Secrets of Carrick Book 3

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

The Truth Will Set You Free!

When Mam told her stories of danger and warnings to Mally and her siblings, Mally was the only one to really listen, the only one to take those warnings to heart. While her sibs spent their time in blissful ignorance, Mally saw only danger everywhere. Mally knew she was right to be afraid, but with so much to fear Mally cannot understand her brothers and sisters fearlessness, and while she loved them she hated their carefree ways.

Doyln Craig is a bully, violent and frightening, Mally goes out of her way to stay out of his. But lately, for some reason he is seeking her out, wanting something from her. All Mally wants is to left alone, to feel safe, but soon she is pulled into a journey across Carrick to mend a broken boy, heal a hare woman and finally discover her inner courage that will finally set her free and find her peace and acceptance.

Ghostheart uncovers a hidden tragedy, brings closure to loved ones and mends broken ties all through the courage of one frightened, fearful girl. Mally's fears have kept her isolated and alone, but when forced to confront the frightening, forced away from all that she holds safe, she will find she is not as alone as she had believed, not as powerless as she had felt. A beautifully written tale that will capture your heart and feed your imagination.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742032184
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Witch-Webster
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed, as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 1

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

A Sea-Girl's Story!

She is a wild girl, full of stories and covered in scales, growing up without a mother or a father. Although her aunt raised her it is the stories surrounding the island of Carrick that she lives on, stories of Other Ones, changeling's, the honey-tongued and cave people. But the stories she craves most are the stories of her own family, her great-grandfathers merrow wife, her fathers search for a sea wife, her mother's watery end.

With her affinity for water the long hot summer has driven her to the seabed for respite and answers, however it is through a hidden cave of hands, a man washed ashore in a net and an encounter with an ancient one that brings about the answers she so desperately needs. But when the truth is revealed it is not the story she had been hoping for, but with the truth she is finally able to find peace in her own story.

Merrow brings a young girls dreams of hope, magic and merrow's to life only to have those dreams transformed with the truth into memories of a woman who loved and was loved, a woman who was her mother. Neen's summer is one filled with stifling heat, enchanted stories, hidden truths, uncovered pasts and a new found affinity for bees. A notable story that is as wondrous as it is fulfilling.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2013
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031361
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Merrow
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

The Rosie Black Chronicles #2

Equinox by Lara Morgan

A Choice That Will Have Dire Consequences!

'Five Hundred Years Into The Future' and the world has changed. Society is segmented into the 'Centrals', those living with all the conveniences money can buy, the 'Bankers', those living on the banks of the river and barely getting by, and the 'Ferals', those who live wild with nothing but there wits to sustain them. Though different in many ways they all have one thing in common, anyone of them is susceptible to the deadly MalX, get bitten from the wrong mosquito and there is no cure only death.

Rosie is no longer living on the banks, exposed to the MalX, living day to day on the items she sold from the ruins of the old city. In fact Rosie never has to worry about the MalX ever again, thanks to Pip she was now immune, her father saved and she is living safely in the 'Central' part of the city with her aunt. However millions of others are not so lucky, MalX is still killing by the thousands, Helios is far from defeated and Pip has disappeared from her life. But worst of all she is expected to become a regular girl at a Central school.

When Pip finally surfaces again the reunion is not a happy one, and when the resistance is compromised Rosie again finds herself on the run, only this time it is not to the moon but the desert she is heading for. With the key to the resistances survival locked in her head, Rosie is now the only hope the resistance has left to fight Helios, but will she decide to fight against the monsters who created this nightmare disease , or will she chose to betray all she loves to keep them safe.

Equinox continues the fight to bring down Helios and discover a cure for the deadly MalX that is rapidly killing the world’s population. But there are complications as new allies and new enemies lead to explosive decisions and traitorous deals. Helios will stop at nothing to get Pip back and with him control the cure for the MalX, and the only way for Rosie to save him may just be to give Helios what it wants. Not to mention the fact that Helios may by the key to saving her own life.

Lara Morgan Webpage
Lara Morgan @ Walker Books
Rosie Black

On sale: 01 November 2011
Price (US): $22.95
ISBN: 9781921529405
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Equinox Gate
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Preloved

Preloved by Shirley Marr

A Borrowed Love!

With a head full of superstitions, a degenerated wishing fountain, a pack of Jason Donovans and a cheap crappy locket, Anna, the ever-present sidekick to the beautiful and shinning Rebecca, is for the first time in her life going to be the star of her own story.

Despite her mother's warnings against ghosts, Anna manages to attract the ghost of a good looking boy. The only problem, besides his annoying eighties attitude, is that no one else can see him and girls who are seen to talk to themselves are soon labelled a little crazy.

After making a promise to reunite her ghost boy with his true love Rebecca, Anna discovers there is more to this love story then first appears. A prelife, a prelove, will bring understanding and new life to a girl trapped by the actions of the past and closure for a boy trapped in the future.

Preloved is a story of a ghost trapped in time in search of his lost love, a story of a girl who is all but invisible to the world, a story of love, heartache and forgiveness. Packed full of ghostly superstitions, eighties references, witty confrontations and unrequited love this charming story is an enjoyable read.

Shirley Marr Webpage

Shirley Marr @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 April 2012
Price (AU): $18.95
ISBN: 9781742031903
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Ghosts
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Wild Child

Wild Child by Jeanne Willis
illustrated by Lorna Freytag

Into The Wild!

In the wild lives a child, she lives all alone. She is the last of her kind and the earth is her home. Other children lived there once, but they were all taken away. Made to stop and sit still, made to behave and to stay. But one child in the wild is still free to be, never tamed and held back, she is happy and free.

Wild Child is curious, adventurous and brave. Enter her world and you'll want to stay. She lives in a world filled with nature, beauty and fun. She'll make you want to play, skip, hop and run. She is an inspiration as is the images that hold her, and her simple little story will bring pleasure, wonder and laughter.

Jeanne Willis Webpage
Lorna Freytag Webpage
Mary Losure @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 January 2012
Price (US): $27.95
ISBN: 9781406323085
Recommended age: 1-5
In a word: Wild
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

The Tribe Book 1

THE TRIBE:
The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

"Ashala Wolf Has Been Betrayed, Captured

And Is Now To Be Interrogated"

When Ashala first ran away to the Firstwood she never expected to find a place to call home, people to call family. This was her Tribe, and she would do anything to protect them. But when one of her own is a traitor, out to turn her and her new family into the government to be locked up simply for being born different, she refuses to stand by and do nothing.

Now Ashala finds herself a prisoner in the detention centre the government has set up for people like her, people who are different, and her betrayer stands by her side, as her guard. With the lives of her Tribe at stake, Ashala is helpless as the interrogation draws from her everything she remembers. But even as she is forced to reveal all, she cant help feeling there is something she's forgotten.

The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf takes place in a time after the Reckoning, after the end of the world, where the survivors no longer live enslaved to technology but in balance with nature. During this time there are those who are born with gifts, abilities that the government believes is not in balance with the world. This dystopian tale is an engrossing and enlightening beginning to a unique new series.

Ambelin Kwaymullina @ Walker Books
The Tribe

On sale: 01 July 2012
Price (US): $19.95
ISBN: 9781921720086
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Thee Trib
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Blog Tour & Giveaway - The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf

Blog Tour - The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf

About Ashala Wolf (The Book)
 

"There will come a day when a thousand Illegals descend on your detention centres. Boomers will breach the walls. Skychangers will send lightning to strike you all down from above, and Rumblers will open the earth to swallow you up from below ... And when that day comes, Justin Connor, think of me."

Ashala Wolf has been captured by Chief Administrator Neville Rose. A man who is intent on destroying Ashala s Tribe - the runaway Illegals hiding in the Firstwood. Injured and vulnerable and with her Sleepwalker ability blocked, Ashala is forced to succumb to the machine that will pull secrets from her mind. And right beside her is Justin Connor, her betrayer, watching her every move. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?


About Ambelin Kwaymullina (The Author)
 

1. Who is your favourite author and why?

Oh, that’s hard – I have so many favourite authors!  But in the world of fantasy, my favourite author is Michelle Sagara West. I read anything she writes, and love everything she writes, for a thousand reasons – the depth and complexity of the worlds she creates, the strength of her characters, and the beauty of her writing. Her books are ones I go back to time and again, and read over and over. Each time I pick them up I discover something new, and find myself reflecting on a different passage, or thinking about a character in a way I hadn’t before. They’re like old friends who never let me down.

2. What are the books/stories that have influenced your writing style and choice of genre?

I’ve always read science fiction and fantasy, and I’ve always loved the way sci fi/fantasy books explore possibilities, both the dreams and the nightmares of what human beings could be. I think the dystopian field attracted me because it captures both my worst fears and my greatest hopes. In a dystopia, the world has ended, in war or environmental cataclysm or nuclear Armageddon. But humanity, somehow, has survived. Life has triumphed, despite humanity’s worst qualities, and at least some of those who remain are trying to make a better world than the one that was lost.

One of my favourite writers is Lois McMaster Bujold, and most especially anything she writes about that manic genius, Miles Vorkosigan. In one of Lois Bujold’s stories, Miles talks about expanding borders to infinity. To me, sci fi and fantasy is the genre that lets us expand our borders – as writers, readers, and human beings, showing us the possibilities we could never imagined if we’d stayed within the boundaries of the world-that-is.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration to write?

From my characters. They are real, to me; they have stories that demand to be told, and I can’t let them down. I have to write about them, to do my best to accurately convey who they are, how they feel, and the world that they live in.

4. Without giving too much away to those who have yet to read The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf, what scene was your favourite part to write about and why?

Huh. That’s hard to pick an absolute favourite! But I think probably anything involving Jaz. Because I always knew, at any given moment, what Jaz thought and felt, and what he would say. That made it a joy to write scenes with him in them, because I didn’t have to spend a lot of time trying to figure him out. He just leapt onto the page, generally taking over any portion of the novel he appeared in, and I could carry on with the story.

 The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf
Giveaway

Want to read this engrosing tale yourself?
Simply send an email to larissabookgirl(at)gmail(dot)com.
One entrant will be chosen at random to win a copy of this new book.
Be sure to include your name and postage details.
Open to Australia and NewZealand only.

 

Thanks so much to Peta at Walker Books Australia for all your hard work in putting together this blog tour, and thanks to Ambelin Kwaymullina for taking the time to answer my questions.

For the next stop on the The Interrogation Of Ashala Wolf Blog Tour
tomorrow visit
Alishia's Treasured Tales for Young Adults.

  

The Fairy Ring

The Fairy Ring by Mary Losure

"Elsie and Frances Fool The World"

It all began with Frances, a young girl who, being new to England, one day discovered fairies at the bottom of the garden. Unfortunately it seemed Frances was the only one to see these fairies and so without proof no one believed her, that is apart from her cousin Elsie of course. But that didn't stop the teasing that followed.

Elsie, being of kind heart and somewhat mischief nature, decided to put a stop to the teasing of her cousin Frances by providing proof of the existence of fairies. Something that was easier said then done, however with a strong will, an artistic flair and a borrowed camera she had managed to do just that.

The Fairy Ring is a true story told of how two girls, innocently enough, fooled the world and those with the passion enough to believe. As spiritualism was becoming increasingly popular at the time, fairies and nature spirits were a popular talking point, and with so little known about the subject proof of the existence of such beings were highly sought after. But little did Frances or Elsie realise just how seriously their proof would be taken.

Mary Losure Webpage
Mary Losure @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 July 2012
Price (US): $24.95
ISBN: 9780763656706
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Fairies
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

The Rosie Black Chronicles #1

THE ROSIE BLACK CHRONICLES:
Genesis by Lara Morgan

There Are Always Consequences To Our Actions!

'Five Hundred Years Into The Future' and the world has changed. Society is segmented into the 'Centrals', those living with all the conveniences money can buy, the 'Bankers', those living on the banks of the river and barely getting by, and the 'Ferals', those who live wild with nothing but there wits to sustain them. Though different in many ways they all have one thing in common, anyone of them is susceptible to the deadly MalX, get bitten from the wrong mosquito and there is no cure only death.

Living on the banks, Rosie knows all to well the dangers of MalX.She watched her mother die from the disease, the mutated strain that Mother Nature threw down upon the world. That was why she was always careful in her expeditions to the old city, the dangers not being enough to keep her away from her explorations, besides the items she found she sold and they desperately needed the money. But when she found the box, the dark blue metal box with its distinct and somehow familiar icon stamped onto the lid, she knew what she had found was special, what she didn't know was just how many lives were going to be lost because of what she uncovers inside.

