Dance Of Shadows #1

DANCE OF SHADOWS:
Dance Of Shadows by Yelena Black

A Ballet That Transcends!

As a freshman in her first year at the New York Ballet Academy it should have been impossible for Vanessa to be cast as the principal dancer in the upcoming ballet, but Vanessa has a talent for dancing, even if she lacks the passion for it. However Vanessa came to New York for more then dancing, she came to walk in the footsteps of her missing sister Margaret, to dance where she danced and to hopefully discover the truth of what happened to her.

Vanessa is consumed by two mysteries, her sister and the dance. It was the ballet her sister was meant to dance and now the part is hers, Margaret is the reason Vanessa dances, her motivation to go one when she no longer feels the will to. But when she dances she forgets everything, only the dance matters, the erratic, chaotic dance that is somehow linked to her sister. As her dancing improves she comes ever closer to discovering what happened to her sister, but will it be enough to find her.

Dance Of Shadows combines ballet with the supernatural, where dance opens a portal to another world and a ballet of love, loss and danger mirrors life. Like the dance, Vanessa is erratic in her thoughts and chaotic in her actions as she is drawn deeper into the mystery of her missing sister and driven closer to discovering the secrets of the ballet La Danse de Feu. With two leading men and supporting friends this dance is sure to please the romantics at heart.

Yelena Black @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 12 February 2013
Price (AU): $15.99
ISBN: 9781408829974
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Vanessa
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Daughter Of Smoke And Bone #2

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE:
Days Of Blood And Starlight by Laini Taylor

The War Is Over, But The Fight Has Just Begun!

Akiva had once told Karou that he thought he would always find her, and no matter what he thought he still believed that. Then he found the thurible with her name on it and almost lost all hope of ever seeing her alive again. Almost, but to believe in Karou was to believe in hope, and he could never give up believing in Karou.

The war was over and the monsters had lost. Thousands were killed in the last final battle and now the last survivors were dying, being captured as slaves and hunted to extinction. The only salvation for these chimeras are held with a small group of rebels brought back to life by a traitor resourectionist and lead by a tyrannical murderer. But with new life there comes a message of hope.

Days of Blood and Starlight are filled with uncertainty, death and hard choices. A story of war, in which the dream of peace was gone, so far out of reach that it seemed now an impossibility, a childish dream of fools. An epic tale of a world destroyed and lives rebuilt, of monsters, murder, secrets and hope. A tragic tale of a girl of two worlds and no place where she belongs. This unique series is wonderfully complex and continues to enthral.

Laini Taylor Webpage

Laini Taylor @ Hachette
Daughter Of Smoke And Bone

On sale: 01 November 2012
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781444722680
Recommended age: 15+
In a word: Resurrectionist
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Night Creatures - book two

THE NIGHT CREATURES:
Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres

A Song Of Freedom, A Call To Danger!
 

Naif has spent her whole life following the rules, restricted in her thoughts and actions. All that changed however during her stay on Ixion, she changed, but she was not the only one. Not only had she discovered freedom on Ixion, she had discovered a horrifying secret. But to uncover its meaning she first has to discover the link that exists between Ixion and Grave. Only then will she find the truth behind the Night Creatures.

Torn between a her greatest fear and a desire to save those she loves, Naif finds herself back in the place where she grew up and, like herself, nothing is the same. With only two days to find a way to stop a war, save her friends and discover a pirates traitor, Naif goes deep undercover and underground as she uncovers more then she ever bargained for. But discovering the truth is just the start, what she does with that truth with change her world.

Angel Arias sing out through the air waves calling to all who are lost, restless or looking for escape. With an ever present threat of danger, non stop action and endless excitement is found new horrors and tragic revelations. Grave robbing, secret meetings, alliances, betrayals and constant threats from wardens are just the beginning in a tale that continues to impress and capture those who are drawn to the dark.

Marianne de Pierres Webpage

Marianne de Pierres @ Random House

burn bright

On sale: 03 October 2011
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742751016
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Grave
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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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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Tova Gallagher #1

TOVA GALLAGHER:

Ecstatic Evil by Amanda McNeil

It's Good To Be A Little Bad!

Tova would be your average country girl moved to the city to own and run a book store with her best friend if it wasn't for a few small but crucial details. Her father was a demon making her a half-demon, or halvesies as they are known, and for her whole life she has been visited by two guides, one her cousin Bartleby who also happens to be a demon and the other a fairie named Fay.

It has been Bartleby and Fays' job to convince Tova to choose a side and the time has come for Tova to make a decision. Either join the side of 'good' and let the fairies help her suppress the demon within or join the 'evil' demons and embrace her dark side, denying her humanity but still getting to keep her demonic powers. With not just her own soul at stake but the future of all humanities, Tova had better make the right decision.

