Things cannot get much worse for Kidan Adane. Besides the small issue of fighting the murder charge she has just been accused of, her sister June has been missing for more than a year and she has run out of leads in her search. Kidan is certain she knows who took June, but she has no way of finding either her sister or the perpetrator. But then Kidan is given an unexpected lifeline. Her estranged aunt has died and Kidan is now heir to a dangerous and powerful legacy: the ownership of one of the oldest and most powerful of the ruling houses that govern Uxlay University. Uxlay is a place that exists both within and separate to the rest of the world. It is a place of secrets, shadows and blood where vampires and humans learn to uneasily coexist. If Kidan wants any hope of finding June, she will need to enter Uxlay and claim her birthright, because that is where she will find the man – the vampire – that she is certain knows where June is. And Kidan will do anything – even murder – to find her sister.
Immortal Dark is a brilliant debut from Ethiopian-Australian author, Tigest Girma. The novel weaves East African history and mythology into a dark academia fantasy with a true enemies-to-lovers romance. Kidan is a complex heroine, at times both compelling and repelling but her deep love for her sister and her determination to seek truth and justice is clear on every page. Older readers who like their fantasy as dark as possible will enjoy this novel, the first in a planned trilogy.
Themes Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Dark Academia, Vampires, Family, Sisters.
Rose Tabeni
The many lies of Veronica Hawkins by Kristina Perez
Little Brown, 2024. ISBN: 9781408719022. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
Perez’s mystery thriller has an unusual structure. The first half is presented as the published memoir of journalist Martina Torres, the trailing dependent spouse of Spencer, an entitled young American newly transferred to Hong Kong in a bid to boost his career. Martina, aka Marty, becomes intoxicated with the city of Hong Kong and also her new friend Veronica, a queen of old world wealth and sophistication. Veronica encourages a new sense of self in Marty, sponsoring her entry into a world of luxury and corruption. But the blurb for Marty’s memoir reveals that Veronica suffers a mysterious and tragic death. Marty’s story describes the rapid growth of their friendship and seeks to understand what happened on the night when Veronica disappears over the side of a boat during a gala fundraising event held in Hong Kong harbour.
The mystery unravels and compounds in the second half of the book, as we gradually come to understand that Marty has been an unreliable narrator and her memoir may have glossed over relevant details. The intrigue for the reader is in understanding what the attraction was between the two women, and what they each hoped to gain from the relationship. Perez explores themes of bullying and manipulation, toxic friendships and class barriers. The hunger for acceptance can lead the victim of bullying and exclusion to only too easily be drawn into repeating those behaviours towards others.
Marty writes that her story is a love story, a love letter to her best friend and also the city where they met. Certainly we are given all the details of a fascinating glittering world, the history of its colonisers, and the stratified society of the wealthy and the corrupt. Hong Kong, the city, becomes a central character, and Marty revels in her account of the glamorous lifestyle, the fashion, and the undercurrents of power and influence.
This is a detective mystery story with a difference. With an unreliable narrator, it becomes a question of whose version of events is real, and which of the many suspects is implicated in Veronica’s death. It’s interesting enough on that level, but the real strength of Perez’s novel is her depiction of an intense and manipulative relationship between two women each determined to get what they want. A complex and absorbing twisty thriller.
Themes Hong Kong, Privilege, Friendship, Deception, Manipulation, Corruption.
Helen Eddy
Summer of shipwrecks by Shivaun Plozza
University of Queensland Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780702268373. (Age:10-16) Recommended.
Summer of shipwrecks is a warm-hearted story that depicts, perceptively, the agony of being the third, younger wheel in a friendship group during the period of adolescent change. The front cover illustration by French illustrator Margaux Samson Abadie perfectly captures the setting and dynamics of the story. In the foreground Sid (the first person narrator) sits alone, well covered, with an enigmatic and unhappy countenance. In the mid ground with their backs to her and arms draped across shoulders are her old friend Lou and her new "bestie" Hailey. In the background is the rolling sea, crashing through Katherine's Cove. The picture captures the exclusion that happens when some girls mature physically ahead of others, the shifting nature of friendship and the backdrop of the violent ocean of the Victorian Shipwreck Coast.
Shivaun Plozza is an award winning author of books for children and young adults. Summer of shipwrecks is her latest middle-grade novel. She is also the author of Meet me at the Moon Tree, The boy, the wolf and the stars and A reluctant witch's guide to magicwhich have been CBCA Notable Books and have received commendations from the Victorian Premier's Literary Award amongst other starred reviews. Plozza grew up in Warrnambool, Victoria and as a teenager she fried fish and chips for the busloads of tourists on the Great Ocean Road. This familiarity with the place that she writes about in Summer of shipwrecks, (the fictitious but very recognisable town of Penlee Point close to Apollo Bay), shines through. In the Author's Note, Plozza informs the reader that the novel was inspired by the tragedy of the wreck of the Loch Ard and the tales of the more than 700 shipwrecks of the real life location of the Shipwreck coast, the lost treasure and resultant folklore.
