The Folk Keeper

The Folk Keeper by Franny Billingsley

'There Is A Price You Pay For Power.'

As Corin, Corinna has been able to trade her time and chores for skills and spells. This was essential to her plans, for only as a boy could she become educated and only with education could she become a Folk Keeper. At a young age Corinna learnt that only through power over others could she obtain what she wanted and what she wanted was the cold and dark place where she belonged.

For years Corinna kept her secrets; her secret knowledge, her magic abilities, her convictions that kept her through the tough times. Everything that made Corinna who she is was hidden behind the façade of Corin. But then one day a Lady arrived at the orphanage to fetch her and take her to a new home, here the hard and disciplined Corin is stripped away and only the vulnerable and stubborn Corinna is left behind.

The Folk Keeper is a beautifully unique story of a girl searching for her place in the world. Written with poetic language and a descriptive style, this complex story is full of vivid characters, mystery, charm and charms. A tale of transformation, homecoming and murderous plots; this story is just another reason why Franny Billingsley is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

Franny Billingsley Webpage

Franny Billingsley @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 01 April 2011
Price (AU): $15.99
ISBN: 9781408813195
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Corinna
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Chime

Chime by Franny Billingsley

'Witches Are. Witches Do.'

Briony is not like other girls, the things she has done, the secrets she is hiding. Her sister Rose also has her fair share of secrets despite what people may think of her. Rose is special, different, people may look at her and think her simple, but they don't know her. They don't know that underneath she is perceptive and bright, they don't know that there is a reason Rose is the way she is and that reason is Briony.

Briony has done things, wicked things, things she is not proud of but being a witch wicked things will happen. When a flood swept through her home, when a fire destroyed her library it was all her doing, as is what comes next. Even though in some ways Briony's life has changed, including the arrival of Eldric, nothing can save Briony from being what she is, a murderess and a witch.

Chime Child offers the only hope of saving Briony from the gallows, but a witch has no chance of survival. Briony is a girl lost in who she believes she is and who she wants to be, as she struggles with her identity she also struggles to find a place where she belongs. This is a story of a girl that subtly blends Old Ones, danger and love in an engrossing tale of mysteries, memories and murder. A uniquely memorable and thoroughly enjoyable tale that is a must read.

Franny Billingsley Webpage

Franny Billingsley @ Bloomsbury Australia

On sale: 01 April 2011
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780747583813
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Witch
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx