classrooms or nurseries.

My three-year-old has loved exploring this beautiful book, and her older siblings have been keen to spot the minibeasts on each page too.

NetGalley Review: Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Broken-Hearted

Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Broken-Hearted follows Viv's attempts to set up a festival for the broken hearted. There is fancy dress, an enchanted forest, and a very special guest in the form of famed fortune teller, Madame Sosostris. But when disaster threatens, friendships, marriages and reality will be tested.

This was a treat to read from beginning to end. Okri's writing is incredible and made this book hard to put down - I flew through it despite the advice at the opening to 'read slowly'. It's dialogue heavy, which I absolutely loved, with narrative sections drenched in imagery and philosophical musings on relationships, reality and love.

NetGalley Review: Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Broken-Hearted

Madame Sosostris and the Festival for the Broken-Hearted follows Viv's attempts to set up a festival for the broken hearted. There is fancy dress, an enchanted forest, and a very special guest in the form of famed fortune teller, Madame Sosostris. But when disaster threatens, friendships, marriages and reality will be tested.

This was a treat to read from beginning to end. Okri's writing is incredible and made this book hard to put down - I flew through it despite the advice at the opening to 'read slowly'. It's dialogue heavy, which I absolutely loved, with narrative sections drenched in imagery and philosophical musings on relationships, reality and love.

Thank you @scholastic_uk for sending me a copy of Boys with Sharp Teeth to review

It sounds brilliant and I'm really excited to start reading soon. Is it on anyone else's TBR?

Thank you @scholastic_uk for sending me a copy of Boys with Sharp Teeth to review

It sounds brilliant and I'm really excited to start reading soon. Is it on anyone else's TBR?

It's been a unicorn story kind of day 🦄

It's been a unicorn story kind of day 🦄

Sending heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Alex Wheatle. Alex was a brilliant writer and a wonderful tutor on the Manchester Metropolitan Creative Writing MA. I owe so much to his advice and support while completing my Masters, he was always so generous with his feedback and time while supervising my dissertation.

Sending heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Alex Wheatle. Alex was a brilliant writer and a wonderful tutor on the Manchester Metropolitan Creative Writing MA. I owe so much to his advice and support while completing my Masters, he was always so generous with his feedback and time while supervising my dissertation.

A stack of short hardbacks (why do they come in some many different sizes?)

I have starting reading the absolutely brilliant The Notorious Virtues by @alwynhamilton ahead of the blog tour that starts soon with @thewritereads I am fully immersed in the world, its magic and the characters I've been introduced to so far. I can already tell I'm going to love it.

A stack of short hardbacks (why do they come in some many different sizes?)

I have starting reading the absolutely brilliant The Notorious Virtues by @alwynhamilton ahead of the blog tour that starts soon with @thewritereads I am fully immersed in the world, its magic and the characters I've been introduced to so far. I can already tell I'm going to love it.

🌳 🌸 NetGalley Review: The Garden by @thatnicholasbowling

Two sisters live alone in a walled garden, cut off from the world outside, until one day, a boy appears. Where has he come from, and what does his appearance mean for the sisters' quiet lives - and the world beyond?

The Garden was gripping from beginning to end. Moving between the present and the past, it kept me guessing throughout and I was completely drawn in by the sisters, their complex relationship and the way their isolated lives shaped them.

This was the first dystopian novel I have really enjoyed for a long time. Thank you to publishers @doubledayukbooks for letting me review this on NetGalley

🌳 🌸 NetGalley Review: The Garden by @thatnicholasbowling

Two sisters live alone in a walled garden, cut off from the world outside, until one day, a boy appears. Where has he come from, and what does his appearance mean for the sisters' quiet lives - and the world beyond?

The Garden was gripping from beginning to end. Moving between the present and the past, it kept me guessing throughout and I was completely drawn in by the sisters, their complex relationship and the way their isolated lives shaped them.

This was the first dystopian novel I have really enjoyed for a long time. Thank you to publishers @doubledayukbooks for letting me review this on NetGalley

I love the Hedgewitch series by @skyemc_kenna and this week my eldest daughter and I finished our latest bedtime story (the absolutely brilliant Daughter of Dragons by @lizziebooks17) and we've now started reading Seawitch together.

I always describe these books as Brownies for witches - there are badges to earn, weekly meetings in a local hall and patrols to complete adventures with. They're cosy and comforting, and filled with a very tangible magic.

We're only a few chapters into Seawitch but I'm already really enjoying Cassie's latest adventure.

