Faery Tales & Nightmares

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

Wicked Faery Tales And Lovely Nightmares!

Between these pages lurk beings of harsh beauty and great terror. While one girl is born with Winter within her, another girl will dream the Summer into being. When one girl finds a new life in death another, girl will find a new identity in a woodland creature. And as one girl finds love can be both a blessing and a curse, another girl will learn that love can wait.

Entering a realm that has the potential to be a great nightmare or a fearful faery tale, there may be some familiar faces to guide you on your way. As some beings struggle to break the habits of a lifetime, they may instead find a stolen moment with the one they love. A struggling artist will find new purpose in life, a boy will find a new family and acceptance, and a couple will risk all for a chance at love.

Faery Tales & Nightmares are a mixture of short stories that are romantic, bloody and dreamy in their element. While some stories within are timeless in their faery tale quality, others stories are short tales that are apart of a wider series of books from the authors Wicked Lovely series. Despite having never read any of the Wicked Lovely books, these short stories are an enjoyably unique collection of love, magic and the darkness within.

Melissa Marr Webpage
Melissa Marr @ Harper Collins

On sale: 01 February 2012

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007456871
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Faery Tales
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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EVE Book 1

EVE:
Eve by Anna Carey

Property Of The King!

She was old enough too remember a time before the schools. A time when people had their own homes, where men and women, boys and girls lived together in society. She was too young however to remember a time before the plague, before fear, survival and death were the only constants. But the one thing she would never forget was her mother, how much her mother loved her and how much she loved her back.

She was promised a future, after school she was promised a life of training, of learning, before moving to the prosperous City Of Sand. But the shining future she was promised was a lie, a fact she discovered only just in time to save herself, but at the cost of her friends. Alone, beyond the fences facing scavengers, wild animals and the Kings guards she sets out for Califia, the only place that is curtain to be safe. But reaching Califia will come at a great cost.

Eve may have been valedictorian and a shining example to other girls at her school, but she is still only a seventeen year old, naive to the way thing really are and the true nature of men, women and the world around her. As a society built on the labour of orphans, Eve, an orphan herself, runs from a horrific future only to discover nowhere is safe for her unless she is willing to leave behind those that she cares for. A new dystopian series of survival, betrayal, sacrifice and love.

Anna Carey Webpage
Anna Carey @ Harper Collins

EVE

On sale: 01 October 2011

Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780062048509
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Eve
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Wings #3

WINGS:
Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

How To Tell A Faerie By Their Illusions!

When Lauren made the choice to stay with her human parents, and to stay with her human boyfriend David, she wasn't sure when, or if, she would ever see Tamani again. Making that decision was the hardest of her life but how could she choose to leave them knowing without her they could all be in very real danger. She loved them all too much for that, and yet when she said goodbye to Tamani she was also saying goodbye to a piece of herself, to something she wanted but could not let herself have.

After nearly a year Tamani has come back into Laurels life, unexpected but not unwelcomed, at least not to all but David who really could have lived happier the rest of his life never seeing him again. Tamani is on a mission, not just for the faerie land of Avalon but also a mission of the heart, he is determined to win Laurel's heart and no human, not even David, will stand in his way. However when a wild faerie enters their lives all bets are off and all hearts will be broken.

Illusions continues Laurel's story where now, in her senior year, Laurel has more to consider then just her weekend plans. Laurel is facing either a future in hiding among the humans she loves or a future as herself in Avalon and away from the only world she knows. But before a decision can be made there is a threat to vanquish. With disappearing trolls, a wild faerie and a love triangle that is quickly becoming a complicated mess, this story is has a little of everything for everyone.

Aprilynne Pike Webpage
Aprilynne Pike @ Harper Collins

Wings

On sale: 01 June 2010

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007358403
Recommended age: 11+
In a word: Wild
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Quantum Encryption - Book One

QUANTUM ENCRYPTION:
Path Of The Stray by Kim Falconer

Back To The Start!

21st Century Earth is a stark and depressive place where the airs polluted filled with smog, the seas are filled with death and the lands are barren, tainted. Despite this Luka Paree and Janis Richter are discovering that together they are able to create new life and a hope for the future of Earth, however their actions will affect worlds.