The central character, Sid has been looking forward to catching up with her old holiday friend Lou on her annual trip to the Shipwreck Coast. Unfortunately when she arrives, she finds that Lou has brought a new friend with her, that she has matured into a teenager, put away "childish, uncool" interests like digging for treasure and has become far more interested in clothes and boys. The reader receives a first hand account through the eyes of Sid of the pain of rejection, the hopeless efforts at winning back friendship, the mistakes made whilst trying to win approval back and also of new possibilities of friendships that are truer to herself. Her slow and painful path to that discovery is made worse because of the divorce of her parents and her enforced holiday with her Mum's new boyfriend and his daughter. The adults' navigation of the difficult terrain of trying to build new blended families is dealt with with great warmth and sensitivity. This is helpful reading for many young people who may draw comfort from realising that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. In the end, Sid realises there has to be give and take and that in all the change, she must be willing to make some changes too. She is a character of great honesty and gutsiness who learns to move on, adapt and be hopeful.
Summer of shipwrecks would be enjoyed by the large fan base of Nova Weetman's books, particularly the ever popular Elsewhere girls, Sick Bay and The edge of thirteen, because of its similar wise and clear-eyed depiction of preteen and teen characters struggling to come to terms with who they are and how they fit into the world. It is especially recommended for young Australian readers who are familiar with or who are interested in the history of the Shipwreck Coast of Victoria. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Shipwreck coast of Victoria, History, Friendship, Coming of age, Change, Divorce, Blended families.
Wendy Jeffrey
Storm by Jane Bunn. Illus. by Dasha Riley
Scholastic, 2023. ISBN: 9781761201721. (Age:3+)
When dark, menacing clouds scurry across the sky, lightning piercing the sky above, Jane rushes inside with her dog, Stamp. Both are shaking as they watch the progression of the wild wind across the landscape outside their home. Thunder roars and lightning flashes, hail peppers the roof, wind howls, Stamp crawls under the bed. The next day the impact of the storm can be seen. Mr LI’s washing line is in the lake, leaves and branches need to be cleaned up.
Stump is still scared, and there is news of another storm tonight. So, Jane goes to the library to find some information about storms and why they happen. She finds out what storms are and how they occur. She asks her mother about lightning and is told to ask her Aunt Kate, which she does. She helps Mrs Alam next door to sweep up the rose leaves and asks her where the wind comes from. Mrs Alam explains, offering an explanation that all ages can understand. When her family sits down for afternoon tea, Mr Li brings in the big hailstone he found, which prompts Jane to ask how they got there. By the time the evening comes around, Jane is happy that she has learnt so much about storms and why they happen, but she is still aware that her dog, Stamp, is not as content. She reads out everything she has learnt about storms to Stamp. He is still not happy, so she develops a Stamp safety plan.
The safety plan predicts all the things that a storm can bring. Protection is the best thing, so Stamp must stay indoors, away from windows and doors. If caught outside, then be the shortest object. Do not shelter under an umbrella and stay away from metal objects.
That night another storm crosses overhead. This time Jane and Stamp count the seconds between seeing the lighting and hearing the thunder and work out that it means the storm is 4 kilometres away. She sings lullabies to Stamp, and both are calm. The next day Jane and Stamp join their neighbours and the family in cleaning up the debris left by the storm.
Jane Bunn, a weather presenter, gives an easily absorbed story which will entertain readers, as well as giving them a basis of facts about many aspects of the weather as part of the story. And all supported by Dasha Riley’s illustrations, which give a clear indication of what a storm feels and looks like as it passes overhead. The mess left by a storm is clearly shown and the support of neighbours in clearing it up will speak to children who have seen on the TV news the aftermath of storms, and the role of communities in getting things back to normal. Her nonfiction pages are clear and fitting for young readers. And each of these: Storms, Lightning, Wind, Hail, Facts about Storms, and Stampy’s storm safety plan, all have a series of rings to show they belong in a folder and are different from the other pages which tell the story of Jane and Stamp.
This book is an entertaining and informative book about storms and what children should do when caught in one. Children will love watching how Janes tries to help Stamp overcome his fear of the storm, be intrigued with the pages giving facts about storms and what to do and be interested in Jane Bunn’s page about herself at the end of the book. This page outlines her early interest in the weather and encourages younger readers to be well informed.
Themes Weather, Storms, Lightning, Wind.
Fran Knight
Let's try again another day by Charlotte Barkla & Jade Goodwin
When a child is young, they learn lots of things: from crawling to letters and numbers, colours, how to kick a ball, speaking and dancing, rolling over. And as time goes on, they learn to say hello and goodbye, say sorry, make friends, and ask why. Some will learn to play an instrument, some to dance, sing and act, some love numbers, some play a range of sports. The thing about this range of skills, sports, numbers and so on is that it all started somewhere, perhaps unsteadily at first, but practice and perseverance enable kids to find their way.
This is the basis of this book, encouraging young people to try and try again. Not to be despondent about not being the best at the start, but to keep on trying. There will always be days when things don’t go their way, shoelaces will be untied, paint will splatter everywhere, numbers will simply not match up. Angry words will be spoken, toys thrown across the yard, others may seem more competent, and tears will fall.