I love the Hedgewitch series by @skyemc_kenna and this week my eldest daughter and I finished our latest bedtime story (the absolutely brilliant Daughter of Dragons by @lizziebooks17) and we've now started reading Seawitch together.

I always describe these books as Brownies for witches - there are badges to earn, weekly meetings in a local hall and patrols to complete adventures with. They're cosy and comforting, and filled with a very tangible magic.

We're only a few chapters into Seawitch but I'm already really enjoying Cassie's latest adventure.

Today I finished the first draft of the creative project for my PhD, which means I have also written my first ever adult novel.

It's messy and it's going to take a lot of work before I can submit it, but I've proven to myself that I can write it, and that's an enormous relief!

Now I'm off to eat a lot of chocolate and think about anything that isn't Bronze Age Greece for a while.

Today I finished the first draft of the creative project for my PhD, which means I have also written my first ever adult novel.

It's messy and it's going to take a lot of work before I can submit it, but I've proven to myself that I can write it, and that's an enormous relief!

Now I'm off to eat a lot of chocolate and think about anything that isn't Bronze Age Greece for a while.

❤️🖤 Red and black stack ❤️🖤

I really like how this one came out.

Alongside the brilliant and informative Deficit by Emma Holten, I'm also reading Digging Dr Jones by Olivia Jackson, which is a lot of fun so far! What's on your Monday reading list?

❤️🖤 Red and black stack ❤️🖤

I really like how this one came out.

Alongside the brilliant and informative Deficit by Emma Holten, I'm also reading Digging Dr Jones by Olivia Jackson, which is a lot of fun so far! What's on your Monday reading list?

NetGalley Review: Bad Publicity

Andie can't wait for her first day in her dream job - at least until she sees the name of the author at the top of her list is Jack Carlson, who ruined her life at university and who she is now expected to accompany on a book tour across Europe.

Set against a backdrop of European cities and brilliant bookshops, Andie and Jack will have to form a truce and find a way to work together, or risk destroying their professional reputations.

This romance novel was really fun to read. Andie's relationships with her best friend and mother were just as important as any romantic entanglement with Jack and it was nice to see her growth over the course of the novel.

NetGalley Review: Bad Publicity

Andie can't wait for her first day in her dream job - at least until she sees the name of the author at the top of her list is Jack Carlson, who ruined her life at university and who she is now expected to accompany on a book tour across Europe.

Set against a backdrop of European cities and brilliant bookshops, Andie and Jack will have to form a truce and find a way to work together, or risk destroying their professional reputations.

This romance novel was really fun to read. Andie's relationships with her best friend and mother were just as important as any romantic entanglement with Jack and it was nice to see her growth over the course of the novel.

A stack of inspirational female middle grade* authors for International Women's Day 2025

There are lots that I'm missing because the stack grew too large, but this year's theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment" and I think these authors encourage exactly that. My children have been so lucky to grow up with these wonderful stories.

*one YA book snuck in, but the author does writes middle grade as well!

A stack of inspirational female middle grade* authors for International Women's Day 2025

There are lots that I'm missing because the stack grew too large, but this year's theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment" and I think these authors encourage exactly that. My children have been so lucky to grow up with these wonderful stories.

*one YA book snuck in, but the author does writes middle grade as well!

Galadriel and Oak, the littlest leaf girl. It's a big year, because this is my eldest daughter's last World Book Day at primary school, and my youngest's first at nursery!

Extra picture of Oak because the lighting in her photo makes her hair look a lot less like the book character's than it really is! She's been telling us she "doesn't want to leave the tree" all week.

#ReadYourWay #WorldBookDay @worldbookdaysocial #LordoftheRings #TheFellowshipofthering #thelittlestleafgirl

Galadriel and Oak, the littlest leaf girl. It's a big year, because this is my eldest daughter's last World Book Day at primary school, and my youngest's first at nursery!

Extra picture of Oak because the lighting in her photo makes her hair look a lot less like the book character's than it really is! She's been telling us she "doesn't want to leave the tree" all week.

#ReadYourWay #WorldBookDay @worldbookdaysocial #LordoftheRings #TheFellowshipofthering #thelittlestleafgirl

Pink, blues and purples for a pretty mermaid stack (with appropriate underwater background) since I spent the evening making mermaid themed pancakes.

Pink, blues and purples for a pretty mermaid stack (with appropriate underwater background) since I spent the evening making mermaid themed pancakes.

