Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405251538
(15+) Nightmares are an ordeal everyone has endured but the heroine
of Angel's Fury, Cassie Farrier, has suffered with this
recurring night time terror for as long as she can remember.
Tormented sleep is making her a physical wreck and when she goes on
a school trip to Germany and discovers places from her nightmares
really do exist, she begins to question her sanity. Cassie is
admitted to a clinic specialising in the treatment of patients who
claim past life experiences. She is desperate for relief but the
clinic does not bring the respite she is longing for. Instead Cassie
finds herself plunged into a supernatural world dominated by
historical acts of evil and a fallen Angel bent on destroying
mankind.
The story is enriched by the inclusion of several complex characters
and romantic tension between Cassie and another clinic patient named
Seth. The main focus however, remains firmly on themes of struggle
between good and evil, self preservation and altruism, personal
weakness and acts of courage. This is obviously a well researched
book with a sophisticated plot. The Fallen Angel is based on an
interpretation of a legend from the Jewish Torah and the historical
events in the book are authentic.
Appealing to both sexes, this debut novel with its complex plot is
probably better enjoyed by the experienced reader. It is fast moving
and hard to put down after the first chapter. Paranormal stories for
young adults are commonplace but this combination of fantasy and
fact sets the book apart in a class of its own.
Tina Cain
The Truth About Verity Sparks by Susan Green
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921720277
(Age: 11-14) Verity Sparks has itchy fingers or teleagtivism, the
power to find missing items by thought. It is this gift that changes
Verity's life. From a mysterious past and without any current
supportive family, Verity a poor young milliner becomes involved in
the Confidential Inquiry Agency and helps solve their cases. The
kind hearted Plushes, who own the agency become her friends and
protectors and it is the mystery of Verity's own past that becomes
their focus. Strangely her story seems to be entwined with theirs.
There is a strong sense of danger and suspense throughout the novel
as Verity is stalked and threatened. This is especially apparent
when Verity is alone and pursued through the seedier streets of 19th
century London at night.
This book is a real page turner as there are so many unanswered
questions about Verity herself and the variety of characters good
and bad that surround her.
The paranormal is a strong focus with Verity's teleagtivism, the
discussion of the special powers of a seventh daughter of a seventh
daughter and revealing seances.
I do hope I will see more of Verity Sparks as this feisty young
heroine is a fascinating character and I feel there are many more
questions yet to be answered.
A great read for upper primary and lower secondary, though the book
jacket suggests this book is for a younger audience.
Jane Moore
Princess and Fairy: Fairytale Parade by Anna Pignataro
Scholastic, 2011. ISBN: 978 1 74169 788 9.
Princess and Fairy, two delightful rabbits, are celebrating
Storybook Week with banners, books and dress-ups, when an envelope
containing an invitation appears before them. After writing a list
of all of the things they will need, they board an enchanted bus
which takes them to numerous Fairy Tale settings. They visit Bunny
Sea World, Pixie Hood Forest, Wonderland Mead, Bunny Beanstalk,
Cinderbell Ball and finally the Fairytale Parade at the Library
Tree. When they discover that the Wolf has eaten the book, they try
to create the best story possible to share with the crowd.
It would seem that there are five other titles and an activity book
in this series. I suspect that each would appeal to the young female
readers who love fairies, dressing up and all things 'cute and
cuddly'. With the added attraction of finding all of the items
mentioned in the rabbits' list, the delightful pastel coloured
illustrations, a smattering of glitter and rhyming text, this title
would keep the girls engaged for extended periods. Anna Pignataro's
style of illustration differs depending on the content of the story
and the author with whom she is working but these match her tale
perfectly.
Jo Schenkel
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Text Publishing, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921656 94 1.
Set in Calcutta in 1916, this dark tale of horror and mystery
commences with an English army officer striving to deliver newborn
twins Ben and Sheere to safety whilst pursued by a demonic
individual having seemingly limitless power.
The story's complex chronology is conveyed by character
recollections and narrative regression. The essence of the story is
that the brother is raised in an orphanage and forms the secret
Chowbar Society with six fellow orphans whilst the sister lives an
itinerant existence with her grandmother and has no home or friends.
The Chowbar Society members meet in an abandoned warehouse which
they name 'The Midnight Palace' and have pledged lifelong dedication
to one another, promising support and loyalty in all circumstances.
At the age of sixteen, the orphans must leave to find their own way
in life and it is at this time that the twins become aware of each
other and learn from their grandmother the convoluted tale of their
dead father - a brilliant engineer and his evil, murdering nemesis
Jawahl.
Jawahl seeks to wreak his vengeance and supernatural apparitions
portend impending danger. The Chowbar Society responds by pooling
their areas of expertise in a bid to resolve the mystery of an
enormous, technologically advanced railway station which was built
by the twins' father but was destroyed by fire, killing hundreds of
orphans. Investigation, research and an awkward retraction of
earlier testimony by Granny provide an understanding of their
desperate situation with a significant twist to the mystery.
The twins, with the assistance of their friends must not only
survive Jawahl's amazing dark powers but soon realise that they are
destined to confront him.
Supernatural intervention and mechanized terror feature strongly and
the reader is expected to accept a lot on an almost magical basis,
meaning that no attempt is made to explain events scientifically.
The concept of a group of young people courageously accepting the
duty to challenge evil is not new and there are many disjointed
elements within this story. Readers who appreciate horror themes
however will enjoy this book for its wildly imaginative scenes and
events causing blood curdling terror.
Rob Welsh
E is for echidna; My Australian word book by Bronwyn Bancroft
Little Hare, 2011. ISBN 9781921714610.
(Age 1+) Recommended. Board book. A companion volume to W is for
wombat; E is for echidna is a beautiful alphabet book that vividly
brings to life many Australian animals, birds and objects. The type
of object is wide ranging, going from apple to crocodile, dragonfly,
honeycomb, net and zigzag.
Bronwyn Bancroft's illustrations are outstanding. She is an award
winning artist and rightly so. Each superb illustration is glowing
with intense colours, done with beautiful dot paintings. Each has a
solid background in very bright colours of greens, reds, blues and
yellows. The black outlines make the pictures stand out as well.
They are so beautiful that it made me wish that I had one of the
pictures hanging on my wall. The words for each of the drawings is
written in bold black lower case letters at the bottom of each page.
This is a wonderful introduction for the very young to the world of
Australian words, illustrated by a wonderful artist.
Pat Pledger
Charlie Burr and the great shed invasion by Sally Morgan, Ambelin, Blaze and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Little Hare Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921714 05 4.
(Age 9+) Charlie Burr is the story of Charlie and his mate
Johnno. They try to find a lost cat, a lost snake and in
between figure out how to get back the stuff in Charlie's
Dad's shed. A great Aussie story centred around the backyard
shed. Charlie's Dad is away and he has been left in charge of the
shed key. Unfortunately, his Mum gets hold of the key and makes
Charlie and Johnno clean it out, just in time for hard waste pick up
and so his Mum can have room for her collection of stuff! Charlie
plans to put all of his Dad's stuff back when his Mum goes inside
but his Dad's mates turn up and take the collection of stuff for
themselves. The boys try and collect interesting pieces from other
people's yards but others have beaten them to it. They do find a
pram and concoct a plan to make a go-cart as a way to raise money to
help his Dad but then his Mum's cat goes missing.
The boys start feeling guiltier when his Grandpa's pet python goes
missing and they wonder if it has eaten the cat! So, the boys
are busier than ever and now they have a report to write for school,
a cyclone is headed their way and they have been offered a reward to
find Mr. King's missing dog! All of this just because Charlie didn't
look after the shed key! Where is that cat? What is the snake up to?
Will they get the reward and be able to replace the stuff in Dad's
shed?
Charlie Burr is a fun story for boys who are independent readers
aged 9+ and they will get a laugh out of Charlie's plans and
mistakes - like eating his sister's face mask and getting tangled up
with a snake.
Kylie Kempster
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Atom, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-907410-30-7.
(Age: 14+) 'You're an alpha, a leader. That's what we need. It's
what we've always needed.' When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of
her sworn enemies: The searchers, she is certain her days are
numbered. But then the searchers make her an astonishing offer: the
chance to destroy her former masters and save her pack - and the boy
- she left behind. But is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And
will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her
own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and
how many trials true love can survive. Wolfsbane is the second novel in the Nightshade series.
Nightshade is the first in the series and Bloodrose is soon to
follow Wolfsbane.
The main character Calla faces many different problems including
being in the hands of her sworn enemies, falling for the wrong boy,
losing her pack and everything Calla has worked hard for starts to
slip away. Will she be able to get it all back? Or will it all slip
away forever?
I love this book because it is told from Calla's perspective and the
way that the author has created the novel makes me feel as if I am
in the book and part of Calla's life. I also like this book because
of the family, romance, humour and adventure themes in the novel. I
would love to read the other two novels in this series. Wolfsbane keeps you guessing but it is a beautifully crafted
and compelling novel and I would recommend it to older readers who
like the fantasy genre.
Emily Madden (Student, Yr 9)
Deception by Lee Nichols
A Haunting Emma novel. Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408819609.
(Age 14+) Recommended as an easy light read. Ghost. Paranormal. Emma
Vaile's parents go missing while they are away on a business trip
and she is left to fend for herself in their eerie old house in New
York. Worried not only by her parents' disappearance, she is
frightened when she glimpses strange things out of the corner
of her eyes. When the cops arrive at the party that her friend
Natalie has persuaded her to have, she is taken into custody as she
has no parental supervision. Then Bennett Stern, gorgeous best
friend of her brother, arrives posing as her guardian, and takes her
to New England. She makes a new start at a private school, but
strange things are happening in the old museum where she lives. Can
she really see and talk to ghosts? Why does she have uncanny
memories of places she has never been to?
Nichols has used the popular formula of removing her heroine from
her parents and putting her into an exclusive school. This time,
however, the heroine is not living in a boarding school, instead she
is living in a museum that is inhabited by ghosts, which Emma
believes only she can see. These ghost characters, who talk to Emma,
make the narrative very interesting as the author takes the reader
into a bygone era where there were chefs, maids and chimney sweeps,
not to mention a ghost from her past who teaches her how to fence
with a sword. Neos, the evil being who is determined to kill Emma,
who learns that she is a ghostkeeper, brings plenty of shudders to
the tale, acting in a terrifying way in a particularly nasty finale.
Emma is obsessed with Bennett Stern, but the romance seems to be
rather rocky, with Bennett ignoring her for most of the book.
However she consoles herself with the most popular boy in the
school, Coby, even though she knows her heart belongs to Bennett. No
doubt there will be further developments in future books.
The reader is left with enough questions to ensure that the next
book is read. What has happened to Emma's parents and brother? ? Can
she depend on Bennett? How many people will die because of her
involvement with Neos? There is a trailer for Betrayal, the second
book in the series, to entice readers.
This is an entertaining, light read that is a page turner and is
sure to please teens who like ghost stories, romance and the
paranormal.
Pat Pledger
Naughty Nina by Juliet Mickelburgh
Ill. by Anna Laura Cantone. Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN: 978 1 4088
003903.
(Age: 3-6) Nina is tired of being told that she is nice all the time
and one day she decides that she is going to be naughty. Instead of
being helpful, polite and good at school, she throws tantrums, is
rude when she visits her aunt and jumps on her desk and is
disruptive in the playground. However, being naughty all the time
proves to be just as boring as being nice, so Nina decides to just
be herself.
I found that the word 'nice' got a bit boring as it was repeated
often, so as a reader I can certainly feel why Nina got so sick of
being called nice.Still, as a read aloud it would work well
with the rhyme, rhythm and alliteration making the story enjoyable.
The lesson that it is best to be yourself is quite subtle and could
raise questions in a classroom discussion, as well as the more
obvious themes of ways to be nice and naughty.
