The Casting Dilemma

The Casting Dilemma by Lynne Stringer (Rhiza Press) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9781761113246

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Insecurity at any age is hard to grapple with, but for teens who are often pulled between independent adulthood and the need to fit in, it can be debilitating.

For Year 10 student, Kate, it’s her appearance that causes her self-doubt – particularly her nose. Even with encouragement from her parents and best friends, Tash and Michael, she must force herself not to let it stop her from auditioning for the lead role in the school musical.

Kate knows she performed so much better than the others on the day – even top contender, Ashleigh – but then she overhears her teachers’ conversation and her initial hopefulness is once again muddied with doubt. Will she get the role? If she doesn’t, will she really want to settle for another role?

The weeks leading up to the performance are full of highs and lows as Kate continues to struggle with self-confidence and pride.

The Casting Dilemma homes in on the internal struggles that all readers, irrespective of age, will face at least once in their lives – the fear of failure, the feeling of never being enough, and the overwhelming desire to succeed.

A school musical is the perfect backdrop to explore these emotions, which could equally apply to other settings such as sport tryouts, job interviews and writing or art competitions – anywhere you must put yourself out there to be measured up against others.

Lynne Stringer has managed to capture this internal emotional hotpot, making Kate a relatable character we instantly connect with and want to cheer on as we ride the roller coaster of self-doubt, excitement and disappointment with her.

The Casting Dilemma is another addition to the Rhiza Press ‘Rhiza Shorts’ series of bite-sized but complete narratives with strong storylines for teens who may either be reluctant readers or time-poor booklovers.

In a world where our attention spans are in rapid decline at the hands of a technology obsession, the Rhiza Shorts series – with its Minimal Words Maximum Impact promise – aims to bring reading back on the agenda.

The Ghost Horse of Snowy River

The Ghost Horse of Snowy River by Stef Gemmill. Wombat Books/Rhiza Press 2026. MG Paperback RRP $18.99. ISBN 9781761113543.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

A year has passed since 12-year-old Georgie Stone had a serious horse-riding accident. Georgie lost three things: an eye, her horse and her country life. All she has left is a horse braid bracelet to remind her of her lost brumby, Magic. 

It’s taken a long time for recovery, and Georgie is not out of the woods. Now that she's back at the cattle station, she tries to overcome her fear of riding and prepare for the two-week cattle muster. There’s a herd of wild brumbies led by the Ghost Horse, being hunted by a local horsewhipper, Goldburn, and Georgie is worried about their safety and future. As the Ghost Horse begins to follow Georgie on the muster, the stallion is in extreme danger. Georgie wonders whether the grey stallion is her old horse, Magic, and seeks a way to prove it before Goldburn captures him.

 

Georgie has a new horse to ride, the mare Faith. The two bond, but there is an ache in Georgie’s heart for Magic. She has never been on a muster before, and some reckless but well-intentioned decisions have proven dangerous.

 

Now she searches online to match DNA from Magic to the Ghost Horse, so-called because of its colour.  Using the horse braid bracelet and a chunk of the Ghost Horse’s mane, plus her own saved money, she sends the samples away. Will they match? And, even if they do, Georgie needs Magic’s original ownership papers to prove the horse is hers.

 

This is an exciting edge-of-the-seat MG adventure story, fraught with much worry and action. There is a strained relationship among Georgie’s divorced parents, her country-dwelling father, and her grandmother. She has a typical sibling-on-again, off-again relationship with her older brother, Finn. Learning to ride again, with the loss of one eye, is a tenuous and difficult step in Georgie’s life. But she shows great inner strength and fights tooth and nail to help save the brumbies and regain her former stallion.

 

A picture book author, this is Stef Gemmill’s first Middle-Grade work. A wonderful story about a girl and her love of horses; recommended for readers ages 8-12.

Signal Erased

Signal Erased  by Adele Jones (Rhiza Press) ISBN: 9781761111433 RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

It must be said that the front cover of this book is exquisite! It is difficult to tell from the picture, but the detail is fantastic, and the embossed title and image is incredible. Amazing work by Carmen Dougherty and the design team at Rhiza Edge.

Signal Erased will have you hooked with its intrigue from the very beginning. So much so that it will be difficult for the reader to stop once they begin. Anna has a gift for singing, but she doesn’t realise how much of a gift until she alters a scientific experiment using song. The people involved will stop at nothing until they get what they want from her. Even if it means Anna’s very existence might disappear forever.

After being bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding, Anna accepts a lift from the popular and good-looking guy, Chase, from her school. But after some reckless driving, Anna finds herself making her way home alone, only to be kidnapped for a science experiment that leaves her invisible and unheard by those around her. Jones creates a realistic science fiction parallel within the storyline that continually raises the stakes for Anna before she disappears forever.

