Fury

Fury by Shirley Marr

"Hell Have No Fury Like A Woman Scorned"

Eliza is sixteen, finishing her final year of school and looking forward to the new sports car her mother has promised to buy her when she passes her driving test. Until then she has to put up with her elite school environment, wealthy but absent mother and sometimes infuriating but best friends.

The last thing anybody expected to happen in the perfect world of East Rivermoor, the wealthy suburb surrounded by a high fence to keep out the poor and dangerous alike, is for one of their own to commit murder. Eliza's confession is a dark and emotional story told with a raw honesty that doesn't sugar-coat what she has done or why. There is no excuse although she has her reasons but she's not sorry for it, not at all.

Fury is compelling, messy, complicated and just a little bit heartbreaking. When pushed to the edge and broken down with no one to turn to, belittled and victimised, is it any wonder that things turn vindictive? Eliza is selfish, spoilt and stuck up and that doesn't change but somehow her soft and vulnerable core shines through endearing us to this fiery redhead who deep down is as lost and broken as the rest of us. A brilliant debut novel.

Fury - cover

Shirley Marr Webpage

Shirley Marr @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

Eliza Boans - blog

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031323
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Fury
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Ash

Ash by Malinda Lo 

Love Can Change Your World!

After Aisling's mother died her father remarried, soon after her father died also. All alone in the world Aisling was left to be raised by her stepmother, a woman who insisted she work of the debts left behind by her father. So Ash, the daughter of a gentleman, was forced to become a servant to her stepmother and her two stepsisters.

If this story sounds familiar so far then it should, for Ash is a re-imagining of Cinderella. But where Cinderella is rescued by a fairy-godmother and a handsome prince, Ash is indebted to a hansom faery and has to learn to save herself. Here love takes on many forms and for Ash love is found in the woods, a special place to Ash and her true love, but who is the one she truly loves?

Ash's world is a mixture of new customs and old traditions steeped in an ancient land full of stories and enchantment. You have never heard the story of Cinderella told like this before, where a heroine must fight to save herself and to be with the one she loves, where inner strength is found through confidence, belief and love. Ash is a story full of magic and a fairytale full of fairy tales.

Ash's World - map

Malinda Lo Webpage

Malinda Lo @ Hachette Children's

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780340988374
Recommended age: 15+
In a word: Cinderella
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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The Wardstone Chronicles Book2

THE WARDSTONE CHRONICLES:
The SPOOK'S Curse by Joseph Delaney

But I Don't Believe In Curses!

It has been almost six months since Tom began his apprenticeship with the Spook and in that time he has come to see Chipenden, and the Spook's home, as his own. But all that may change if the curse is to be believed, but who has time to fear a curse when there exists the Bane.

Deep in the catacombs under Priestown cathedral an ancient being corrupted by the passing years has turned towards the dark and has in turn corrupted Priestown, a town full of Priests and often visited by The Quisitor.

But as the lives of the Spook and Tom become increasingly in danger there is also Alice to worry about. As the curse becomes ever more possible and Alice turns further towards the dark will Tom lose them both, or will he have to pay the ultimate price to save them?

The Spook's Curse is an old and powerful curse that will one day claim the Spook's life, but that is only if it is to be believed. In a mixture of history, mythology and fantasy The Spook's is a series that perfectly blends mystery and danger to create a dark and exciting world that has to be read to be believed.

The SPOOK'S - map

Joseph Delaney Webpage

Joseph Delaney @ Random House

THE SPOOK'S

On sale: 01 May 2009
Price (AU): $17.95
ISBN: 9781862308558
Recommended age: 12-16
In a word: Curse
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Seven Sacred Sites

Seven Sacred Sites by Serene Conneeley

Step Back In Time!

Have you ever been captured by the magic and wonder of the past? Some of the most ancient of civilisations to have left their mark on our world have all but disappeared but for a few monuments and sites that were once so sacred to them but are now only a mystery to us. If you have ever felt the pull to another time and another place lost now to history then this is the book for you.

