Old School Ties

Old School Ties by Kate Harrison

Everything Changes, But Its Always The Same!

Tracey Mortimer was a queen; she was a leader in fashion, had the best looking boyfriend and always got what she wanted. But that was back in 1984 when she was seventeen. Now Tracey is 33, she's a boring suburban house mum, with an unfaithful husband and has since learnt that you don't always get everything you want.

Tracey's life has not turned out as she might have imagined when she was seventeen, and now more and more Tracey is thinking about her glory days when she was queen of the school and life was simpler. So when the opportunity presents itself for her to step back in time, by way of a school reunion, Tracey jumps at the chance. But not everyone is as excited as she to walk down memory lane.

A school reunion sounded like a good idea at the time, but as the reunion approaches Tracey finds her life unravelling. She has no career to speak of, her marriage is falling apart, her children are unhappy, and she has no real friends. Tracey begins to wonder if this reunion idea was such a good idea at all, especially now it seems she may be attending it alone.

In Old School Ties Tracey is forced to look to her past to find the means to move on in the future. This is a book about growing up and making mistakes; about realising that not everyone is the same, and not everyone remembers the same. A book that has something for everyone, it's a witty and entertaining story with attitude.

 

Kate Harrison Webpage

Kate Harrison @ Hachette

 

On sale: 05 January 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781409102335
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: School
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: three out of five
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Dreaming of Amelia

Dreaming of Amelia by Jaclyn Moriarty

To Dream, To Time Travel, To See Ghosts!

The final year of high school is a year full of changes, messing about, dreaming of the future, farewells, and of cause exams. But at Ashbury High, it is also a year full of ghosts. There are two new students attending Ashbury High this year, Amelia and Riley, and there is something very different about them, but no one can quite guess what...

Amelia and Riley are hiding a secret, actually they are hiding more then one secret, but the secret that brought them to Ashbury High for their final year of high school has something to do with their new class mate Lydia.

Lydia, however, seems to be the one person at Ashbury High who is not interested in Amelia and Riley. Emily, one of Lydia's best friends, has becomes increasing obsessed with the new students; and also with a ghost that's haunting the school. While Tobias, another class mate, finds himself drawn further and further into the past. But somehow it all seems related to Amelia and Riley.

Dreaming of Amelia is a ghost story like you've never read before. Told through exam answers, essays, emails and blog entries, it is unique in its format. However, all the chopping and changing in this book seemed to draw the story out unnecessarily long, it also made it difficult to finish this book as it kept loosing my attention. While the story (when you get to it) is somewhat interesting, there was way too much back tracking and too many versions of the same events given over and over to keep this book from flowing.

 

Jaclyn Moriarty Webpage

Jaclyn Moriarty @ Pan Macmillan

 

On sale: 01 November 2009
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330425278
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Ghosts
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: three out of five
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Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush! by Margaret Wild

illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo

A Walk Through The Reeds To Create A Sleepy Hush!

Baby Hippo couldn't sleep; he was too awake and too full of energy for sleep. Baby Hippo played and rolled about, he wriggled and moved, and still he was too full of energy for sleep. Baby Hippo turned upside down and stood on his head, he waggled his legs and moved them about in the air, and still he was too full of energy for sleep.

It was time for Baby Hippo to sleep; his mum was calling him to sleep. But Baby Hippo was not sleepy, so he decided to take a walk instead. He trotted through reeds, mud, rocks, grass and trees. Along the way Baby Hippo meet with all kinds of baby animals, all with their mums, being called to sleep. Baby Hippo wanted his mum, he wanted to go to sleep.

Hush, Hush! is enchanting and warm. Baby Hippo's walk is highlighted by gorgeous and delightful illustrations that compliment its light and musical narrative. It's a lovely story of mothers and their babies, for mothers and their babies. A story both whimsical and sincere that will be well loved.

