Friday 31 October 2014

Opal Moonbaby Forever by Maudie Smith (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E, semi-short 'n' sweet review)

February 2014, Orion Children's, 272 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Content: sadness, bittersweet moments, tissues needed

Summary from Orion
Martha's best friend is an alien. Opal Moonbaby can move things with her eyes, make popcorn fountains, and travel all over the world in her very own spaceship. Martha can't imagine life without her.

But Opal's time on Earth is almost at an end. They have one final summer together. So why is Opal acting so strangely all of a sudden?

Nayuleska's thoughts
This is one of many books where the first book I read is the last in the series. That didn't matter because the back story was explained easily enough, and I quickly felt like I'd known Opal & co for far longer than a few chapters. 

This book is so sad! There was a continued feeling of gloom throughout the story, because Opal had to go. I felt so much for Martha who was desperate not to think about saying goodbye. When she couldn't ignore the impending farewell she tried to stop it from happening, but none of her crazy ideas worked. I wanted to hug her and explain that hopefully she'll see Opal again one day, and that there's usually something positive to take away from a person leaving your life. 

I was crying away over the end, which was made sweeter because of Garnet's surprise, which I wanted for myself! Garnet is Opal's pet, and what she does in the books is important so pay attention to her appearances! Garnet is a source of fear in the story too, just like Opal, but it all works out okay in the end.  

Find out more on Maudie's website.

Suggested read
Another friendship filled read, without the sadness and black poodles is Mariella Mystery Investigates The Spaghetti Yeti by Kate Pankhurst (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E) 

No comments: