Once a Villain: Only a Monster 3
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey What if monsters are real – but they’re nothing like you expect? In Once A Villain, Joan faces the truth of everything monsters are willing to do, and desperately hopes they are capable of change. Especially
Wednesday: A Novelisation of Season One
Adapted by Tehlor Kay Mejia Based on Wednesday Season One episodes written By Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Kayla Alpert, April Blair, Matt Lambert Based on the characters created by Charles Addams Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This novelisation of the hit Netflix series is
Throne of Khetara: His Face is the Sun: Book 1
By Michelle Jabès Corpora Reviewed by Lauren Spencer Michelle Jabes Corpora describes herself as ‘a humble student of Egyptology.’ With her Egyptian heritage spanning two generations, her passion for Ancient Egypt developed early in life. Michelle notes in her author’s note that
The Disappearing Circus
By Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards Reviewed by Jenny Ruge Kate Gordon is the award-winning author of numerous books, including the Aster series, the Secret Detectives Club series, and My Brother Finch. Helen Edwards has published three previous novels including Legend of
The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe
By Karen Foxlee Reviewed by Mia Macrossan A new book by Karen Foxlee is always something to celebrate and The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe is a wondrous and wonderful tale indeed, full of mystery and magic, inventive and memorable characters and
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
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
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Special Edition)
By Jeff Kinney Reviewed by Sophia Evans Grab a flashlight, crawl under the covers, and dive into the twisted, unexpectedly hilarious world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories is the perfect book for young readers who like a bit
The Poisoned King: Impossible Creatures 2
By Katherine Rundell Illustrated by Tomislav Tomić Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Katherine Rundell, a noted John Donne scholar has another life as a much awarded children's author. She has written The Good Thieves, The Wolf Wilder, The Explorer aimed at middle grade and
Meet the Author: Amelia Mellor talks about her new book The Wicked Ship
By Mia Macrossan Amelia’s debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne’s real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She followed that
Beyond Harry Potter: 50 Fantasy Adventures stories for girls
From A Mighty Girl, 50 well known and well loved and some not so familiar stories, many available in your local library or favourite book shop. Here is a list of titles well worth exploring. Each title is annotated and
Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire: Bravepaw 2
By L M Wilkinson Illustrated by Lavanya Nidu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is the continuation of the story of the brave mouse Titch and her loyal friends Huckleberry and Dollop begun in Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria: Bravepaw 1. Titch has the
The Deadly Fang (Super Epic Dragon Quest #1)
By Adam Wallace & James Hart Reviewed by Sophia Evans Super Epic Dragon Quest #1: The Deadly Fang is an action packed, humorous story that follows the fantastical adventures of Arlo. Because Arlo’s parents spend all day complaining and being grumpy, Arlo basically
Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest
By Liz Flanagan Illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Liz Flanagan is the UK writer of the middle grade fantasy series Legends of the Sky, and the YA thriller Eden Summer. Into the Wild is the first in her new Wildsmith
Lexie Moon & the Word Burgling Bungle
By Melissa Garside Illustrated by Lauren Mullindor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This debut novel reflects the author's love of wordplay. It is a fast paced story about a girl who loves to invent things, more since her Grandad moved in with the family.
The Lost Book of Magic
By Amelia Mellor Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Amelia's debut novel The Grandest Bookshop in the World, inspired by Melbourne's real Cole’s Book Arcade was an original mix of detailed history and fantasy and was shortlisted for the 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. She
18,000 Holes in the Universe 2: Snack Attack
By Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley Illustrated by James Hart Reviewed by Jamie Willis Snack Attack is the second book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series. In the first book, Dragonfire, twins Noah and Jordie travelled through a magical
The Midwatch
By Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has illustrated many picture
The 113th Assistant Librarian
By Stuart Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Stuart is the author of the amazingly fun, creepy, weird and macabre middle grade adventures set in Prometheus High, How to Make a Monster and its sequel The Books of the Dead, both reviewed in
The Heart of the World (Isles of the Gods 2)
By Amie Kaufman Reviewed by Jamie Willis Amie Kaufman is the internationally bestselling author of twenty books, including the Illuminae Files and the Aurora Cycle series which she co-authored with Jay Kristoff and the These Broken Stars series which she co-wrote
The Secret of the Stone
By Kathryn Lefroy Reviewed by Helen Gearing Award winning screenwriter and author Kathryn Lefroy released her first middle grade novel, ‘Alex and the Alpacas save the World’ (shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award) in 2022. Her latest middle grade adventure,
Landovel
The Poison Taster, The Secret Keeper, The Truth Teller By Emily Rodda Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Emily Rodda is a well known and much loved Australian author of award winning books such as the Rowan of Rin series, His Name Was Walter, Eliza
Urban Legend Hunters: The Dreaded Mr Snipe
Written by Joel McKerrow Illustrated by Wayne Bryant Reviewed by Rebecca Sheraton Joel McKerrow is a well-regarded poet, known for his poetry collections, poetry performances and spoken word/music albums, and he has bravely and successfully stepped into a new literary area, graphic novels
Xander and the Pen
By David Lawrence Illustrated by Cherie Dignam Reviewed by Meg Rowe David Lawrence’s background in comedy writing for TV productions such as Comedy Inc. and Hamish & Andy has held him in good stead in the Middle Grade writing space, bringing humour and
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
By Claire Mabey Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Claire Mabey is very active in the New Zealand literary world - she is the founder of Verb Wellington, LitCrawl Wellington and Lōemis. She is also books editor at The Spinoff, book critic at RNZ
Fledgewitch: A Dragons of Hallow Book
By Lian Tanner Illustrated by Martina Heiduczek Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Lian is a prolific writer of outstanding children’s fantasy. Her books are enjoyable on many levels as she puts her always varied cast of characters in interesting conflicts, has a sense of
Mim and the Vicious Vendetta (The Travelling Bookshop, #5)
By Katrina Nannestad. Illustrated by Cheryl Orsini Reviewed by Helen Gearing Katrina Nannestad, perhaps best known for her multi award-winning historical fiction (Waiting for the Storks; Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief; and We are Wolves), has teamed up with beloved illustrator Cheryl Orsini
Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch
By Derek Keilty Illustrated by Magda Brol Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Derek Keilty is a UK based author whose previous titles include Will Gallows and the Snake-Bellied Troll and Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs. He writes ripping adventure yarns for young
The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast: Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters 3
By Karen Foxlee, illustrated by Freda Chiu Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Karen Foxlee is the award winning author of Dragon Skin and Lenny's Book of Everything. The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast is the third in Mary-Kate monster adventures, the first is The Wrath
Solomon Macaroni and the Vampire Vacation
By Ashleigh Barton Illustrations by Sarah Davis Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Here is the second adventure of the well mannered vegetarian young vampire, Solomon Macaroni, the first in the series being Solomon Macaroni and the Cousin Catastrophe,also reviewed in StoryLinks. Solomon is still staying with
