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Reader reviews roundup

Matters of romance, fantasy and comedy were among the topics included in this week's roundup
A bunch of red roses
Photograph: © Josh Westrich/zefa/Corbis

Romance seemed to be a popular theme in this week's top reads. The BookAddictedGirl wrote a riveting review of The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo. This novel is a fantasy romance in which an orphan discovers she has a power key to saving her fated kingdom!

"This book just sucked me in, and with such an epic, addictive plot, I couldn't put it down! It was fast paced and twisty and rich – it even made the girl-finds-she-has-hidden-powers, love-triangle thing look new and exciting! Oh how I loved the plot! And, quite frankly, I need the next book!... It may sound like cookie-cutter love triangle from the blurb, but it's so much more. With a girl with a hidden gift - and not so hidden snark - one mysterious dark prince, one long-time best friend and a world to beat all others, The Gathering Dark was an addictive, beautiful, fantastical and so very human for a fantasy."

Likewise, dewdrop sent in a brilliant review of Matched by Ally Condie. In this romance novel, teenagers have to decide on their seventeenth birthday whether they wish to remain single or be matched to a partner by society.

"It is the kind of story that makes you wonder what life would be like if you were matched with people instead of choosing. Given a job instead of choosing. Given the day you will die instead of letting fate decide... There were moments where I doubted this book and the ending wasn't up to the same standard as the rest of the book. But in the end it was a very good read. I will be excited to read the next book in the series."

Meanwhile, ChristopherW wrote a fantastic review of Blart: The Boy who Didn't Want to Save the World by Dominic Barker. Blart is an unlikely hero who is forced to embark on a quest to stop the evil Zoltab from destroying the world:

"Blart really really doesn't want to go!... My favourite characters in this book were Capablanca the wizard and Beowolf the warrior. I thought the wizard was the most sensible of the group which is why I liked him. I liked Beowolf because he keeps threatening to slice Blart in two if he doesn't do what the wizard says... I liked this book best because the hero wasn't really a hero at all... I thought this story was brilliant: it's one of the best and funniest books I've ever read."

For all you History-Heads, Gabs wrote a marvellous review of The History Keepers: Circus Maximus by Damian Dibben. In this novel, the History Keepers must travel to ancient Rome in pursuit of Atomium – the crucial element which allows them to travel through time:

"The front cover of this book features the main character holding a Roman sword. It suggests danger and adventure, which is exactly what this story is all about... This is the second book in the History Keepers series. In this story, Jake heads back in time to Ancient Rome to retrieve a stolen time-travelling potion... It is very exciting and dramatic, like the rest of the book which is full of adventure and danger... I really enjoyed reading this book."

If you're looking for something giggle-worthy, take a look at Cherrybomb's delightful review of Darcy Burdock by Laura Dockrill. This book is about an 11-year old girl who keeps a book of stories which gets stolen by the school bully:

"It's so hilarious that, whilst I was reading it on the tube, I stuffed my sleeve in my mouth to stop myself from laughing so much or people would think I was a little strange... There is no option. You MUST read this book. It is brilliant."

Similarly, reader Lilybelle wrote a superb review of Penny Dreadful is a Magnet For Disaster by Joanna Nadin. Penny is a girl described as a magnet for disaster – this book contains three hilarious stories of her mishaps.

"I loved this book and its style, I laughed all the way through. Most of the funny bits are written in quite a subtle way and it makes the story even more hilarious... The illustrations by Jess Mikhail are fabulous. I REALLY enjoyed the book!"

And that concludes this week's roundup. Thanks for all your terrific reviews, as always - if any of your reviews were mentioned drop us a line at guardianchildrensbooks@gmail.com and we'll send you something special from our cupboards.

We hope you enjoyed this week's readers review roundup. Happy reviewing!

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Children's books weekly archives

Apr 2013
M T W T F S S

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