After Obsession

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

After Obsession Comes Possession!

Aimee's greatest fear is that her mother was crazy and like her mother she is crazy too. At night her dreams are filled with warnings, visions of things to come. Her touch has the power to heal others wounds. But is it all real or all in her head? Is she really being haunted by her dead mother, is her best friend really being possessed, does The River Man really exist?

Alan's worst nightmare was moving to a town where football was all but none existent. But thing just went from bad to worst when the girl he liked already had a boyfriend, his cousin acted increasingly out of character and his athletic abilities were causing more problems then they were solving. But he soon realizes that there are more important things to worry about, like the man in the river.

After Obsession comes possession and with that the end of all. A dark presence has always existed in the river, it was The River Man that took Aimee's mother all those years ago, The River Man who now threatens the life of Alan's cousin. But with an evil so ancient, what chance do a couple of teens have to save a loved one when no one else in town is willing to believe The River Man exists?

Carrie Jones Webpage
Steven E. Wedel Webpage

Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 01 October 2011
Price (AU): $15.99
ISBN: 9781408818275
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Possession
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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How To See Faeries

How To See Faeries by Brian Froud and John Matthews

I Can See A Faerie!

It's not hard to see faeries, not really if you try. Though you may only see them if your looking, it may not be with your eyes. There are many ways and means to Faerie, through games and rhyme and art. But the best way to spot a faerie is to use your own true heart. So keep your mind open and taken time to listen, for if you're very lucky you may see a faerie too.

But a warning to all who venture here, for time is not the same. And with each page a lifetimes lived, treasured moments to be relived again. Watch for the symbols and follow the clues, be ready to step through the gate. Just remember, though they are tricksters, meeting faeries is up to fate. When strolling through Faerie, slow down and take your time, after all you're just a visitor and you're only passing through.

How To See Faeries is more then just a beautiful guide book to the fey, this is a portal to another world not all that far away. Here you are guided by the hand, into a strange and wondrous Faerie Land. A place of hidden messages and magical devices, staying close to your heart it more then suffices. But just remember, although you may seek to see a faerie, it may just be a faerie that is seeking to see you.

John Matthews Webpage

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

Brian Froud @ Thames & Hudson

Brian Froud @ Abrams Books

On sale: 01 April 2011
Price (AU): $44.95
ISBN: 9780810997509
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Faeries
Re-read it: yes, many times
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Dutchess Of Whimsy

The Duchess Of Whimsy by Randall & Peter de Seve

Never Judge An Earl By His Sandwich!

The Duchess of Whimsy has always been whimsical in her love of all things, well, whimsical. She surrounds herself with strange pets and intriguing people, she wears the most extravagant of dresses and talks of all things peculiar. But the one thing she can not stand is boring normal. Or so everyone thought...

The Earl of Norm has always been quite sensible in his liking of everything normal. He has the most ordinary of pets and dresses in typical clothing. He talks only to the most level-headed of people on the most drab of topics. But the one thing he can not be is extraordinarily whimsical. Or so everyone thought...

The Duchess Of Whimsy and the Earl Of Norm are two people who know very little about each other except for what they see on the outside, but once they get to really know each other they discover that they have more in common then either could have imagined. A perfectly charming story illustrated in dreamy watercolour.

Peter de Seve Webpage

On sale: 29 October 2009
Price (AU): $25.95
ISBN: 9780399250958
Recommended age: 4+
In a word: Whimsy
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Taken Away

Taken Away by Celine Kiernan

 

'Into The Grey'
  

It all started after the fire had consumed their home, their possessions, everything in the world they had but each other. At least they all still had each other. That is they did have each other, until the goblin boy showed up. He was there waiting for them, he had always been there, had always been waiting and now he had thought he had found what he was waiting for. Only he was wrong, and his mistake was going to cost a life.

The nightmares were vivid and all consuming. Upon waking the horrid dreams would become nothing more then a phantom memory, a vague recollection of something unpleasant leaving only an all mighty hunger in its wake. After food and the bright light of day those bad dreams could almost be forgotten, almost be dismissed, that is until the nightmare became a reality.

