There are a couple of absolutely awesome-looking debut middle grade novels coming out really soon. In case you’ve been living under a rock (it’s nice under there; the worms are friendly) or in case you don’t normally read middle grade, this is they. I’ve read the openings of both of them (see below for links) and they look fantastic.

The Dreamsnatcher, by Abi Elphinstone

Release date: February 26th, 2015

Goodreads Description

Twelve-year-old Molly Pecksniff wakes one night in the middle of the forest, lured there by a recurring nightmare – the one with the drums and the rattles and the masks. The Dreamsnatcher is waiting. He has already taken her dreams and now he wants her life.

Because Moll is more important than she knows… The Oracle Bones foretold that she and Gryff, a wildcat that has always been by her side, are the only ones who can fight back against the Dreamsnatcher’s dark magic. Suddenly everything is at stake, and Moll is drawn into a world full of secrets, magic and adventure.

You can read the opening of the book here.

What do I like about it?

The opening of this book is full of tangible magic, atmosphere, and action. Also, it has a cool wildcat. What more could you ask for?

Author Website | Order on Book Depository | Order on Amazon UK | Order of Amazon USA

Here’s the book trailer (I don’t normally bother with book trailers, but this one is great).

The D’Evil Diaries, by Tatum Flynn

Release date: April 2nd, 2015

Goodreads Description

A hilarious, crackling, original debut about an unlucky demon, perfect for fans of Derek Landy and Eoin Colfer.

Twelve-year-old Jinx is hopeless at being evil. Which is a bit of a problem when you’re Lucifer’s youngest son. But when Jinx runs away from Pandemonium, the walled city he’s lived in all his life, he bumps into dead girl Tommy – who’s been sent to Hell for accidentally feeding her nasty uncle to a circus lion – and unearths a conspiracy that could up-end the entire underworld.

Cue shenanigans involving carnivorous carousel horses, death-trap-riddled libraries and hungry quicksand. Now the fate of the realm rests in the hands of its most unlikely demon and a girl who shouldn’t be in Hell at all…

You can read the opening of the book here.

What do I like about it?

The D’Evil Diaries is very funny, very original and absolutely full of energy.

Author Website | Order on Book Depository | Order on Amazon UK | Order of Amazon USA