Shadowfell - Book 3

SHADOWFELL:
The Caller by Juliet Marillier

A Land On The Brink, A Girl With A Purpose,

Winning The War Is All That Matters!
  

Alban is a land is turmoil, a land crying out to be healed and there are those who stand ready to hear that call. Humans and Good Folk alike have been preparing for the war that is too come, for the battle that will determine Alban's fate and their own. Word has spread and the people, and Good Folk, are ready for a change. But when the time comes not everyone will fight for a free Alban, as there are some people still willing to fight for the tyrant King, and there are still others, Good Folk among them, who will be forced.

Owen Swift-Sword is one of the King's most trusted men. As an Enforcer Troop Leader and most skilled Enthraller he holds a very influential position at court, privy to all the most intimate dealing in the kingdom. Flint is a man loyal to the rebel cause of Alban and plays a most important role to the resistance based at Shadowfell. But these two lives will collide at the final battle, for no one man can be torn in two for so long without breaking and although he is willing to die for the rebellion, he would gladly give his life to see Neryn safe.

Neryn faces a great challenge; she must use her gift during the battle to save Alban, calling the Good Folk to the rebels' side to fight for freedom. But the greater challenge still is staying alive long enough to see this done. However word of another Caller, one that is powerful enough to draw the Good Folk from her presence is worrying enough, but worse still is the news that this rival Caller is in the service of the King, willingly. With time running short and her training not yet complete, Neryn will be put to test, but even if it were still possible to save the land she loves, she may still lose the man she loves.
  

The Caller unites the elusive and magical Good Folk with the rebels of Shadowfell, all willing to fight and die for Alban's freedom in a final battle that will once and for all decide their fates. Many friends and allies have died along the way and many more will fall before the end, but with so much preparation, heartache and faith placed in the plan, the culminating bloody battle will be one of both hope and heartbreak. A beautifully bitter-sweet ending to an engaging and sincere series. A memorable story filled with rich and enduring characters that will live on in our hearts and minds.
 

Kingdom Of Alban - map

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 June 2014
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781742612454
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Alban
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Colours Of Madeleine #2

THE COLOURS OF MADELEINE:
The Cracks In The Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty

Falling Through The Cracks!

The boy in the kingdom has a new mission. For almost a year this boy has been searching the kingdom to find his missing father, but now all that must wait. The kingdoms princess has asked for his help in locating the missing royal family, the same royal family that everyone believes is not missing, and he must go about this new mission in complete secrecy as it is believed the missing royals have been taken through the cracks into the world. The very world it is against the law to contact, the very world the boy has been writing letters to.

The girl in the world has decided that she will help the boy in the kingdom, despite the chance he may not be real, because really she has nothing better to do. But the world is a big place and even if these royals from the kingdom existed, where in the wide world would she ever find them? If by some chance a girl in the world could locate these amnesiac royals from the kingdom, she would have to find a way to convince them of who they are, of where they belong. But even if that were possible, how would she get them through a crack no bigger than a letter and back to their kingdom?

The Cracks In The Kingdom allow contact to the world. A corner of white will have unforeseen consequences for a boy in the kingdom due to illegal acts. A corner of white will bring unintended circumstances to a girl in the world due to continued belief. Both will experience setbacks and both will find strength in friendships, and together they may just find their way through the cracks. This, the second bright and adventurous story in this series, is as charismatic and colourful as the first, drawing you ever deeper into the lives of these warn and intricate characters.

Jaclyn Moriarty Webpage

Jaclyn Moriarty @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 March 2014
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781742612874
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Cracks
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Shadowfell - Book 2

SHADOWFELL:
Raven Flight by Juliet Marillier

A Land Divided, A Girl With A Calling,

Leading A Rebellion Requires Great Sacrifices!
  

For too long Alban has been a land in turmoil, its people suppressed, the Good Folk shunned. The King has turned on his land and installed fear into his people but now the people are ready to fight back. The rebels of Shadowfell are preparing for a war against the King, a war to bring peace back to the land, a war to save them all and Neryn is the key to winning the war.

As a caller Neryn has the ability to call the other folk forth, without whose help there would be no war. But before she is able to call them to war she must first learn to master her gift. Neryn must travel the four corners of the kingdom in order to find the Guardians and learn from them the secrets of harnessing her power, but it is not an easy road to tread, and as a valuable asset to the resistance, she will not be travelling alone.

Tali, a skilled fighter and fierce loyalist to Alban and the rebellion, is not the easiest person to get along with at the best of times, so having to accompany Neryn on a dangerous journey across the country will bring rising tensions and new found respect. But while everyone is busy fighting and sacrificing for the resistance, Tali is frustrated to see that Neryn is distracted from her quest by Flint.

Raven Flight across a turmoil landscape, a call to the past, a hope for the future. A journey of trials and hardships, of friendships and love, this is a quest to save a land that is crying out to be healed. A beautiful tale that continues Neryn's quest to save her homeland from the hands of a tyrant. A story that is as moving as it is magical.

Kingdom Of Alban - map

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 July 2013
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742612249
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Caller
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Wildlife

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

The Wildlife Can Be Dangerous, Feed At Your Own Risk!

When you're a shy, naive girl in high school, gaining a little popularity is pretty much the equivalent of throwing a lamb to the wolves; the only thing worse is having a best friend who is really a wolf in sheep's clothing. For Sibylla this is exactly what happens, but maybe if she can discover herself in time she may escape being eaten alive.

Being the new student is like being a fish out of water, you instantly don't belong, no one seems to want you and your very existence is a fight for survival. For Lou surviving a new school is nothing, she doesn't care about belonging, she doesn't care about being wanted, it is only life she is fighting to survive, only her grief she is struggling to breath through.

Wildlife is not about surviving the animals of the wilderness but the wildness in your fellow students. For these year 10 students, spending fourth term at Mt Fairweather, Crowthorne Grammar's outdoor educational campus, is more then an education on becoming self-sufficient, it is a lesson in becoming self-aware, of growing up and making discoveries on life, love and acceptance of ones-self.

Fiona Wood Webpage

Fiona Wood @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 June 2013
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742612317
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Wilderness
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Pandora English #3

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss

She Has A Date With A Green Eyed Monster!

Pandora is looking forward to her date with Lieutenant Luke, a ghost from the Civil War. This is despite the fact that she sees him most nights; he is her spirit guide after all. However this night will be different, on this night it will be the Crow Moon, on this night Lieutenant Luke will be flesh-and-blood.

When Lieutenant Luke disappears halfway through their date, Pandora is not just frustrated but frightened. What if he is gone for good? However there are other worries to occupy her, she is sure her boss Skye DeVille is now Sanguine and on the verge of firing her at any moment. Jay Rockwell posses a romantic complication and Athanasia and her friends continue their vendetta against her.

But most curious of all is the skeleton key Pandora now possesses and the doors it opens in her Specktor home. Repeatedly warned of the Powerful force in Specktor, Pandora comes face to face with the architect of her new home and finally learns the secret behind its powerful force. Too bad she may not live long enough to survive what comes next, the Revolution of the Dead.

The Skeleton Key gains access to doors and pathways previously closed to Pandora, however what she never expected to find was the entryway to underworld. As the dead rise up across New York City, Pandora can't help but think what lousy time they have, right in the middle of her second first date. A romantically complex, fashionable tale where the dead outnumber the living.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 December 2012
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742611631
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Revolution Of The Dead
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Girl Defective

Girl Defective by Simmone Howell

Life Is Strange!

Sky’s life is far from normal; to start with her name is actually Skylark, her brothers’ Seagull. Her mother has run off to Japan to become an alternate music artist, her father has become an absent alcoholic with the single goal in life of finding the record 'Wishing Well' by the Millionaires and her socially awkward brother believes himself to be a detective. And then there is Nancy.

Girl Defective is a vulnerable, naive, lonely girl, learning, making mistakes and growing up. Absorbed in a mystery, experiencing her first love, betrayed by her best friend, taken for granted by her family, she will learn to accept others for who they are and herself for her own strangeness. A charming misadventure that is quirky and chaotic, full of life discoveries, friendships, defects and acceptance.

Simmone Howell Webpage

Simmone Howell @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 March 2013
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330426176
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Sky
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Pandora English #3

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss

She Has Never Been In More Trouble, Nor Looked More Stylish!

Pandora has only been in Manhattan for only a few months but already she has faced sanguine, zombies, ghosts and a goddess. Now she is looking forward to doing something normal, she has a date, albeit with a ghost. Once a month with the full moon the ghost of Civil War soldier Lieutenant Luke Thomas becomes human, well as human as you can get after being dead for over a hundred years.

Pandora had been looking forward to this night all month; it was going to be perfect. But Pandora soon learns that nothing ever turns out as planned when her date is spoilt as event after event leads to an attack of a green eyed monster. Abandoned, attacked and alone, Pandora is finding life ever more dangerous and her love life ever more complicated.