Anna’s situation becomes more complicated as she is forced to rely on Rennie, her new brother-in-law, who up until now has been relatively invisible to her. The connections between the characters in this story are very well written and enjoyable to read as they unfold. Not forced or rushed but caring and tender. Adding a lovely level of sensitivity to the high stake’s storyline.

You don’t need to understand anything about science fiction or frequency waves. This book will nevertheless keep you wondering about the outcome until the very end. Jones’s writing style is easy to read, humorous at times, and always well crafted to create a seamless flow throughout the story.

This book is a high-stakes, action story that also leans into relationships and being vulnerable. Signal Erased is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

Integrate

Integrate by Adele Jones (Rhiza Press)

PB RRP $17.99

ISBN 978-1-925139-09-9

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Blaine Colton had been handed a genetic death sentence until revolutionary gene therapy changed his life.  Living a relatively normal existence, he is called to an unscheduled post-treatment appointment just weeks before his eighteenth birthday.  Informed that his life saving procedure was never approved, he is held against his will.  Subjected to constant testing, refused contact with his parents and deprived of necessary medication, Blaine begins to suspect that something is wrong.  Wanting answers, he escapes the Institute and the ambitious Chief Scientist, Dr Melissa Hartfield.  Now a fugitive with a failing body, Blaine must find Professor Ramer, the developer of his therapy.  But the Professor has vanished and time is running out. Fast

Integrate is the first YA novel for Queensland writer Adele Jones. 

It is a fast-paced adventure set in Brisbane and follows Blaine Colton’s attempts to reclaim his life and freedom.  Well written and easy to read, this is not a book filled with action but it is a tense story that compels the reader forward.

Blaine is a likeable, sympathetic character and it’s easy to be swept up in the trials and challenges that he endures throughout the story.  Despite overcoming many obstacles, it is his internal battles that I found particularly compelling and poignant.  Not only because they present Blaine as a young man beset by self-doubt and a faltering faith in those close to him.  It also provides an insight into the mind of a person who was, before his therapy, living with serious disabilities.  Unable to communicate or control his body, Blaine was nevertheless fully aware of the people, conversations and activities around him.  Through him, the reader is given a glimpse into an existence few of us will ever experience; a subtle reminder of the humanity of those less able than ourselves.  

What I also appreciated was that, despite being largely positive, the reader was not presented with a neat, tied-in-a-bow conclusion.  There are, like everything in life, no certainties; Blaine is not guaranteed a “happily-ever-after”.  There was a particular degree of satisfaction at the outcome, without an unnecessary fairy-tale ending.

Overall, I really enjoyed Integrate.  I found it easy to read and at times hard to put down.  The book would be more appealing for teenage boys as there is plenty of adventure and only a hint of romance.  It is a great first YA novel and hopefully not the last.

Adele Jones is a Queensland author whose writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science.  She has had a variety of poems, short stories, meditations, devotions, magazine articles and an historical fiction novel published. Integrate, her first YA novel, was awarded the Caleb Prize for unpublished manuscript.   She can be found online at: http://www.adelejonesauthor.com/

Motive Games 2: Death Down Under

Motive Games 2: Death Down Under by LD Taylor (Rhiza Press)

PB RRP $16.99

ISBN 978-1-925139-18-1 

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

In Canada, Phil Roland is a hero. He saved his dad’s company, Motive Games; solved his dad’s murder; and exposed a Mafia ring.  However, he soon finds things spinning out of control while attending the E3 East gaming show in Auckland.  It was supposed to be the big break for Motive Games.  Instead he is the focus of unwanted media attention, hackers and threats of ruination from Australian mega-distributor PFG.  It’s when a PFG executive turns up dead that Phil finds himself in the middle of a mystery that may mean the end of Motive Games and all his dreams

Motive Games 2: Death Down Under is the stand-alone sequel to Motive Games from Canadian author LD Taylor.  Having not read the first book, I was concerned that I would feel at a disadvantage.  This was certainly not the case.  There are enough references to the events of the first book to ensure that the reader feels like they are reading a self-contained story.

This is an action-packed, murder-mystery set within the world of computer gaming.  There is a good pace maintained throughout without too much violence.  There is only the barest hint of romance; certainly a book geared towards teenaged boys rather than girls.  There are also plenty of references to servers, hackers and online games for those technology or gaming inclined readers.

The lead character, Phil, can probably best be described as a whiz-kid.  He is also a teen that, by virtue of his experiences in the first book, has had to grow up fast.  He is loyal, intelligent and resourceful.  He is aided by his best friend Oliver and a quirky, ex-detective called Turpin.  Together they are a determined team that will not rest until the truth is uncovered.  They are not modern James Bond figures though – indestructible and all-conquering.  They are afflicted by their own fears, physical ailments and emotional baggage; and they work to overcome these as they endeavour to protect their friends and the future of Motive Games.

