Wednesday 19 September 2012

Skulduggery Pleasant Kingdom of the Wicked Review and Giveaway


I love coming across something new - especially books! and was excited to be sent Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant, Kingdom of the Wicked.

This is obviously for children older than my little ones, however at 33, I have to say, I'm still a big fan of all things magic, mystical, fantasy, and make-believe - I'd rather be reading about vampires, ghosts, wizards, knights, murders and mysteries than about mushy chick lit or various shades of monotone.
Derek Landy Skulduggery Pleasant Kingdom of the Wicked - emma in bromley, giveaway, comp and review


I loved the way this was written - it was easy to define the characters - Derek portrays the vocabulary  of the teenagers perfectly! its easy to follow the dialogue of each character - there are a lot of characters in this story and I'm completely new to the series, and at no point did I find this confusing and even though I only get to read in short burst (Thanks to my small children!) I didn't lose sight of the story! It really was one I wanted to keep reading (Sorry kids, just one more cartoon while I have a 5 min read!)


I'm not sure if its just a sign of my age but I did feel that some of the content - such as actual murders was a little advanced for adolescent readers but then I remember, at this age it was all about Point Horror for me! - and now I'm a parent, murder is one of the things on that list to keep my kids sheltered from for as long as possible!

(As the story is all based on a virus which gives victims the ability to do sorcery, I don't think its anything that could ever be taken as anything other than a story!)

I think this winter, I'd quite like to catch a little bit of magic rather than the usual cold!


The Skulduggery Pleasant series is hilarious, smart, action packed and full of extraordinary characters – a riotous blend of brilliant storytelling and comic book excitement, it’s perfect reading for kids who are bored of the same old heroes. Children of 9 and up from all over the world have discovered the awesome thrills and humour of the skeleton detective and his teenage sidekick as they battle to save the world.


Kingdom of the Wicked is the seventh instalment in the biggest, funniest, most thrilling comedy-horror-adventure series in the universe - and the follow-up to 2011’s number-one bestseller, Death Bringer…


Across the land, normal people are suddenly developing wild and unstable powers. Infected by a rare strain of magic, they are unwittingly endangering their own lives and the lives of the people around them. Terrified and confused, their only hope lies with the Sanctuary. Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are needed now more than ever.


And then there's the small matter of Kitana. A normal teenage girl who, along with her normal teenage friends, becomes infected. Becomes powerful. Becomes corrupted. Wielding the magic of gods, they're set to tear the city apart unless someone stands up against them.


To celebrate the launch of the latest book (Kingdom of the Wicked) I have the whole series of Skulduggery Pleasant consisting of seven books to be won by one of my lucky readers! 


Skulduggery Pleasant can be bought on Amazon


How to Enter
All you have to do is leave a comment below naming another Derek Landy book (there are lots to choose from!) and a way for me to contact you if you win! (twitter id or email addy etc) 
One reader will win one set of 7 Skulduggery Pleasant books, sent out directly from the lovely PR lady.

UK entries only please.

Winners selected using random.org, please reply with your details with 7days of winning or another winner will be selected.

Bonus entries:
Tweet a link to the comp including @beachpebble
Like "Emma in Bromley" Facebook page
Pin the comp on pinterest
Google + this post
Follow me on GFC
Please leave a separate comment below for each of your bonus entries (max 1 for each method)

Comp closes at 12noon on Wednesday 26th September! 


Emma in Bromley xx

Monday 17 September 2012

Jungle Junction Race Launcher Playset Review

I think you've probably guessed that we are fans of the Jungle Junction playsets in our house and we were sent the brand new Race Launcher playset to review. 

This takes a little bit of time setting up when you first open the box - there's a bit of construction to do and a bit of stickering! 
jungle junction race launcher playset - emma in bromley
Again, another hand powered toy (No batteries needed!) the aim of the race set is to pop a character (Elyvan and crocker come with the set - but characters form other sets can play too!) onto the starting blocks and when the bell rings, you flick the launcher handles to make your character whizz down the slides! 

Lots of humps and bumps to fly over and crocker rolls down on a skate- leaf! 

Easily dismantles for storage when its not being played with. 

Blake aged 3 enjoyed this, and so did I! - I guess because it's a race toy- it really is a two player game! my only issue with this playset was that the track is made up of quite a few pieces and came apart easily in normal play which for a 3 year old is a bit frustrating - also, Maegan aged 1 found it simple to reach out and pinch a bit of the track and torment her brother! 

We did enjoy this toy but have to say we had more fun with the Taxicrab boat which I have also reviewed.

I love that all the Jungle Junction playsets are compatible which means other characters can race too!

Jungle Junction is a Disney BAFTA nominated pre-school cartoon series which Blake is a fan of.

RRP £24.99 

Emma in Bromley xx

Jungle Junction Taxicrab Boat Playset Review

We are very lucky in our house, we often get fab things to review and I'm exited to share with you this review!

We were sent two new Jungle Junction Playsets to review.

The Taxicrab boat is great fun - Blake, aged 3 absolutely loves this!

The boat is a 3year old boys, dream! Brightly coloured "pirate ship" which includes some awesome features!

jungle junction taxivrab boat playset - emma in bromleyThere's a retractable plank which you can actually use to ping Taxicrab high into the air! We actually had this out for testing while I was watching the Olympic Diving - Blake loved getting Taxicrab to dive instead of walk the plank!

The leafy roof can unclip - this is very handy for playtime as it means little hands can easily play - this is important for Cap'n Taxicrab to sail the boat! We clip the leafy roof back on for when its hideout time!

As Taxicrab has wheels instead of legs, the boat is fully wheel accessible! There's a ramp to whizz below deck and a lift to climb up the tower - this is a hand powered lift which means this is a fab batteries-free toy (and great for developing fine motor skills)!

The whole boat is on wheels which makes for plain sailing on the "living room carpet" ocean or the great river of "wooden kitchen floor"

All the Jungle Junction playsets are compatible so Taxicrab sometimes has shipmates on deck!

There isn't any problems at all with this fab toy - except Blake found it hard to understand why he couldn't take the boat with us to the park and launch it into the duck pond!

Jungle Junction is a great Disney BAFTA nominated pre-school cartoon series which Blake is a fan of - but in all honesty, I don't think you need to know what jungle junction is to really enjoy this boat  playset- we love it!

RRP of £29.99

I also reviewed the Race Launcher Playset too.

Emma in Bromley xx