NetGalley Book Review

When a forest princess and a demon become childhood friends they never expect a simple exchange of gifts to lead to war, but Zeru has given away a ring that holds the power to destroy his people and, years later, he is determined to get it back at any cost. Cassia wants to make her father proud of her by wielding her ring in battle, but no matter what she tries, she can't make it do more than glow. An unlikely alliance with Zeru might help her to uncover the secrets of the ring, but only if she can stop him from stealing it first.

The Forest King's Daughter is filled with brilliant world building and a great friends-to-enemies-to-lovers storyline. I loved Cassia and Zeru's relationship, as well as Cassia's growth over the course of the novel.

Thank you @hodderscape for letting me have an e-ARC for review

NetGalley Book Review

When a forest princess and a demon become childhood friends they never expect a simple exchange of gifts to lead to war, but Zeru has given away a ring that holds the power to destroy his people and, years later, he is determined to get it back at any cost. Cassia wants to make her father proud of her by wielding her ring in battle, but no matter what she tries, she can't make it do more than glow. An unlikely alliance with Zeru might help her to uncover the secrets of the ring, but only if she can stop him from stealing it first.

The Forest King's Daughter is filled with brilliant world building and a great friends-to-enemies-to-lovers storyline. I loved Cassia and Zeru's relationship, as well as Cassia's growth over the course of the novel.

Thank you @hodderscape for letting me have an e-ARC for review

Today's book stack features a brilliant group of new books from @littletigerbooks which I was sent for review.

I have already been reading The Tortosaurus and Mr Nortan's New Hat on repeat with my three-year-old. Both feature funny animals and sweet stories about friendship and how you should treat others.

Children in History is an absolutely brilliant look at childhood thoughout history. Split into sections like home, play, and work, it is packed with fascinating facts. I think I have enjoyed reading this as much as my children have, and we've all learnt a lot - swipe to read about a hidden, underground city!

Mission Impossib-hole is a fun green-and-black graphic novel which proved a huge hit with my eight-year-old. He read it in a single sitting and kept coming to show me his favourite jokes.

Dream Weavers: Quest to Save the Spirit World is a brilliant fantasy adventure for younger middle-grade readers, packed with fun illustrations and plenty of action.

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us these books to review!

Today's book stack features a brilliant group of new books from @littletigerbooks which I was sent for review.

I have already been reading The Tortosaurus and Mr Nortan's New Hat on repeat with my three-year-old. Both feature funny animals and sweet stories about friendship and how you should treat others.

Children in History is an absolutely brilliant look at childhood thoughout history. Split into sections like home, play, and work, it is packed with fascinating facts. I think I have enjoyed reading this as much as my children have, and we've all learnt a lot - swipe to read about a hidden, underground city!

Mission Impossib-hole is a fun green-and-black graphic novel which proved a huge hit with my eight-year-old. He read it in a single sitting and kept coming to show me his favourite jokes.

Dream Weavers: Quest to Save the Spirit World is a brilliant fantasy adventure for younger middle-grade readers, packed with fun illustrations and plenty of action.

Thank you Little Tiger for sending us these books to review!

February reading 💙

I hadn't expected there to be so many books in this graphic, especially as February was a big writing month. I managed to add 40,000 words to my PhD project and am now so, so close to having a first draft finished.

Reviews for Bad Publicity, The Garden and The Forest King's Daughter are coming in the next week or two, as these were NetGalley ARCs (and all great, but in completely different ways).

This morning I finished The Wrong Sister and made a start on Madame Sosostris & the Festival for the Broken-Hearted (which I already know I'm going to LOVE from the writing style). What are you reading this weekend?

February reading 💙

I hadn't expected there to be so many books in this graphic, especially as February was a big writing month. I managed to add 40,000 words to my PhD project and am now so, so close to having a first draft finished.

Reviews for Bad Publicity, The Garden and The Forest King's Daughter are coming in the next week or two, as these were NetGalley ARCs (and all great, but in completely different ways).

This morning I finished The Wrong Sister and made a start on Madame Sosostris & the Festival for the Broken-Hearted (which I already know I'm going to LOVE from the writing style). What are you reading this weekend?

New books (with cute sprayed edges!) from The Works. I'm looking forward to starting these over the weekend as soon as I finish The Wrong Sister.

New books (with cute sprayed edges!) from The Works. I'm looking forward to starting these over the weekend as soon as I finish The Wrong Sister.

🌈 A quick stack before I (hopefully) dodge rain showers on my way to Rainbows and Brownies this evening.

