About A Girl

About A Girl by Joanne Horniman

Falling In Love Can Be Heartbreaking!

Anna's past is dark and painful, she never meant for the bad things to happen, she never meant to feel the things she feels, she never meant to be so different, but she couldn't help it. And it was all her fault.

Moving to Lismore had seemed ideal; Anna had a job she enjoyed and her own apartment, what more could she want? And then one day she saw a girl with a white guitar running down the street, and from the moment she heard that girl play she was in love. But she knew that she would never see that girl again.

Days later, though, she did. Her name was Flynn, and when she played she called herself Every Little Thing, but to Anna she was everything. The day they met they sat on Flynn's roof drinking tea and eating banana bread. The day they met Anna was the happiest she had ever been.

The only problem was Anna wasn't sure Flynn shared her feelings for her. There would be days, weeks, when Flynn could not be found, other days she was constantly by her side. But there was always something between them. Anna assumed it was Flynn's secrets keeping them apart, but Anna had been keeping secrets of her own.

This is a story of two girls, a couple of cats and a teapot named Lavinia. A story of falling in love, having your heart broken and losing those you love. A story about learning that everyone is different in their own way. A simple, honest and moving story About A Girl who just wants to be loved.

 

Joanne Horniman Webpage

Joanne Horniman @ Allen & Unwin

 

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $17.99
ISBN: 9781742371443
Recommended age: 15-18
In a word: Girls
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Warrior Princess 01

WARRIOR PRINCESS:
Rhiannon Of The Spring by Allan Frewin Jones 

There Is A Price To Pay For Turning Your Back On A Goddess!

When Branwen was little her brother Geraint would tell her old nursery stories of Pooka's and Coblyn's and Gwyllion's. When she was little he told her stories of the Shining Ones. They were the Old Gods, the forgotten Gods, and it was forbidden to talk of them.

When Branwen was younger her brother Geraint gave her a slingshot that she taught herself to use and to hunt with. When she was younger he taught her to handle a sword if ever she had a need to defend herself. However these lessons were always with swords of wood and always held in secret.

Now Branwen had watched as her brother Geraint displayed bravery and courage when faced with the enemy. She stood and watched as he was killed, she stood and did nothing. But what could she have done against a band of armed men, she was after all still a child.

Sent far from home to an unfriendly place with strange customs, Branwen stumbles upon a grove, a place once held sacred but now believed haunted. Here a choice must be made, follow her duty and her parents' wished to a loveless marriage far from her home, or follow her destiny and the wild and pitiless Old Magic of Rhiannon, a Shining One, to an unknown future as a warrior.

Rhiannon of the Spring has returned to save a land in danger. Warrior Princess Branwen must learn to cope with grief and loss as she makes a choice between her duty to others and following her own heart. A fantasy adventure based on Welsh mythology, this is a journey of discovering belief in oneself and about standing up for what is right, even if you stand alone. Do not be put off by the cheesy description of this book; what's inside is well worth the read.

 

Allan Frewin Jones Webpage

Allen Frewin Jones @ Hachette Children's

 

On sale: 10 December 2009
Price (AU): $17.99
ISBN: 9780340999387
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Warrior
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Adoration Of Jenna Fox

The Adoration Of Jenna Fox by Mary E Pearson

'What Am I?'

Before the accident she was Jenna Fox, a sixteen year old who followed the rules, who was her parents' miracle child, who was perfect. After the accident she was no longer sure she was Jenna Fox. She was no longer sure who Jenna Fox was.

When she awoke she cried, she didn't remember doing that. When she awoke her family was with her; her watching father who was soon to leave her, her over protective mother who would not leave her side, and her grandmother who now despised her. They were all there but she didn't remember them.

When she awoke it was to a different world, a different city on the other side of the country, a different house unfilled and dilapidated, a different room bare and impersonal. What had happened for them to move so far, what had happened to all her belongings, what had happened to her?

As everyone around her tries to convince her of who she was she realises she no longer knows what she is. What is she if she can not understand the world around her, if words she once knew escape her, if voices she once heard still call to her? Is who she is now enough to exist, enough to be loved? Can she still be Jenna Fox without knowing anything about her?

The Adoration Of Jenna Fox is about definitions, acceptance and ethics. A captivating and moving mystery of life and change that demonstrates the blinding power of love, and how far people will go to save the ones they love.

 

Mary E Pearson Webpage

Mary E Pearson @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 February 2009
Price (AU): $17.95
ISBN: 9781741756401
Recommended age: 13-16
In a word: Jenna
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Headgames

Headgames by Casey Lever

You Don't Know Me!

They were told the game could bring freedom. They were warned the game could be cruel, that it dose damage. But what they were not sure of was what the game was.

For years Steven had followed Avery around school, love sick and stupid he refused to be deterred, even when Avery came right out and told him she hated him. After all this time he thought he knew her... It was the game that finally brought them together, just not in the way Steven had hoped.

When Tala perceived a threat to his friend, he automatically stepped in and joined the game, unaware of the consequences it would have for himself. The game was also to change Jude, a troubled girl dragged into the game by her half-brother Connor, who started the game with one purpose in mind.

They all had their own reasons for wanting to play the game, they all wanted something different from the game, but the game doesn't work that way, and what they would get was not what they expected. When you play with the truth, you risk pain. But is anyone ever ready to hear brutal honesty.

When a criminal, a princes, a jock, a punk chick, and a geek come together to play an innocent child's game, no one would be left unscathed. Headgames is the modern equivalent to the movie "The Breakfast Club", where everyone learns there is more to others then what is seen at face value.

 

Casey Lever @ Random House

 

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781741663532
Recommended age: 14-17
In a word: Truth
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: two out of five
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Prophecy Of The Sisters book 1

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS:
Prophecy Of The Sisters by Michelle Zinc

There Is Always A Choice!

Lia stands in the rain, she stands in grief, she stands beside her family, but she stands alone. The grave has taken her last parent and now she is truly an orphan, with no one to guide her and no one to turn to.

Lia stands on Alice's right as she always has, but she will no longer look on her sister as she once did, and she will no longer stand beside her sister as she once had. Lia is changed, marked, and she learns no one is as they seem; including herself.

A book has been found; The Book of Chaos. It is an ancient book by its look, containing only a single page, written in Latin. Translated it is discovered to be a tale of angels, or demons. A tale of Gates and Guardians, a tale of twins; twins like Lia and Alice.

Lia discovers that her destiny has long been written in a prophecy, the Prophecy Of The Sisters. As evil approaches she must make a choice, but is her choice the right one, and will her choice turn her sister, her best friend, against her forever?

The Prophecy Of The Sisters is a tale of two sisters, twins, who are as dissimilar in mind as they are similar in looks. A dark world of destiny, duty and demons sets the backdrop for this dangerous tale of loss and possibilities. A tale in which an angel is charged to lead the demons of hell to bring about the end of the world.

 

Michelle Zinc Webpage

Michelle Zinc @ Hachette

On sale: 01 August 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781905654505
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Prophecy
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: four out of five
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Quantum Enchantment - Book Two

QUANTUM ENCHANTMENT:
Arrows Of Time by Kim Falconer

Its Not How Much Time You Have, But How You Use It!

There is more to time then just a straight line, an arrow pointing from the past through to the future. Time is neither fixed nor transfixed. It is fluid and flowing and can move in any direction it pleases. It can also repeat itself, and repeat itself, and repeat itself...

When the call came it could not be ignored. Compelled to act, Rosette and Jarrod raced through the corridors together, however they did not emerge together. At least not at the same time. They were to be separated for a long time, and only a death could bring them together again. But who's?

Everett has just been presented with a mystery; a Jane Doe, with no ID and strange body art. It was not known for sure where, or when, she came from. What was known for sure was that she was dead. An impossibility in this time of medical advancement, ASSIST had seen to that, and yet here she lies; dead.

Deeply philosophical and always adventurous, the Arrows Of Time will have your mind going in circles with its smoothly written and well thought out story of paradoxes and possibilities. Rosette is a heroine who is strong, loving and unpredictable. And when more then one world spins out of time and out of balance, she must navigate the chaos to find a way home.

Gaela - map

 

Kim Falconer Webpage

Kim Falocner @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 August 2009
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780732287726
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Time
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: five out of five
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Argeneau Vampire #2

ARGENEAU VAMPIRE:
Love Bites by Lynsay Sands

'Kill Me To Save Me'

There is a crazy man on the loose. He stalks the night with guns, and knives, and an axe. He believes vampires roam the night, and is determined to destroy them; or join them if they'll have him. But what kind of idiot believes in vampires.

Working in a morgue was not the best way to have an active social life, especially when working the night shift. Rachel had been working the night shift for a long time, but just as she was about to see the light at the end if the night shift, something very bad happens. Rachel had thought she would rather die than be stuck on the night shift forever, but when that becomes her only option is she still so sure?

Etienne has been under a lot of strain lately. Someone has been trying to kill him. Actually someone had already killed him, twice, and they were still not giving up. It had been a close call both time, and both times he had been saved by a woman working in the morgue. But when her life is under threat because of him, should he give up is one chance for love to save her?

In Love Bites three lives will change forever under the actions of one mad man. Things seem to go from bad to worse to better to so much better to bad again and then to great. A story of honour and love, where vampires are not so much the walking soulless, bloodsucking, undead. Well, yes they do drink blood but from wine glasses and blood bags and not sucked from helpless mortals.

There are some good ideas in this story including the origin of the Argeneau vampires, which is original and creative, as is the science behind the 'curse' of the vampires. However to me this would have been a more intriguing story if it had focused a little less on the pleasures of the two main characters.

 

Lynsay Sands Webpage

Lynsay Sands - Argeneau Family Tree

Lynsay Sands - Notte Family Tree

Lynsay Sands - Enforcers Tree

Lynsay Sands @ Hachette

 

On sale: 05 March 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780575093812
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Love/Lust?
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: three out of five
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Post Grad

Post Grad (Film tie-in edition) by Emily Cassel

'shitshitshit'

Its the most important moment in your life and your best friend is by your side. Unfortunately your family are creating an embarrassing sceptical of themselves, just at the moment you are taking the stage to accept your diploma. Why couldn't they have forgotten all about this and just stayed at home...?

When Ryden was very young she had come up with "the Plan". It was a simple plan, do well in high school, get collage scholarship, and try not to get too drunk too often. So far in her life everything had gone according to that plan. Until the moment she was about to complete step four, and get everything she thought she wanted.

The last and most important part of "the Plan" had been to land her dream job. Unfortunately for Ryden this was the one thing she had no control over. Interview after interview had been one disaster after another. Ryden now found herself broke, unemployed and moving back in with her family.

Post Grad is not just about what happens after collage but is about life, love and figuring out what it is that you really want. There are some very funny moments, as well as some very cringe-worthy moments, and overall it's not a bad book. However it is somewhat clichéd so expect your typical Hollywood ending.

 

Emily Cassel @ Pan Macmillan

 

On sale: 01 January 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330425001
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Life
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: two out of five
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When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Diamond-Jumping Can Be Hazardous, Not To Mention Confusing!

A young girl and her brother are approached by three strange women. They are then taken on a journey through time and space to rescue a father they barely knew. It was a dangerous and thrilling journey, but it was also just a story. A story about family and adventure and time travel. Which is possible, according to Marcus, at least in theory.

Miranda's life was simple, she had her mother and she had Sal, her best friend. What more could she want? Then one day something happened to change all that. For no apparent reason Sal got hit, Sal stopped talking to her, and a letter arrived.

Other letters soon followed about things that had yet to happen, that had already happened. Could the lives of two people really lie in Miranda's hands; a twelve year old who had just lost her best friend and was all but alone in the world? But as we see there is more then one way to save a life...

When You Reach Me is a circular story that is deeply thoughtful, philosophical and also just about a girl. 'Tell me a story' the letters had said, and she did. Miranda's story is simply about life, about friendships, about growing up and making mistakes. And also about time-travel.

 

Rebecca Stead Webpage

Rebecca Stead @ Text Publishing

 

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $16.95
ISBN: 9781921656064
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Time
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Fallen #1

FALLEN:
Fallen by Lauren Kate

... Then An Angel Fell For A Mortal!

In the beginning he would search for her, when he didn't find her she would find him. In every life they would come together only to be torn apart. They were in love. They were domed. Time and time again he would lose her, and she would die. Time and time again he would remember and she would forget. It was always the same. Until now...

Ever since she can remember, Lucinda has seen things no one else can. Shadows. Luce had always feared them, but they had always kept their distance. Until the day they got too close and took a life. After the 'accident' things changed. People looked at her differently, with fear, even her parents. And Lucinda was sent away.

Stepping through the gates of Sword & Cross was like stepping into another world. On her first day at reform school Luce met a boy. He was cold and aloof, but somehow mesmerising. Was she crazy or had they met before? But no matter how many times he told her she was, she was sure she was not crazy.

Fallen is the story of an age old battle, one that has been reining since the beginning of time, one that will last to the end. The fate of all eternal souls rests in the hands of a pair of star-crossed-lovers. And Lucinda and Daniel are as domed and as much in love as Romeo and Juliet.

Natural and flowing language guides Lucinda through a new and thrilling world, where the only thing that's more important than survival is love. For all those who have had enough of vampires, now there are angels. And waiting for what happens next will be Torment.

 

Lauren Kate Webpage
Lauren Kate @ Random House

On sale: 08 December 2009
Price (AU): $29.95
ISBN: 9780385618021
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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