Celeste Express 1: The War of the Wurms
By Alexander Slater Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Alexander Slater is a British author, artist, animator and TikToker. His debut middle grade novel, Celeste Express: The War of the Wurms, is a highly illustrated cosmic fantasy. Nine-year-old Celeste is a spoiled, bratty princess who
Seven Wherewithal Way: Into the Faerie Realm
By Samantha-Ellen Bound Reviewed by Helen Gearing In the final installment of her exciting portal fantasy series, Samantha-Ellen Bound keeps the stakes high (and mythological creatures flowing) while exploring themes of courage, friendship, and growing up. Celeste and her little sister Esme have
Thunder City
By Philip reeve Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Philip's first book was the epic YA steampunk Mortal Engines, 2001, which created a world of 'municipal Darwinism', where rampaging motorised towns and cities are on the move, attacking and eating each other, prowling around
Cruel is the Light
By Sophie Clark Reviewed by Lucie Rose Cruel is the Light is an enthralling debut fantasy novel by Australian writer Sophie Clark following the perspectives of foot soldier Jules Lacroix and deadly exorcist Selene Alleva. The Vatican was born in blood and
Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day
By Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Trent Jamieson is the author of the gorgeous children's book The Giant and the Sea as well as mnay adult books. He and Brent Wilson first teamed up with Mr Impoppable, a
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
Prank Wars: Game On
By Louise Park, Mo Johnson & Jules Faber Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Prank Wars, Game On is the first in a new series created collaboratively by Louise Park & Mo Johnson, with Jules Faber supplying the visuals. All three have a
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
Things That Go Bump in the Night : Halloween Reading List
Many readers love a creepy story with ghosts, or witches, full of dark secrets and mystery. To celebrate Halloween here are some titles recently reviewed in StoryLinks. Click on the image and the link will take you to the publisher
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
Jawsome: Jawsome 1 & Licence to Rock: Jawsome 2
Written and illustrated by R. J. Timmis Reviewed by Jamie Willis Rebecca Timmis is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 13 children’s books, including the Mertales series. In 2023 Jawsome #1 won a Golden Taco in the Laugh Out Loud
The Lost History: Talismans of Fate, Book Two
By Melanie La'Brooy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This is the sequel to The Wintrish Girl which delighted many readers with its originality, humour, engaging characters, and fast paced action. Here again are the same characters: Penn, still struggling to find her true
Read At Your Own Risk
By Remi Lai Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray Read At Your Own Risk is the latest middle grade graphic novel from Ghost Book creator Remi Lai. It’s creepy and kooky, and likely to displease some children’s literature gatekeepers as it plays around
Frog Squad Dessert Disaster (Frog Squad, #1)
By Kate and Jol Temple, Illustrated by Shiloh Gordon Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This light hearted adventure featuring an evil toad who wants to rule the world being foiled by a team of brave amphibians has serious underflying themes about the natural world, sustainability, and
Never a Hero: Only a Monster 2
By Vanessa Len Reviewed by Helena Never a Hero, written by Vanessa Len is the second in a three-book series, following Only a Monster. This fantasy-romance, set in England, tells the story of a high school girl named Joan Chang-Hunt, who is a
Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel
By Derek Landy, P.J. Holden, and Matt Soffe Reviewed by Sarah Custance Irish author Derek Landy wrote the bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant YA novels that have been translated into thirty-nine languages. Together with artist P.J.Holden and colourist Matt Soffe, Landy has created Bad
The Sinister Booksellers of Bath
By Garth Nix Reviewed by Ayesha Uddin Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom, Seventh Tower, and Keys to the Kingdom series, needs no introduction. In The Sinister Booksellers of Bath, second book in the Lefthanded Booksellers of London series, he delivers an immersive crime / fantasy story
Creeping Beauty
By Andrea Portes Reviewed by Melissa Salisbury Andrea Portes is the author of two adult novels and a number of young adult novels, including Anatomy of a Misfit. In this the re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, Princess Elizabeth ‘Bitsy” Roix is destined to live
Robodog
By David Walliams Reviewed by Margarite Igras The author of such popular books as Spaceboy, World’s Worst Monsters and Bad Dad, David Williams has come up with another adventure-packed comic tale, humorously illustrated by Adam Stower, with a noisy overlay of sounds,
This Savage Song: Monsters of Verity Book 1
By V. E. Schwab Reviewed by Jane Swinton This is the first instalment in the popular Monsters of Verity series, first published in 2016, now repackaged in a handsome hardback collector's edition. V.E Schwab wrote the award-winning Shades of Magic series, Vicious
The Last Kids on Earth 8: The Last Kids on Earth and the Forbidden Fortress
Written by Max Brallier Illustrated by Douglas Holgate Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Finley, aged 9, who loves reading books! Jack Sullivan and his friends – Quint, Dirk and June – are on a quest to take down Thrull’s fortress and get information from
Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express
By Jake R. Wilson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Cursed Tales: The Pharaoh of Asco Express is UK archaeologist and author, Jake R. Wilson’s debut novel and the beginning of the Cursed Tales series. When 11-year-old Wesley steps foot into the odd Asco Express
The Silver Sea
Written by Belinda Murrell Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Belinda Murrell is a prolific author of middle grade fantasy, time slip and adventure stories, including the Sun Sword Trilogy, Pippa's Island and Lulu Bell series. Murrell and her sister, Kate Forsyth, have also
The School for Good and Evil (7) – The Rise of the School for Good and Evil
By Soman Chainani Reviewed by Jane Swinton This story is the prequel to the immensely popular School for Good and Evil series. This is the first title in the series that I have read. Not having read any previous titles doesn’t hinder
Rainbow Grey: Eye of the Storm
By Laura Ellen Anderson Reviewed by Sarah Custance Laura Ellen Anderson is the bestselling author/illustrator of the Amelia Fang books (of which there are now 8). Eye of the Storm is the second book in Anderson’s latest middle-grade series Rainbow Grey. 10-year-old Ray
The Champ!
By Anh Do Illustrated by David Atze Reviewed by Sarah Custance Vietnamese-Australian author Anh Do has written some of the bestselling children’s book series over the last decade and created a devoted fan base of readers. For younger readers he has written the
The Ogress and the Orphans
By Kelly Barnhill Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Kelly Barnhill won the Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, 2016, and has written several other best selling novels for children including The Witch's Boy, 2014, and her latest is The Ogress
Gilded
By Marissa Meyer Reviewed by Zewlan Moor Marissa Meyer is the bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series of science-fiction stories based on fairytales. Titles include Cinder, Scarlet and Cress. In Gilded, she retells the fairytale of Rumpelstiltskin, but this time it’s
The Royal Ranger: Escape From Falaise
By John Flanagan Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian author John Flanagan is world renowned for his works, The Ranger’s Apprentice and The Brotherband series of books. Escape from Falaise is the 5th instalment of The Royal Ranger series which is intertwined within
Super Sidekicks #2: Ocean’s Revenge
Written and illustrated by Gavin Aung Than Reviewed by Junior Reviewer Finley, aged 8 This book is about