🌈 A quick stack before I (hopefully) dodge rain showers on my way to Rainbows and Brownies this evening.

Yesterday my copy of The Notorious Virtues arrived ahead of @thewritereads tour. I can't wait to start reading this one ready for my tour date! Is it on your 2025 TBR yet?

Here's the blurb:

At sixteen, Honora 'Nora' Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in Gamanix; her family controls all the money - and all the magic - in the entire country. But when her mother is found murdered in an alley, the family throne and fortune are up for grabs, which means Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the deadly Veritaz trials to determine the rightful inheritor.

But there's a surprise rival in the form of Ottoline, aka Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt, who was left with nuns as a baby. Thrown into the Veritaz, she is suddenly surrounded by a hostile family she never knew she had.

But as the Holtzfalls wage their battles of privilege, something bigger and more sinister bubbles beneath the surface, and revolution is in the air.

Incredible tests, impossible choices, and deadly odds await both girls. But there can only be one winner.

Yesterday my copy of The Notorious Virtues arrived ahead of @thewritereads tour. I can't wait to start reading this one ready for my tour date! Is it on your 2025 TBR yet?

Here's the blurb:

At sixteen, Honora 'Nora' Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in Gamanix; her family controls all the money - and all the magic - in the entire country. But when her mother is found murdered in an alley, the family throne and fortune are up for grabs, which means Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the deadly Veritaz trials to determine the rightful inheritor.

But there's a surprise rival in the form of Ottoline, aka Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt, who was left with nuns as a baby. Thrown into the Veritaz, she is suddenly surrounded by a hostile family she never knew she had.

But as the Holtzfalls wage their battles of privilege, something bigger and more sinister bubbles beneath the surface, and revolution is in the air.

Incredible tests, impossible choices, and deadly odds await both girls. But there can only be one winner.

Blue to match the skies and the temperature! 💙

I have nearly finished The Forest King's Daughter and then I need to get started on this month's book club book - The Wrong Sister - I don't usually read thrillers so it should be interesting.

Blue to match the skies and the temperature! 💙

I have nearly finished The Forest King's Daughter and then I need to get started on this month's book club book - The Wrong Sister - I don't usually read thrillers so it should be interesting.

🩷 "I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?" 🩷

This weekend I managed to see the incredible Jamie Lloyd Company production of Much Ado About Nothing, which was so fun and full of joy. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at the theatre.

🩷 "I do love nothing in the world so well as you—is not that strange?" 🩷

This weekend I managed to see the incredible Jamie Lloyd Company production of Much Ado About Nothing, which was so fun and full of joy. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much at the theatre.

Orange 🧡🍊

I finished reading The Garden yesterday, which was just incredible! Now I've started The Forest King's Daughter.

Orange 🧡🍊

I finished reading The Garden yesterday, which was just incredible! Now I've started The Forest King's Daughter.

I always come away from post grad forums with a huge list of new books, and this month's must-read was Held by Anne Michaels, who coincidentally wrote one of my very favourite children's books featuring the most adorable cast of cats and a protagonist who travels everywhere by tablecloth.

I had a copy of Held ready to go on my Kindle before the session was finished.

What was the last novel you bought immediately after it was recommended to you?

I always come away from post grad forums with a huge list of new books, and this month's must-read was Held by Anne Michaels, who coincidentally wrote one of my very favourite children's books featuring the most adorable cast of cats and a protagonist who travels everywhere by tablecloth.

I had a copy of Held ready to go on my Kindle before the session was finished.

What was the last novel you bought immediately after it was recommended to you?

A little lavender and lilac stack 💜

The sun is shining and I have over 70,000 words in my PhD project. It's not quite a first draft, but there's something written in every chapter which feels like huge progress.

I'm still reading (and loving) The Rose Bargain, but I've also started The Garden (a slightly late NetGalley review) which is intriguing so far.

What is everyone reading this week?

A little lavender and lilac stack 💜

The sun is shining and I have over 70,000 words in my PhD project. It's not quite a first draft, but there's something written in every chapter which feels like huge progress.

I'm still reading (and loving) The Rose Bargain, but I've also started The Garden (a slightly late NetGalley review) which is intriguing so far.

What is everyone reading this week?

NetGalley Review: Daughter of Chaos

I really enjoyed this unique take on a Greek mythology retelling, which blended mythical heroes and quests with an epic adventure of its own.

Missing family members, corrupt gods and a prophecy that could bring them down for good. Daughter of Chaos was filled with clever twists and non-stop action as it followed Danae on her quest to rid herself of a curse that has seen her exiled from her home on Naxos. Featuring recognisable characters such as Heracles, Atalanta and Jason grounded this novel in familiar myth while offering a story that was completely new.

