Dark and mysterious. This book had my hear racing many times! I loved it. It took a while to get into it, but when I did incase hooked.

I really felt for Dolores, how horrible it must have felt to be sent away from the only family she had left. It was quite mysterious, I don't know who she could trust.
I wanted to know more about the whole system, the uncles, paranormals with different abilities, these homes where the young paranormals can learn more.
It started strong but I didn't really understand why everyone felt they had to hide so much each other, both Dolores not telling the uncles, and the uncles also hiding a lot from her. And what did happen to her parents? It seems like could be a series and I'm hoping more will be explained.

I love a story based in Edinburgh and this is an absolutely haunting book set in the streets of the Old Town taking in some of the creepiest parts of the city and weaving it into the storytelling. I really liked the main character in this and thought she was a mighty girl protagonist to be admired. Not without her flaws of course! I found some of the gate keeping in this, where the adults are keeping secrets, as frustrating as the kids did! But loved the way the story unravelled. This also has the creepiest of baddies - think The White Queen meets the Hocus Pocus Witches but with venom. She will send shivers down your spine. Spooktacular storytelling!

When Delores' powers attract restless spirits she's sent to a small and strange boarding school in Edinburgh run by peculiar uncles to learn to harness her powers safely. But when a demanding and dangerous ghost seems to be coming back to life, harming her friends, she must unravel the secret to stop the ghost before it's too late!

This is a interesting read for that tricky tween audience who outgrow many middle grade books but aren't ready for YA. Dark, different with some really interesting paranormal powers, Well written, but I felt the writer held back a bit and could have really gone for it and made it more imaginative and spectacular. But it is a great a book with an interesting mix of characters in a deliciously unusual world.

This was great fun, if you enjoyed Elle McNicoll's 'Like a Charm' then I think you'll like 'The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie' too! I read a #NetGalley copy but it is already out, published by @FireflyPress, a great spooky #UKMG debut by @Eviewriter

A fantastic middle grade paranormal mystery that follows the journey of Delores Mackenzie as she navigates her unusual "gifts" and the challenges that come with them. Sent to live with her mysterious Uncles in Edinburgh Old Town, Delores finds herself in a world filled with surprises, both welcoming and unsettling.

The author does a commendable job of creating a sense of mystery and intrigue throughout the story. The setting of the Tolbooth Book Store adds an atmospheric touch, immersing readers in the eerie and enigmatic world that Delores finds herself in. The concept of Delores learning to control her gifts and the presence of a sinister apparition that threatens her new housemates adds tension and keeps the reader engaged.

While Delores is a relatable protagonist, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped and lack depth. This limits the emotional connection readers can form with them and hampers the impact of the story's climax.

The atmospheric setting and the suspenseful plot keep readers engaged and it’s lovely to find a book set in Scotland to hand sell to children.

Not going to lie - I totally judged this book by it's gorgeous cover! But luckily the story delivered too. I especially loved Bartleby, the little demon "doorstop" - his personality fits perfectly with being French.

This is a fun pre-teen paranormal fantasy - though it does have some creepy bits. I love Delores and her attitude, but she is far more tolerant towards certain people than I would have been. Prudence I'm talking about you - I don't condone violence, but I think I'd have got physical to stop her messing with me.

It's obviously the start of a series and whilst there is an ending, there is still so much to discover - I felt a few more details would have appeased me more.

Overall, a quick and entertaining read which has piqued my interest to follow the series - and see what the next cover art will be.

A delightfully creepy psychic mystery filled with ominous dolls, demons and ghosts! A perfect companion for fans of Lockwood and Co, this grisly tale follows Delores as she attempts to learn how to control her necromantic abilities.

