Latest Review 
Mar 25 2019
Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers
His fair assassin, Counting darkness duology, book 1.
Anderson Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781783448265.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Themes: Historical fantasy, France -
History, Brittany, Assassins. After devouring the three books in the
award winning His fair assassin series, I was thrilled to read the
story of Genevieve, a young girl who has been undercover for so
long, that she is no longer sure that she will be called up as a
daughter of Saint Mortain by the convent. She becomes embroiled with
a prisoner and manages to take matters into her own hands. Meanwhile
Sybella from Dark
triumph, returns and is accompanying the duchess on her way to
be married to the King of France. She is surrounded by enemies and
her only hope is to get help from the novitiates who had been hidden
in the French court so many years ago.
Although Courting darkness could be read as a stand-alone, with the
author giving enough information to set the scene, readers would
enjoy the book more if they had read the first three books in His
fair assassin series, Grave mercy, Dark
Triumph, and Mortal
heart.
The story is told from two points of view, that of Sybella and
Genevieve. Sybella relates the travails of Anne of Brittany, who is
trying to save her country. Sybella is terrified for the safety of
her two sisters and is desperate for help. Genevieve's involvement
with the unknown prisoner and her uncertainty about Saint Mortain,
give another view of what is going on, and the mystery surrounding
the prisoner is tantalising.
The world of medieval France is enthralling, with the descriptions
of the intrigue, the power mongering, the fear and the prisons
taking the reader right into this time in history. Peopled with real
characters as well as the fantasy daughters of Saint Mortain, it
makes for a fascinating read for lovers of historical fantasy.
A difficult wait for the second book in the duology is in store for
the reader, who is left on a tantalising cliff-hanger. Readers who
like Juliet Marillier's books, the Witchlands trilogy by
Susan Dennard and the Lumatere chronicles by Melina
Marchetta are likely to enjoy Counting darkness.
Pat Pledger
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Mar 25 2019
Little Badman and the invasion of the killer aunties by Humza Arshad and Henry White
Illus. by Aleksei Bitskoff. Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780241340608.
(Ages: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Family relationships,
Pakistanis in Great Britain, Rap music, Friendship, Missing persons,
Good and evil. Humza Khan is a typical 11-year-old who is prone to
making up stories... more
Mar 25 2019
The blue bench by Albert Asensio
Berbay Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9780648397304.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Diversity, Friendship. First
published in Catalonia, this evocative picture book reveals more of
its subtle depths on rereading. A park bench is at the centre of the
tale, surveying all it sees as life goes on... more
Mar 25 2019
Bizz Buzz Boss by Natalie McKinnon
Ill. by Margaret Tolland. Starfish Bay, 2018. ISBN: 9781760360566.
(Age: 3-6) Themes: Bees, Spiders, Animals, Respect, Behaviour
Management. In Natalie McKinnon's picture book Bizz Buzz Boss
a very bossy bee lords it over all the other garden creatures who
are busy with their... more
Mar 22 2019
Kensy and Max Undercover by Jacqueline Harvey
Kensy and Max, book 3. Random House, 2019. ISBN:
9780143791904.
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Brothers and sisters, Spies,
Mysteries, Missing persons. After a week's intensive training in spy
craft, eleven-year-old twins Kensy and Max return to their London
home to... more
Mar 22 2019
Ivanhoe Swift left home at six by Jane Godwin
Ill. by A.Yi. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760631864.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Growing up,
Independence. Ivanhoe is determined to see what lies over the hill,
to travel to places unseen, to explore the world beyond his home.
His parents are concerned as they... more
Mar 22 2019
The Curses by Laure Eve
Faber and Faber 2019. ISBN: 9780571328048.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. The Curses, sequel to The Graces,
follows The Grace children and their recently resurrected friend,
Wolf. Wolf is the first person who has ever been resurrected but
something's off with Wolf, is it just that... more
Mar 22 2019
The Runaway by Jane Smith
Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy book 7. Big Sky Publishing, 2018.
ISBN: 9781925675894. 111p.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Historical, Speculative. Francis is
'that' friend who has a knack of getting his mates into trouble. He
wasn't even supposed to go on holiday to Carly's place in... more
Mar 22 2019
Happy Camper! By Shamini Flint
Ill. by Sally Heinrich. The Susie K Diaries. Allen and
Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760528287.
(Age: 7 - 10) Recommended. Themes: Camping, Life skills,
Problem-solving, Friendship. The idea of going on a school camping
trip is very stressful for the main character, Susie K., who is... more
Mar 21 2019
Love lie repeat by Catherine Greer
Penguin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780143791225.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. All Annie wants is to be loved. By
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Margaretta, who ruined everything.
Following the friendship ins and outs of Annie, Ash, and Ruby, three
'it'... more
Mar 21 2019
Baz and Benz by Heidi McKinnon
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523688.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Visual literacy,
Humour. A story promoting friendship despite the annoying behaviour
of one, will find a place in every classroom as friendships and
their resultant disharmonies take up a lot of... more
Mar 21 2019
Blabbermouth: Oops, I've done it again! by Chrissie Perry
Illus. by Pete Petrovic. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660956.
(Ages: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Personality, Communication skills,
Reputation. What happens when you're nervous and you can't help
blurting things out, even other people's secrets? Chrissie Perry's Blabbermouth
is a... more
Mar 21 2019
Queen of air and darkness by Cassandra Clare
Dark Artifices book 3. Simon and Schuster; 2018. ISBN:
9781471116704. 880p; p/b.
