The Lost Loot of Lima

The Lost Loot of Lima by Melissa Wray (Wombat Books), RRP $14.99 Middle Grade ISBN 9-781761-111600

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

The Lost Loot of Lima for lower middle grade readers is a fun read covering themes of losing a grandparent, 19th century piracy and tales from the history of Queenscliff, Victoria. The title and cover get us excited to read about a search for buried treasure, but this is a pirate tale with a twist and a racing heartrate at the end is guaranteed.

Ben is going to his Nan’s to stay for a few days but he’s apprehensive. It will be his first time visiting since his Pa passed away and he’s scared he might encounter Pa’s ghost in the house. He misses Pa, but Nan has a surprise in store. She’s set a treasure hunt for him, just like Pa used to do, and it includes a bona fide treasure map. The map has been passed down through the generations of Ben’s family and originally came from South America. But the most exciting part? Ben learns that his ancestor was the infamous pirate, Benito Bonito!

Creepy noises from the cellar at night, awkward visits from Pa’s best mate Doug, an ancient gold coin and an unexpected turn of events have Ben and Nan scrambling over the boulders by the sea, running for their lives while we, the readers, turn the pages for more.

My 8-year-old son’s verdict of The Lost Loot of Lima: “the story was slow to start, but once Ben learnt that he was the descendant of a pirate, it became really good, and I wanted to read it every night.”

This Stays Between Us

This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern (Penguin Books) RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761346286

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Four teenage girls are on a school camp in the middle of the woods with limited adult supervision and a ghostly tale of a guy called Smiling Jack, who is known to haunt the campsite. Creepy or what?!

I avoid horror movies at the best of times, and I don’t mind admitting that this story freaked me out! I was tense for most of the read, and as much as I tried to work out the outcome, I could not. Instead, I only read the book during daytime hours and tried not to let it keep me awake at night with every creak of my house.

McGovern has created four female teenage characters who are completely intriguing, all for different reasons. Mack, Priya and Raffi are all friends and have been for years, along with the new girl Shelley, Each has her own secrets, and each has her own reasons for keeping those secrets. As the three friends try to befriend the new girl, someone -- or something -- begins to haunt and torment the girls. Is it the ghost of Smiling Jack returned to terrorise them? Or worse. Is it somebody they know? Readers will be kept wondering and remain completely tense until the dramatic conclusion.

While this book is ultimately one designed to scare and entertain, it also addresses the uncomfortable and concerning subject of sexual consent. It does so in a way that, sadly, is very possible for any young person to find themselves in such a situation. It also addresses the subject of sexuality and the prejudices that can affect anyone trying to understand their own sexuality. Both important topics provide opportunities for further discussion from the storylines within this book.

This Stays Between Us is creepy, entertaining, and scary for a lone reader on a dark and spooky night. It is suitable for a 14+ year-old readership.

Comes the Night

Comes the Night by Isobelle Carmody (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760294762

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Will lives in a futuristic world protected from the extreme weather conditions on the outside. Over the years he has embarked on many challenges designed by his uncle to solve clues and uncover their hidden meanings. Little does he realise how important these challenges will be after his uncle dies unexpectedly.

This book has a range of supporting characters that hold the attention of the reader just as much as the main character, Will. His best friend Ender and her twin sister Magda are both created with significant differences, but are just as important to the storyline. The relationship that plays out between Will and his separated parents adds another layer of complexity to the story. As does the new feelings for Ender that begin to creep to the surface for Will. Plus, there is also the additional layer of grief that is embedded in the storyline after the loss of Will’s uncle.

This story is packed with multiple storylines, characters, action, danger and high stakes as well as interesting characters that have their own traits that the reader soon gets to know. Carmody has created two thrilling worlds full of detail and description.

The first world is the real-world Will lives in with the threats of danger and extremist actions as well as the carefully constructed world that is closely monitored including food eaten and exercise had.

The second is the dreamscape Will finds himself in that soon becomes one of sinister characters and extreme danger. Both are carefully constructed and written in a way that shows a huge breadth of imagination, planning and consideration by Carmody.

The precarious position that Will finds himself him as the story unfolds, soon builds to an exciting and dramatic conclusion. Comes The Night is perfect for any fan of fantasy or science fiction. It is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson (Affirm Press) PB RRP $22.99 ISBN: 9781923135611

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Darcy has often imagined the moment she meets “the one for her” during adolescence. She has thought about it regularly because she desperately wants that magical moment to happen, just like in the romance movies. Darcy does not expect that magical moment to happen at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere after an epic failed weekend at a music concert. But it does happen, and so begins a whirlwind 24-hour adventure between Darcy and Russell.

For the most part, this story takes place over 24 hours, during which a series of unexpected decisions and events unfold, forcing the two to rely on each other and get to know each other fast. From the moment they meet, there is chemistry and a mutual attraction between them. They both share parts of their lives, but are they both being their complete and honest selves?

Matson has cleverly constructed a night that continues to evolve and change as the characters evolve and grow during the storyline. This must be tricky to do with only a 24-hour storyline, but she does it masterfully. Both characters have depth, complexities and secrets. And as the reader gets to know them, they can’t help but hope things work out for Darcy and Russell.

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell is a cute rom com story that would be fabulous to watch on the big screen as a movie. It is suitable for a 13+ years readership.

Searching for Treasure

Searching for Treasure Written by Johanna Bell and illustrated by Emma Long (Allen & Unwin) RRP $24.99 ISBN: 139781761180682

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

This picture storybook is absolutely delightful! As a mother of two who spent many hours at the beach with her children in their younger years, I can say it is perfect for the regular visitor or one-time explorer. Bell and Long have perfectly captured the exploration and fossicking readily available during a trip to the beach.

The illustrations are perfect and reflect the discoveries waiting to be found while exploring the sand, rocks and water edge formed by the tide. The soft pastel colours Long uses, along with the detailed patterns included, are gorgeous. The simplicity of the story written by Bell means that even the youngest reader can read along with the story. However, the more complex, detailed information about the discoveries along the beach offers great conversational moments with the young person, usually thirsty to learn more about the shells and creatures found at the beach.

This book's design is unique. It provides full-page illustrative spreads as well as carefully cut, lift-the-flap-style pages. It is within these pages that further information about the illustrations can be discovered.

I wish this book had been available when my children were younger, but I am so glad it is out there now.

Selfie

Selfie By Allayne L Webster (Text Publishing) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 978922790194

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

I loved everything about this book and read it in two sittings. It was so easy to read, and I loved all the characters Webster created. Tully has a lot going on with an absent dad, an even more absent mum, a trying-hard stepmum, and an annoying but caring brother. The teenage girl friendship drama was totally relatable. Having a teenage daughter AND working in a high school, I can tell you that Webster nailed the "frenemy" interactions! High school is such a dynamic and complex environment, and while Tully tries to navigate it, she soon starts to jeopardise the real friendship in place of the questionable one.

Webster writes with a direct style that both entertains the reader and allows the story to flow smoothly. Her gift in Selfie is the authenticity within her writing to represent the target audience of this novel. It doesn’t matter the age of the reader; teens and adults alike will be able to relate to the storyline in some way, either directly or indirectly.

What I enjoyed most was the slow evolution of both Tully and Dene and their realisation that being popular and "liked" should not be the goal. Real friendships are hard to come by and should be valued and appreciated when they do. Also, that self-worth should not be judged by the number of online hearts received.

Thank you for writing such a relevant and topical book, Allayne. It's so good! Selfie has quick and easy-to-read chapters and is suitable for a 10+ year readership.

Compass and Blade

Compass and Blade by Rachel Greenlaw (Harper Collins, 2024) HB RRP $20.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray, Newcomb Secondary College

Compass and Blade is an epic fantasy story where you must settle in and enjoy the ride! Mira lives in an extremely remote location where the inhabitants wreck passing ships on purpose to survive. They use the recovered loot to trade, ensuring they have the necessary things for survival for the whole community. Mira’s unique ability to swim deep, far, and fast makes her perfect for being a retrieval team member. A team that must rely completely on each other to return safely to shore after swimming out to the wrecks.

When the community is raided and Mira’s father is taken away with the threat of death, Mira must turn her world upside down and risk everything to secure his freedom. She has never left the safety of her community before, but with the help of Seth, the survivor of the most recent shipwreck, she forms a plan to free her father. However, Seth has his own secret agenda, and Mira must decide how far to go, how much help to seek and who is truly trustworthy.

They set off with Mira not fully trusting Seth but having no other choice but to believe what he tells her. Along the journey Mira will seek answers to the questions she has about her own destiny as well as her mother’s past. A past where the secrets of it died with her mother. Mira soon discovers that not everything she has believed in her whole life is true and that sometimes you must risk more than you want to, but there is always a cost.

Greenlaw has created a world with a perfect blend of description, both above the water and below the surface. The affinity Mira has with her need to be in the ocean is expressed through a lovely lyrical writing style. Greenlaw has also created a range of support characters that are fierce, independent, and loyal to each other. As Mira tries to decide who to trust in this new world she has discovered, she also finds an attraction brewing that catches her by surprise. Torn between two attractions, she must decide who to trust and who to resist. There are some mature descriptive romance scenes to be aware of within the novel.

The storyline is fast-paced and action-packed, with plot twists and deceit aplenty. Mira is determined to free her father, but her vulnerability haunts her as she also seeks answers to her questions about her mother. Her father is the only person she has left, so she is determined to save her father and return to her life. However, others around Mira have different plans for her. Ones that might not let her reach her goal. There are villains, sweeping seas and dangerous lands for Mira to navigate. There are also themes of family, friendship and loyalty that she must consider throughout her high-stakes voyage.

Compass and Blade is suitable for the 14+ years age group.

THE LOST LOOT OF LIMA

The Lost Look of Lima by Melissa Wray, illustrated by Sandy Flett (Wombat Books) Release Date: 7 May 2025

For ten-year-old, Benjamin, being a treasure hunter is great. Learning he is a pirate, that’s even better. Ben discovers a treasure map left by his grandfather. Ben embarks on one last treasure hunt with the help of his Nan. But does someone else know about the location of the treasure? Ben must face danger and use his wits, or risk losing the loot forever. But more importantly, Ben must deal with his grief and say goodbye to his treasured grandfather.

Ben stays with Nan for the first time since Pa died. The family are still grieving, particularly Ben who adored his grandfather. Ben finds a note with a treasure map. It promises an adventure like many others he went on with Pa. But before the treasure hunt Benjamin discovers he is a descendant of the fierce pirate, Benito Bonito. The map promises to uncover the hiding place of Benito’s treasure. Ben and Nan embark on an exciting adventure using the map, but what they uncover is much more than they ever expected.

The author’s note at the end gives a more detailed account of the legend of the Lost Loot of Lima and its history into the real-life attempts made to uncover the buried treasure at Queenscliff.

https://wombatrhiza.com.au/the-lost-loot-of-lima/

We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord

We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord by Garth Nix (Allen & Unwin) RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781761180491

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Kim and Eila have the normal sibling rivalry happening, but this soon escalates when a globe is plucked out of the local lake. The two quickly discover that it has otherworldly powers. Kim senses the danger immediately but Eila is quick to dismiss Kim’s concerns. Instead, she is drawn to the globe, fondly named Aster, and assists it to learn more. Kim is soon desperate to make his sister see the danger but when she refuses to, he knows he will need to do something before it’s too late,

There are themes of dungeons and dragons in the story, but the reader does not need to be familiar with this game to enjoy the references included in the novel. While Kim and his friends are engrossed in playing Dungeons and Dragons they are also impacted by Eila and Aster and use their game knowledge to try and combat the increasingly powerful globe. This tactic in the story was very clever and merged the two nicely.

Nix has created a world that is relatable for the reader, includes some science fiction elements to push the boundaries, but also increases the risks for the characters involved, creating a terrific balance of action, tension and consequences. Before long, it was difficult to take a breath before the next wave of challenges had been laid for the character.

The writing style flowed easily, making this a terrific, page turning read. We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord is a high stakes, action-packed story, suitable for a 9+ years readership.

Road to Freedom

Road to Freedom by Gabrielle Davis (Hawkeye Publishing) RRP $28.95 ISBN: 9781923105201

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Issanka has been trained as a spy from a young age. With no family, caste or social standing, she finds ways to blend in with those around her. She is also able to draw from light and shade to really merge with the shadows and be completely unseen by those around her.

After an unexpected deception and a one-sided trial, that would otherwise sentence her to death, Issanka finds her life spared. Instead, she must journey the country with the King’s army and one of the most feared commanders. Along the way she realises things are not always as they seem and that there are very few people she can trust. Also, that she has much to learn and that the alliances around her might be deadly.

Davis has created a magnificent world full of power battles, alliances, and a caste system that stacks everything up against the main character, Issanka. The world building is structured through the caste system, creating a setting for the reader to become completely immersed within. Davis cleverly sets the scene for Issanka using these two strategies, but also gives her a hidden strength that works in her favour: magic drawn from the shadows. This special solitary power is both a blessing and a curse as Issanka soon discovers along her journey.

The situations in the story changed continuously ensuring a fast paced, action-packed storyline. The writing style flowed easily making this a terrific, page turning read. Road to Freedom is a perfect blend of mystery, magic and mayhem. Suitable for a 12+ year readership.

Alba

Alba by Verity Croker (GenZ Publishing) PB RRP $15.00 ISBN: 9798339568339

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Rebecca is a sixteen-year-old girl who is angry at her mum for leaving them for another family. She is also mourning the tragic death of her boyfriend, Alistair, whose relationship was secret at the time. This makes it difficult for those around her to fully understand the depth of her grief. To complicate matters further, her best friend Callum is Alistair’s brother. Callum is also trying to navigate the loss of his brother which adds another layer to their increasingly complicated friendship.

Together they uncover a diary written by 16-year-old Martha in the 19^th century. Rebecca and Callum agree to work together and decode the diary and try to uncover the secrets exposed. The reader is drawn into the historical world with enough detail and mystery to really care about Martha and what happened to her. Rebecca realises that just like the secrets kept back in the 19^th century that caused hurt and turmoil, so is the secret she is keeping about her and Alistair’s relationship.

Croker has woven a terrific web of connecting characters set in the Scottish Highlands that joins Rebecca’s world with Martha’s world. It has the right blend of a dual storyline whilst also addressing the delicate subject of grief and how those left behind cope. Croker demonstrates great sensitivity when addressing the fall out of broken families by using the, at times, delicate mother/daughter connection.

Alba is an enjoyable tale of mystery and intrigue and is suitable for a 13+ years readership.

The Tempus Imperium

The Tempus Imperium by Juliet A. Payne (Rhiza Edge) RRP $22.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Charlie is just trying to save enough money for university by working as many hours as she can at the local fast-food outlet. One night she arrives at her Grandma Penny’s house only to discover her gran has been killed by someone or something.

What follows next is a strange series of unexplainable events until Charlie discovers some information about her grandmother’s past, a past that Charlie had no idea about and was never spoken of by her grandmother. Charlie is soon thrust into the world of time travel and a secret organisation of time travellers as she seeks answers for the death of her grandmother and to understand the strange events around her.

Paine creates a delicate blend of Charlie’s current, modern world as well as the time travel worlds that Charlie finds herself transported to. Throughout the story Paine cleverly crafts characters, clues, and events that link the secrets Grandmother Penny has been guarding most of her life. These secrets and what links everything together keep the reader and the pages turning!

The Tempus Imperium includes well-known events in history that the reader can connect with but gives them new meaning and significance based on the importance of the job of the time travellers who are tasked with maintaining order to avoid any catastrophic outcomes for the world. The fast-paced storyline and action-packed adventure make The Impus Imperium suitable for a 12+ year-old readership.

The Skin I’m In

The Skin I’m In by Steph Tisdell (Pan Macmillan Australia) RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781760984977

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Layla is preparing for her final year of secondary school. She is trying to get ready for the most important year of her school life, not fight with her mum, work out her friendship circle, and get used to her troubled cousin Marley coming to live with them for a while. Oh, and work out how her indigenous culture fits in with her world.

Layla’s rocky road of being a teenager and finding her identity is a road that many teenagers will connect with. Making the right friends, going to parties, getting schoolwork done, and having crushes are all part of the teenage years. Layla makes some impulsive choices, but she also shows her vulnerable side in the choices and the angst that comes with some of them. Tisdell can write with a direct yet vulnerable style, so it is easy to become a fan of Layla and hope that things work out for her.

Tisdell creates Layla’s world with a gritty dose of reality. She doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of growing up as a teenager and adds another layer of additional challenges for Laya who is not only a teenager but an aboriginal teenager in a predominately white world.

Tisdell has woven some big personality-supporting characters into Layla’s world that both challenge and support Layla as she navigates the world around her. The Skin I’m In has quick and easy-to-read chapters and is suitable for a 13+ year-old readership.

My Brother Finch

My Brother Finch by Kate Gordon (Simon and Schuster) ISBN: 978064586937 RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

How do you continue your life when a member of your family disappears?

Wren is about to begin high school. She should be excited and looking forward to this milestone event. But it’s been three long years since she saw her younger brother and now everyone knows her as the girl whose brother went missing.

Gordon has created a tender story about older sister, Wren, who doesn’t quite know how to move on without her younger brother, Finch. Nobody knows what happened to him. Or to another girl Ava who also disappeared on the same day, in the same place as Finch. Her family were wealthy and got most of the attention. Finch was slowly forgotten.

Gordon doesn’t shy away from the sadness felt in different way by all members of the family. Nor does she avoid the guilt that weighs heavily on this young character. Gordon’s masterful writing tackles both strong issues of guilt and depression with care and consideration that creates an even bigger impact on the reader.

The story is told through Wren’s point of view, but scattered throughout the story are conversations she has with her missing brother. This clever and unique approach is used by Gordon to facilitate conversations between Wren and her brother. He tries to encourage Wren to make friends with the new girl, Freddie, check up on the other strangely quiet girl Ava, and most importantly, keep living her life. There is also a third narrative as Wren’s wrestles with her subconscious and the conversations she has with herself. All three are carefully constructed with just enough conversation that it doesn’t slow the overall storyline down; instead supports it to move forward. Each dialogue included has a distinct voice, along with a certain font printed within the book which is helpful and enjoyable.

This story will keep you curious until the very end. It will also pull on your heart strings. Keep some tissues handy!

My Brother Finch is suitable for a 12+ year-old readership.

The Other Shadow

The Other Shadow by Tania Ingram ISBN: 9781761203251 Scholastic RRP $15.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Thomas has a friend that only he can see, a shadow that supports Thomas whenever he needs it, especially since his dad died. But what will happen if the shadow disappears? How will Thomas cope?

Thomas has the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to look after his younger sister, especially when his mother spirals out of control. She suffers from mental health challenges and the effects on the two children range from forgetting to buy food to unwashed clothes to leaving her children alone for days.

Ingram has tackled several big hitting topics in this book and has done so with compassion and sensitivity. Topics like neglect, mental health, child protection and foster care are very real topics and much needed conversations about some of our most vulnerable people, yet they are rarely found so eloquently within young adult storylines. Ingram has responded to these gritty and uncomfortable areas through the creation of a beautiful young character called Thomas, whose strength and vulnerability is portrayed in a heart wrenching combination.

Thomas tries to be a good son for his mum when she is well but is even more desperate to be a good older brother for his sister Tilly when his mum is unwell. It is often around these moments that the other shadow quietly arrives and provides support and guidance for Thomas. The introduction of the other shadow to Thomas’s world after his dad dies is a beautiful metaphor that the reader can interpret in many ways. It would be a great discussion point for secondary school age readers or any book club.

Ingram has also woven some strong supporting characters into the storyline. But the strength in her storytelling shines in the way she addresses Mum’s mental health challenges. It is very well done and sensitive. This story will break your heart and raise you up again and again. Make sure you have the tissue handy!

While The Other Shadow uses a younger main character, the mature themes of child protective services and mental health issues might mean some confronting storylines. For this reason, I suggest The Other Shadow is suitable for a mature 12+ year-old readership.

Liar’s Test

Liar’s Test by Ambelin Kwaymullina (Text Publishing) RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922790873

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

The Risen Kingdom needs a new queen, and Bell Silverleaf is one of the chosen to compete for the honour. But first she needs to work out who to trust and what she really wants.

Seven girls are selected to compete in a series of challenges that, if they survive, will narrow down who will rule across the Risen Kingdom for the next twenty-five years. Bell doesn’t really want rule. What she wants is revenge against those who hurt her people, the Treesingers. But if she takes this opportunity, she might just be able to have her revenge as well.

Kwaymullina has created an intricate fantasy world full of mystery, history, intrigue and action. The main character Bell has different shades of toughness, strength, kindness and vulnerability. A perfect combination! The journey created by Kwaymullina for Bell Silverleaf enables her to show these wonderful traits in her character. For that reason, the careful and detailed writing to craft this character mean that as the reader, you really hope Bell succeeds in all the challenges.

The storyline moved quickly between high stakes action, important details surrounding events, increased stakes and drawing all the threads of the storyline together to work out where it was going. It really keeps the reader guessing page after page.

Liar’s Test is book one in the Silverleaf chronicles. There is no release date for the next book as yet, but it will definitely be worth the wait! Inspired by strength and power of Aboriginal women, this story will keep the reader mesmerised by the fantasy world and every character in it.

Liar’s Test is suitable for a 12+ year-old readership. 

Beasts of War

Beasts of War by Ayana Gray (Penguin) ISBN: 9780241532591 PB RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

One servant, one warrior. Two friends racing towards their destiny, but neither understanding what that will be or how that will change their world.

Everyone carries a past with them. For Koffi, her past drives her to keep moving forward and find a way to put an end to her former captor once and for all. Ekon offers unconditional support to Koffi, but his past drives him in a different way. Unfortunately, his past cannot stay in the past forever.

Gray has weaved an epic adventure story that is entwined with power and mythology but through links to ancestry is underpinned by family and friendship. Koffi is brave, strong and determined to succeed, and she sets off on an impossible quest. Ekon displays a quiet manner but no less brave, strong or determined to help Koffi succeed and ensure that each member of their group remains alive throughout the quest.

Gray paints a beautiful setting with her words throughout this story. The mystical creatures, the frightening creatures and the support characters are complimented throughout with time taken by Gry to build a world with meticulous detail for the reader to be immersed in and enjoy.

The story is mostly told through the two person POV of Koffi and Ekon. However, a third character, Akande, is included sporadically that reminds the reader there is a power at play greater that the two younger characters. The purpose of Akande’s story is kept a mystery throughout, but the sense of importance does not diminish as the story progresses until the all-important revelation.

Whilst Beasts of War is the third and final book in the Beasts of Prey trilogy, this reviewer had not read the first two books and found it easy to pick up the storyline without having read the first two books but still enjoy this exciting conclusion.

Inspired by Pan-African mythology, this story will entertain, excite and enthrall the reader from the flashback beginning until the action-packed ending.

Beast of War is suitable for a 12+ years readership.

Two Sides to Every Murder

Two Sides to Every Murder by Danielle Valentine (Penguin) ISBN: 9780241722046 PB RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Two teenage girls have grown up with no knowledge of the other. However, their lives are more complicated and connected than they could ever imagine. What is the link and why is it so important they uncover the secrets kept by their parents?