I absolutely loved this book. From the front cover to the back page everything is fantastic. Delores is a strong female characters and her struggles with her talent is both engaging and a tad scary. Forced to move from her home to live in a bookshop in Edinburgh ( fabulous setting) with a group of strange individuals and a talking gargoyle she has to struggle with new rules, making friendship with prickly characters and missing her family. There's more to the story than meets the eye and obviously a sequel is necessary (goodie)

This is a charmingly gothic middle grade tale with paranormal activity, creepy dolls and mystery. After another close call with a ghost, Delores is sent to Edinburgh to live with the Uncles at the Tollbooth bookstore where she meets fellow pupils gifted with paranormal gifts. However, her power to attract dangerous ghosts puts her, and her new friends, in danger as a malevolent spirit seems intent on claiming them.
It was imaginative and creepy and Bartleby the gargoyle was delightful. I do wish the two female characters didn't automatically default to disliking each other and the story would have benefited from being slightly longer to fully explore character motivations and growth.
This would make a great Halloween read for middle grade readers.

What a fabulously illustrated cover!

A middle grade fantasy story set in Edinburgh, it tells the tale of Delores who is sent to live with her uncle to control her mysterious powers. This was super fun with wholesome and loveable characters! I really liked the plot and the distinct personalities of each of the housemates. It kept me intrigued, and I liked how strangely fast-paced it was, I read it in 2 sittings!

I adored these characters. and the friendships they weaved together between the pages. It was both fun and haunting, and I would read a whole series about Delores and her adventures in a heartbeat! Highly recommend.

The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie is a novel that follows the story of a woman named Delores Mackenzie who possesses special abilities that she struggles to understand and control. As Delores navigates her powers and the consequences that come with them, she must also confront the demons of her past and the secrets that have haunted her for years. The novel combines elements of supernatural fiction and psychological thriller to create a unique and suspenseful narrative. Overall, "The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie" is a gripping and engaging novel that explores themes of identity, trauma, and the power of self-discovery.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, and no significant gaps between words, and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

In this stunning debut Yvonne Banham introduces Delores Mackenzie, a fourteen-year-old who has known magic all her life and is quite happy living alone with her sister, thank you very much. So when her sister Delilah informs her that it’s time for Delores to study with the Uncles she’s not interested. Unfortunately her sister has been assigned to Norway, a post she was recommended for after studying with the Uncles and the protections their parents put on their cottage are beginning to fade. Even if Delores could stay there on her own it wouldn’t be safe, and her magic is becoming too unpredictable and attracting dangerous restless spirits called bócans.

Whether Delores likes it or not it’s time for her to go through the same period of study that all paranormals must go through. It’s something she has to do alone, and one week later she’s left alone on the doorstep of Tolbooth Book Store in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Her experiences at Tolbooth are mixed and confusing at first, and Delores struggles with life with her strange new housemates as a ghostly presence makes itself known to her. As she does battle with her awful housemate Prudence, she tries to unravel a mystery with the help of her other housemate Gabriel. All the while attempting to avoid catching the attention of the Uncles whose she’s afraid will notice just how dark and strange her powers truly are.

With The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie, Banham has written a wonderfully spooky tale filled with lots of delicious mysteries that unfold within this cracking world she has created. It more than lives up to the description of “Beetlejuice meets Lockwood & Co with added Tartan Noir” which is what drew me in originally. Banham has seamlessly blended gothic horror and mystery together to create a thrilling story filled with magic, ghosts and friendship. Her characters are so awkwardly real that they made me laugh and cry with familiarity. Delores is such a colourful character and watching her grow during her time at Tolbooth’s was such a pleasure. I have to admit that by the end of the book I had a soft spot for Prudence; I like complicated girls, and she is very well written.

I loved the whole magical teacher/student relationships setting outside a traditional academic setting. A bookshop in Edinburgh’s Old Town is as unique as everything else in this book, and it’s the perfect backdrop for an independent teenager with the power to talk to the dead. The lack of a traditional school setting also lets Banham explore the daily lives of her characters in a way reminiscent of fantasy novels. The lines blur between reality and fantasy a lot in The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie, adding to the atmosphere and drama.

My only complaint about this book is that there isn’t a lot of representation in this book. It was good to see some disability representation though, in the form of Gabriel whose eyesight is fading as his power as a seer grows.

If you’re looking for a book with a great story, delicious world-building and a dark academia setting suitable for younger readers then The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie is for you!

This was an exciting and unique read! I am so glad I stumbled upon Delores' story. This was just the whimsical story I needed to immerse myself in right now. The bookstore setting absolutely won my heart. The magical realism elements were so intriguing, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to know how the story would end!!