It seems the only way to survive on this changing Earth is to work for ASSIST, but working undercover Ruby must live with the fear of discovery, if her Lupin heritage were to be exposed, if her witchcraft were to be found out, even her womanhood places her in danger. However with little animal life left on Earth the newly born Lupins are in danger of discovery, but even on Gaela their presence has not go by unnoticed.

Jarrod has also been left alone in a new world with only instructions to wait, they would come for him when it was safe, someone would come, but that could take days, years or centuries. So while in Gaela Jarrod might as well make the most of it. However his encounter with Tryn and her mysterious familiar will set of a chain of events that will lead Jarrod farther then he expected while changing Tryn's life forever.

Path Of The Stray leads to self discovery, a new home and a willingness to risk everything to save Jarrod and with him Earth. For those who have followed Rosette through the corridors between worlds and navigated the portals of time this story will take you back to where it all began. An epic story that seamlessly mingles science and technology with sociology, environmentalism, philosophy, and magic. A unique series that must be read.

Gaela - map

Kim Falconer Webpage

Kim Falocner @ Harper Collins

On sale: 01 August 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780732291396
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Ruby
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Castle Book 1

CASTLE:
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Heartless!

In the land of Ingary there exists a powerful and feared wizard named Howl who is well known for his wickedness. Howl devours girls, taking their hearts. He also spends hours at a time in the bathroom. Howl is a brilliant and talented wizard who is charming and charismatic, however he is also messy, vain and a terrible coward. But that is to be expected from one as heartless as Howl.

As the eldest of three daughters, Sophie is domed to a life of mundane boredom, and then the Witch of the Waste appears and curses her. Forced to leave her home Sophie soon finds herself on Howl's doorstep, however, changed as she is she feels quite safe that Howl would not be interested in her heart. But then again she could be wrong.

Howl's Moving Castle is a dreamy story of magic and wonder where friendships, secrets, demons and danger follow Sophie's every move.  In many ways it is a re-imagining of the Wizard of Oz with heartless Howl also searching for courage, a scarecrow looking for a brain and a lost Sophie looking for a place to call home. An intricate fairytale for all ages, but one you should pay close attention to if you are to lift the curses plaguing these colourful characters.

Diana Wynne Jones Webpage
Diana Wynne Jones @ Harper Collins

On sale: 13 May 2009

Price (AU): $14.99
ISBN: 9780007299263
Recommended age: 11+
In a word: Curses
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five 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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Wicked Lovely: Desert Tales #1

WICKED LOVELY: DESERT TALES:
Sanctuary by Melissa Marr
art by Xian Nu Studio

You're Never Really Alone!

It has been a long time since Rika has been human, mortal, but now as a faery Rika has chosen a life away from the cities, and not just because the iron and steel makes her sick. Rika has found a home for herself out in the desert, a sanctuary quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Rika has wanted to escape the politics of the Faerie Courts, but even out here as a solitary faery she can not escape her past.

Jayce lives out in the desert, spending his days unknowingly in Rika's company. While he draws the desert she paints him. Invisible to all but the other fay, Rika has come to love her time with Jayce, even if he doesn't know she exists. But when the desert fay becomes restless and hostile Rika will risk her freedom and her visibility to save him and her heart.

Sanctuary, the first in a three part adaptation into a graphic novel, is drawn expertly and beautifully portraying the depth of Rika's emotions and rapidly changing circumstances. As her quiet life is shattered and unexpectedly invaded, albeit happily, by the artistic and good looking Jayce, Rika will soon have much to worry about. But in the mean time she can find sanctuary in the arms of the one she loves.

Melissa Marr Webpage
Melissa Marr @ Harper Collins

On sale: 01 October 2010

Price (AU): $9.99
ISBN: 9780007354979
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Faeries
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Wings #2

WINGS:
Spells by Aprilynne Pike

A Kiss Is Just A Kiss!