Ecstatic Evil is the first in a new series of serial books that is to have new entries published ever few months. An exciting, sexy, short story that easily fits into your day. Full of demons, fairies, werewolves, magic and a hot, steamy romance, this little tale will leave you wondering just what is in store next for this devilish new heroine.

eBook @ Amazon

On sale: 07 July 2011
Price eBook (US): $0.99
ASIN: B005C1AMK0
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Tova
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Haunted Heart

Haunted Heart by Tania Donald

What I Did For Love!

Eloise was a simple village girl whose life was consumed by her rose garden, her dear friends Georgiana and Miriam, and the possibility Mr Jones, a very amiable man whom she could grow to care for over the years they might spend together as man and wife. Although this was the future she could expect, somehow Eloise couldn't help wanting more, more then her little village, more then an agreeable marriage. What she dreamt of was a deep romance, but the price for such love does not come cheap.

With the newly arrived Mr White comes new possibilities for Eloise. With his alluring presence in her life, Eloise is awakening to a passionate love filled with the joy of possibilities and the pain of neglect. However if Eloise is to survive this new love and her lovers demands she is going to have to survive a transformation that will lead her through dark and beguiling ways. But even if she survives this transformation she may still yet fall pray to a darker end.

Haunted Heart tells the tale of love, passion, danger and a life lived through any means with only one goal; survival. As one young girl crosses the threshold into womanhood, she steps between the boundaries of her moralistic society and into a world of dark seduction, a world that brings life with death, a world of loneliness and of great love. In this mixture of a Jane Austen character let loose in the world of Dracula, what follows is a provocative tale of romance, where in the end one woman will sacrifice all for her love.

Tania Donald @ Penguin

On sale: 27 June 2010
Price (AU): $29.95
ISBN: 9781921518706
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Hearts
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Winter's Shadow

Winter's Shadow by M. J. Hearle

Cats, Keys and Soul Collectors!

She first saw those piercing green eyes, that saw deep into her soul, only minutes before her world came crashing down around her. He was nothing more then a shadow through her camera lens before he became her saviour and she was indebted to him more then she would know.

He spent his life on the run, moving about from place to place, running from those who chased him, running from the danger he possessed. Now, however, he was running out of time, her life was over before she knew it, but he would make it right, or at least he would try to. But you can't out run death.

Winter's Shadow is a love story that takes you through history revealing a past of family betrayal, passion, murder, monsters, magic and love. Blake makes the intimate sacrifice for love and in return Winter has the rest of her very long life to morn his gift. A dark, dangerous and original story of demon's and love that is a brilliant debut novel.

M. J. Hearle Webpage

M. J. Hearle @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 June 2011
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780330404471
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Dracula in Love

Dracula in Love by Karen Essex

The Greatest Vampire Story Ever Told, Retold!

Mina is a woman on the verge of obtaining all that she has ever wanted. Soon to be married, she and her fiancé Jonathan have already planed out how their future lives together will be, where they will marry, the location of their first home and even the names of their children. Everything was perfect, then the dreams began. But these were no ordinary dreams being as vivid as waking life and Mina begins to question not only her life but also her sanity.

Meanwhile, Jonathan is called away on business and in his absence Mina begins to see all her dreams of a future with him crumble. Slowly, as her dream world collides with reality, Mina begins to see a different future, one that spans not only her present life but stretches into forever. But that is a future not with her fiancé but with another man, a man who had always been with her in one way or another. Mina must discover who she is and what she wants as she descends down a path that will either bring her closer to her hearts desire or to a life unfulfilled.

Dracula in Love from its first pages presents you with a story that promises to be something extraordinary. A story of a woman faced with an ageless love and an inhibiting social conscious, told in a time where woman are seen as either delicate angels or seductive villainesses. Here the supernatural and demonic Dracula is retold in a more realistic but no less fantastic version where the real monsters are not those demonic creatures of the night but the very men who claim heroism through brutal means. Murder, betrayal, scandal and desire all play a role but at its heart this is a story of eternal love.

Karen Essex Webpage

Karen Essex @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 January 2011
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781742376134
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Vampires
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Night Creatures - book one

THE NIGHT CREATURES:
Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres

Beware, Burn Too Fast And You Might Burn Out!

Retra is a girl sealed of from the world living in a guarded and restrictive community where information is withheld, rules are strict and punishments are a common occurrence. With even her thoughts and feelings denied she knew she could survive because she had her brother, but then one day her brother ran away.

Naif is a girl awakening to a new world of pleasure and freedom, uninhibited by parents or rules she is discovering a side of herself she never knew existed. But more then that she is discovering the dangers of Ixion. In the dark all senses are heightened and along with enjoyment comes a very real sense of fear, not just of the unknown but of the dangers that comes only with living in the dark.

Burn Bright is a decidedly dark and decadent story of a utopian paradise layered over a richly delicate and dangerous world of secrets, pirates and dark creatures. A provocative and intoxicating story of a girl breaking through the naivety of childhood and entering the seductive world of adulthood, a world filled with sex, drugs, music and of cause night creatures. An Enthralling read that questions societies morals and individuals actions wrapped in a beguiling cover.

Marianne de Pierres Webpage

Marianne de Pierres @ Random House

burn bright

On sale: 01 March 2011
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781864719888
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Ixion
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Wardstone Chronicles - Bestiary

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

Let This Be A Warning!

This is John Gregory's guide to The Dark and all the creatures whom dwell within it. Some creatures you will have heard of, you may even have had your own dealings with the likes of boggarts, ghasts and witches. Other creatures you may be learning about for the first time such as boogles, Kabalos mages and skelts. Regardless of their notoriety and level of threat to the County all beings of the dark should he handled without fear, with knowledge and always using common sense.

Not everyone can be a seventh son of a seventh son and therefore eligible to become a Spook, many of you will stumble blindly through the dark with little knowledge of the threats that lie in wait for those of you who are foolish, ignorant or just plain unlucky. But within this Bestiary is the knowledge that could one day save your life, if only making you aware that you have a problem and giving you the foresight to fetch a Spook before you loose your thumbs, are drained of your blood or are just plain frightened to death.

The Spook's Bestiary is an invaluable guide not only for Spooks' and their apprentices but also to those fascinated with the dark, frightened of the dark or are fans of The Spook's series. The Dark is an ever present threat that is continuously growing in strength, but so to is the Spook's determination to fight The Dark in all its forms. With descriptions, stories, notes and sketches no home in the County is safe without a copy of this book to stave off the dark times. An informative and riveting read.

The SPOOK'S - map

Joseph Delaney Webpage

Joseph Delaney @ Random House

THE SPOOK'S

On sale: 01 December 2010
Price (AU): $29.95
ISBN: 9780370329796
Recommended age: 12-16
In a word: The Dark
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Wardstone Chronicles Book4

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

This Is Just The Beginning!

It has been over a year since Tomas Ward crossed Hangman's Hill leaving his home to begin his apprenticeship with the Spook. During that time Tom and the Spook have faced many dangers of the dark together and they have always done what was needed to triumph over those dangers. But this time Tom may have to pay too high a price to overcome the darkness that is about to be unleashed.

Pendle, a district of witches, has been left unchecked for far too long. It was time for the Spook and Tom to do something about the darkness growing there, but even with Alice it would be a desperate task to accomplish. However they weren't counting on what the witches would have in store for them, so even if they survived it would be to discover worse things in the world then witches.

The Spook's Battle is not just a fight against witches but against the most evil threat yet to walk the earth. Tom faces many battles alone as he struggles with personal demons as well as malevolent beings and never has he been so close to the dark that he could feel its affects so acutely. Never has there been a more real time to be afraid of the dark, not after the evil in this book has been released. A brilliant series that just gets better and better.

The SPOOK'S - map

Joseph Delaney Webpage

Joseph Delaney @ Random House

THE SPOOK'S

On sale: 01 May 2009
Price (AU): $17.95
ISBN: 9781862308541
Recommended age: 12-16
In a word: Witches
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five 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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The Wardstone Chronicles Book3

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

Can You Keep A Secret!

Tom is about to experience his first winter as the Spook's apprentice and take his first trip to Anglezarke, the Spook's winter home. Anglezarke is nothing like Chipenden, it is a dangerous and cold place where the dark is felt the strongest. It's going to be a long winter.

When a stranger appears on the Spook's doorstep darkness follows and secrets that have been long buried will surface to bring havoc to Tom and those he cares most about. But the Spook is not the only one who has been keeping secrets, Tom risks loyalty to the Spook and his friendship with Alice when forced to keep secrets of his own.

The Spook's Secret will reveal a whole new perspective to the Spook that will leave you guessing as to who and what to believe. The darkest story yet in this richly chilling and exciting series, The Wardstone Chronicles is a series that can not be overlooked for a witty, dark and thrilling read. Each book just gets better and better... 

The SPOOK'S - map

Joseph Delaney Webpage

Joseph Delaney @ Random House

THE SPOOK'S

On sale: 01 May 2009
Price (AU): $17.95
ISBN: 9781862308565
Recommended age: 12-16
In a word: Secret
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four 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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