I'm really intrigued to discover where this story goes next.

NetGalley Review: Daughter of Chaos

I really enjoyed this unique take on a Greek mythology retelling, which blended mythical heroes and quests with an epic adventure of its own.

Missing family members, corrupt gods and a prophecy that could bring them down for good. Daughter of Chaos was filled with clever twists and non-stop action as it followed Danae on her quest to rid herself of a curse that has seen her exiled from her home on Naxos. Featuring recognisable characters such as Heracles, Atalanta and Jason grounded this novel in familiar myth while offering a story that was completely new.

I'm really intrigued to discover where this story goes next.

🌸 A bouquet of books 🌸

This morning I finished Daughter of Chaos - a Greek mythology inspired war against the gods that was filled with dark twists and misbehaving heroes.

Next up I'm starting The Rose Bargain. What are your weekend reading plans?

🌸 A bouquet of books 🌸

This morning I finished Daughter of Chaos - a Greek mythology inspired war against the gods that was filled with dark twists and misbehaving heroes.

Next up I'm starting The Rose Bargain. What are your weekend reading plans?

🌹 The prettiest book post! These pictures really don't do justice to how stunning the Waterstones edition of The Rose Bargain is (swipe to see the sprayed edges!)

I am so excited to start reading this - it combines so many of my favourite book-things - Regency, romance and fantasy 😍 Here is the blurb:

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen. High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart, and at the centre of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything.

Is The Rose Bargain on your 2025 must-read list? Have you got a copy yet?

🌹 The prettiest book post! These pictures really don't do justice to how stunning the Waterstones edition of The Rose Bargain is (swipe to see the sprayed edges!)

I am so excited to start reading this - it combines so many of my favourite book-things - Regency, romance and fantasy 😍 Here is the blurb:

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen. High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart, and at the centre of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything.

Is The Rose Bargain on your 2025 must-read list? Have you got a copy yet?

A turquoise stack for a grey Wednesday.

Last night I stayed up late to finish Bad Publicity and now I'm trying to decide what to start reading next. Recommendations appreciated! I feel like I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment - my fault for reading Onyx Storm and Deep End too close together, the same thing happened when I read Fourth Wing and Love, Theoretically back to back! I think I need something that isn't fantasy or romance to try next.

A turquoise stack for a grey Wednesday.

Last night I stayed up late to finish Bad Publicity and now I'm trying to decide what to start reading next. Recommendations appreciated! I feel like I'm in a bit of a reading slump at the moment - my fault for reading Onyx Storm and Deep End too close together, the same thing happened when I read Fourth Wing and Love, Theoretically back to back! I think I need something that isn't fantasy or romance to try next.

Happy publication day to Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales!

I had a 'drop everything and read' moment when I was approved to review this title on NetGalley in December, and it didn't disappoint.

Emily and Wendell are two of my favourite book characters and I loved returning to Faerie with them. This was just as magical and comforting as the first two books.

When Emily and Wendell finally return to Wendell's lost kingdom, they don't expect recapturing his throne to be straightforward. But even Emily's careful research cannot prepare her for the twists that await them, not just in the form of vengeful family members, but also questions of where she fits into this new, unpredictable world. Can a mortal scholar ever hope to be accepted as a faerie queen?

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is filled with the wonder of stories, and retellings with contradictory and fanciful variations as unexpected as Faerie itself.

With deadly curses, the return of old friends (and foes) and the always brilliant footnotes, this novel cements Fawcett's crown as a queen of Faerie.

Happy publication day to Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales!

I had a 'drop everything and read' moment when I was approved to review this title on NetGalley in December, and it didn't disappoint.

Emily and Wendell are two of my favourite book characters and I loved returning to Faerie with them. This was just as magical and comforting as the first two books.

When Emily and Wendell finally return to Wendell's lost kingdom, they don't expect recapturing his throne to be straightforward. But even Emily's careful research cannot prepare her for the twists that await them, not just in the form of vengeful family members, but also questions of where she fits into this new, unpredictable world. Can a mortal scholar ever hope to be accepted as a faerie queen?

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is filled with the wonder of stories, and retellings with contradictory and fanciful variations as unexpected as Faerie itself.

With deadly curses, the return of old friends (and foes) and the always brilliant footnotes, this novel cements Fawcett's crown as a queen of Faerie.

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