Pip wasn't always a feral, all but homeless with only his wits and a fear of the deadly MalX to drive him. He may be nothing but a feral now but was smart and he had a plan for the future, besides being a feral had its advantages too. He was all but invisible to the world and could therefore go places, find out things that others could not, and others were willing to pay for skills like that, others that were restricted by there place in society. Pip got by on the jobs his bosses gave him, but when asked to go after a girl and a box, he had no idea just how life changing that task would be, and not just for him.

Genesis takes you on a journey from the banks of Newperth through the blackness of space all the way to the Genesis colony on Mars. Having triggered a chain of events that will spark an explosive revelation, Rosie and Pip are drawn deep into a mystery that leaves death in its wake. Through the many layers of deceit and deadly encounters they will uncover a truth but at a great cost. For Rosie it was only ever about saving her family, for Pip is was about loyalty to the only family he had left, but when both are betrayed and hundreds of innocent lives become at risk it becomes about surviving long enough to expose the truth.

Lara Morgan Webpage
Lara Morgan @ Walker Books
Rosie Black

On sale: 01 October 2010
Price (US): $24.95
ISBN: 9781921529399
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Genesis Project
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 2

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Tantony by Ananda Braxton-Smith

This Is What I Am For!

Fermion and Bolson were twins, but despite there sameness they were very different. Though they shared the same face and the same heart, it was Fermion who was older, always in a rush, never believing what she couldn't see and always working for others. Bolson on the other hand always took his time with things, he saw whole worlds were others saw only a drop of water; he believed the birds spoke to him and he worked only towards fulfilling their wishes.

But when Fermion found her brother, the life drained from his cold body, her life was suddenly changed as was that of her whole family. Losing Bolson meant losing a piece of herself, but it was also a loss to everyone at home. Everyone in her family was changed by his absence and for Fermion nothing could make sense again until she could discover the reason why he had died and accept that he was never coming back.

Tantony is a journey through grief and loss, a journey across land and sea, a journey to find your own path in life and what you believe. As one girl struggles with her life, her loss and what she believes she learns to accept others for who they are and herself for who she needs to be. Written with a raw and edgy language that reflects the uniqueness of this country and the quirkiness of its people, this down to earth story is one that settles deep within you and refuses leave.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2011
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031668
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Monsters
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Secrets of Carrick Book 1

SECRETS OF CARRICK:
Merrow by Ananda Braxton-Smith

A Sea-Girl's Story!

She is a wild girl, full of stories and covered in scales, growing up without a mother or a father. Although her aunt raised her it is the stories surrounding the island of Carrick that she lives on, stories of Other Ones, changeling's, the honey-tongued and cave people. But the stories she craves most are the stories of her own family, her great-grandfathers merrow wife, her fathers search for a sea wife, her mother's watery end.

With her affinity for water the long hot summer has driven her to the seabed for respite and answers, however it is through a hidden cave of hands, a man washed ashore in a net and an encounter with an ancient one that brings about the answers she so desperately needs. But when the truth is revealed it is not the story she had been hoping for, but with the truth she is finally able to find peace in her own story.

Merrow brings a young girls dreams of hope, magic and merrow's to life only to have those dreams transformed with the truth into memories of a woman who loved and was loved, a woman who was her mother. Neen's summer is one filled with stifling heat, enchanted stories, hidden truths, uncovered pasts and a new found affinity for bees. A notable story that is as wondrous as it is fulfilling.

Ananda Braxton-Smith @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031361
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Merrow
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Tantalize #1

TANTALIZE:
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Blood Suckers!

Quincie's family restaurant has become all the more important to her since her parents death, the restaurant is a second home, its staff a second family. So with the restaurant failing it is given a makeover, a vampire theme, but not everyone is happy with the theme nor the type of people a theme like that will attract. But Quincie has other worries, head chef and surrogate grandfather Vaggio has been murdered.

Kieren, Quincie's best and only friend, not to mention first love, is about to embark on a werewolf right of passage, the outcome of which being Keiren's absence from Quincie's life, forever. With so much loss in her life it is little wonder that Quincie soon makes friends with Henry, the newly hired head chef of her family restaurant.

