4 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank Curiosity Quills Press for providing me with a free ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
I was so thrilled to get a chance to read ‘Emma and the Silk Thieves’. Why? It is the second book in the ‘Tales of Widowswood’ series and the first one had me hooked!
Although I am pretty sure this is meant to be a YA/ NA (Young Adult/ New Adult) genre book, I just loved it for the world it weaves from the story. I loved its people, language, culture and history – very similar to our own but different enough to be exciting. So, yes, a series a young mind can happily get lost in by relating to it while also being entertained by its differences.
The story in ‘Emma and the Silk Thieves’ picks up shortly after where the first book ‘Emma and the Banderwigh’ finishes and links to it smoothly while also allowing the adventure to continue and Emma’s world to grow around us. Totally loved this.
If you have kids with spider issues… possibly not the best book to let them read at bedtime, in the dark, with those scratching noises outside… 😉 But other than that I would happily let my nearly 10 and my 12 year olds read it. I loved it, found it really does continue with the series and not just a rehash or total new thing tacked on the a series title – I hate it when you get a “series” where it really is just books with the same character that tend to chop and change personality in each book. Does not happen in ‘Emma and the Silk Thieves’. Perfect.
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes I would, no matter the reader’s age, as long as they enjoy a bit of YA/NA fantasy, this book is right for them. Just remember about the spiders, okay? I love spiders… spider lovers are good to read this. Those who freak at the smallest arachnid – read with the lights on and a good cleared two meter radius around you. 😉
Though I have to say here and now that I would strongly recommend that anyone wanting to read ‘Emma and the Silk Thieves’ read ‘Emma and the Banderwigh’ first as this is not a stand-alone book, but a true follow on of the series. And so the reader would really be missing out on some excellent writing if they skipped the first book in the series!
Would I buy this book for myself?
Absolutely. Loved the first book – except for that ending that Mr Cox then fixed up – and was really looking forward to the second in the series. Simply can’t wait for the next book in the ‘Tales of Widowswood’ series too.
In summary: An excellent follow-on in a very well written YA/NA fantasy series. We need new tales like this for our children. Highly recommend.
Until next time,
Janis.
Janis's Journal 