What Have They Done to Liza McLean?
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Quiet, studious Meg has just started at uber-elite boarding school Douglas College, with her younger sister – fun-loving, party-girl Liza. But when Liza suddenly seems to embody all the serious, school-focused, hard-working ideals Meg has
Lady’s Knight
Written by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner are a writing dream team. This dynamic duo, comprised of two exceptional science fiction and fantasy authors in their own right, successfully flex their creative skills
Wandering Wild
By Lynette Noni Reviewed by Dajo Finlayson Lynette Noni is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Fantasy series The Prison Healer, the Medoran Chronicles and the Whisper duology, but in this novel, she has moved from her usual fantasy genre to
The Last Tiger
By Julia Riew & Brad Riew Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Inspired by the forbidden love story of their Korean grandparents – who married across classes for love in a time of arranged marriages for standing – Julie Riew and Brad Riew have
Skull River
By Pip Fioretti Reviewed by Lauren Spencer This is Pip Fioretti’s second crime novel and follows on from the highly successful Bone Lands (2024). Pip has previously published books in women’s fiction and recently switched genres, a risky move that proved to
The Beat I Drum
By Dusti Bowling Reviewed by Mia Macrossan We first met Connor in Dusti Bowling's award winning Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, the story of Aven Green who was born without arms. Now in the third instalment of the Life
Immortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy)
By I.V. Marie Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Six ‘inconvenient acquaintances’, four trials, one chance to escape an eternity of nothingness. New York Times Bestseller Immortal Consequences, the debut novel by American author I.V. Marie, is the first half of a duology about
The Invocations
By Krystal Sutherland Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult Literature, The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland has it all: strong girls protecting each other; older women listening to younger women; occult magic based in
Catch
By Sarah Brill Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Catch opens with Beth walking home one afternoon, minding her own business on a busy sidewalk, when a sudden and intense urge to throw up hits. Instead of bending over, she looks up and a
A Good Kind of Trouble
By Brooke Blurton and Melanie Saward Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Brooke Blurton is the first Indigenous and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. Her advocacy for First Nations people and the LGBTQ+ community continues, alongside writer, editor and Bigambul and Wakka Wakka woman,
Heir of Storms
By Lauryn Hamilton Murray Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey At the end of Heir of Storms, the debut YA Romantasy from Scottish author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, one thing was left wanting – what happens next?? Luckily, this moody, intense and captivating story will
We Could Be Something
By Will Kostakis Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Every so often a book lights up with extra heart and soul from the author. Usually they’re debuts, but in Will Kostakis’ eighth book his light shines bright. Winner of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards’
The Locked Room
By Adam Cece Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Andy wakes up with three other students from his school. Chad, the bully, Gabriella Lee, the leader of the elites, and a mysterious girl known as Nameless Girl. They’re in a room labelled K1. It has
Maisy Hayes is Not For Sale
By Allayne L Webster Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Maisy Hayes and her ideals are not for sale. But maybe she should be. There’s never enough money at home, she can’t go anywhere with her friends, and she can’t even land a scholarship
The Forest King’s Daughter
By Elly Blake Reviewed by Lucille Rose The Forest King’s Daughter by Elle Blake is an epic YA romantasy following Cassia, wielder of the Ring of Light and daughter of the all mighty Forest King. The Sylvans and the Dracu have been
The Enemy’s Daughter
By Melissa Poett Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Putting a new spin on an old tale, The Enemy’s Daughter is the debut romantasy YA novel from Irish-Canadian author Melissa Poett. Full of tension to the very last line, the opening sentence sets the
Summer, In Between
By Holly Cardamone Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey The debut YA novel from 2024 Hawkeye Prize Winner Holly Cardamone is an emotional rollercoaster through the summer between years 11 and 12 for Cat, a girl with a plan that’s about to be derailed. Cat
Meet the Author: Zanni L Arnot (aka Zanni Louise)
Alison McCaffrey talks to author Zanni L Arnot about her debut YA novel. Zanni is a multi-award-winning author, who has published more than 40 books for children over the past 10 years, spanning the gamut of ages from picture books for
A Guide to Falling Off the Map
By Zanni L Arnot Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Vinnie has life after high school all mapped out, while her best friend Roo is just trying to get through another day working his secret job. But when all sides of her map seem
When We Were Monsters
Written by Jennifer Niven Reviewed by Sandy Driessens The day before we kill Meredith Graffam is calm and blue opens Jennifer Niven’s latest YA thriller. Eight of the brightest, most visionary senior students, from the prestigious Brighton and Hove Academy are selected to
The Mushroom in the Sky
Written by Jackie French Reviewed by Jenny Ruge The Mushroom in the Sky is the latest in a long line of exceptional and thought-provoking stories from multi-award winner Jackie French. It’s 1942 and sixteen-year-old orphan Harry Oswald, ‘Ossie’, plans to lie about his
Our Infinite Fates
By Laura Steven Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey In an unnamed land, Our Infinite Fates begins centuries ago and introduces a young bride and groom as their wedding is brought to a dramatic and violent end. Jumping between times and tales, Evelyn and Arden
Moonlight and Dust
By Jasmin McGaughey Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Moonlight and Dust is the debut Young Adult novel from Torres Strait Islander author Jasmin McGaughey. Paired with the magic and drama of being a teenager in far north Queensland, this book is a beautiful
We Used to be Magic
By Bea Ingalls Reviewed by Lucie Rose We Used to Be Magic is a glamourous drama romance set in the fashion filled streets of New York City. A few months ago, Audrey was plucked from a cold seaside cottage and pushed into
Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire
By Amy Doak Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I heard there was a third book in the Eleanor Jones series, I jumped at the chance to review it. Each book of the series focuses on a different issue: drugs in Eleanor Jones
Invisible Boys
By Holden Sheppard. Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey Gritty. Raw. Honest. Powerful. Devastating. All words that come to mind while reading this multi-award-winning debut novel by WA author Holden Sheppard. Set in Geraldton, WA, Invisible Boys is the coming-of-age story of four boys. Charlie,
Unhallowed Halls
By Lili Wilkinson Reviewed by Ramona Naulty, Age 16 After swiftly reading (and thoroughly enjoying) Lili Wilkinson’s Unhallowed Halls, I can safely say that this book is a brilliant introduction to the world of fantasy. The novel follows the story of Page
Rival Darlings
By Alexandra Moody Reviewed by Lucille Rose Rival Darling, the first in the Darling Devils series, is a YA contemporary romance following the drama filled lives of two Minnesota high school students. Violet has one rule: never date a jock. And before
Nightweaver
By R M Gray Reviewed by Ayesha Uddin Nightweaver is a debut YA fantasy novel in the popular Romantasy genre. The ambience is grimdark, the pace is relentless and the narrative shot through with a sense of menace that rarely abates. The story
Anna’s War
By D J Taylor Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Anna’s War is a compelling YA historical fiction novel by debut author, DJ Taylor. Set in German-occupied Holland in the later stages of World War II, the story was inspired by the childhood memories
