Erin the Literary Cat : book review

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Sunday, 26 April 2026

VAMPIRE EMPIRE: RED TIDE.

Written by Curtis Jobling

The three main characters of this viking & Vampire adventure feature on the cover, with Hilde largest of all. She stands behind her shield with a silver blade in her right hand. The book's title is in yellow-gold on the red/brown shield. To the left and right stand Cormac and Aidan, one with a hammer and the other a butcher's cleaver. The background is made up of Viking undead warriors at the bottom centre, with their long boat top left and a burning village top right. There is a muted gold knot-work line around the inner edge. The whole cover has a muted, eerie colour palette, save a deep (blood) red along the very bottom edge.

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my latest Book Review featuring this week an amazing first part to a Viking, Pictish and Vampire YA duology.

Without further ado, and with my trusty housekeeper, Mrs H, brandishing a silver blade, lets get this boat in the water.....

AUTHOR: Curtis Jobling

Cover Illustrations by: Gavin Reece

Published by: Fox & Ink Books

Publication date Paperback: 7 May 2026

Paperback 13 digit ISBN: 978 191 789 4050

UK Cover price for Paperback: £8.99

Amazon KINDLE price: £3.99

Pages: 319 in paperback (excludes glossary etc.)

Age range: YA and above

Content warning: As this is a YA adventure, it has some scenes that show vampire actions, as well as vampire and Viking violence, threat, and the results there of. Given the nature of such things, we would not recommend this for younger readers, or those that dislike such themed books.

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters.

Thank you to...

We are exceedingly grateful to the Publishers FOX & INK BOOKS and Graeme Williams Publicity for offering us a chance to Read & Review this AMAZING story.

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, received as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review.

First and foremost, the books we review are those we select to read, like, and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their family, friends and students will enjoy.

The plot

The place is the island of Unst, part of the Shetland Isles. The year is 900 AD.

On Unst, the once fierce Viking warrior 'shieldmaiden', Frida Blackheart, is now the Jarl (a status like an earl, and a king's representative) of the island. The Vikings and Picts now live in harmony and relative peace together as farmers. Frida's daughter, Hilde, who has just become a woman after fifteen winters, is much like her mother: proud, strong for her age and sex, and not above a fight if provoked. And she often is, by the butcher's son, Aidan, the biggest boy in the village. It is after one such fight, goaded by Aidan, that Hilde lets rip and, in a red mist of rage, nearly kills the lad. At a village gathering for a feast in the Jarl's lodge later that day, in front of her mother, Hilde is forced to apologise.

But Hilde has a friend in Cormac, the blacksmith's son. He is of her age, and whilst a pict like Aidan, he does not hold Aiden or Aidan's father's dislike for Vikings.

It is at that very same feast that a man appears and seeks to reintroduce himself to Frida. His name is Hydyr; later, we'll see him revealed as Hydyr the Hungry. It is an appearance and conversation that leaves Frida cold and unusually scared in her own house. And rightly so, as he is a former Viking crew member when she, as the crew's captain, sailed the oceans, fighting and pillaging as they went. It was a time she turned her back on, and for a very good reason. They had raided a sacred treasure trove and killed all the guardians thereof. And before he was slain, the priest there cursed them to a non-life; never dying or able to be killed. They quickly discover that eating normal humans was the best way to get the sustenance they need to quell the thirst. They all, including Frida, became the Harrowed Men.

But wanting a better life for her yet unborn child, she abandoned them and arrived at Unst. And that she thought was the end of it. Until now.

Hydyr wasn't just passing by and there peacefully just to say hello as he claims. He has come for something very special that was taken from him, and to reclaim his partner and one-time captain. He now captains the Harrowed Men, but he has ceased to be like them. He has been bitten by Hastur, King of the Vampires, and in turn has become one. To survive, he just needs blood and to stay out of the light.

Soon after his arrival, the village is sacked and the inhabitants slain, or worse, taken captive to be treated as livestock – food for the men on the journey home.

Cormac, who was not at the feast, was spared the worst of the fight, as were Aidan and Hilde, but for different reasons and circumstances. In the aftermath, Cormac finds himself on board the Harrowed Men's ship, a captive, but not yet food as Hydyr says he has skills and worth to him. Just so long as he behaves....