Who knew one strange date would lead Pandora to meet her destiny. As many truths about her new home and her own powers are brought to light, Pandora must stand alone to fight an army of the dead that threats to ruin a perfectly pleasant, if not a little awkward, date, brings immanent danger to her Great-Aunt Celia, and overruns Manhattan, not to mention Spektor, with their rotting corpses.

The Skeleton Key opens the door to hell and brings with it all manner of trouble for our inquisitive yet naive heroine. It is not so easy to save the world when you are still unsure of your own powers. However Pandora faces her greatest challenge yet with courage, intuition and a stylish wardrobe. A gothic love triangle that is fun, fearful, fashionable and full of tea.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 December 2012
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742611631
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Necromancy
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Pandora English #2

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Spider Goddess by Tara Moss

She Is The Seventh, Whatever That Means!

Pandora is fast learning there is more to life then fashion; there are blood sucking models, a handsome dead ghost and now spiders. Lots and lots of spiders. Surviving the undead, inhuman and otherwise otherworldly was turning out to be hell, but surviving the New York fashion scene was not all that much better.

There is a mystery brewing as the number of fashion designers who are disappearing increases, however despite their popularity no one in the fashion industry seems to think much of this. Pandora, although curious, is unwittingly drawn into this mystery by forces beyond her control and she soon discovers just how deadly fashion can be.

Pride and envy are the biggest flaws in the fashion world and as Pandora finds out, in goddesses. But Pandora's troubles are only just beginning as she faces her nemesis Athanasia, battles millions of creepy spiders and discovers that there are more beings of darkness and death just waiting for their chance to battle the Seventh and step into the light of day.

The Spider Goddess brings Pandora face to face with mythological beings, artefacts from the past and the magic of the moon. As Pandora discovers more about her family history and her own future, more questions are raised as to what her destiny involves and her ability to do what must be done. This gothic tale is a web of mystery wrapped in an increasingly romantic and entertaining package.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 December 2011
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781742610030
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: The Seventh
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Pandora English #1

PANDORA ENGLISH:
The Blood Countess by Tara Moss

She's Just A Writer Who Sees Things As They Truly Are!

Nineteen year old Pandora has big dreams, dreams that involve getting away from her stuffy small town and moving to New York, and luckily for her that's just what she is doing. Stepping of the plane, being met by a chauffeured driver, having an interview with her dream job lined up for the morning, Pandora couldn't be happier.

But then she discovers her new home to be a strange old building in a suburb that no one seems to know exists, she is awoken in the night by a spectre who is as surprised to be seen as Pandora is to see him, and her interview for Mia magazine that was to be her big break into fashion journalism turns out to be a disaster.

Despite the setbacks Pandora manages to find a job with another fashion magazine. She also exposes an age old secret to youthful beauty and in doing so manages to make some powerful enemies, inhumanly powerful enemies who have been a long time dead. Vampire is such a nasty term for these beings, but then some of these beings are particularly nasty.

The Blood Countess introduces Pandora to the world of fashion, journalism and the undead. The sanguine (vampires) are making a profit from the lives of the innocent and taking over the New York fashion scene. Pandora, like her name sake, is a girl with hidden gifts, gifts that she is only now starting to understand. A somewhat naive but very likeable female leads in this fun new gothic series.

Tara Moss Webpage

Tara Moss @ Pan Macmillan
Pandora English

On sale: 01 November 2010
Price (AU): $22.99
ISBN: 9781405040143
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Pandore
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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The Colours Of Madeleine #1

THE COLOURS OF MADELEINE:
A Corner Of White by Jaclyn Moriarty

Letters Through Worlds!

A girl in the world has found a corner of white. The edge of a letter hidden within a crack in the world. The crack is actually in a parking meter and the letter is from outside the world. Or so it would have her believe. But the more letters that arrive the more she might believe, for her world is not as it should be, not at all as she wants it to be and the letters from another place are the only thing that will help her believe in the impossible and save her from her loneliness.

A boy outside the world in a far away kingdom has been travelling for sometime but has yet to find what he is seeking, that is until he discovers a corner of white. The edge of a letter hidden within a crack in the kingdom, a crack that just happens to be in a sculpture his friend made that sits within his schools grounds. At once he believes in the world, and what he learns from the world will help him to uncover a truth, and save him from his wanderings.

