Rhett McLaughlin & Link Neal: The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek (2019)

    Rex and Leif are forced to question everything they know about their unassuming hometown and its cherished school for delinquents (Goodreads).

    It takes some time for the first-time novelists to gain their footing, but when they do, the result is spectacular. The first few chapters are slightly convoluted and too full of establishing shots of characters, places, and backstories, but as soon as the real plot gets underway, Bleak Creek suddenly becomes home to a brilliantly crafted, eerily executed adventure, complete with all the humour one would expect from a book by these two. Being a fan of their other endeavours certainly enhances the reading experience, but without previous knowledge it is still an enjoyable story. The action builds well, and although the general plot is a little contrived, the two authors manage to keep it original and engaging. The characters certainly find their foothold in terms of development and the main antagonist gains in depth as well, with a plan that is akin to Doctor Who combined with Stephen King. The novel ends with an action-packed climax and an epilogue that thankfully does not rule out a sequel. 8.4/10

Eoin Colfer: The Fowl Twins (2019)

    This Fowl adventure is filled with the most unusual of individuals: an immortal duke, a miniature troll, a nunterrogator and a Police Specialist that's 42% elf. And of course, the Fowl twins (Goodreads).

    Not only does Colfer return to the world of Fowl in this spinoff tale, he also returns to form as he showcases just how truly mesmerizing his writing can be (no pun intended). The two leads are engaging and play well off of each other with a mix of heart and wit, and the plot is engaging throughout with Colfer's signature quippy narration. The rest of the cast isn't quite as remarkable, but they do their jobs well enough. The story differentiates itself from the original series just enough to be original, while maintaining the original charm and smarts needed in a Fowl story. Disbelief must be suspended slightly too much here, and the final climax goes on a little too long, but overall, the narration and Fowl nature of Colfer is what really shines and makes this book a worthy continuation of the original bestselling series. 8.0/10