Rebecca and the Wicked Witch

The Wingless Fairy Series Book 3: Rebecca and the Wicked Witch by Margaret Pearce (Writers Exchange E-Publishing)
Ebook $2.99
ISBN 978-1-922066-55-8 
Reviewed by Nina Lim

Something strange is happening in Rebecca’s hometown. In the third installment in this fantasy series for mid-graders, Rebecca has now completely settled into mortal life with her human family. Her life as a spoilt and bored fairy princess is now a distant memory. Rebecca loves working and studying like a regular mortal girl. But when the new schoolteacher Miss Baroom arrives in the village Rebecca senses that something is very, very wrong

The happy atmosphere of the old school house is replaced with a tense and foreboding feeling. Something strange has happened to her friend Tam, and he appears to be losing his memory and walks around with a vacant expression on his face. And what about Tam’s sister Janine? Why is she always too sick to go to school? And something is definitely not right with Tam and Janine’s mother. She appears to be looking younger every day, and is never seen without Miss Baroom by her side.

Rebecca knows there is something dangerous about Miss Baroom and her motives for coming to the village. It is up to her and her loyal owl, house goblins and a mythical gryphon to save the village from Miss Baroom’s evil intentions. But how can they banish the powerful witch when Rebecca is merely a mortal girl with no magical powers?  This is a fast paced and gripping read for fantasy lovers. Fans of Rebecca will be happy to read more of her adventures.

Rebecca and the Hobgoblin Invasion

The Wingless Fairy Series Book 2: Rebecca and the Hobgoblin Invasion by Margaret Pearce
(Writers Exchange E-Publishing)
Ebook $2.99
ISBN 1922066192
Reviewed by Nina Lim

In the second instalment in this entertaining series, we meet Rebecca again, who is now a mortal girl. After being banished from fairyland by the evil Queen, she has lost all her magic powers and now lives happily with her new human family. But there is trouble brewing in fairyland.

When Golly the house goblin disappears Rebecca is worried. And soon her fears are confirmed when nasty hobgoblins start swarming over the farmlands. Suddenly the cows are no longer producing milk, the chickens are no longer laying eggs, and the humans are all exhausted and worn out. Rebecca knows she needs to rescue Golly and all the other vanished house goblins, but how can she go back to fairyland when she no longer has any powers?

With her wise owl and guard beside her, Rebecca hatches a plan to return to fairyland, but what happens once she is there will change fairyland forever. A captivating and fun read for middle-graders.  Sci-fi and fantasy lovers will enjoy it.

Dessi’s Romance

Dessi’s Romance by Goldie Alexander (Indra Publications)
Ebook US $3.99; for P.O.D. copies contact the publisher
ISBN 9781920787219
Reviewed by Nina Lim

When best friends Dessi and Emma finish year 12 they have bold dreams of celebrating at Schoolies Week together and sharing an unforgettable summer. But when a car accident lands Dessi with a broken ankle she is forced to stay behind in Melbourne while Emma goes to Surfers Paradise, and summer becomes unforgettable in ways they would never have dreamed possible.

What happens when Dessi falls in love with her best friend’s guy? Abdul is so exotic and charming, she finds him utterly irresistible. Should she follow her heart or ignore her burning feelings for him? To complicate matters further, Abdul’s family are less than impressed when he brings her home to meet them. How far should she take this new relationship? Or does she risk losing everything?

Meanwhile, in Surfers Paradise, Emma is grappling with her thoughts about meeting her Dad again and his new wife. And why is her good friend Sasha acting differently? Something important has changed about him. When her Mum is diagnosed with a serious illness Emma returns home and is faced with Dessi’s duplicity.

This novel delivers eloquently on many of the topical issues affecting young adults today. Themes of love and friendship, betrayal and deception, religion and acceptance, sexuality and identity interweave to create a compelling narrative. As Dessi and Emma come of age, they learn not only about themselves, but the wider world around them.

Sunlight

Sunlight by Josie Montano (Summer Solstice Publishing)
Ebook RRP $1.99
ISBN: 9781301922321
Reviewed by Nina Lim

It’s hard enough being 16 at the best of times let alone when your boyfriend’s not speaking to you, your Dad is depressed, your Mum is gone, and you’ve been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. All this and more is experienced by Paulini during a summer she will never forget.

Josie Montano deftly weaves together a cast of memorable characters. There is the dramatic Greek grandmother, the stern nurses, Paulini’s friends and enemies. We explore how Paulini deals with her diagnoses and treatment, her dreams and fantasies, and the impact that being seriously ill has on her and those close to her. There are several themes running through the story including friendship, love, relationships and life itself.

This book is suitable for teens and young adults. It has serious themes that are explored in a sensitive and thought-provoking way.  Paulini is an engaging character and she will stay with the reader long after they have put the book down.

Nina Lim is an author and creator of fun and fabulous storybook apps, available for the iPhone and iPad. www.ninalim.com

Invitation to a Stranger

Invitation to a Stranger by Margaret Pearce (Astraea Press)
Ebook RRP $2.99
ISBN 978-1-62135-036-1
Reviewed by Nina Lim

Before the arrival of the Demento family in town, Ronnie and her friends Katie and Jasmine lived completely normal lives. But when they meet Drake Demento they sense something special about him. He’s not like the other boys. He’s mysterious and intriguing but why is his family so strange?

Soon afterwards all of the animals in the district start disappearing. They find Jasmine’s cat again but its body has become floppy and its eyes are vacant. Then people start disappearing. And what has happened to Jasmine? She is now lying in a hospital bed, unable to recognize anyone, with the same vacant eyes as her cat. And why does the Demento mansion always look dark? And Drake seems distant and appears to be pushing them away.

Ronnie and Katie realize that something needs to be done, and done soon. They need to rely on Drake, but can they trust him?

This is a riveting story with a great cast of characters. The story unfolds fluidly and smoothly. Fans of the supernatural will enjoy this teen vampire fun.

The Wingless Fairy Series Book 1: Rebecca and the Changeling

The Wingless Fairy Series Book 1: Rebecca and the Changeling by Margaret Pearce (Writers Exchange E-Publishing)
Ebook RRP $3.99
ISBN 978-1-921636-91-2
Reviewed by Nina Lim

Get ready to be transported to a magical world of fantasy, fairies, and goblins in this fast paced ebook for mid-grade readers. Margaret Pearce has created an enchanting world of make believe and adventure.

This is the first book in the wingless fairy series. We meet Princess Dewdrop, who is not your ordinary fairy princess, and a host of other well-crafted characters. Princess Dewdrop is one feisty fairy, and bored with life in the confines of her enchanted fairy kingdom, she longs for adventure and new experiences. But when her life intersects with Rebecca – a willful but strong and brave human girl – she is exposed to more excitement, thrills, danger, joy and delight than she ever dreamed possible.

Along the way Dewdrop learns the value of friendship, loyalty, self-belief and the importance of knowledge and grabbing opportunities to learn. A fun read that transports you to another world and makes you wonder what happens next.

Nina Lim is the author and creator of Super Harry, an interactive storybook app for the iPhone and iPad. www.ninalim.com