A Corner Of White brings hope and changes lives. A crack in the world will help to bring colour, acceptance and friendship to an otherwise grey and desolate life. A crack in the kingdom will help bring order, knowledge and family to an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable life. A charismatic, witty and touching introduction to two worlds, to lives, connected through colour, loss and the words of a stranger through a crack in the world.

Jaclyn Moriarty Webpage

Jaclyn Moriarty @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 October 2012
Price (AU): $27.99
ISBN: 9781742611396
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Colours
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Shadowfell - Book 1

SHADOWFELL:
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

A Land In Trouble, A Girl On The Run,

Trust Is A Hard Lesson To Learn!

 

Alban is a land of great danger and sorrow. The people of Alban live in fear, fear of the raids that separate families, fear of the fires that destroy homes, and fear of the Enforcers who commit these acts in the name of the King. The old ways are being shunned, outlawed, anyone thought to be different is taken to serve the King, and any who refused or speak out against the injustices are quickly silenced for good.

At fifteen, Neryn has already been a victim of the King's rule having lost her grandmother in a raid and her village in a fire. But as one of the canny Neryn will never be safe from the Enforcers who hunt her. Left alone in the world with no family and no place that is safe for her; Neryn follows the only path she can to a place of safety that may not even exist, to Shadowfell.

Despite her connection to the Good Folk and the help they can provide, Neryn encounters many trials and hardships on her journey to find a safe haven. Even as the Enforcers track her every movement and the Good Folk follow her every step, she is challenged by her desire to find safety and a hope for the future. In a land where kindness and generosity are rare, Neryn discovers that the hardest lessons learnt are the most important.

Shadowfell is the only hope for a land in turmoil, the only safe place for a girl on the run. More then a story of one girls journey across a hostile land, this is a timeless tale of a life, love, friendships, hopes and fears. A beautiful and magical new series that introduces you to a world both cruel and kind, with characters as complex as they are intriguing. A story that will touch your heart.

Kingdom Of Alban - map

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 July 2012
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742611341
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Shadowfell
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Tryelle Trilogy book 1

TRYELLE:
Switched by Amanda Hocking

Home Is Where The Heart Is!

Six years after she was born her mother finally snapped. It was on her birthday, it would have been his birthday, and that one thought finally broke her mother. All these years her mothers true child had been missing or worse and it was her fault. She should not have been there, she didn't belong, she was an impostor and he was gone. But no one but her mother saw her for what she really was, no one but her mother believed in this crazy tale. At six years old she didn't believe it either, not even when her mother went at her with a carving knife.

Eleven years on and she is starting to question whether her crazy mother was right, not about the stabbing thing though but about the monster thing. A new boy at school has just shown up and what he knows about her is enough for her to question her life. Giving up all she knows and the only family that has ever loved her, her brother Matt not her mother who tried to kill her, she runs away with this new boy, after knowing him for only a day or two. Already she is willing to put her life in his hands.

Switched is a changeling story that substitutes trolls for faeries. This is a fairytale of a girl who never belonged becoming a Princess who has fallen in love with her "knight in shining armour". Although there are bad trolls after her, this is predominantly a story of love. Almost from the first instant she has been in love with her protector and for almost the entire book talked of nothing but her feelings for him. This is definitely a story for the romantics.

Amanda Hocking Webpage

Amanda Hocking @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 January 2012
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781447205692
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Trolls
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: possibly
Star rating: two out of five
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Birthright Book 1

BIRTHRIGHT:
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

It's Was Not Her Choice, But Her Birthright!

She may have been the daughter of a police woman but it was her father who people remembered most, who she remembered most. It was his name she carried after all, and with it his reputation. It didn't matter that he had been dead for years, it didn't matter that he was a good man, it only matter that he was in a business that was illegal. A business that produced and sold an illegal substance; chocolate.

There was nothing more important in her life then her family, her brother and sister were her responsibility and she took that very seriously. There was nothing she wouldn't do for them, nothing she wouldn't do to keep them safe; however she never guessed at the lengths she would go to do just that. But when her heart interferes with her responsibilities she finds more trouble them she can handle and her only way out is to give up the boy she loves.

All These Things I've Done were done to keep her family safe and to keep her family together. However with a family like hers that was harder then expected. With criminal activity, mob wars, family politics, a vindictive ex, poisoning, attempted murder, betrayal, love and chocolate, this story literally has a bit of something for everyone. An engrossing and engaging story that is as bitter as it is sweet. A brilliant introduction to an exciting new series.