With Frida held captive on the boat also, weakened by injuries but not taking the flesh or blood she prefers to food to help herself heal, her fate is one she hopes will be of her own making. Going back to the blood lust of the old days is not now an option for her.

Hilde, Aidan, and an elderly hermit boat maker have survived the sacking of the village, but only just. And as all good heroes-in-the-making must, they start a journey to rescue Frida as well as Cormac. As well as seek justice along the way.

With the initially unwilling talking head of one of the Harrowed Men as a guide – his body having been left in the sacking of the village, they set off on the first half of an adventure that has seen the best, most dramatic and pacy, heart-racing set of scenes we can recall for a long time.

What and who they come across, the delightful twists and nuances along the way, we have deliberately left out, as that is essentially what drives their half of the story.

Which means it is time to say that is where I must leave the review. Rest assured, I have not given too much away.

So, what did we think? Spoilers here!

This is the second book by Curtis Jobling that Mrs H and I have read together for review, and neither has let us down. The author has written many more books, all to good reviews, so we are encouraged to read on through upcoming new releases without fear of being let down.

It is fair to say that Mr Jobling has very much his own voice and an undoubted talent for world-building like the very best and well-known storytellers. And he can do it across genres and for different audiences. Please see our review HERE of WYRDWOOD by Curtis Jobling, or use the link below to find out more about his other literary works, and background in writing, movies and television.

Vampire stories have, since watching the movie Salem's Lot (by Stephen King and featuring David Soul), given me a gross dislike for horror movies in general, and the vampire genre specifically, be it in the movies, on television, or in book form.

Comparing movies to books is, some would say, foolhardy or impossible, as the film usually bears scant resemblance to the book. So, taking the book as the true form and intent of the writer, we rely on dipping our toes in to check things out.

This tale works for us because of the different backgrounds and imperatives for the three protagonists, four if you include Frida. Then there is the partly factual historical background, and the true setting. Of course, these are crucial to any good read, but especially if it is for a younger, more demanding audience.

Without going overboard, this has a sensually stunning yet subtle backdrop that feels as redolent of the period as any period drama, without burdening the reader with facts, figures and fashions. For instance, the sacrifice at the very beginning is bold, yet completed with a reverence relevant to the act and what it meant. A stark contrast to what will come, and undoubtedly a way to provide a reference point for time and place. For info on names and meanings, there is an appendix, and very handy it is too for those who want a little more depth.

Splitting our protagonists up from early on and assigning/titling each chapter to a character was a stroke of genius. I thought this might spoil the flow, segment it up too much, but it actually added to the tension as the multiple threads to the first half draw closer together in one way or another, come the closing chapters.

The reader isn't short of action or adventure to enjoy along the way, and twists and turns come regularly as the timelines develop.

This is not a teen-only based adventure, far from it. The three main protagonists may be teens, but from the start, we inhabit a world of adults. Indeed, we must remember that the line between child and adult at this time was so blurred, and childhood and innocence a luxury. All adds to making the story even more compelling.

Finally, there are undercurrents in this book about friendships and acceptance, about loyalty to old ways and new, gods and demons– both within and without.

All interesting things if you care to dig deeper yourself, and or have the conversation with readers old and young. But that is pleasingly left below the surface and not the overriding reason for this adventure.

To say we are keen to read the sequel and the concluding part is an understatement. 2028 is slated for the release, and it really will take too long to arrive, but we both feel it will be satisfying when it does.

And to slake our own literary hunger in the meantime, and for those of you who enjoyed 'Wyrdwood', the sequel entitled 'Greenteeth' will be released in 2027! That is one we are very keen to Read and Review!

So . . . .

Crunch time.

The author has created an enthralling story that immerses the reader in the everyday and sometimes bloody world of Vikings and Pictish Britain from the off. It is penned with passion, creating drama and adventure that is sure to enthral the upper YA reader and adult alike.

AUTHOR: Curtis Jobling. Click here for their web page.

Illustrations by: Gavin Reece. Click here for their Instagram page.

Published by: Fox & Ink Books. Click here for their web page.

SUNDAY SELFIE TIME

Sunday needs a selfie, so here is ours. Certainly, if you have finished your Sunday breakfast and lunch, may well be in need of a nap, just like me!