The unique thing about this book is its unusual illustrations. Nina
is the strangest little girl with the oddest nose, which young
children are sure to love. The subdued brown, rose and pale
green tones give it almost an old fashioned air and Cantone's
humorous asides, like Nina dusting the nose of a large moose head
hanging on the wall, will add greatly to the enjoyment of the book.
At the back is a simple board game, which is easy enough for young
children to play with, under the supervision of an adult.
Pat Pledger
Liberator by Richard Harland
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742373423.
(Ages 10+) It has been three months since the liberation and the
Worldshaker is now called Liberator. But every thing has gone wrong,
the Filthies no longer trust the Upper Decks people, now know as
Swanks. It's all because of the saboteur, and he has struck again,
but this time he killed a filthy. Any trust the majority of Filthies
had for the Swanks has gone, Riff and Col's dream of an age of
harmony and co-operation between Filthies and Swanks has become
almost hopeless since the saboteur first struck and Riff has almost
completely been ignoring Col. As if that wasn't enough problems, the
Liberator is now running out of coal and when they go to get more
they make a fatal mistake. The mistake cost them the chance to get
more coal without fighting. Now the race is on, to get as much coal
as they need and get out, before the other juggernauts get there.
Although this is a good book it wasn't as good as the first and I
personally didn't like it very much. It had parts where I wanted to
throw it across the room and parts where I had to know what happened
next. In a way reading this book was like being on a roller-coaster
that couldn't decide if it wanted you to love it or hate it.
Tahlia Kennewell (Student)
Grown-ups make you grumpy by Carrie Western
Ill. by Nick Schon. Pearson Picture books. Pearson, 2011. ISBN 978 1
4425 4806 0. 16p
9Junior primary) This is a delightful and interesting way to
introduce silly sayings that have a double meaning! The simple
text is accompanied by clear, large illustrations which explain the
meaning if the reader is in doubt. For example Grandma tells Jack to
put on a jumper or he'll catch a chill. Jack wondered how fast
a chill could run and could he catch it! The delights of the
English language in all its nuances, is well on display here. When
Mrs Brown visits, Mum says she'll put the kettle on. Jack
thinks about Mum with a kettle on her head. 'Just like a silly
hat' p6. Although written for junior primary readers, the book
would be a very useful introduction to written language for older
students. Well recommended.
Sue Nosworthy
Northwood by Brian Falkner
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-921529-80-1
(Suitable for 8 to 10 year olds). Cecilia Undergarment, an unusual
name, lives in an unusual house. Her father sells balloons and their
balloon shaped home is 'suspended' in the air. Cecilia can
communicate with animals (unusual ) and while talking to her
neighbour's neglected dog Rocky, decides to rescue him. It is
this decision that results in Rocky and Cecilia floating in her
detached balloon bedroom into the dark and dangerous forests of
Northwood, where no one ever returns.
While being pursued by the notorious, ferocious black lions in the
forest, Cecilia and Rocky discover a community of fellow lost
travellers who have been living together in an abandoned castle.
This community is ruled by the despot, King Harry.
Brave and resourceful Cecilia sets about discovering the mysteries
and stories of the lost castle, King Harry's background and a way
home for everyone.
The author often talks directly to the reader, challenging the truth
of this fantasy story.
The ending resolves many of the forest's mysteries but I would
have liked a bit more information about the outcomes for the other
lost inhabitants.
Jane Moore
Conspiracy 365 : revenge by Gabrielle Lord
Conspiracy 365 Series. Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74169 976 0
(Ages, Middle school) Recommended. Adventure.The twelve
months of adventure, of life threatening situations and of survival
have now drawn to a close, but Boges and Cal, Winter and their
friends, still have not been let go. One night Cal disappears. In
trying to keep the lid on Cal's mother's sanity, Boges lies to her,
hoping to find him before she realises that he has been kidnapped,
that the whole sorry mess has begun all over again.
This time, two of the slimes from the series have reappeared. They
want the Ormond Collection, and are willing to kill Cal to get it.
