Olivia Stone and the Dread of the Dreamers (Book 2)

The Guardians of St. Giles: Olivia Stone and the Dread of the Dreamers (Book 2) by Jeffery E. Doherty (IFWG Publishing) PB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9781925759136

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Olivia is a twelve-year-old girl who was left with a limp and an ineffective arm after a giant grotesque statue fell from the roof of her school, St. Giles. However, all is not what it seems. The accident did leave Olivia with some disabilities, but it also left her with a lot more…a secret identity! The grotesques on the school roof were magical protectors of the city and Olivia inherited some special powers from the fallen grotesque. After the accident, all the grotesques were taken down from the roof and it’s now up to Olivia and Yip, the tiny grotesque she rescued, to rid the city of any evil.

Yip senses that something strange is happening in the city and he needs Olivia’s help to sort out what’s causing it. After much speculation, they discover that dreamweavers are infiltrating the town. Dreamweavers are supernatural spiders whose venom forces victims into having ‘mind destroying nightmares’. Olivia learns that a friend of hers is in trouble and they must do everything they can to save him. The only complications are… Olivia’s fear of spiders, the ignorance of the town’s doctors and the overwhelming number of dreamweavers!

Olivia Stone and the Dread of the Dreamers is a middle grade fiction book suitable for children aged 10+ years. The dark and gloomy book cover sets the tone for this dark adventure. It is not for the faint-hearted or those prone to nightmares. This novel, written in the third person, would appeal to those who enjoy magic and fantasy as well as hero vs villain action stories. While it’s not a necessity, I would recommend you read Book 1: Olivia Stone and the Trouble with Trixies prior to reading Book 2, as there are references to it throughout.

Brumbies in the Snow

Brumbies in the Snow by Paula Boer Illus. Rowena Evans (IFWG Publishing)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN: 978 0 9923020 7 8

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Book Two in the classy 5-book Brumbies series finds former town-girl Louise, and Ben, who lives on a nearby farm, hard at work training the brumbies they rescued six months ago from a cull in the mountains. Honey is Louise's mare, and Brandy, Ben's spirited young stallion. The teenagers regretted not being able to save more, but the brumbies that had been herded into a pen escaped. Louise and Ben are sure their nasty neighbour Robert Smythe-Waters had opened the gate. As it was, Honey and Brandy were only captured with the assistance of Old Harry the hermit and his extensive knowledge of brumbies and the bush. Gradually the two unbroken horses are being trained for riding and soon the teenagers intend to saddle them and get them used to this new sensation.  

It is winter now and snow has arrived but despite the weather Ben and Louise set out on Ben’s horses, Snip and Ned, and take the brumbies with them on lead ropes. This proves a challenge for Ben and then, when a tree branch breaks with a loud crack, Honey's lead slips from Louise's hand as the frightened brumby gallops into the trees. Despite Ben telling her not to try and find her, Louise couldn't bear to chance losing Honey completely. She ignores Ben and surges ahead, leaving Ben to return home.  

The search is futile and Louise finds herself and Ned in a perilous situation. Narrowly avoiding an avalanche, she comes across a black stallion she recognises as part of the brumby pack Honey came from. It is injured and desperately needs help. Ben's worry about Louise and his anger that she ignored his instructions are swept away when Louise arrives back with the news about the stallion. But any plans to get to the stallion and put it out of its pain have to go on hold. Two people are missing in the snow and the ranger needs all the help he can get. Finding Honey also comes second to humans in need. 

Paula Boer's setting of countryside overwhelmed by snowy conditions ramps up the tension in the story. Her attention to detail, e.g., brushing horses' hooves with Stockholm tar to prevent snow from balling up their feet; a white rainbow of frozen crystals to delight Louise; the snow bridge across the iced-up Dalrymple River and the training steps Ben and Louise have yet to take to break in their beloved brumbies demonstrate her vast experience of horses and the High Country in winter. Brumbies in the Snow is packed to the brim with exciting scenarios. The teenagers discover more about Old Harry and also themselves when, challenged by their circumstances, they discover inner strengths. By the end of the book Ben has achieved one of his dreams and Louise's horsemanship is continuing to develop by leaps and bounds.

Illustrated simply with black and white drawings but with great impact by talented illustrator, Rowena Evans, this second book is a thoroughly enjoyable continuation from Brumbies. Young horse-lovers will relate immediately to the characters and look forward to reading the third. All five books in this brilliant series are now available.

Brumbies in the Mountains

Brumbies in the Mountains by Paula Boer Illus. Rowena Evans (IFWG Publishing)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 9781925148596
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

In the fifth book in the Brumbies series, Paula Boer brings her gripping story of teenagers Ben Naylor and Louise Hardy and their love of horses, their adventures and challenges to its conclusion. Once again the brumbies are in danger - this time from aerial culling by shooting them on the run.

The story opens with Shadow giving birth to a filly sired by Ben's brumby stallion, Brandy, caught two years ago when the friends were determined to save at least some brumbies from being caught and turned into pet food. Ben has dreams for the future, one of them is building his own stud, and with the arrival of the little palomino filly, Peach, the first step has been taken.

On the first day of the Christmas holidays, Ben and Louise set out for a ride and discover first-hand the devastating results of shooting horses from the air. A dead mare lies covered in flies attracted by the blood of a shoulder wound. Nearby is a foal attacked by ticks and thus too weak to stand. With great effort the friends drape the small filly over Louise's mount, Jake, and then Louise rides ahead on Snip to leave a note for Harry the hermit to come to the farm and give them his expert advice. The incident also needs to be reported to the ranger and hopefully will influence a stop to the aerial culling. Ben's worry that his Dad's health will mean selling the farm and living in town has been pushed aside for the moment. Ben's problems often consume him and Louise bears the brunt of his testy nature. But she understands what pressure he is under, and her readiness to overlook his unkind moments when her own future is uncertain invites the empathy of the reader.

Once again the author's love and experience of horses and knowledge of the Australian bush landscape provides an authentic touch to wrap up her absorbing series. Children who may not have read the previous books will have no difficulty in enjoying Brumbies in the Mountains. The characters of Ben and Louise are fully rounded and the reader engages easily with both.

My impression is that the author's ability to maintain tension and interest which has always been effective, has increased in this concluding book. Solutions to both Louise's and Ben's problems are credibly and smoothly executed. Ben's plight weighs on the reader's heart right to the last chapter, and the final outcome will please and satisfy.

Rowena Evan's black and white illustrations are simple but very effective and I was thrilled to learn what a black sallee was from the helpful glossary. I had often wondered on the drive from the coast to Canberra what a street name, Black Sallee, meant. For those interested, it is a type of eucalyptus tree.

The Brumbies series will stay a long time in the memories of its readers and will provide a valuable source of information for young horse lovers to refer to in the future.

Brumbies in the Outback

Brumbies in the Outback by Paula Boer, illustrated by Rowena Evans (IFWG Publishing)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN: 9781925148312
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Brumbies in the Outback is the fourth book in Paula Boer's stunning Brumbies series, and like its predecessors, combines an enthralling storyline with real life experiences of brumbies and other equines in their Australian setting. The two main characters in the novels, Ben and Louise, are now two years older, and the author has matched her writing to their more mature ages of sixteen and fourteen years.

The two friends have enjoyed many brumby related-adventures and former townie, Louise, has worked hard to increase her level of horsemanship. However, when she is persuaded by Ben to come with him to his Uncle Graeme's million acre cattle station out west for the school holidays, Louise is challenged in ways she did not expect.

In the past Ben happily shared his farm and horse knowledge with Louise, but suddenly Louise finds herself sidelined by the close relationship Ben has with his feisty, patronising cousin, Jacinta. Ben seems oblivious to his cousin's hostility towards Louise which is relentless, and at times he, too, adds to the discomfort Louise is experiencing. Nevertheless, she does her best on a borrowed horse to herd cattle into the yards and on to the transport trucks, and gamely tackles other tasks involved in the operation of a cattle station.

Louise is constantly confronted with new situations which test her riding skills and showcase her ignorance. One such instance, when she is charged by a bull, is life threatening. Ben is less than understanding, and all reader sympathy goes to Louise who often wishes she had said no to Ben's invitation. She is stuck in a difficult situation but is determined to meet every challenge headlong. It is Uncle Graeme who proves to be the most support.

The level of tension Boer brings to her story is commendable. Not only is the reader drawn into the scenarios with all the attention to detail which has become the author's trademark, but one's sense of justice is well and truly sparked. At the same time, young readers are given an underlying lesson in patience, perseverance, forgiveness and courage in the persona of Louise.

Rowena Evans has enhanced the pleasure of the unfolding story with her apt black and white illustrations and maps. The author herself is responsible for the charming cover photo, and once again the Glossary at the commencement of the book offers further opportunity for readers to learn more about horses, cattle and other relevant subjects. There is no doubt that this series will continue to delight lovers of horses and the bush.

Brumbies in the Mist

Brumbies in the Mist by Paula Boer, illustrated by Rowena Evans (IFWG Publishing Australia)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN: 9780992302023
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

This is the third book in the 5-book series about brumbies by gifted horsewoman/writer, Paula Boer, and follows the adventures of city-bred Louise and Ben, a country boy through and through. A lot has happened since the two young teenagers captured Louise's buck-skin mare, Honey, and Ben's colt, Brandy, when they staged their own muster.

Brandy had grown into a feisty stallion and one of the problems Ben is facing is how to persuade his father not to geld him. He wants to put him to stud and see what type of progeny he sires. Louise is worried her mum won't let her keep Honey because of the expensive upkeep and riding lessons Louise hopes to have.

Once again, Paula unfolds a story which will keep young horse-lovers glued to each page. They will easily relate to the several dilemmas presented and anxiously read on to see how each solution is reached. The majority of horse-related terms are included in a Glossary at the front, and it is most satisfying to be able to quickly turn to this information as unfamiliar words arise.

The text and illustrations which include maps of the areas where the children live and ride combine to give a great "feel" to the book and bring the reader right into the situation. Paula is a sympathetic writer and Rowena's effective sketches makes reading Brumbies in the Mist a most pleasurable experience. Young horse lovers will be eager to obtain the whole series.

Paper Magic

Paper Magic by Jeffery E Doherty (IFWG Publishing)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-0-9923020-1-6
Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

Paper Magic is a new fiction chapter book from author/illustrator, Jeffery E Doherty. It tells the story of Marina who is a young girl of approximately 12 or 13, who like most girls her age, harbours insecurities and feelings of self-consciousness. What makes Marina’s case different is that for a reason unknown to the reader (but not integral to the plot), Marina is confined to a wheelchair.

The author states that the book is suited to secondary school readers, however I feel that grade five and six students would follow and identify with the themes of friendships and family while being intrigued by the mysticism of the ‘paper magic’. Doherty’s simple but textual black and white illustrations support the text also making it accessible for primary readers.

The mood of the story starts somewhat solemnly with Marina observing the bright and jovial landscape of the park from the distance of her room as she contemplates starting a new school. Marina’s frustration is made clear and it encourages the reader to continue so as to understand why she can’t go outside herself. It is not evident at first that Marina has a handicap.

Marina’s family are represented by her mother and grandmother and they follow a typical mother/daughter dynamic with tensions between each of the generations, leading the reader to think this may be a serious story.  However the grandmother’s introduction of enchanted paper surprises, and it quickly transforms the plot to a lively, engaging pace.

The magic paper along with Marina’s grandmother, lead her on to an adventure in the park where she meets Toby, Amelia and Sam. Together they unlock the true potential of ‘paper magic’ and along the way discover aspects of themselves which are conveyed via light-hearted mini-plots. The descriptive used by Doherty is original without being overworked.

Marina’s disability is not the focus of the story, but a vehicle for her insecurities. The idea of making new friends, starting a new school and navigating family will be familiar to most readers making Marina easily identifiable.

The origin of the magic paper and how Marina’s grandmother came to possess it is not ratified which could be explored in a follow up story or as prequel.

I found Paper Magic thought provoking while captivating and younger readers will have opportunities to draw conclusions and predict outcomes.

Jaquelyn Muller is a published picture book author and champion for early childhood literacy campaign, Let’s Read. Jaquelyn recently had her book I Love You 5 Lollipops exhibited at the China Shanghai Children’s International Book Fair in November 2013 and she regularly conducts literacy workshops for primary school students. 

Guardian of the Sky Realms

Guardian of the Sky Realms by Gerry Huntman (IFWG Publishing Group)

PB RRP US$14.99 (published in US; available online)

ISBN 9780984329885

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The story begins in Sydney. The focus is on the unpopular teenager Maree who lives with her mother, her father having left them long ago. She likes Jason who is multi-talented, musical and gorgeous. For some time now, Maree has been mesmerised by angels and angel images, particularly one that hangs in a gallery near The Rocks. Her plan is to steal it, and own it to admire.

But a young man is there, also admiring Wings In Despair. He tells her the story of the painting; about Alanar, Guardian of the Northern Sky Realm, and his share-heart Mirriam. They were the Divine, Protectors and fighters of the daemons of the Fire Lands. But Mirriam was killed in conflict. Alanar has awaited her Rebirth to take up the battle again. Before Maree realizes it, she falls into the painting and flies away with the stranger, who is himself, the Alanar of the painting’s story who has come to bring his Mirriam home.

The timid Maree embarks on a fantastic journey in another World; one where the flow of time is different to her own. It is a journey of disbelief, discovery, knowledge and Rebirth. She becomes Mirriam, an exciting and courageous girl, continually evolving, strengthening in every sense, and nothing like the person she was before.

The story goes back and forth, from then and now, the then being Mirriam/Maree’s Human World in Sydney, and the now, her new life in the Sky Realm. In alternating chapters, we see the happenings in her Human World. Her mother believing she is dead is battling with grief and fear.

We see what is happening to Jason. Back in the Human World, his parents are attacked and the shroud of mystery surrounding his identity begins to fall away. There are choices both young people must make. Maree must find a way back to Sydney to assure her mother of her existence without revealing her new life.

Their travels take them through Paris on Christmas night, where the gargoyle Darius becomes their ally in unexpected collisions with daemons, then through the Himalayas and the US, through portals, caverns, Shadowlands, and dangerous entrances and exits; amidst the warring of good and evil up to the last explosive revelation.

The book is a US production using American English (IFWG are thinking of producing an Australian edition in the next year or so). However, Barnes and Noble (online) are asking US$13.50 at the moment - plus postage and handling.

Brumbies

Brumbies by Paula Boer, illustrated by Rowena Evans (IFWG Publishing)
ISBN -978-0-646-56641-2
PB RRP $15
Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

Paula Boer's Brumbies is the first in a five-part series set in the Snowy Mountains of Australia where wild brumbies roam the National Parklands. Such is their numbers that authorities are forced to cull by mustering the horses for the sales yards. Unfortunately, most end up in the pet food market.

The two young protagonists, Louise, a city girl just moved to the country, and Ben, a farm boy, are keen to save at least some of them and plan to hold a muster of their own before high school resumes. When the teenagers happen upon part of a herd and see a buckskin and a colt they would love to capture for themselves, the personal element really kicks in.

Any young horse-lover will be thrilled with this novel, and I certainly relived my fascination with horses as a young girl. This is no pony club story, nor purely an entertaining adventure story - it is an education in riding, mustering, and breaking-in horses told in great and fascinating detail with the authority of Paula's experience as a horsewoman. It is this detail that sets Brumbies apart from the usual pony read. The problem-solving is especially intriguing to those who have never belonged to the horse world, and here again, Paula's expertise provides answers that, without first-hand experience, would be very difficult to portray.

Brumbies draws the reader into a different world, one populated by Australian birds and fauna, and the rigours of riding in the Snowy Mountains. Although maybe a little overly-descriptive for some readers, I personally felt any small flaws were not worth a mention in the joy of experiencing a truly inspiring Aussie adventure story told with such passion and truth. You want Louise and Ben to succeed, you understand their determination to win through and you suffer alongside them when things go wrong.

Brumbies includes a Glossary which will be most helpful to readers, especially those who are not familiar with Australian slang terms.

Rowena Evans' illustrations complement the story and the cover, with its pen and wash depiction of a herd of brumbies on a background of vivid green, is very attractive. Her engaging black and white drawings and maps are scattered with great effect throughout this excellent novel.