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I cannot wait to read more from Yvonne Banham! <3

This is a fabulous debut novel, with the right amount of darkness and ghostly goings on to keep you turning pages. Delores discovers that she can see dead people and communicate with them, and is sent to an Edinburgh bookshop to live with the Uncles to help her control these ‘gifts’. She meets various strange characters, my favourite being the Parisian, chess playing gargoyle Bartleby, who can be bribed with sour sherbet. Delores undertakes a dangerous mission to the Edinburgh Vaults, and has to collaborate with the girl who has made her life hell, Prudence. It is deliciously spooky and a great start to what I hope will be a series of books, so that we can find out more about Delilah and her new acquaintances.

A dark fantasy for middle grade children. A gripping and highly entertainaing story that I thoroughly enjoyed and that kept me turning pages.
Excellent world building and storytelling. A story of friendship and good vs evil.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.*

This is a vivid, immersive tale of magic and witchcraft. It is a paranormal fantasy middle-grade story that has gothic vibes.

I flew through this book and found that the storyline tied up really nicely with a satisfying ending and enough ambiguity and interesting possibilities for a sequel.

The characters were well-rounded, fun and sparky. I absolutely adored Delores, she was so much fun and her relationship with Prudence throughout the book was so interesting and heartwarming.

The magic-world was very interesting and I loved that this book was set in Edinburgh as I went to University there and spent 4 years in the capital city.

Overall, this is a delightfully imaginative and creepy children’s crime story with excellent tension and mystery.

#DeloresMackenzie #NetGalley

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review

A short intriguing novel set with the backdrop of Edinburgh’s gothic old town. Delores can see ghosts, who aren’t very friendly, she is a necromancer who is sent to stay with the uncles to learn how to control her powers. When there she meets a range of supernatural characters and there are lots of dark secrets.

I enjoyed the setting of the book and the building mystery. I really loved some of the unique characters. A great book to start older children and young teens into the spooky gothic style books. I’m interested to see if there is a sequel!

'The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie' marks the start of what promises to be a terrific new magical fantasy adventure series for middle-grade/YA readers.

14-year-old Delores comes from a family of paranormalists, and her gift of necromancy attracts restless ghosts to her. Now that her parents are missing and her older sister Delilah has been assigned to work in Norway, Delores is sent to a new 'school' in the Tolbooth Bookshop in Edinburgh Old Town where she will be taught by the 'Uncles' to control her gift. However, she must contend not only with the animosity of her fellow pupil Prudence, who is not afraid to use her gifts as an illusionist against Delores, but also with other unexplained phenomena which seem to be connected in some way with the mysterious disappearance of a previous pupil.

This is a delightfully imaginative and creepy story, full of wonderful details such as a chess-playing gargoyle. Yvonne Banham makes the most of the novel's Edinburgh setting, cleverly eliding real locations with a few invented places (I searched high and low for Esme's fudge shop but to no avail!) I particularly enjoyed the use of a ghost tour of the Edinburgh Vaults in the finale. The characters are engaging and sparky; Delores and Prudence's relationship is at the heart of the story and evolves nicely from hostility to grudging cooperation to something approaching friendship. Something I particularly liked was the way that Banham introduced other characters towards the end of the book with the promise of further development in future instalments. The ending of this story was very satisfying whilst leaving plenty of interesting possibilities for sequels, especially with regards to the whereabouts of Delores's parents.

I believe this book will be a big hit with younger secondary pupils - and perhaps some older primary readers too (there is nothing would unsuitable for them but I agree that 11+ is the ideal age for this book.) It would certainly be a logical next step for readers who have enjoyed the Harry Potter books and are looking for something in a similar vein but also refreshing and original. And it's a book that adult readers can enjoy too! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

This was such a entertaining and fast-paced middle grade. With the quirkiest cast of characters, most of which, have unique gifts which results in a plot full of magical mayhem and not to mention dealing with the dead! Reading about Delores, Prudence, Gabriel and the Uncles was such a joy - I would have loved this book when I was younger, it was great fun! 💫