Author Book Exchange

We asked our advertiser, Stefanie Parks, and our regular writer, Hetty Waite, to read each others' books then tell us all about them! Both are currently available to buy digitally for under £2 on Amazon!

Here's what Hetty had to say about The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor by Stefanie Parks:

Amy hasn’t spoken a word in two years, following a traumatic incident which changed her life forever. Sent to live with her estranged Aunt in Belper, she arrives on a cold, dark Halloween night, hoping to simply be left alone.

However, Meadow Hill Manor has other ideas. Drawn to the top room with butterflies decorating the glass windows, Amy discovers a mysterious secret which will lead her into a future where she can finally come to terms with her past.

This is a lovely Middle Grade book, dealing sensitively with loss from a 12 year old’s perspective. I loved the setting of Belper as the backdrop and the magic realism created as Amy uncovers the secret butterfly magic which is destined to help her heal and grow.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like…

1 Stories with a twist of fantasy

2 Themes of identity, grief and family

3 Books set in a familiar location

And here's Stefanie's summary of the Young Adult fiction, Mutate (Book 1 of The Chromosone Trilogy) by Hetty Waite:

Set in the aftermath of a future epidemic, we follow the inhabitants of Galex, a settlement trying to survive. The virus that changed their world only affects those with a Y chromosome. The problem is, it doesn’t just kill them, it also causes them to mutate. The mutations can happen at any time and turn men (known as Ys) into giant, lizard-like creatures who enjoy the taste of human flesh.

In a segregated world where women rule and surviving men are enslaved, we follow the perspective of three main characters; Cara, her sister Myla, and Brown.

Myla leads the settlement of Galex and is driven by her hatred and distrust of men. Cara has the role of ‘Protector’ and is tasked with training women in combat. She is loyal to her sister but hopes for a world with more equality. There are rumours of another settlement where people are treated equally. Things get complicated when Cara starts a relationship with Brown, an enslaved man, and her situation becomes even more precarious when she falls pregnant.

Difficult decisions need to be made. Cara and Brown hide their secret whilst making plans to escape but Myla has spies and will go to any length to keep her sister close…

Family bonds are tested in this fast-paced story which explores themes of love, loyalty and survival. This book has plenty of action to keep you turning the pages but also makes you think.

What would any of us do if we were placed in a world like Galex?

You’ll enjoy this book if you like…

1 Stories with futuristic, dystopian or sci-fi themes

2 Family tension plotlines

3 Multiple POVs (points of view)