The Twin's Daughter

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

But Which Sister Is Which?

Part I. In which an aunt is introduced. It was quite a shock for Lucy to see her mother on the doorstep, dressed so poorly. It was quite another shock to learn that this was not her mother at all but a sister, a twin, which no one had ever known existed. What could they do but invite her in, accept her as one of the family, and once living among them educate her in the ways of the upper-class.

Part II. In which a new friend is made. Lucy is not accustomed to other young people in her life, being an only child and almost always surrounded by adults. But meeting her new neighbours and their son Christopher, or Kit as he is known, has given her the opportunity for friendship. Something that she is very much thankful for after the tragic incident on New Year's Day, the murder of a twin.

Part III. In which love is declared. It is only after Kit has left to take up his commission and serve in Africa, do Lucy and Kit declare their love for each other, both knowing that there is every possibility that Kit may not return alive. It is also a time of great changes in Lucy's home life, ever since the murder her father has been changed, over eating, drinking more, taken up smoking, it is little wonder at the consequences of these actions.

Part IV. In which the truth is finally revealed. Lucy, convinced that she knows the identity of the surviving twin, has come to terms with the events of that horrific New Year's Day, where she stumbled upon the bloody scene of the twins, one dead, one alive. However after a slip of the tongue, Lucy must admit she is no longer sure and so takes drastic action to uncover once and for all the events of that tragic News Year's Day and learn which twin survived.

The Twin's Daughter has her world shaken upside down when she can no longer recognise her own mother from her identical aunt. Lucy's sheltered childhood, with only her mother for a friend, and wealthy upbringing has done little to educate her in the ways of the world, her knowledge of such things coming only from books. A story of jealousy that slowly builds into a murderous mystery, culminating in a dark, twisted ending in which happiness is found.

Lauren Baratz-Logsted @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 01 February 2014
Price (AU): $12.99
ISBN: 9781599906614
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Twins
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Flavia And The Dream Maker

Flavia And The Dream Maker
written & illustrated Flavia Weedn

"She Liked Thinking That"

Flavia is a girl with many secret dreams, dreams that she fears will never come true. With the moon as her only confidant, she spills her secrets under the stars never knowing that her dreams are within her reach if only she has the courage to believe. With a handful of stars and her uncle Jack, the Dream Maker, by her side she discovers there is beauty and hope in a paper star and that she is special, just the way she is.

Flavia And The Dream Maker is a true account of Flavia Weedn's childhood memories growing up in a little home filled with family, songs and love. Flavia's insecurities and inability to accept her life cause her great sadness. But it is only when she learns to love herself and believe in her dreams that she finds true happiness. With images as dreamlike and charming as the story itself, this is certainly a book to be treasured.

Flavia Weedn Webpage

On sale: 01 November 1988
ISBN: 9780929632001
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Flavia
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Good Faeries/Bad Faeries

Good Faeries/Bad Faeries by Brian Froud

Seeing The Good In The Bad/Seeing The Bad In The Good!

Good faeries bring us inspiration, they are bright and beautiful and helpful by nature. They influence our lives in numerous positive ways bestowing gifts on those brave enough to believe. Seeing into our hearts, they are always there to protect and heal.

Bad faeries are bringers of misfortune, they are dark and mysterious and mischievous by nature. They often bring bad luck into our lives, bestowing curses on those foolish enough to cross their paths. Preying on our vulnerabilities, they are to blame for sickness and madness.

Good Faeries/Bad Faeries all have more in common then you might believe. A pixie blessing may have unintended consequences and a bogle curse may bring unexpected gifts. A beautiful and insightful look into the light and dark side of these elusive and magical beings that are as complex and individual as you or I.

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 26 October 2000
ISBN: 9781862053021
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Good/Bad
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

"Let Them Eat Cake... And Die!"

The most important thing in Colette's life is her social standing, something that depends directly on her family's wealth and her friendship with Hannah, the most popular girl at her expensive school. But now her life is being turned upside down by her parents divorce, no longer will she live in the big house surrounded by expensive things, now she is forced into a small apartment with her poor mother and annoying brother. How could her life get any worse?

The one good thing in Colette's life right now is her school trip to Paris, with its promise of romance and high fashion this will be best trip of her life, so long as she can hid the fact that she, and her family, are no longer wealthy. A task that proves harder then she anticipated due to her visions of a woman in a powdered wig and elaborate ball gown, a woman who seems to be at the heart of a recent serial killing spree, and it looks as though Colette may be her next victim.

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer brings to life a Queen from the past, out for revenge on the descendants of those who have wronged her. A story of a superficial girl, history, romance and death set in the heart of France. Colette is a girl as self centred and materialistic as her so called friend Hannah, and although there is a cute French boy to show her the way, it will take a serial killer for her to appreciate the finer things in life. A book that becomes more involving with each chapter read.

Katie Alender Webpage

Katie Alender @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 January 2014
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780545468091
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Serial Killer
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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