Acquired Book By: I started hosting blog tours with The Write Reads in 2020 and prior to hosting with Dave (who runs the tours and has built an incredible community of the socially bookish behind it) I was following their feeds via Twitter. I took an unexpected hiatus from hosting their tours until this Summer, 2024 wherein I reconnected with Dave and started to get back into the tours as they were available to join. I love finding new Independent publishers as much as I love finding new niches of fiction and Non-Fiction alike in which to absorb a story or style of narrative I haven’t yet come across and through hosting for The Write Reads I am finding my journey of discovery is regularly heightened to travel into new spheres of where story can take us all.
I received a complimentary copy of “Skyfleet” from the author Victoria Williamson in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
I am wicked thrilled to say, I have a lovely new release to share during #SciFiMonth this year which tackles a subject in clear view of a category of stories that befits the idea of ‘outside my comfort zones’ as it involves BUGS. I foolishly thought the bugs were altered bugs or alien bugs or some kind of bug I’ve NEVER heard of previously – never in my life did I once think that the ‘mutabugs’ in the story were actually mutated *cockroaches!* (shudders) I’m not sure about you – but for me personally? Next to spiders, those are my least favourite bug to encounter! Ick.
I felt this was also a keenly insightful story which can resonate with readers who are also interested in Cli-Fi and Environmental stories in Science Fiction. As even though the climate of this world was suddenly altered through radiation, the radiation itself stole the natural environment of its own kind of harmonic cycles of life. As described by Williamson in the story as altering the life of the plants and insects – I oft wondered if other aspects of this world were also keenly altered by the crash and the aftereffects of having that kind of radioactive presence so volatile and near communities where settlers were resettling? Those were the kinds of thoughts running through my mind as I first entered the story and was eager to see where Williamson would take the story. Would she address those other concerns or just focus on the mutabugs?
This novel arrived with a full ‘reader’s kit’ by the author – who graced us with our own miniature plane, set of non-radiated seeds (as food in this world is scarce since the meteor strike!) and a whole bunch of lovely surprises! Mind you, I could have survived without finding the little bag of ‘bugs’ included by I understood why they were present. I’m just not a ‘bug kind of gal’ and that little bag was hiding in the kit so when I pulled it out – I admit, it gave me half a fright!
Being a part of this blog tour was a blast – I look forward to sharing photos of what I received on my #bookstagram feeds as I share this review socially. I truly appreciate the time and energy the author put into giving us all a wicked good #bookpost in celebration of the book’s release and of spending time tucked into her story. If you know of a reader who loves bugs and planes and children who have the courage to stand up to adults – this is definitely a story, you’ll want them to read!
As you’ll find on my review below – it was a wicked good read and one that you can easily do in one sitting as the story is fast paced and has an ending that you’ll have to read to believe!
Skyfleet
Subtitle: March of the Mutabugs
by Victoria Williamson
Source: Author via The Write Reads
When the skies turn deadly, a young heroine must rise from the ashes...
Twelve-year-old Amberley Jain has faced incredible challenges since the crash that took her parents and paralysed her legs. Now, with her best friend Ricardo Lopez about to be sent away and a swarm of mutated insects closing in on the Skyfleet base, the stakes have never been higher. Something monstrous is driving the mutabugs north from the contaminated meteor site known as the Cauldron, and the only plane capable of stopping it - the Firehawk - lies in pieces in the hangar.
Determined to honour her parents' legacy, Amberley hatches a daring plan. With Ricardo's help, they stow away on a supply train, trading his most treasured possession for the parts needed to repair the Firehawk. After secret test flights, the legendary jet is ready for action. Now, Amberley and Ricardo must confront the deadly swarm and save their home, discovering their inner strength and the true meaning of friendship along the way.
Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs is a thrilling tale of adventure and resilience, perfect for middle-grade readers.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-1837917044
Published by Tiny Tree Books
on 24th October, 2024
Format: Paperback Edition
Pages: 198
Published by: Tiny Tree Books (@tinytreebooks) via Insta
an imprint of Andrews UK Limited
Available Formats: Paperback and Ebook
Converse via: #MGLit, #MiddleGrade
as well as #TheWriteReads & #Skyfleet and #SciFiMonth
About Victoria Williamson
Victoria Williamson grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and has worked as an educator in a number of different countries, including as an English teacher in China, a secondary science teacher in Cameroon, and a teacher trainer in Malawi.
As well as degrees in Physics and Mandarin Chinese, she has completed a Masters degree in Special Needs in Education. In the UK she works as a primary school special needs teacher, working with children with a range of additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities and behavioural problems.
She is currently working as a full-time writer of Middle Grade and YA contemporary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, with a focus on creating diverse characters reflecting the many cultural backgrounds and special needs of the children she has worked with and building inclusive worlds where all children can see a reflection of themselves in heroic roles.
Victoria’s experiences teaching young children in a school with many families seeking asylum inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of redemption and unlikely friendship between Glaswegian bully Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.
