If you're looking for something kid friendly but also on the spooky side, then look no further than the town of (Ch)Eerie-on-Sea. Follow Herbert Lemon and the mysterious Violet Parma on their adventure to uncover the secret of the Malamander, a fierce sea creature terrorising the town. I very much enjoyed this book, loved the twists and turns (plus the great character names) and I'm very excited to read the other books in the series!

This book was a total cover buy; sure it sounded pretty good, but I saw it and I needed it on my bookshelf. That said... Oh. My. Goodness. I have found a new favourite middle grade book! Malamander is the first book in a long time that I have literally devoured; I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting! I think that I just loved the whole setting of Eerie-on-Sea, the characters, the attention to detail and yet so easy to get lost in style of writing.  Fun fact - Thomas Taylor is the artist behind the original Harry Potter illustrations. With Malamander, he shows that not only is he a dab hand at art, but also at crafting an incredible world full of mystery and intrigue. Herbert Lemon makes for a brilliant narrator; it's fun and gripping, and the atmosphere created throughout the book really makes you feel as though you're there in the story!  I'm quite happy with this review just being a gushy length of text saying how much I loved the book! There are so many twists and turns, and this book really is an experience that I'd hate to even spoil one part of; it's truly special! My advice is to get yourself a copy as soon as possible, admire the cover, check out the map of Eerie-on-Sea and then settle down for one of the best reads of this year. On a side note, I've now decided that I'd like to work in the Eerie Book Dispensary; I mean, I have a qualification as a dispenser...and I love books...the job's pretty much mine.

Violet Parma stumbles through the window of the lost and found department at the Grand Nautilus Hotel in Eerie-On-Sea where Herbert Lemon is working. She tells Herbert he needs to hide her and fast. Soon afterward the manager of the hotel, Mr. Mollusc arrives with an old man who has a boat hook for a hand. He wants to know where Violet is, but Herbert tells them he hasn’t seen any girl. When the pair leave Herbert wants to know who Violet is and why she crashed into his lost and found department. She tells him she needs his help as she is lost. Her parents vanished twelve years ago leaving her in one of the rooms of the hotel. All that was left of them were their shoes on the harbour wall and she has come back to find them. It is believed they went looking for the mysterious and legendary Malamander, a vicious sea monster that is said to swim in the sea and lay a magical egg that can make your wishes come true. What actually happened that fateful night, no-one knows. Malamander is an exciting middle-grade/YA book that is filled to the brim with adventure. When I first began reading the book I thought that it was set back in time, somewhere around the Victorian era, it’s only when Herbert mentions Pokemon cards that I suddenly realised that it was actually set in the present. Each of the characters has been given a great name and they all are unique and bring so much to the plot from the not-quite-so-nice Mr. Eels, to Mrs. Hanniver who runs the Eerie Book Dispensary where you don’t choose the books, they choose you via the help of the mechanical mermonkey. The whole town has the perfect name as it is so eerie, the place is freezing and the mist is so thick most of the time you can’t even see your own hand in front of your face, never mind a sea monster coming towards you! I can see this book being a big hit this year as there is so much happening throughout and the plot and the characters are exceptionally enjoyable to spend your time with. It is also the first in a planned series so I now can’t wait to see what adventures Violet and Herbert get up to in the next two books.

'malamander" by Thomas Taylor is a page gripping novel. The story is set at Erie on sea where Herbert lemon is the official lost and founder at the Grand Nautilus Hotel. One day whilst "lost and finding" Herbie is surprised by a girl crashing into his room and crying "hide me!'. This story is absolutely brilliant! 10 out of 10 would recommend to anyone who loves an adventurous tale with lost of humour.

A brilliant gothic mystery adventure for fans of The Storm Keeper's Island! The names of the characters truly capture their personalities as well as being named after sweets like our leading protagonists Herbert "Herbie" Lemon and Violet Parma. The misty Eerie-on-Sea gives the ghostly gothic feel to the novel! A brilliant 9-12 novel for anyone who likes adventure, mystery and a bit of magic! Would highly recommend!