Above all, I enjoyed the minor characters.  There is a wide range of personalities and eccentricities that not only provide variety to the story but also help to bring out the humour, emotion and tension throughout the book.

Overall, I found this easy to read and very enjoyable.  It reminded me somewhat of the Conspiracy 365 books, but for an older reader, and would suit any teen who enjoys that style of storytelling.

LD Taylor began her career as a marketing writer for the 3D graphics and animation software industry.  Before her family’s immigration to New Zealand, she decided to spearhead a family project that would combine her teenage sons’ interests in video games with her own in mystery novels.  The result was Motive Games which won her the Caleb Prize in the Young Adult category. Motive Games 2: Death Down Under is her second book.  She can be found online at: http://www.motivegamesbook.com/#/

Emily Eases Her Wheezes

Emily Eases Her Wheezes
by Katrina Roe, illustrated by Leigh Hedstrom (Rhiza Press) HB RRP $19.99                                             
Reviewed by Dianne Bates

It’s said that Australian children have one of the highest rates of asthma in the world so this picture book should find a way into many homes. Like most small children, Emily the Elephant is full of energy but she’s an asthmatic. Numerous factors bring on breathlessness – air pollution, dust, having a cold and chilly weather. These times the little elephant is side-lined and must watch her playmates or remain indoors. As well, when she’s coughing and wheezing, she has to use her puffer (which the illustrator has sensibly shown is used with a spacer). The one exercise in which she succeeds is swimming, an activity decided by her friends, Marty the Monkey, Gemma Giraffe, Zac the Zebra and Little Lion Luke. The implication of Emily’s swimming is that her lungs grow stronger and stronger as a result. The outcome is that she enters – and wins -- a swimming race.

At the end of the book there is a three page note to parents and carers about asthma. This is followed by two sets of fly pages. Yes, it’s important for parents to know about the effects of asthma on a child, but is a children’s picture book the place to impart such information? I would have preferred more development in the story – perhaps showing Emily’s asthma getting so severe she needs medical attention. This would give a parent sharing the reading of the book an opportunity to prepare his/her child for a visit to a GP or to hospital. Children should be aware of preventative medication (not mentioned in the book) and how important it is in the treatment of a disease which can be deadly if not correctly monitored.

Other than the wasted fly pages, this is a well-designed book with colourful illustrations and text printed on gloss paper. The cover which shows Emily in a swimming costume and equipped with her inhaler, is eye-catching. This book would best suit children aged 4 to 6 years.

 

 

 

 

Zenna Dare

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Zenna Dare by Rosanne Hawke (Rhiza Press
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-925139-03-7
Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Jenefer moves to the old family home in country Kapunda, she encounters a secret from the past.  What sort of life did Gweniver, her great-great-great-grandmother lead?  What connection did she have to the glamorous young singer Zenna Dare?  Jenefer’s curiosity develops into a passion and she is taken on a journey that spans five generations, from Cornwall to Australia.  Her pursuit of the mysterious Zenna Dare brings reconciliation in more ways than Jenefer could ever have imagined.

Zenna Dare is the latest book from Australian author Rosanne Hawke.  It is a lovely book that moves along with a good pace.  The simplicity of the premise is misleading – a teenage girl’s search into her family history; the story touches on such a broad range of topics, from the sense of dislocation at moving towns to Victorian social conventions; genealogy to racial prejudice and the treatment of Aboriginals.  Never, however, is the story bogged down with extraneous details.

 A typical teen, Jenefer sees life with a very limited perspective.  It is her search into the life of her great-great-great-grandmother, Gweniver, which opens her eyes to the wider world; and not only as a means of appreciating her own situation.  As Jenefer delves deeper into her family’s past, she also starts to gain an appreciation of her newfound friend Caleb’s family history.  As an Aboriginal, Caleb has very different family stories and secrets to tell.  It helps Jenefer become present to the treatment of the Aboriginals – both now and throughout Australian history.  Whilst the topic is not the central focus of the book, it provides an interesting counterpoint to Jenefer’s discovery of her past and a gentle reminder of the backdrop of European settlement.

Caleb also presents as the romantic interest in the story.  However, I particularly liked that it was a sub-plot that did not dominate.  Whilst it was clear that a budding relationship between the two was developing, the book did not digress into a teenage romance.

 I really enjoyed Zenna Dare; finding it both an easy and interesting read.  The amount of research that has gone into it is evident and the book goes a long way to reminding us of the amazing, interesting and heartbreaking stories that exist within our own families.

  
Rosanne Hawke is an Australian, award-winning author of over twenty books.  Her titles include: Shahana, Taj and the Great Camel Trek and The Messenger Bird.  Rosanne was an aid working in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for ten years and now teaches Creative Writing at Tabor Adelaide.  She lives in South Australia with her family.  She can be found online at: http://www.rosannehawke.com/