Six months ago Laurel found out she was a faerie, she also found out about the Tolls, natural enemies to the faeries, and made a great enemy in the Troll named Barnes. But since then Laurel has returned to her human life with David, however her faerie heritage has never been far from her mind and neither has Tamani.

With the threat of the Trolls still looming Laurel's choice to stay with David and her human parents has not left her exiled from the faerie world, far from it. Laurel has been summoned to Avalon to continue her faerie training so that when the Tolls strike again she will not be left helpless. However the faerie world brings her more then just new skills and new dresses, it also brings her closer to Tamani.

Laurel has made a choice, she has chosen to be with David, a human, and she couldn't be happier. So why then is she repeatedly drawn to Tamani, a faerie like herself, she just can't seem to get him out of her mind. Straddling two worlds Laurel is never able to fully commit to one world or one boy. Although she is with David she is still holding onto an image of Tamani. But the time has finally come to choose, or else she threatens to put not just the humans she loves in danger but the faeries also.

Spells is not just a story of potions and magic, it is an introduction into the faerie world of Avalon. Slow to start as the world of Avalon is introduced and explored, it builds up to an exciting showdown. At its heart this is a story of relationships; family and friendships and love. These faeries will give new meaning to the term flower faeries, but before you dive in make sure to acquaint yourself with book one Wings, there is a lot of history to be learnt. A gorgeous and tender story that remains pure in spite of allusions of intimacy and the constant threat of danger.

Aprilynne Pike Webpage
Aprilynne Pike @ Harper Collins

Wings

On sale: 01 May 2010

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007347001
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Spells
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Quantum Enchantment - Book Three

QUANTUM ENCHANTMENT:
Strange Attractors by Kim Falconer

Times Have Changed, But It's Not The End Of The World!
Or Is It?

If you think time is simple, set moments in history moving ever forward towards the future, then you best think again. The future can affect the past just as easily as the past can create the future. Time is not fixed, events are not random, anything is possible and nothing is for certain. But everything depends of your perspective.

Rosette had died but she had also come back from death, her and her child. So when someone she loves most dearly, the most important person in all the worlds is lost and all but dead she refuses to give up hope in recovering them, even if it means her life. But she has another life to think about, that of her child.

The past and future are about to collide with the present as consequences of Everett's past decisions are only now just beginning to be felt; Rosette's stubborn determination may mark the beginning of a war that had long ago been fought; and the actions of one with good intentions may lead to the downfall of not only the Earth, but all the many worlds.

Evolving from the story of a young girl orphaned under tragic circumstances, this story has morphed into an ensemble cast of many characters, creatures and worlds all juggled masterfully together. Strange Attractors brings about the conclusion to Rosette's story by creating an utterly unique and thrillingly complex story of magic and science as you've never read before.

Gaela - map

Kim Falconer Webpage

Kim Falocner @ Harper Collins

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780732287733
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Changed
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: five out of five
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Quantum Enchantment - Book Two

QUANTUM ENCHANTMENT:
Arrows Of Time by Kim Falconer

Its Not How Much Time You Have, But How You Use It!

There is more to time then just a straight line, an arrow pointing from the past through to the future. Time is neither fixed nor transfixed. It is fluid and flowing and can move in any direction it pleases. It can also repeat itself, and repeat itself, and repeat itself...

When the call came it could not be ignored. Compelled to act, Rosette and Jarrod raced through the corridors together, however they did not emerge together. At least not at the same time. They were to be separated for a long time, and only a death could bring them together again. But who's?

Everett has just been presented with a mystery; a Jane Doe, with no ID and strange body art. It was not known for sure where, or when, she came from. What was known for sure was that she was dead. An impossibility in this time of medical advancement, ASSIST had seen to that, and yet here she lies; dead.

Deeply philosophical and always adventurous, the Arrows Of Time will have your mind going in circles with its smoothly written and well thought out story of paradoxes and possibilities. Rosette is a heroine who is strong, loving and unpredictable. And when more then one world spins out of time and out of balance, she must navigate the chaos to find a way home.

Gaela - map

 

Kim Falconer Webpage

Kim Falocner @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 August 2009
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9780732287726
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Time
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: five out of five
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Quantum Enchantment - Book One

QUANTUM ENCHANTMENT:

The Spell Of Rosette by Kim Falconer

Sometimes You Have To Die To Survive!