Taken Away is a contemporary story of the bonds of brotherly love, it is a haunting ghost story that will send shivers down your spine, it is compelling mystery of the past affecting those in the present. Whatever way you approach this story you will find a well written, entertaining and intelligent read that will stay with you long after you have finished this book. A story that all ages will enjoy.

Celine Kierman Webpage

Celine Kiernan @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 October 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742377520
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Brothers
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Goddess Test #1

GODDESS TEST:
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

A Life For A Life!

Kate is not your average eighteen year old, she doesn't shop, gossip, hangout with friends or date. Her life for the past three years has been on hold while she has cared for her sick mother, all the time waiting for her to die. Even after three years it is not something she is ready to accept, she is not yet ready to say goodbye and she will not let her mother go without a fight.

It is her mother's wish to die in the small town where she was born, a town so small it doesn't even exist on any maps. But upon entering Eden, Kate is soon face with some hard choices, however if there is any way to save her mother from death, if only for a short while, then there is no choice, she will do whatever it takes, even if it means risking her own life.

The Goddess Test is more then a test for immortality, it is a test of honour, sacrifice and love. With everything to lose Kate repeatedly risks her life for those around her, but it is more then her life at risk when she starts to fall for a guy who has all but given up on life and love. A heart warming romance that turns myth into reality and brings the gods of ancient Greece to life.

Aimee Carter Webpage

Aimee Carter @ Harlequin Teen

On sale: 01 August 2011
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781742901343
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Fury Trilogy #1

FURY TRILOGY:

Fury by Elizabeth Miles

An Eye For An Eye!

She never meant for it to happen. It's not like you can choose who you fall in love with, right? And this was true love, they both felt the same. It was just too bad he already had a girlfriend, a girlfriend who also happens to be her best friend. She should have known it could never have ended well, for anybody. She should have fought against her desire to be with him. She should have known there would be a price to pay.

He learnt early on how to fit in, how to play the social game that was so crucial to being popular. He had learnt this lesson the hard way and in turn had given as bad as he got. But there is such a thing as going too far. In the heat of the moment he will make a rash decision that will bring one life to end. He might not have meant for things to go so far, but sometimes there is just no saving others, or yourself.

Fury brings its own brand of twisted justice wielded through three ancient and powerful beings hell bent on punishing those who have done wrong. Everyone knows every choice has a consequence but sometimes those consequences can be deadly. And while not every situation is a matter of life and death, some are a matter of the heart, and others just require your soul. So let this story be a warning, if karma doesn't get you, the furies will.

Elizabeth Miles Webpage
Elizabeth Miles @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 August 2011
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780857074867
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Justice
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2011
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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In The Arms Of Stone Angels

In The Arms Of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

'Darkness Is My Blanket'

Two years ago when a girl died, she betrayed the boy she loved and she lost everything. Although cleared of any involvement in the murder by the police, that didn't stop her small town of assigning her the guilt. After all it was well known that she was close with the Indian boy who had committed the crime. A white girl should have known better then to get involved with an outcast half-breed Indian, so any trouble she got she brought on herself.

Having spent the past two years in Carolina she had done her best to run from her past, from what had happened to her and what she had done. Now with her grandmother's death she is forced to return to the small town that was once home, that was once hell. Returning she has found many ghosts from the past waiting for her and without facing her fears, without her willingness to sacrifice for those she loves, she will never escape her past and nor will the boy she loves.

In The Arms Of Stone Angels Brenna has always found a peace, a second home where she can lay her head and find comfort amongst the dead. A girl who has always felt like an outsider, shunned and scorned will find strength in her uniqueness and an ability see what others can not. A dark mystery of murder, betrayal and jealously that is emotionally charged and completely absorbing. A must read for all ages.

Jordan Dane Webpage

Jordan Dane @ Harlequin Teen

On sale: 01 May 2011
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781921793110
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Acceptance
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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