Forevermore

Forevermore by Cindy Miles (Chicken House)

PB RRP $17.99

ISBN 978-1-908435-92-7

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Ivy's mum has remarried and her new family moves from Charleston, South Carolina, the only home Ivy has ever known, to the remote Scottish Highlands. Ivy’s new stepfather is a laird and lives in a huge castle, Glenmorrag, on the rugged coastline. Ivy is expecting her life to change, but what she is not expecting is a ghost. And falling in love with someone who lived two hundred years ago was certainly not in her plans.

Forevermore is a wonderfully gothic tale with all the classic elements from this genre. From the brooding crumbly castle perched on top of a cliff high above the sea, to the evil presence trying to harm Ivy, along with a mysterious but attractive ghost, a sinister grandmother and a feisty independent heroine.

Ivy is great character. She is independent, but doesn't reject help and friendship when it's offered and has a realistic mix of bravery and caution. She is unsure if people will think she's crazy if she talks about the ghosts at the castle so is wary of mentioning them while making an effort to fit in, both at home in the castle and at her new school where she feels very different.

The use of music (Ivy is a beautiful and dedicated violinist), helps to weave an uneasy atmosphere around the castle. In my head it is always twilight at Glenmorrag and bright and sunny away from the castle, such is the skill of the creation of this eerie presence wrapping itself around the castles inhabitants.

This is a suspenseful story of ghosts and love. The mystery element is gripping, but the greatest strength is in the characters and their relationships; first love, friendships and family bonds.

This in an absorbing book and would suit thirteen to fifteen year olds.

Music School: The Grimstones 4

Music School: The Grimstones 4 by Asphyxia (Allen and Unwin)
PB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-1-74331-625-2
Reviewed by Ann Harth 

Can music change the weather? Martha Grimstone knows it can and is determined to harness her musical skills to save her family’s home from the violent storms that plague them.

In the fourth book of The Grimstones series, Music School, Martha Grimstone attends the Queen’s Music Academy in the big city. She moves into Lady Sterling’s manor where she has her own wing and learns to live in luxury.  Although she misses her family desperately, her music lessons are critical to ensure the safety of the people she loves.

Before he died, Martha’s father could manipulate the weather with his own compositions performed on the Epithium. He left his music and instrument with his family and, to control the weather, Martha must decipher the strange symbols he has scattered throughout his work. She is convinced that she will learn all she needs to know at the Queen’s Music Academy.

Martha’s teachers are committed to developing the talents of the students so they can perform in front of huge audiences and travel the world bringing fame to themselves and the school. This doesn’t interest Martha. She studies hard and improves her technique but, instead of following the rigid rules of the academy, she finds the courage to break with strict tradition. Martha proves to herself and the school that her own brand of unique music is more powerful than anyone realised.

Martha’s resolve to uncoil whirlwinds and save her valley from destruction was inspiring and I was absorbed in her journey from the first page. Although this book is suitable for children aged 8-12, its appeal will reach all ages.

Music School is a gothic novel and one of the most impressive I have read. Asphyxia has fashioned puppets of The Grimstones and other characters and has used these for the artwork that adorns this clever book.
Asphyxia has been an Australian circus performer specialising in trapeze, double balance and hula hoops. She is now a puppeteer and has toured all over the world with Sky Works, her performing arts company. It took Asphyxia 18 months to fashion the set and develop her show, The Grimstones – Hatched. She has toured with this all over Australia. Asphyxia is deaf. For more information about The Grimstones and this fascinating creator, please visit her website www.thegrimstones.com 

Ann Harth is a published children's author, freelance editor, ghostwriter and writing tutor at Australian College of Journalism. She loves to read and is committed to creating children's literature that inspires, entertains and triggers a tiny twist in the mind. Her latest middle-grade novel, The Art of Magic, is now available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Burn Bright

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres (Random House)

HB RRP $18.95

ISBN 978-1-8647-1988-8

Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

Burn Bright is a novel for teenagers, a gothic and paranormal novel with clubbing overtones. Yep, welcome to Ixion, an island that is similar to Ibiza, full of raves, parties and music.

It’s a place of pleasure that doesn’t bode well with Retra. She’s a Seal-think highly conservative religious cult and you’re halfway there-who’s just escaped to track down her rebellious brother. She’s followed him to Ixion, where outcasts get to party all night literally because it lies in forever darkness.

But there’s got to be a catch right? Ixion are guarded by Ripers, and people on the island eventually ‘disappear’ as they get older. Sounds like the real-life clubbing scene then. Retra’s determination to find her brother gets her mixed up in the politics of the island. And its secrets are messy.

There’s a tinge of erotica through the descriptions, modesty is a sin on Ixion and Retra finds herself half-naked on more than one occasion. But it doesn’t go overboard. You really have to suspend belief to get into this nocturnal world. de Pierres makes it easy though, with solid suspense throughout. The story never stands still for long.

Retra’s nerdy and naïve personality works here because like the reader, she sees past the superficiality of parties and pleasure mantra of the island. Give Burn Bright a chance and you’ll be immersed in its dark world. It’s recommended for ages 13 and up.