Close up of Erin lying curled up facing the right. Her two hands, and one of her feet, touch whilst the other foot lays lower down, so both form a scissor-like image. She is asleep on a minty green fleece bedspread.

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this sentence to visit Janet Blue's site. Or copy and paste this link: https://thecatonmyhead.com/

Small image. The Cat on My Head Sunday Selfies Blog Hop badge. Features a yellow-haired lady with a tuxedo cat on her head.

Till Laters!

ERin & Mrs H.

Sunday, 22 February 2026

Sunday Selfie and a new fun gift....

Hello, and welcome to our latest selfie Sunday!

I really wish I could report that the weather held less of the wet stuff, but sadly it has remained windy, wet, and decidedly boring.

No new physical books read, but we have been steaming through MC Beaton's Agatha Raisin series. If you are not familiar with the series, MC Beaton, who is sadly no longer with us, was a prolific writer of murder mysteries, and has been dubbed the queen of the village murder mystery series and genre. She was prolific, and had a style that pleased across all her separate character lead series, which included Hamish Macbeth.

Easy going at times, the audio books have a beautifully narrated flow, and nice twisty turny plots that never fail to please, despite their being familiar long running themes and backdrops throughout the 30 plus books in each series.

One surprise this week, was the arrival of a gift from ol' Ned, the gardener. "Something that would raise a smile on any guests that visit the manor house", he said.

Mrs H and I couldn't help but laugh, her more than I to be honest, but I did see the bright side and think this is a lovely gift for cat lovers who will undoubtedly have experienced the situation too.

There are quite a few on Amazon, if you do a search for cat bathroom signs, so if it takes your fancy there are plenty of shapes and images to choose from.

And now a picture selfie of me. I may or may not be upside down, but I definitely am not in the bathroom or loo!

Whatever rooms today finds you in, we wish you all a happy and hopefully dry and warm week.

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. Click this sentence to visit Janet Blue's site.

Till Laters!

ERin & Mrs H.

Sunday, 30 November 2025

I AM REBEL

Written by Ross Montgomery

Small copy of book cover. The cover, done in a painted fashion, shows the head and shoulders of a dog, Rebel, who is the central character in this story. He has typical flopped over triangular ears, and brown eyes. He occupies the middle bottom three fifths of the page. His fur is blend of is a blend of light and dark browns. Around his neck is a red neckerchief. His head points to his right. Behind him to neck height is a mountain range in dark brown, purples and black. Above that is a sunset/sunrise of white and yellow set above the mountains and below a pale blue and dark cloud scattered sky. The title "I AM REBEL is given a white paint brush effect, that because of the way the cover is embossed from behind, raises it and gives an almost 3D appeal. Rebel the dog, and the authors name along the bottom of the page, are also raised and textured. To the right hand side at shoulder height there seems to be a structure burning, and a red/purple smoke can be seen palling into the sky and off the cover.

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my latest Book Review featuring this week a Adventure in Middle Grade Fiction.

Without further ado, and with my trusty housekeeper, Mrs H, settled in beside the fire with a box of tissues and glass of sherry, lets get this adventure under way . . .

Large copy of book cover. The cover, done in a painted fashion, shows the head and shoulders of a dog, Rebel, who is the central character in this story. He has typical flopped over triangular ears, and brown eyes. He occupies the middle bottom three fifths of the page. His fur is blend of is a blend of light and dark browns. Around his neck is a red neckerchief. His head points to his right. Behind him to neck height is a mountain range in dark brown, purples and black. Above that is a sunset/sunrise of white and yellow set above the mountains and below a pale blue and dark cloud scattered sky. The title "I AM REBEL is given a white paint brush effect, that because of the way the cover is embossed from behind, raises it and gives an almost 3D appeal. Rebel the dog, and the authors name along the bottom of the page, are also raised and textured. To the right hand side at shoulder height there seems to be a structure burning, and a red/purple smoke can be seen palling into the sky and off the cover.

AUTHOR: Ross Montgomery (Web page LINK click here.)

Illustrations by: Keith Robinson (Web page LINK click here.)

Published by: Walker Books (Web page LINK click here.)