(illustrator) Bridget Stevens Webpage

(illustrator) Bridget Marzo Webpage

Margaret Wild @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

On sale: 01 November 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272868
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Hush
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #2

ANITA BLAKE, VAMPIRE HUNTER:
The Laughing Corpse by Laurell K. Hamilton

If Your Not Careful You Could Become Your Own Worst Nightmare!

Anita Blake is an animator. She makes her living raising the dead; and also slaying a few vampires. There isn't much she does know about the dead, and raising it. The first rule to raising the dead, the older the corpse the bigger the sacrifice needed. In others words to raise a really old zombie, a human was going to have to die.

Anita and her boss have just been made an offer of a million dollars to raise a two-hundred-and eighty-three-year-old corpse. The sacrifice will of cause be provided. But Anita can not accept, despite what you may have heard about her, she is no murderer. However Anita may not have much say in the matter, this was not Anita's idea of good business.

There is a killer tearing up families. Anita has been called in by the police to assist with inquiries, there is a theory it is a killer Zombie on the loose. No one knows more about Zombies then Anita, except maybe Dominga Salvador, the voodoo priestess, who has her own plans for Anita. As does Jean-Claude, the new Master Vampire of the City.

Having never read an Anita Blake book before I really enjoyed this story, Anita is a new (to me) heroine who's tough and smart. There is plenty going on in this story to keep you on your toes. The Laughing Corpse is a creepy mystery full of danger, suspense and the dead; well worth reading.

 

Laurell K. Hamilton Webpage

Laurell K. Hamilton @ Hachette

 

On sale: 01 November 2009
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780755355303
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Zombies
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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A Modern Faerie Tale #1

A MODERN FAERIE TALE:
Tithe by Holly Black

An Exchange That Will Turn You Green!

When Kaye was little she had friends that only see could see, everyone knew her as the girl who believed in faeries. Now, Kaye is sixteen and people still remember her as the girl who believed in faeries.

One night while walking home Kaye hears a noise and goes to investigate, and there she finds an injured boy. But he is no ordinary boy, he is a faery; a faery knight. Not long after this her old childhood faery friends, who she had long assumed make-believe, return to her asking for help.

Kaye didn't really want to get involved in faery affairs but she agrees to do all she can to help her past faery friends, even when they ask her to trust them with her life, literally. Kaye is warned also to stay away from the very dangerous faery knight, but she can't seem to keep from thinking about him, and running into him. Things are changing for Kaye, and so is she...

Tithe is a book of faery Queens, and magic, and sacrifice. But it is also a book of smoking and alcohol, and lust, and teen angst. Although there are some good ideas in this book, there is also a lot that seems stale and monotonous. I think my expectations were a little to high.

 

Holly Black Webpage

Holly Black @ Simon & Schuster

 

On sale: 01 June 2005
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780689860423
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: two out of five
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Whistling Tor - Book 1

WHISTLING TOR:
Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

A Tale As Old As Time!

A young woman is running away from the demons in her past. She has come to the edge of the world, to the middle of nowhere. To a place darkened by fear and cast in shadows. She has come to Whistling Tor.

Caitrin has made her way west, far from her old life in Market Cross, to the settlement of Whistling Tor. Now she finds herself alone and her funds all gone. But she does have the means to support herself, if only there was work for a scribe in the small settlement. Luckily, up on fortress of Whistling Tor a position is found available for a scribe and Caitrin does not hesitate to take.

Not many folk venture to Whistling Tor because of the curse. Evil presences and manifestations surround the hill and fortress of Whistling Tor, and all who venture there take their lives into their own hands. Even the chieftain of Whistling Tor has not escaped the curse, all warped and twisted. Caitrin is sure these are just stories told by the fireside to entertain and thrill. But once on the Tor and in the home of Lord Anluan, Caitrin comes to find truth in these tales.

Caitrin soon uncovers the sad and cursed history of Whistling Tor, but can she also uncover the key to saving the Tor and its people? There are more then just presences on the hill, there is an evil that will stop at nothing to hold its secrets, and Caitrin is getting to close to the truth. But if she can not face her own demons who sent her running scared from her home in Market Cross, how can she face the evil on the Tor to save those she loves?

