ARC Book Review: For Emily.

Do you read book dedications? I do, always, and quite often they make me wonder about that person, especially if it’s just one name or an initial.

It seems to be something Katherine Slee has also pondered, given that her debut, For Emily, centres around a series of cryptic dedications in children’s books written by the title character’s beloved grandmother.

It’s quite a complex story, weaving several plot lines into one, but it is all brought together beautifully.

Here’s the blurb:

When the country’s favourite children’s author dies, her only granddaughter Emily discovers a coded dedication in her first book.

And then another in her second; and another – every one apparently written just for Emily, and each a clue that will lead her on a bigger quest in search of her grandmother’s much rumoured final manuscript.

An elective mute and recluse, if Emily ever hopes to find it she must take a leap into the unknown. All she needs is a little dedication . . .

I really liked the way bruised but brave Emily was written, with just a hint of magic about her. I also enjoyed learning more about her grandmother and the whimsical stories she wrote, which Emily illustrated. I wouldn’t have minded reading them.

There were some points I would have liked to have seen developed and explored more, such as her past relationship with her travel companion (no spoilers) but overall, it is clever, engaging and face-paced.

Format: Kindle (out September 5th).

Price: £7.99 (via Amazon).

My rating: Four stars.

With thanks to Orion (via Netgalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.