Publication date Paperback: June 2024. OUT NOW

Paperback 13 digit ISBN: 978-152 950 2909

Paperback price on Amazon at time of posting: £7.35

UK Cover price for Paperback: £7.99

Amazon KINDLE price: £3.49

Audible available? YES, one credit.

Pages: 298

Age range: 8+

Any dogs or cats? Yes, both, and more. And much there is about life they do impart.

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters.

Thank you to...

I am exceedingly grateful to Mrs Hudson for treating me from her pension so we can share this amazing canine story.

The plot

12-year-old Tom lives with his mum and dad on their sheep farm. It is a summer dawn, and Tom’s dog, Rebel, awakes beside his friend and, though he does not think of it that way, master. Life is good, and Rebel knows the day will be good, like all the days before since Tom rescued Rebel from the snow as a puppy.

Tom has never been beyond the nearby small town of Connick. He longs to travel and to climb the big nearby mountain and see the sights he has heard about. Tom sketches a lot with his charcoal and loves to do sketches of Rebel. They play and do all the things a dog and his boy do, games of stick and having tummies tickled. Rebel is a good dog and appreciates how lucky he is.

Later that same day, up in the top pasture tending the sheep, Tom spots the king’s guards patrolling the road. Villagers and farmers need permits to travel to market, to anywhere. The king has decreed that if they don’t pay the high taxes, they will have their permits to use the road removed. No permit or travel means no selling of livestock to earn the money to pay the high taxes. And so a downward spiral is created that sees the farmers turned out of their homes, their land salted, and buildings burned. They patrol at night and punish all who break the curfew, or speak against the new king. He wants it all, and lives on the other side of the mountain in a tall palace.

Then one day everything changes, and Rebel’s life becomes so different, unpredictable and dangerous.

Rebel awakes to raised voices in the kitchen below: two guardsmen have arrived and are demanding double taxes. Things get heated, and Tom shouts at the guards, who then smash his mother’s fine china set as they leave. They pass on a warning that the king is after a stranger to the parts, a man dressed in wolf skins. Anyone found harbouring him will be shot.

The huge injustice of it all and his dad’s acceptance of it, drives a wedge between Tom and his father that continues the next day. Tom is for action, but his father says they are farmers, not fighters. Up in the top pasture, a man dressed in wolf skin startles Tom and Rebel. Tom listens to what he has to say, and decides that he will join the revolutionaries, called the Reds, who wear a red neckerchief.

Now Rebel really does not trust the man, who goes by the name of Rider. Tom, however, is not afraid and goes off with him to a meeting of like-minded people. Rebel is a good dog and obeys his master despite his misgivings. Tom returns later, and far later than his parents would wish, and about his person his father spots a red neckerchief. The ensuing argument seems to have been resolved the following morning when Tom apologises for thinking of joining the Reds, and says he has burnt the neckerchief. Rebel is elated; life will once more be perfect.

But when Tom returns to tend the sheep that day, he orders Rebel to stay and not follow him as he ventures to join the gathering storm and uprising to topple the corrupt king. Before he leaves, he ties the red neckerchief around Rebel's neck.

So begins the true story of how Rebel learns he needs to break his master’s command and follow Tom’s trail before it disappears, no matter where it takes him. All so he can rescue his friend and keep him safe.

Pretty much everything that you could throw at a terrier happens in the ensuing tale. It is one of discovering his own inner dog, the truth and sometimes horrible and conflicting choices friendship and duty bring, and the hardships and brutality of war. Mix in also the uncertainty of what to do, who to trust and a need to get to Tom before war does, and you have a powerful combination. If I tell you more, where would the fun be in discovering an exceptional, heart-stopping and emotional story?

So, what did we think? Spoiler alert!

Very much like the storytelling in ‘Small Wonder’, the latest middle grade story by Ross Montgomery, I Am Rebel is incredibly well written. It is the distillation and concentration of an emotional, heart-tugging, action adventure.

I was totally locked in to this from early on, and would have read it from cover to cover given the opportunity, but other things got in the way. It wasn’t until Mrs H and I hit the home straight that we had the opportunity to read on to the end. I have to say it tugged at the heartstrings, and even Mrs H had the handkerchief out a few times and had to take a break.