In this third instalment in the Dark Artifices series of
Shadowhunter novels, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn must deal
with the loss of Julian's sister and the Inquisitor, as well as... more
Mar 21 2019
Pearl the proper unicorn by Sally Odgers
Illus. by Adele K. Thomas. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760661854.
(Age: 6+) Themes: Magic, Unicorns. Sally Odgers continues her
delightful magical series in Pearl the proper unicorn.
Colourful pages, borders, and magical words, make this an
easy-to-read and share story, just right... more
Mar 20 2019
Gorski's Bitemare by Robert Favretto
Illus. by Danny Willis. Gorski's Bitemare. Ford Street
Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925804164.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Family, Vampires, Adventure,
School, Consequences. Gorski, his sister Drusella, and their parents
turn into vampires when night comes. Both Gorski's... more
Mar 20 2019
Enchantee by Gita Trelease
Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509895977.
(Age: Young adult) Recommended. 8.5/10. Themes: Young Adult -
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where the illustriously rich King Louis XVI, Marie Antoniette and
the image conscious aristocrats living in their palaces... more
Mar 20 2019
Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
The Witchlands book 3. Tor, 2019. ISBN: 9781447288855.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Witches and warlocks,
Battles. Fans of the first two books in the Witchlands series,... more
Mar 20 2019
Hop little bunnies by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892930.
(Ages: 0-3) Recommended. Themes; Bunnies, Lift the Flaps, Rhyming
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Mar 20 2019
Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip
Fantasy Masterworks series. Gollanz, 2014. ISBN:
9781473205741.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Sorcerers, Princes
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World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2003), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
for Adult Literature (2003). This award winning novel is a feast... more
Mar 20 2019
Show Stopper! by Shamini Flint
Ill. by Sally Heinrich. The Susie K Diaries. Allen and
Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523701.
(Ages: 7-10) Recommended. Themes: Performances, Friendship, Life
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Mar 19 2019
Let me sleep, sheep! by Meg McKinlay
Ill. by Leila Rudge. Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925381887.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Sheep, Sleep, Humour. Young
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Mar 19 2019
Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarky
Illus. by Andrew Joyner. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN: 9781760112042
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Single parent family,
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Mar 19 2019
The Dyasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Pan Macmillian, 2019. ISBN: 9781760554163. paperback, 308 pg.
(Age: 11 - Young adults) Teenagers who can control the elements
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Mar 19 2019
Grace on the court by Maddy Proud
Piccolo Nero, 2018. ISBN 9781760640330. 228 pages, paperback.
(Age: 9-14) Grace on the court is a story about Grace
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school. She is very passionate about netball and her aim is to make
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Mar 19 2019
Bright young dead by Jessica Fellowes
Mitford murders series. Hachette, 2018. ISBN: 9780751567205.
(Age: Older adolescent - Adult) This is undoubtedly a book set
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Mar 18 2019
Queen Celine by Matt Shanks
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760650346.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Beach, Power, Environment.
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Mar 18 2019
52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523480.
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Themes: Family life, Jewish peoples, Dolls.
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Mar 18 2019
Liars: No survivors by Jack Heath
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN: 9781742761930. Paperback, 235 pg.
(Age: 8-14) Highly recommended. Wow! What an action packed book
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Mar 18 2019
Fish Kid and the Lizard Ninja by Kylie Howarth
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760650810.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Marine Biology, Environmental
Issues, Ocean Life, Adventures, Friendship, Problem Solving, Fish
facts. Young Bodhi lives an enviable life on a boat with his
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Mar 18 2019
The great Shelby Holmes and the coldest case by Elizabeth Eulberg
Illus. by Matt Robertson. The Great Shelby Holmes series,
Book 3. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781408871515.
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Mar 18 2019
The house on the mountain by Ella Holcombe and David Cox
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760636968.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. The House on the Mountain is a
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Mar 15 2019
A great escape by Felice Arena
Penguin Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780143794042.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Themes: Berlin Wall; Freedom; Escape.
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Mar 15 2019
TC and the stinkiest story ever (in the history of the Universe) by Dave Hartley
Illus. by Peter Baldwin. Scholastic Australia, 2019. ISBN:
9781742991870.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, Aboriginal culture,
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Mar 15 2019
Superman : Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780141386867.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Superheroes, Good
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Mar 15 2019
The Genius Experiment by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Max Einstein book 1. Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781784759827.
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Orphans, Gifted children,
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Mar 15 2019
Muhammad Ali by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Ill. by Brosmind. Little People, Big Dreams series. Frances
Lincoln Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781786037336.
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Mar 14 2019
You must be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143788515.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Identity, Diversity,
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Mar 14 2019
Circle by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
Shapes trilogy, book 3. Walker Books, 2019. ISBN:
9781406384222.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: STEM, Circles, Friendship,
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As... more
Mar 14 2019
The secret of the youngest rebel by Jackie French
The Secret Histories series book 5. Angus and Robertson,
2019. ISBN: 9781460754801.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: New South Wales (1804),
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Mar 14 2019
Four dead queens by Astrid Scholte
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760524418. 418p; p/b.
In a divided world where citizens of each quadrant must conform to
strict societal expectations, outcast pickpocket Keralie
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Mar 14 2019
The Skylarks' war by Hilary McKay
Macmillan Children's Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781509894949. 305 pages.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Costa Book Award 2018. This book brings to
mind the stories from earlier times. With shades of Jane Gardam's
wonderful evocations of childhood, Sonya Harnett's The children
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