Tantalize offers a smorgasbord of murder, mystery, unrequited love, vampires, wine and deliciously seductive food that will change the way you eat forever. An exciting story of a girl changed by her experiences, and yet still determined to hold on to who she is. A story where the good guys don't always win, the bad guys are able to destroy everything and sometimes not everyone gets a happily ever after. This is one supernatural series with bite.

Cynthia Leitich Smith Webpage
Cynthia Leitich Smith @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 April 2007
Price (US): $27.95
ISBN: 9780763627911
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Vampire Chief
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx

Stork #1

STORK:
Stork by Wendy Delsol

Winged Baby Deliverers!

The sun, the beach and the shops were all a thing of the past for Kat, and so too was a decent cup of coffee. The cold always was her enemy as was bad fashion sense and this small town with its cold climate and lack of style was looking more and more like a place Kat was to call home, whether she liked it or not.

Divorce, a new school and a persistent group of strange old women in even stranger hats make up Kat's experiences in this ancient small town. Then the dreams begin. But none of that has anything to do with the unknown boy Jack and his insistence that he and Kat know each other, nor dose it explain the bad mood he seems to adopt towards her and, as it turns out, only her.

Stork is a modern fairytale full of dreams, magic and Norse mythology. Although love comes quickly as an act of fate and some aspects are foreseeable, there is enough momentum to keep this tale flowing. This supernatural story may lack vampires, werewolves and angels but its original and fresh mystical beings along with its interesting and quirky characters are a refreshing change from the norm.

Wendy Delsol Webpage
Wendy Delsol @ Walker Books

On sale: 01 January 2011
Price (US): $29.95
ISBN: 9780763648442
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Storks
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
xx

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
xx

Fury

Fury by Shirley Marr

"Hell Have No Fury Like A Woman Scorned"

Eliza is sixteen, finishing her final year of school and looking forward to the new sports car her mother has promised to buy her when she passes her driving test. Until then she has to put up with her elite school environment, wealthy but absent mother and sometimes infuriating but best friends.

The last thing anybody expected to happen in the perfect world of East Rivermoor, the wealthy suburb surrounded by a high fence to keep out the poor and dangerous alike, is for one of their own to commit murder. Eliza's confession is a dark and emotional story told with a raw honesty that doesn't sugar-coat what she has done or why. There is no excuse although she has her reasons but she's not sorry for it, not at all.

Fury is compelling, messy, complicated and just a little bit heartbreaking. When pushed to the edge and broken down with no one to turn to, belittled and victimised, is it any wonder that things turn vindictive? Eliza is selfish, spoilt and stuck up and that doesn't change but somehow her soft and vulnerable core shines through endearing us to this fiery redhead who deep down is as lost and broken as the rest of us. A brilliant debut novel.

Fury - cover

Shirley Marr Webpage

Shirley Marr @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

Eliza Boans - blog

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031323
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Fury
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
xx

Angel Fish

Angel Fish by Lili Wilkinson

A Journey To Find The Holy Land,

A Journey To Find Yourself!

From the first moment Gabriel laid eyes upon Stephan he knew Stephan was different; special. Gabriel had never been special, had never felt he belonged, and he could never understand the people around him. But when Stephan talks, Gabriel understands. As special as Stephan is in Gabriel's eyes, Gabriel is just as special; he is the alpha fish.

Stephan leads Gabriel across the country, and from every town and village they pass through their numbers swell as hundreds, thousands, join the Children's Army led by Stephan, as they march to the Holy Land. Only the pure and innocent children are able to free the Holy Land from the evils of the Saracen.

As the Children's Army marches they are led by a Holy man, a mad man, who is no man at all but merely a boy. There are many difficulties; the harsh conditions claim many of them, shaken beliefs send many to turn away for home, and deceit will see the remaining betrayed. As beliefs are shaken to their core, Gabriel starts to question, and where once he had thought Stephan an Angel, it is Stephan who now sees Gabriel as an Angel; his Angel Fish.

Angel Fish is a story of hope. This book demonstrates a strength and courage in acting on what you believe, even if it is not what everyone else believes, even if it takes you far from family and home. However, the innocent and naive must beware in blindly following others, for there is also danger, deceit and despair lurking in the depths of this story. Ultimately it is about belief. Find a belief in yourself, and others will believe in you.