It would be fair to say that every Lassie movie, and every dog and doggedly determined (and that is a most apt turn of phrase) that has hit the big and small screen since, carries an element of the magic in this tale, as this does of those. Whilst it is unfair to compare different entertainment formats, this is the most rounded, most vivid, and accomplished adventure to date.

The characters are well defined, lovable, and also easily disliked. There are challenges for the young Tom, confrontations, and decisions to be made and risks, mostly unknown, to endure.

Rebel’s journey is much the same, arguably much worse and with unique challenges. Though Mrs H said that, if you look closely, you can see Rebel and Tom’s journeys are actually very similar. Tom heads off with the wild and rough stranger, Rider, and Rebel journeys with Jaxon, a dog of the wilds and no master. Seeing through Rebel’s eyes, achieved very well by the author who clearly knows canines, as well as cats, made this an exceptionally involving tale.

The cover is very tactile. The title is raised from the page and seems very much a thick white paint has been used. Rebel, too, is embossed and adds an extra sense and dimension to the already wonderful work from the artist, Keith Robinson. Do click the link to his website to enjoy some more of his brilliant book-size art masterpieces.

We both found there was a brief statement made periodically through the adventure that spoiled the flow of things for us slightly by dropping us out of our stride, engrossment, and investment in the characters. Maybe you will spot this or read through and not notice it at all. That said, this does not diminish the drama, the emotional ending, or the huge amount of glee we got from journeying along with Rebel and Jaxon in this tale.

Whilst Tom’s part in this journey is technically rather small, it provides a lot of motivation and action opportunities. What we can draw from this tale, as an aside, is maybe how dogs and masters trust each other. This, at the end of the day, is a tale, but brave dogs have existed throughout time and endured many hardships alongside humans. In its own way, this tale is a tribute to them all.

Also, if you wish to analyse these things, the meaning of the red neckerchief that Rebel wears, could be a symbol of belonging as well as belonging to another; of servant and servitude, as well as liberation. It is an interesting thought to conclude this review, and one that we will ponder for a while yet.

Crunch time.

A most worthy wearer of the crowning title of Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2024. And an amazing treat for animal adventure readers of any age who enjoy a well-crafted tale.

As a holiday season is almost upon us, I can recommend ‘I Am Rebel’ as well as ‘Small Wonder’ as perfect gift ideas. Click HERE, to read our review of SMALL WONDER.

Against a wintery grey sky, with leaves flying all-around, Tick, protagonist, rides a grey horse bareback and reinless, his arm around its neck. The horse, bears from left to right, with its neck bent towards the cover middle. Tick wears a white shirt with waistcoat on top, a red scarf around his neck and a small pouch flaps near his waist. Author's name in white at top, & the title in bold yellow brush strokes at bottom, with"If you have one chance, make it count" is written in white below.

I hope you enjoyed those adventures.

Before we get on with the selfies, we just wanted to announce that our first adventure book, 'Chumley and Hudson Investigates. The King Herod's Mystery', is now available in a dyslexia friendly font format for readers almost everywhere!

Front book cover of Chumley and Hudson Investigate, the King Herod's Mystery. Book sits on a blue background.

***

And now for something completely different . . .

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kitties Blue and their mum, Janet Blue, from the Cat on My Head blog in America. CLICK THIS LINK to visit their site and to get the LATEST code to add to your own blog . . .

Erin lays curled up, her feet and face pointing left. Her whiskers on her left face are nearly all straight.She lays on her short-pile grey fleece bedspread, which occupies the top four fifths of the image. The bottom fifth is the pink duvet cover. Her tail is looped over her hind feet, and her forearms extend slightly and her nose rests on them part way down. She sleeps easily.

If you look closely at this week's selfie, you can see near perfect whisker alignment. Mrs H says I spend far too much time whisker aligning and grooming. I say for good results, copious amounts of time in the bedroom straightening them (aka asleep) pays dividends!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that adventure, and will dip your toes into the amazing world of Middle Grade literature. Whilst most are quite short by comparison to adult reads, as they are for some of the most discerning of readers, they can be incredibly fulfilling.

Now that is likely to be last review of the year. We have a ton of editing to do and so little daylight and time to do it in. We have some great books to read, not least the third adventure for the Freddie, the Buddhist cat, (written by Julian Worker) which is entitled: Tree-Hugging Cats.