The Violet Eden Chapters #1

THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS:
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington 

You Know How I Feel!

Violet was just an ordinary girl with a normal life. Raised by a single father who was a workaholic she spent a lot of time alone and if not for best friend Steph, who was always trying to get her to the mall, her social life would be almost non-existent. So there were some parts of her life that were a little less ordinary like her relationship with Lincoln, whom she spent all her time training with. Over all it was normal and it was hers.

On her sixteenth birthday however Violet makes a few discoveries about her life that are anything but normal, and the one person she had trusted to be there for her is the one person responsible for keeping secrets from her. Her normal world was shattered, with Lincoln gone and Phoenix always turning up just when he is needed, Violet must make a choice to either reject her destiny in favour of the life she had worked so hard to achieve, or embrace a life she does not want.

Embrace is more then just a story of angels, theology and good verses evil, it is a story of a girl caught between two world and two boys, struggling to discover who she is and her place in the world. It is through her strengths that she is able to find the power to save not only herself and the ones she loves but also those who have hurt her most. A lovely book that shows that you don't have to believe in the impossible, you just have to have faith that it is possible.

My Girl - a letter to Violet

Jessica Shirvington Webpage

Jessica Shirvington @ Hachette Children's

On sale: 01 October 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780734411846
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Angels
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Paranormalcy #1

PARANORMALCY:
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

I See Right Through You!

As a sixteen year old Evie is unique in more ways then one. Not many other humans have as much knowledge about the real world as she does and no other sixteen year old in the world is employed by an international organisation whose aim it is to protect humanity against all that is paranormal. She is also unique in one other way; no other person is able to see the world quite as clearly as she can, that is her special gift.

Evie has long dreamed of a normal life away from vampires, werewolves and especially faeries, a life with parents, school, lockers and prom. However she has accepted her home in the Centre and her job within International Paranormal Containment Agreement. She actually never thought enough about her life to question it, until the break-in, the discovery of a new paranormal and the deaths that begin to haunt her every footsteps.

Paranormalcy is a thrilling mix of danger and romance. It is exciting to see a heroine who is not afraid to be girlie with her pink stiletto boots and her custom made pink weapons that allow her to still kick butt when she needs to. The villains may be misunderstood, the paranormals may have uncertain motives but Evie can see clearly through them all to their very souls. A truly imaginative read and one that is highly recommended.

Kiersten White Webpage
Kiersten White @ Harper Collins

On sale: 01 October 2010

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007390120
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Paranormal
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Odd and the Frost Giants

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

A Long Winter!

Odd's father died when he was still young, it was also about this time that Odd had the accident that left his right leg crushed. Odd never really did fit in. So when one Winter refused to end and threatened the coming of Spring, Odd left the confines of the village for the woods, for peace. And it is there he makes some extraordinary friends.

Odd and the Frost Giants is a journey into the past where the Gods of Norse mythology come to life, only to be saved by a twelve year old boy. When a fox, an eagle and a bear seek help to defeat the frost giants whose very presence threatens an eternal winter it is an unlikely hero who comes to their aid. A timeless narrative style conveys a story that is a little Odd but has a Giant heart.

Neil Gaiman Webpage

Neil Gaiman @ Allen & Unwin
MouseCircus

On sale: 01 November 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780747598114
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Odd
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Iron Fey Book 1

IRON FEY:

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Lets Make A Deal!

The last thing Meghan remembers of her father is a memory of him smiling, laughing, standing by a pond in the park sending her off to get an ice cream. The next moment he was gone with only his shoes left to mark that he had ever existed at all. That was ten years ago. Since then she and her mother had moved, her mother had remarried and she now had a half brother who, despite being only four, was really quite a good kid.

When on the eve of her sixteenth birthday her brother starts acting strangely and she begins to see things that cannot possibly be, Meghan is faced with an impossible truth; faeries are real. And more startling then that, she herself is half fey. When her best friend is more then what he seems, when her brother is nothing like he was, when her whole family is placed in danger, Meghan is faced with a choice that will forever change the way she sees the world.

The Iron King blends together the familiar themes associated with faeries found in mythology and folk beliefs but twists them into a modern fairy tale that is new and sharp. This is a world where time has no meaning, love will leave you frozen and friends will get you drunk on fruit and break your heart. With vivid detail a richly imaginative journey is taken that will bring danger with every turn, obligation with every word and understanding with every new encounter. A captivating read, I promise.

Winter's Passage - click below to read

Julie Kagawa Webpage

Julie Kagawa @ Harlequin Teen

Iron Fey

On sale: 01 March 2010
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781741168693
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Princess
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Faerie #1

FAERIE:

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

I Saw A Light!

The War changed the world, afterwards people had to learn to live without technology, had to learn to live on only what they could grow, make or scavenge from what survived from Before. Afterwards the danger was not only from strangers, trees or stones but from themselves and the new born among them. The War with the Faeries left its mark on the world; as well as its magic.

Liza knew the rules, knew what fate awaited those who were touched by magic, saw for herself what happen to her sister, all for being born with faerie-pale hair. So when she herself starts to display signs of magic she flees from home rather then face a heartless death, but she doesn't leave alone. Liza is curtain she can find the answers she needs if she can just find her mother, but what if her mother does not want to be found?

Bones of Faerie is one of the most imaginative and rich stories of faeries and magic. A brilliant new series that seamlessly blends fairy-tales with science fiction creating a world that is tangible, wondrous and strangely attainable. Such a momentous journey undertaken for such a small book, but one you absolutely don't want to miss.

Invasive Species
(short story set in the world of Faerie series)

Janni Lee Simner Webpage

Janni Lee Simner @ Random House

On sale: 01 December 2010
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742750651
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Magic
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes, read it!
Star rating: five out of five
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The Kingdom of the Lost #1

THE KINGDOM OF THE LOST:

The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody

Go West!

Bily and Zluty live a quiet and happy life of routine, they spend the warmer months foraging, collecting and growing, baking, making and bartering all that they will need to sustain them for the cold winter months. While Bily, white furred and timid, completed the important tasks about their cottage, Zluty, yellow furred and adventurous, would setoff on long treks to gather what suppliers they need from the surrounding lands.

When one morning these two brothers woke to discover a redness in the sky nether could say for sure what that redness was. Weather a cloud, a mist or something else the only thing Bily and Zluty knew for curtain was that they had never seen it before and what ever it was it did belong. However with no answers Bily and Zluty did the only thing they could, they ignored the redness and went about with their tasks. However the red wind would not be ignored.

The Red Wind is a sweet and tender story of brotherly love, duty, kindness and courage. In the face of danger, destruction and the threat of death these two brothers demonstrate just how important all life is, whether that of a small bee or a large monster. Bily and Zluty are able to show how helping others in need is important, and that change no matter how scary or devastating is not the end of the world but can be the beginning of a new adventure.

Isobelle Carmody Webpage

Isobelle Carmody @ Penguin

On sale: 28 June 2010
Price (AU): $19.95
ISBN: 9780670074037
Recommended age: 8+
In a word: Brothers
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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The Mortal Instruments #1

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Seeing Is Believing, If You Can Remember What You Saw!

In one night Clary saw people who weren't there, witnessed a murder and watched as the dead boys body disappeared. One night later and Clary found herself face to face with the invisible murderer as he saves her from a demon, her mother already gone, and her home no longer safe. It would be three days before Clary would discover where she was and what had happened to her.

Clary had never heard her mother speak of her past, indeed it was almost as though her mother didn't start existing until she was born, and Clary knew even less about her father. But all the secrets her mother kept have now left Clary confused and alone. With only the murderous strangers left to turn to will she survive long enough to find her mother and discover the truth?

City of Bones brings together the supernatural world in a new and inventive way. Where angels fight demons and half-human being roam our cities; with vampires in nightclubs, werewolves running Chinese restaurants and faeries dancing in Central Park. There are so many twists and turns in this new world to explore to keep you occupied to the very last showdown.

Cassandra Clare Webpage
Cassandra Clare @ Walker Books
The Mortal Instruments

On sale: 01 August 2007
Price (US): $19.95
ISBN: 9781406307627
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Shadowhunter
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Touch #1

TOUCH:
Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

One Touch And He Just Knew!

Camelia has had her share of experience with school rumours, and knowing just how 'truthful' they can be she is happy to ignore them when it comes to Ben the new guy at school, especially when that guy saved her life, not to mention left her thinking of little else but his touch ever since.

As the rumours escalate so to does the danger for Camelia, but as the danger grows Camelia finds her world closing in about her, her parents are preoccupied and her friends never seem to be around. Only Ben seems to be there when she need someone, but is his presence saving her from danger or bringer her closer to it. Everyone has their secrets; some are just more deadly then others.

Deadly Little Secret is not your average stalker thriller; it is also a story of unrequited love with a twist of the paranormal. Despite the fact that just about every boy in this book seems to have a crush on Camelia it is thrillingly mysterious and impossible to put down. I can't wait to lay my hands on book 2.

Laurie Faria Stolarz Webpage

On sale: 10 December 2009
Price (US): $15.99
ISBN: 9781423111986
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Touch
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Ghostgirl #2

GHOSTGIRL:
Homecoming by Tonya Hurley

With Friends Like These...!

Charlotte has moved on, literally, however the afterlife holds no pearly gates, winged harps or angels flying about. The after life for Charlotte is anything but eternal rest and peace, it is a small cubical and a phone, which is bad enough except that this phone never rings.

Scarlet has put up with a lot from her sister over the years, although Petula has put up with her fair share too, after all Scarlet is now with Petula's ex-boyfriend. But when it comes down to it Scarlet is willing to do almost anything to save her sister including putting innocent lives at risk, although that may be more from guilt them love.

Homecoming is at heart a story of friendships. No matter the distance between them, Charlotte and Scarlet seem to be constantly drawn to each other and not even death can keep them apart. Although Scarlet is willing to put her life, her relationship with Damen, a class full of Dead Ed students and her friendship with Charlottte on the line to save her sister, it is her faith in Charlotte that saves her in the end. Some friends truly are forever.

Tonya Hurley Webpage

Tonya Hurley @ Hachette

Ghostgirl

On sale: 01 August 2009
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780755347728
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Ghost
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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