Seven Sacred Sites are captured and presented with full history and mythology in this informative reference. Significant cultural and religious meanings taken from the past are presented along with spiritual guidance to these most enchanted of landmarks. What makes each place so special and unique is explored with care and great detail along with images to inspire your journey into the past of our blessed and sacred lands.

Serene Conneeley Webpage

Paperback @ Seven Sacred Sites

Paperback @ Amazon

Seven Sacred Sites

On sale: 01 October 2008
Price (AU): $34.95
ISBN: 9780980548709
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Sacred
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Pocket Money Puffins: Vamoose!

POCKET MONEY PUFFINS:
Vamoose! by Meg Rosoff

Imagine That, A Baby Moose!

Apparently its not that uncommon to have a baby moose, it's rare, but not uncommon. When at seventeen Jess has to break the news to her mother that she is pregnant, she never thought that she would have to explain to her mother that her baby was not like other human babies, but a baby moose. An unwed teenage mother could have worse problems couldn't she?

Vamoose is a quirky little light-hearted story that manages to impress the pressures and difficulties of being a mother, especially when that mother is still only really a child herself and when that mother has a baby that is not altogether what was expected. But when life throws us something crazy, it just may be the best thing that ever happened to us; then again it just may be something crazy. The perfect bit size read for those on the go.

Meg Rosoff Webpage

Meg Rosoff @ Penguin

On sale: 01 June 2010
Price (AU): $7.95
ISBN: 9780141329147
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Moose
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Pocket Money Puffins: Infinity

POCKET MONEY PUFFINS:
Infinity by Sarah Dessen

All Things Are Connected!

Its not her boyfriend Anthony that has her feeling pressured, although he is doing his best to be persuasive where there relationship is concerned, but the round about that has her feeling anxious. Maybe its something she has picked up from her mother, a feeling of fear ingrained in her from the incident at the roundabout that left her mother determined to never enter it again, or is it her own sense of guilt for not supporting her mother by also boycotting the circular death trap?

Infinity is a short story about growing up, learning about life and making the choices that are right for you. Everyone comes to their own decisions in their own time and rushing into things can sometimes only makes things worse. Issues of family and relationships are explored in this mini but meaningful little story.

Sarah Dessen Webpage

Sarah Dessen @ Penguin

On sale: 07 June 2010
Price (AU): $7.95
ISBN: 9780141330778
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Infinity
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Soul Screamers #2

SOUL SCREAMERS:

My Soul To Save by Rachel Vincent

Should I Stay Or Should I Go!

It has been only weeks since Kaylee has discovered that she is a bean sidhe and only weeks since she witnessed her aunts death, as well as the deaths of four other innocent girls; her best friend Emma almost one of them. But Kaylee is about to learn that there is more to the world then reapers and bean sidhes'.

Kaylee now has two new men in her life; her boyfriend Nash who was there for her with the truth when no one else was and her father who for as long as she can remember has been absent. If Kaylee thought things were awkward before they are about to get a whole lot more complicated. Forced to skip school, break rules and downright lie, Kaylee will have to make a choice, her life or the life of a complete stranger.

When Kaylee crosses over to the dark side she begins to realise just how much danger she is really in. Soulless pop-stars, demons, love sick reapers and overbearing fathers may not be the biggest hurdles she has to face, if she can not get over her own sense of guilt, and a nasty little vine, it may not be just her life lost. Kaylee must realise she can't save everyone, or the price she pays will be herself.

My Soul To Save through sacrifice and love, but it may not be enough. Kaylee is delving deeper into the dark and dangerous world of the Netherworld in a way that is daring and energetic. With a focus on trust, friendships and doing what is right there is just the right blend of mystery, danger and romance to keep any reader satisfied. It's a real scream!

Rachel Vincent Webpage

Rachel Vincent @ Harlequin Teen

Soul Screamers

Netherworld Survival Guide

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781921685545
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Demons
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: four out of five
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Instructions

Instructions by Neil Gaiman
illustrated by Charles Vess

Follow Me!

A Puss in Boots has one day decided to take a walk following a path he has never used before. It is a path well hidden and only just discovered. But this will be no ordinary walk; it is a guided tour through a world of enchantment and danger. If you do not follow the Instructions you may never find your way home, but if you pay attention you may just learn the mysteries of a fairytale land.

Instructions will guide you through a light and magical story full of friendship, mysteries and oddities. If you have ever wondered how to survive the perils of coming up against princesses, giants or wolves, if you have contemplated how to endure in a fairytale land then these clear and decisive instructions will set you straight. But listen carefully for there is wisdom too in these words that will be of benefit in our own strange and wondrous world. Instructions is a book to live by.

Neil Gaiman Webpage

Neil Gaiman @ Allen & Unwin
MouseCircus

On sale: 01 June 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781408808641
Recommended age: 6-10
In a word: Instructions
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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A Magical Journey

A Magical Journey by Serene Conneeley

Do What's Write For You!

This is a journey into the soul, a look at oneself through thoughts, ideas and words. A record of where we have been, what we have done and all that we wish to achieve. A place to store our hopes and dreams, to keep our goals and aspirations. It may just be a book of stories either of our own experiences or born from our imagination. It could also be simply a diary, a notebook or a cook book. However you decide to use it this journal will be your own.

A Magical Journey presents practical advice and guidance on journaling and writing. It also offers calendars, moon phases and festivals held around the world with information on there origins, histories and mythologies. Full of inspirational quotes and largely dedicated to being a functional journal, A Magical Journey is a thoughtful and personal book that will be anything you make it.

Serene Conneeley Webpage

Paperback @ A Magical Journey

Paperback @ Amazon

A Magical Journey

On sale: 01 June 2009
Price (AU): $27.95
ISBN: 9780980548716
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Journey
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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God's Promises For Girls

God's Promises For Girls
(compiled) by Jack Countryman
& (poetry by) Amy Parker

A Promise To You!

Whether you're happy, lonely or afraid there is always someone you can turn to who will share your feelings. For any question you have there is always someone you can turn to for the answers. If you ever lose your way there is always someone there to guide you back on the right path.

Every girl, young or old, will be able to draw something from this charming book no matter what may be happening in their life. The message in this book is universal and clear, every girl should always try their best to be good and do good and every girl, no matter who she may be, is special. Adorable images compliment thoughtful poems and words of inspiration to take through every moment in a girls life.

Jack Countryman & Amy Parker @ Thomas Nelson

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (US): $12.99
ISBN: 9781400315918
Recommended age: 9-12
In a word: Promise
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to children
Star rating: four out of five
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Beautiful Monster

beautiful monster by Kate McCaffrey

I Have To Be My Best, I Have To Be The Best!

There was a time when all Tess had to worry about was homework and her annoying little brother. But now with her brother gone Tess worries about everything and homework is just one more thing that causes her anxiety; slowly it feels like everything is slipping out of control.

After her brother Tess's life becomes dark, her home silent and happiness something that no longer exists within her family. Her parents are having trouble dealing with the aftermath of the incident, her mother especially is not coping falling into a great depression and Tess is left to try and deal through things on her own. At least she would be alone if it wasn't for Ned.

Ned is the one person Tess can trust, the one person she can talk to and the only one who understands her. Tess knows that Ned loves her and anything he may say is for her best, he wants her to be the best. If she can just control her study, control her eating, then maybe she will become smart enough and thin enough to be good enough to be loved.

beautiful monster is a compelling story with a lead character you really feel for. This is story about a devastating and traumatic event that cripples a family and leaves one girl forever changed. A sensitive and insightful look at how one girl deals with a number of difficult issues namely grief, depression, and eating disorders. Some events not only change your life but leave you forever changed.

Everyone deals with tragedy in their own ways but no one should have to deal alone.

Kate McCaffrey Webpage

Kate McCaffrey @ Penguin

On sale: 27 April 2010
Price (AU): $19.95
ISBN: 9781921361982
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Tragedy
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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