Cal has been injected with a poison and will die if they do not
acquiesce to the killer's demands. So begins another life and death
struggle as the two, Boges and Winter, helped by Ryan, try to
uncover the clues left in Cal's letter to find out where he is and
so deactivate the poison he has been given. A page turner, the
episodes are short and snappy, sharp and breathless, as the teens go
to any lengths to save their friend.
It may be helpful to have read the preceding 12 books, but not
totally necessary. Some of the bad characters have reappeared, and
in the main the goodies are the same, and all are quickly drawn to
give a lasting impression of their qualities.
Fran Knight
Eona by Alison Goodman
Angus and Robertson, 2011. ISBN 9780732284947.
(Age 14+) Recommended. Eona has been revealed as a female, the first
woman Dragoneye for hundreds of year in this sequel to Eon.
She is having problems controlling her power although it is up to
her to save her country. With fellow rebels Ryko and Lady
Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The rebels
must find the black folio, which will help to put Kygo, the Pearl
Emperor on the throne. Eona has to come to terms with her
emerging powers, the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes
were murdered and her growing feelings for Kygo.
Eona is an exciting adventure fantasy with suspense, drama and lots
of action to keep the reader alert and involved in the story.
However it is the depth of the character building that makes this an
engrossing read. Eona, after spending many years as a boy, has to
come to terms with her female side, and assure her companions that
she is honest and not deceiving them as she has done for so long.
She has many difficult decisions to make about the power that she
wields, and whether violence is justified in war. Can she trust Kygo
to use the power that she as Dragoneye possesses? The growing
feelings between Kygo and Eona are also beautifully brought to life
with all their complexity with issues about power sharing, trust and
loyalty being tested. There is also ambiguity around Lord Ido's
actions and Eona has to make many decisions that require great
sacrifice.
Goodman has continued with her wonderful world building in this
sequel. Her description of the battles, the training of Eona's
dragon, the countryside and the people give it a depth that is not
always found in fantasy.
This is a wonderful duo of books that should be on every library
shelf and promoted to readers.
Pat Pledger
Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres
Random House, 2011, ISBN 978 1 74275 101 6.
(Age: Upper secondary) Highly recommended. In this, the second book
in the Night Creature series, Naif (formerly known as Retra) has
escaped death on the party island of Ixion. She was rescued by the
pirate Ruzalia, but wouldn't have survived Ixion without the help of
the mysterious, beautiful but sinister 'Riper' Lenoir, to whom she
was bonded.
Whilst on Ixion, Naif learnt that the young people (and only young
people are allowed on Ixion), had escaped the extreme conservatism
of their previous homes, only to have their life-span cut short. It
is the unknowing price they pay for the music, colour and freedom of
Ixion (burn bright - die young). She discovered a connection between
the Ripers (the rulers of Ixion) and the Elders of Grave, her
homeland.
To unravel the threads that bind the two supposed enemies, and in
the hope of reversing the process that causes the untimely death of
all the young 'badged' people on Ixion, she convinces Ruzalia to
help her return to Grave
She therefore finds herself in the very place that she took such
pains to escape. But what she finds there will overturn all her long
held and imposed beliefs.
This is a very good read, full of intriguing and strange characters,
with betrayal and danger always just around the corner. Fast paced,
original and with a slightly steam-punk feel (in the form of
airships, carriages that walk on legs and abandoned underground
cities). There is a real sense of the oppressive, religiously
fundamental society from which Naif comes; the controlling Elders
and the menacing Wardens with their ferocious hounds. Naif is a
wonderful, engaging character; strong, loyal, determined and
selfless. Despite her restrictive upbringing, and the very real and
terrible dangers she faces, Naif does not allow her resolve to save
her friends weaken. She is not without her flaws, as she struggles
to reconcile her feelings for the seductive Lenoir and to overcome
her fears and prejudices.
This book doesn't have the drug use and sexual undertones of the
first in the series, but I would still only recommended it for upper
secondary.
Alicia Papp