Earth in the 21st Century is facing an environmental crisis. The organisation ASSIST has been formed to engage this problem. To help ASSIST is the JARROD, unfortunately for JARROD ASSIST does not like what it hears and has taken action against JARROD. The only hope lies with a Techno-Witch and a DNA splicing scientist.

Gaela is a world that's pure in its beauty and its resources. It is a world of peace with few villages and fewer cities, with small farms dotting the lands. Technology has not touched this world, but magic has. It is the perfect hiding place for a hunted technology that looks human, and is the key to saving the Earth.

Rosette is born to a world that is not her own. After a brutal tragedy leaves her alone, she decides it is too dangerous for her live. Five years later her choices will begin a chain of event that exposes everyone and their secrets. Rosette will also discover her life is not as she believed, and that although Gaela is her home, it is Earth that she must save.

The Spell Of Rosette is a epic journey. It is a science-fiction story with a future Earth, portals to other worlds, and sentient computers. It is also a fantasy story filled with magic, Lupins, talking cats, and sword fighting. Rosette has a habit of passing-out at the most inopportune of times; there's also a great deal of astrology reflecting Kim Falconer's own interests, but knowledge of this is not necessary to enjoy this spellbinding book.

Gaela - map

 

Kim Falconer Webpage

Kim Falconer @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 January 2009
Price (AU): $20.99
ISBN: 9780732287719
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Rosette
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Wings #1

WINGS:

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

'Hell Of A First Zit'

Laurel is just your average teenage girl; ok, so she has the looks of a model, the grace of a bird, is up with the sun and has weird (healthy) eating habits, but she's still normal. Right?

One morning Laurel wakes to find a zit, her first zit, right in the middle of her back. Although a bit disgusted she's also a little relieved, it was normal for teenagers to get zits. But as the days go by the zit does not disappear, instead it is growing bigger. At some stage Laurel has to admit that this is no normal zit, its something else. At first Laurel is convinced it is a tumour; she has cancer. But as the thing gets bigger and finally reveals itself, Laurel now knows it is not a tumour. But she is not so sure that this is any better.

With the help of her friend David, Laurel is about to learn a lot more about herself then she ever knew before. Laurel is not human, she is a fairy. And she is not the only one. There is a whole other world that Laurel is about to learn about, a world of magic and beauty, but also of danger and old enemies. Laurel must learn to live between two worlds, the world of humans and the world of fairies. This is highlighted by her feeling of being torn between her two friends, a human David and a fairy Tamani; the two boys for whom Laurel has feelings for.

Wings is a story of fairies as you've never seen them before, full of charm, mystery, adventure and excitement. An entertaining book that stirs the imagination and leaves you with a sense of wonder. This is the first of four books to be published in this new series. I loved this story and not just because it's about fairies. It is a beautiful and warm story that manages to remain innocent despite its violence. A highly recommended read and a stunning debut novel.

 

Aprilynne Pike Webpage
Aprilynne Pike @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 August 2009

Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9780007319732
Recommended age: 10+
In a word: Wings
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Tricking of Freya

The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley

The Goddess, The Poet, And Me!

It is a touching and realistic portrayal of family and relationships as Freya sorts through her memories in an effort to find truth and identity. Her relationships with her mother and her aunt are explored; one a plain and serious wife, the other an unpredictable woman living a rollercoaster existence of brilliance and misery. Freya must reconciled her feelings for these two most influential people in her life and discover the truth about her past before she is able to find acceptance of who she is and who she has become, in order to move on with her life.

I greatly enjoyed this book. It was a pleasure to read.

This book made me fall in love with literature all over again. I very much enjoyed the Icelandic language and myths that are woven very beautifully throughout this story, enriching Freya’s emotional journey through her past and looking forward to her future. A lovely book to curl up with.

  

Christina Sunley Webpage
Christina Sunley @ Harper Collins

 

On sale: 01 July 2009
Price (AU): $32.99
ISBN: 9780732287900
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Icelandic
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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