 

Lili Wilkinson Webpage

Lili Wilkinson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 September 2009
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742030463
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Angel-Fish
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
xx

Scatterheart

Scatterheart by Lili Wilkinson

Appearances Can Be Deceiving!

Hannah Cheshire is a young lady of Quality living in London, and the daughter of a Gentleman. Arthur Cheshire is an important businessman, and wants only the best for his daughter. Hannah is used to having the best, fine dresses and jewellery, food and servants. Hannah has grown up with no mother and, apart from her father, has no one else in her life besides her tutor.

Thomas Behr has filled Hannah's head with history, poetry, and mathematics as well as languages, animals and stories; much to Arthur Cheshire's dismay. It was not necessary nor desirable for a young lady of Quality to know such things, Hannah's father would say. But still Thomas Behr loved to tell his story and Hannah loved to hear them. Her favourite story was that of Scatterheart.

One day Hannah finds her life turned upside down, and all her troubles seem to start with the dismissal of Thomas Behr as her tutor. Quickly afterwards things seem to turn from bad to worse, and Hannah finds herself imprisoned. "A series of misfortunes and calamities...", as Hannah puts it, has brought her to trial and despite her insistence of innocence; she is sentenced to "Parts Beyond the Seas", other wise known as New South Wales.

It is upon the seas and beyond that Hannah holds dear to her the stories told by Thomas Behr; she is haunted by the story of Scatterheart and the white bear. Along with the stories is the memory of the man she has become so fond of. Once she had considered him well beneath her, a servant, a commoner. Now she thinks of him more and more. But will she ever see him again?

Scatterheart is a fickle and selfish girl who accepts the offer of marriage from a white bear, not because she loves him but because he can offer her a castle to live in and beautiful dresses to wear. Hannah begins to wonders if she is not so different, willing to consider marriage to a man she detests for the chance to have a grand house with carriages, and fifty servants, and jewels and beautiful dresses.

Like Scatterheart, Hannah must endure a long and dangerous journey, to discover what is truly worth having, finding growth and learning and love; all the while searching for her own Mr Bear, 'East O' The Sun, West O' The Moon'.

Scatterheart is a wonderful story that mixes reality with fantasy, and truth with illusion. It's a story that portrays the ignorance and selfishness of the wealthy and the harsh reality of life for the poor living in London and Australia in 1814. Scatterheart is a fairytale that's actual and realistic.

 

Lili Wilkinson Webpage

Lili Wilkinson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 01 August 2007
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781921167850
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Journey
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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After

After by Sue Lawson

It's What Happens After That Counts!

In one moment your whole life can change. For Callum, a moment of thoughtlessness has turned his world upside-down.

Before, Callum was popular, cool; a city kid active with friends and in sport, and everyone had known him as Cj. After, no one wanted him around. Callum had been shipped away to the country, dumped on his grandparents whom he had never met before.

Callum was feeling isolated and alone, but most of all he was feeling angry. Angry at his mother for forcing him to leave, angry at his grandparents for not understanding, angry at the bully at his new school for picking on him and the weak kids. But mostly Callum was angry at himself.

Callum had still not dealt with the tragedy that had instigated his move to the country. His mother had hoped that the move would help him to heal; instead Callum retreated further inside himself, pushing away anyone who tried to get close, pushing back the grief and guilt that was building inside him.

Luke 'Benny', a boy in Callum's class who has suffered a brain injury, befriends Callum, much to Callum's dismay. Before, Callum would have treated Luke just as the bullies at his new school do. After, now, Callum finds himself sticking up for Luke. Callum finds that his friendship is able to help Luke heal, what he didn't expect was how much Luke's friendship would help him heal.

After is a poignant and thought provoking novel that steps between the before and after of a life changing event in such a way as to create a dramatic and intriguing story that from the opening pages draws you in, suspended, till its conclusion.

Its relatable characters shape Callum's experiences and feelings, impacting on his relationships with those around him, his own feelings of self worth and his ability to cope with what has happened in his life. It is a story about relevant issues faced by teenagers; friendship, family, feelings of belong and abandonment, anger, low self-esteem, change, grief and loss.

Sue Lawson Webpage

Sue Lawson @ Black Dog Books Walker Books

On sale: 03 August 2009
Price (AU): $18.99
ISBN: 9781742031125
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: After
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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