Based on the fairytale Beauty And The Beast, Heart's Blood, with its stunning imagery and passionate storytelling, this story will capture both the heart and imagination. There are thrilling moments filled with danger and suspense, and charming characters that will enter your heart. This is a lovely story of hope and love, where one heart can stand against a frenzy, and a wager can win you a prize more precious then gold; Heart's Blood.

 

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

 

On sale: 01 November 2009
Price (AU): $32.99
ISBN: 9781405039437
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Heart
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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spellcrackers.com - Book 2

spellcrackers.com:
The Cold Kiss Of Death by Suzanne McLeod

She Is Unique, But Sidhe Is Not The Only One!

Genevieve Taylor is a fae, a sidhe fae. And while there are plenty of fae to be found in the city, Genny is the only sidhe fae in London. Which is why when a dead body turns up with sidhe magic all over it, Genny is the polices' number one suspect. Never mind she didn't do it.

Genny is on the run, and it's not only the police after her. Every vampire is dying to sink their teeth into her, ghosts are haunting her, and many others are after her body in more ways then one. Unfortunately the witches are causing trouble, and she has a fear of ghosts.

It seems everyone in London is after her and time is running out. Genny has to find the sidhe killer before its too late. But when her own kind turns against her is her only salvation in a vampire, and her own death.

The Cold Kiss Of Death will chill you to the bone and steal your breath away. Beautifully involving characters are wrapped in an absorbing and inventive mystery. Mesmerising and suspenseful, its heart racing action will keep you on your toes. A great read.

 

Suzanne McLeod - spellcrackers.com

Suzanne McLeod @ Hachette

 

On sale: 16 July 2009
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9780575084292
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Fae/Fangs
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: five out of five
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Me and You

Me and You by Janet A. Holmes

illustrated by Judith Rossell

What I Like Best...!

Little rabbit is one happy bunny. There are many things little rabbit loves about being a rabbit, many things he can do that make him happy. Little rabbit can hop, skip and jump, swim like a fish, run with a kite and climb up a tree.

Everyday little rabbit does many different things that make him happy and everyday when he hop, skips and plays little rabbit plays with a friend by his side. Although little rabbit loves to play, nothing makes him happier than doing those things with his best friend, little mouse, by his side.

Me and You is a tender tale of friendship and fun. Little rabbit and little mouse are the best of friend doing everything together as they demonstrate just how important friendship is. Beautifully engaging with charming and bright illustrations, Me and You is a story best enjoyed with little friend.

 

(illustrator) Judith Russell Webpage

Janet A. Holmes @ Little Hare Books Hardie Grant Publishing

 

On sale: 01 November 2008
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781921272547
Recommended age: 3+
In a word: Friendship
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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Rose - Book 1

ROSE:
Rose by Holly Webb

It Must Be Magic!

Rose was an orphan who lived at St Bridget's Home for Abandoned Girls. She had been abandoned as a baby with nothing to show of where she came from; except possibly an unusual talent. But even her name was borrowed from the rose bush at the orphanage.

While other girls daydreamed of one day finding loving, and wealthy, parents who would one day return for them, Rose was imagining more practical dreams. All she wanted was employment as a maid, her own wages and freedom from the orphanage. One day her dream came true.

Rose had found employment as a maid at the home of Mr Fountain, a magician. Rose is initially unsure about magic, but it's something she can not ignore. Rose has a new home and new friends, but when her old friend disappears Rose is determined to find her. But she is not the only one; children have started disappearing all over London.

Rose is a magical and mysterious story that is endearing and instantly appealing. Rose is practical and thoughtful, but also funny and very enchanting. It is an exciting and inventive story of magicians and witches, talking cats, mist-monsters, treacle and friendships.

Rose - covers

Holly Webb Webpage

(cover art) Lisa Evans Webpage

Holly Webb @ Hachette Children's

On sale: 06 August 2009
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781408304471
Recommended age: 9-11
In a word: Magic
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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