Gabrielle Zevin Webpage

Gabrielle Zevin @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 06 September 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330537896
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Chocolate
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Skychasers Trilogy #1

THE SKYCHASERS TRILOGY:
GLOW by Amy Kathleen Ryan

A Destiny Written In The Stars!

Earth has increasingly become uninhabitable, acid rains from the sky, fertile lands give way to barren deserts and people starve. For Kieran and Waverly and the other children aboard the space ship Empyrean they have no recollections of the harshness that Earth has become, but nor have they ever experienced sunshine, wind or the sea. Being born in space headed for a New Earth these children are humanities hope for a future.

Life aboard the Empyrean was simple and apart from living in a metal ship flying through space Waverly was just an average girl. That is until Kieran proposes to her. Waverly knows it is her duty to marry and have children of her own, being almost sixteen many would say she is old enough for such responsibility, but Waverly is not so sure. Although Kieran is kind and in truth she does love him, she can't help being drawn to another.

However when the Empyrean's companion ship the New Horizon approaches, Waverly discovers there are more important things in life besides love, there is survival. Separated from everyone she loves, surrounded by lies, deception and harsh truths, Waverly endures abuse, violence and kindness at the hands of these strangers that have captured her. Kieran, on the other hand will undergo torture, responsibilities and transformation with those who have been left behind.

Glow is just the beginning of this exceptional space adventure that will hold you captive. A brilliantly complex story that allows for heroes to make mistakes and the villains to act with the best intentions. This is a tale of two children growing up too soon, experiencing their world irrevocably changed and learning home will never be the same again. More then a story of humanities quest for a future, it is a dark and unvarnished look at how far people will go to survive. Simply a great read.

Any Kathleen Ryan Webpage

Amy Kathleen Ryan @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 October 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781742610320
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Survival
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five 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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Entangled

Entangled by Cat Clarke

He'd Be A Great Boyfriend, If Not For The Kidnapping!

Grace is impulsive, reckless, selfish and a flirt. Just your typical seventeen year old with a fiery temper and hair to match. She doesn't believe in turning down a drink or a kiss from a boy if he's not half bad looking, actually there isn't much she wont say no to, except her mum of course. But while on the outside Grace is doing her best to hide the hurt, on the inside she is desperately trying to hold on to the only two people who mean anything to her.

When Grace left home for the park with a knife in her bag and bottle under her arm she wasn't expecting to ever return, but nor was she expecting to wake, especially not to a white room with white furniture and dressed in a strange white surgical gown. With an abundant of pens and paper available Grace finds little else to do with her days then write. As her story flows the reason behind her kidnapping becomes clear, but when it comes to her life, can she find anything that's worth living for?

Entangled is a unique and intriguing story of a girl struggling with the tangled mess her life has become. A raw yet vibrant story that pulls you in, all the time wondering how a girl could come to be trapped in a white room and how it will ever be possible for her to ever escape. Through the complexities of life, where friendships are destroyed by secrets and relationships are broken by betrayal, the lies holding her life together begin to unravel leaving behind a girl with nowhere left to hide from the truth or from herself.

Cat Clarke Webpage

Cat Clarke @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 March 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781849163941
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Grace
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Faeriewalker Book 2

FAERIEWALKER:
Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Beware of Erlking's Bearing Gifts!

Dana has spent most of her life being responsible, taking care of her mother and looking after their home. Never having lived with rules before Dana has known nothing but freedom, however after moving to Avalon Dana has found that she must give up her freedom. Living in a 'safe-house' underground is not exactly the ideal home life she had come to Avalon in search of but with two faerie queens, a crazy aunt and a whole mess of fae out to kill her Dana has little choice but to put up with her confinement. That is until she finds ways of sneaking out.

When the Erlking enters Avalon things for Dana go from bad to worse. There are hidden secrets from the past that threaten to be the downfall of Dana and those secrets may be revealed to late to save Dana from a fate worse then death, or from death itself. As the line between enemy and ally becomes blurred Dana is finding it increasingly hard to know who she can trust, but that doesn't stop her risking her own life to save the lives of those she cares for.

Shadowspell continues the story of Dana, a Faeriewalker and somewhat confused heroine, who is brave enough to enter the enemies lair to bargain with her virtue but who still manages to naively demean herself with words for actions she has yet to take, nor does she intend to. Having never been kissed, unless provoked by magic, Dana is unnecessarily self recriminating, but despite this misguidedness there is a captivating plot filled with lies, loss, heartache, death and magic. If you've read book one you won't want to miss this.