Olivia was born and raised in the shadow of the infamous Camp Lost Lake murders. Reagan has been raised on the run by her mother, accused of a murder she claims not to have committed. One night these two teenagers will take actions that force their paths to cross and their worlds to be changed forever.

Valentine creates mystery and intrigue from the very beginning. She sets up Reagan’s motive from the start. She is determined to clear her mother’s name, but Valentine does not make it easy for this feisty character. The mystery for Olivia is revealed in a much more subtle manner, but no less intriguing. Valentine ensures both characters drive their own questions and thirst for answers forward, but both have different reasons.

This novel is written in a two person POV which allows the reader to understand each character and their motivation before this is revealed within the story. This style of writing allows the reader to become deeply invested as they try to guess where the story is going and what will happen next. Valentine throws in plenty of clues but holds back just enough information to make this a gripping mystery for the reader.

This is a high-stakes, action packed, murder mystery that will keep the reader turning the pages until the climatic ending that will leave the reader with all the loose ends tied up for a satisfying ending.

Two Sides to Every Murder is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers

Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers by Maddy Mara (ProQuest LLC) ISBN: 9781761521577 RRP $14.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Nova Shimmers is the second book listed in the Forever Fairies series. However, having not read the first book, this book still stood on its own merit and was just as easy and enjoyable to read as a stand-alone book.

Nova and her friends must pass a particular fairy challenge that allows them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of fairy medicine. With the unexpected resistance from some trolls, Nova and her friends learn a couple of other important lessons as well.

With short chapters, well-spaced lines and scattered illustrations, this book has a great layout for any reader to enjoy. Throw in a mix of fairy folk, trolls, magic spells and a high stakes challenge; Nova Shimmers has delightful appeal for anyone who loves the fairy world.

Mara has also included some subtle reminders in the book through the Forever Fairies about friendship, teamwork and the importance of cooperation to work together and get any job done. Mara also reminds the reader that as Nova and her friends, Lulu, Coco and Zali find their way through the tryouts, we each have our own strengths which are important to recognise and nurture.

Forever Fairies – Nova Shimmers is suitable for a 7+ readership.

Princess of Thieves

Princess of Thieves by Mari Mancusi (Scholastic Australia) ISBN: 9781761520921 RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

If you think you know the story of Robin Hood and his merry men, think again. This twisted tale turns everything you think you know on its head! It is a brilliantly retold tale of murder, greed, outlaws, danger and love.

The war is over, and Maid Marion returns to her uncle, King Richard’s homeland. When she arrives, she discovers that the king has tragically died and his younger brother, Prince John, has taken over the reign of the country. His tactics are as questionable as Sir Hiss, the slippery snake that seems to have an unknown power over the prince.

Mancusi sets up the strength of character of Maid Marion early in the story, and makes no secret that she is willing to get her fox fur dirty if it means making a stand against the wrath and power of Prince John. Mancusi uses well known elements of the story of Robin Hood to re-write this twisted tale to put Maid Marion front and centre of the action. She even includes the trusty lady maid, Lady Kluck. One fiercely protective chook!

Unwittingly, Maid Marion begins helping those whose living conditions have been impacted by high taxes and outlawed family members. She begins stealing riches to share with the poor. Unfortunately for her, Robin Hood, her childhood friend and long-time crush who is already outlawed by Prince John, gets the credit for Maid Marion’s exploits.

This is a cleverly written story, and the action is this novel is continuous. There are twists and turns aplenty to keep the reader entertained. Even though Maid Marion must keep her wits, this is an entertaining story of girl power that reminds every reader that we are responsible for our destiny, and we all have the power to make a change, even in the fairytale world of Nottingham.

Whether you know the story of Robin Hood or not, this story stands up on its own merit and the outlaw, Maid Marion, will be the new princess everyone wants to be. Princess of Thieves is suitable for a 10+ readership.