Jenna Black Webpage

Jenna Black @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 February 2011
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330404143
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Spells
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: to those reading the series
Star rating: three out of five
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Bridei's Court - Book 3

BRIDEI'S COURT:
The Well Of Shades by Juliet Marillier

Peace At What Cost?

Faolan is a man unmoved by sentiment, a man with no room in his life for friends and no thought given to love. Or at least that is the man he was before Briar Wood and all the tragedies that befell there. Now Faolan is on a new mission, one he hopes that will close the wounds torn open in his past journey to the north. Faolan is returning to Ireland to fulfil a Kings mission, to fulfil a dying wish and to fulfil a promise.

After delivering heartbreaking news, hiding a fugitive, being captured, facing his demons and accepting new responsibilities, Faolan is finally able to concentrate on the Kings mission but he does not do it alone. Once again Faolan is travelling in the company of a woman, only this time she is no princess and she is carrying a lot of baggage, both emotionally and in the form of a small child.

Back in Fortriu King Bridei is facing trials of his own with family going missing, threats from within his kingdom and within his home, Christian travellers making demands that will upset the gods, once allies and friends plotting against him, and secrets and lies filling the court and endangering those he loves. It is a dangerous and volatile time for Kings and Queens, assassins, maidens, chieftains and children alike.

The Well Of Shades is a journey into the past where darkness lurks within and hope is ever present. The final chapter in this engrossing trilogy is a masterpiece in which myth, history and fantasy blend seamlessly together to create a tale of a people whose lives, challenges and loves are as sincere in their depictions as they are in their genuine ability to affect us. A truly precious story that I loved.

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780330426022
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Journey
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Bridei's Court - Book 2

BRIDEI'S COURT:
Blade Of Fortriu by Juliet Marillier

Love Will Break Your Heart!

Five years, and a life time, have gone into this, and now after all this time King Bridei is ready to march into battle to unite his people, to drive out the invaders, to save the gods he loves. As with every war there are uncertainties, and for Bridei the north holds one of these; Alpin of Briar Wood.

As a hostage and princess of Fortriu Ana's duty compels her to agree to an arranged marriage to a man of unknown character but of fearful reputation. For Bidei's sake, and that of Fortriu, Faolan, Ana and a small party set out northward in the hopes of securing an alliance for the King. However no one could have predicted the horrors of what awaited them.

Lives are about to change through war, imprisonment, freedom, truth, love and death. Bridie faces an uncertain future where death seems the only outcome. Ana follows duty to a fault until she learns there are more important things in life. Faolan is a man unmoved by emotions but will find new strength in his weaknesses. A secret prisoner is held by bonds of blood and guilt and one very big cage until love sets him free.

The Blade Of Fortriu is a symbol of hope and courage to a people who's lives, land and religion are under threat from invaders. However the Blade of Fortriu is much more then a symbol or an idea, it is a man, the one man fated to unite a land. As people are change, loves are found, hearts are broken and lives are taken, this story, part history, part myth, part fantasy, will capture your imagination as well as your heart.

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 February 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780330426015
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Love
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Faeriewalker Book 1

FAERIEWALKER:
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Looking Through The Glimmerglass!

Dana has been living with a secret, one she has kept hidden from the rest of the world and its not just that her Father is a Fae from Avalon making her half-faerie half-human, although that is a big secret too, no this secret is about her mother.

Ever since she can remember Dana and her mother have been moving from place to place running from an invisible enemy, invisible to Dana that is but to her mother it was an ever present threat that only alcohol was able to help her cope with. For as long as Dana could remember her mother had been a drunk.

Having put up with her mothers drunkenness one too many times, Dana has decided to run away. Surely living with the father she has never met would be better then living with a mother who's always out of it. Only once she arrives in Avalon Dana's not so sure any more.

What Dana finds in Avalon is not the magical place of happiness she was expecting, instead she is kidnapped, imprisoned, rescued, attacked, lied to, kissed, beaten, threatened and encounters one very fierce water witch. All Dana ever wanted was to be a normal teenage girl, but Dana is anything but normal.

Glimmerglass introduces a new world where faeries and humans exist side by side; at least they do in Avalon. It is a complicated world of politics and danger with enough magic and romance to satisfy every reader. The first in a new and exciting series.

Jenna Black Webpage

Jenna Black @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 July 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780330403788
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Fae
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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