But mistakes are part of learning, others may help, they may ask for help or try again. Just as bodies grow and develop so do brains and if we don’t get things straight away there is always another day.
A gentle reminder to children and adults that learning is a continuum, things are learnt over time, some things take a long time to master, some only a short time, but however people learn, there is always another day to try again.
Coupled with colourful usually smiling kids, the message will not be lost on young readers. They will all have had some moments of frustration, convinced that a skill they are trying to master will not be learnt. But trying again is at the heart of this picture book, the children in the pictures doing just that.
Lethal Lizards is the second book in Gregg Dreise’s Scales and Tails series following Super snake. In this Creation story, Dreise has authored a wonderful narrative about goannas, lizards and snakes. In the Dreamtime the goannas and lizards were white and were frightened by the snake brothers. Biamme decides to help them and crushes blue objects, making them a dillybag each of Biamme’s Blue Poison which will collapse the snakes if it is wiped on them. Meanwhile the snake brothers persuade the lizards to let them paint them with magic and each of the goannas and lizards are given the beautiful colours and patterns that they have today. They also become more courageous and resilient and can face the snakes head-on.
I love the illustrations in Lethal Lizards. The beautiful ochre colours of the land, the bright blue of the sky and the gorgeous patterns on the creatures are a feast for the eye. And each of the creatures has a distinct face, with wonderful eyes and often a smile. There is a section at the back of the book on Dreise’s art which gives details of how he uses traditional and modern art to make his Indigenous picture books.
At the conclusion of the book on the last page is a section titled About the story which give a summary of the theme of Lethal lizards: 'Lethal Lizards is a story about physical appearances. When we understand unique differences as beautiful, and bullies stop trying to create fear, then our children will grow up happier than ever before.'
The underlying theme of being brave and standing up for yourself will appeal to both an adult who is reading the story aloud or the newly independent reader who may try it. The lizards use their intelligence and cunning to overcome the bullies which is reassuring for young readers.
This is an uplifting story that is sure to appeal to young children and is likely to become a favourite in a home library as well as a classroom.
Gracie has always been a good thief, from a childhood spent in foster homes, alongside her best friend, and foster brother, Adam. They honed their skills together, but when Grace runs off with Adam’s very expensive watch, they are bound, one to disappear and run, the other to seek revenge. At the Brisbane Stamp expo, Grace has her eyes on her target as he wanders around the floor. She knows he has some very expensive stamps in his possession. And then she spots Adam. She must run again, and this time, she must cross borders. She finds herself in a small German town, Battendorf, in the Adelaide Hills. Wanting a place to lie low for a while, she looks in the window of a collectables shop with a help wanted sign. She knows this sales area well, one of her foster parents was involved so she has developed skills and expertise which have stood her in good stead in stealing and assessing stolen goods.
She goes into the shop introducing herself to the meek, mousy proprietor, Erin. She is hired almost too quickly and Erin invites her to come and live in her granny flat. Grace is elated as two of her problems are solved, although she is aware that her employer has agoraphobia and happy for Grace to be the main face in the shop. Grace cannot believe that Adam would be able to track her down, but she is still very cautious. The reader can see that Grace’s behaviour is not that much different to that of Erin, and wonder about her background.
One night while returning from an auction, Grace comes across a road accident. A man in one car is being rammed by another. She stops and helps, the perpetrators driving away. The man being attacked proves to be a retired police officer. She rings for an ambulance, and gets him into a safe place, then leaves. The police officer begins to investigate who his saviour is, as soon as he is out of hospital. Three different stories are now entwined.
And we know that Adam must be on his way south, he wants his watch. And there is another man seeking Erin.
Disher has woven a very clever series of stories into one making it wholly probable and exciting to the reader. We all sympathise with Grace who has never known a solid family life, and craves a place where she need not worry. Erin too wants a place of safety as the reader later finds out, an abusive ex partner is searching for her. Adam is looking for Grace to get his watch back, and the police officer is looking for her as he has worked out that her life is a fabrication. All stories converge into one exciting sequence of events at the Battendorf lockup.
Disher has created a group of wonderful characters and set them against a wholly plausible backdrop described meticulously. He has entwined strands of modern themes: domestic violence, retirement, modern policing and identity theft. I love the ending which ties things up so well, with Grace able to use her skills to make the lives of the good people she has encountered, more comfortable.
I listened to this book, through LIBBY at the South Australian Public Library Network, narrated by Cam Ralph.
Kim Hyo-eun, Korean author/illustrator of I Am the Subway, which was the winner of the 2021 World Illustration Award, has again used her unique design skills to create a picture book that will resonate with children whose families have more than one child. Learning to share and make everything equal and fair is a seemingly common and natural part of growing up in a family. As this book cleverly attests to, it is not always easy.
In this family of three sisters and two brothers with the author being the second born sister, there are daily discussions about how to clearly and correctly share whatever food or items are being presented. There are always different ways to share, and by using maths to solve this they are able to divide and cut into equal amounts where food is concerned or count out equal time to ride the one scooter in the house. Of course it is not always straight forward, and when sharing a roast chicken with each child liking different parts, it becomes complicated.
Throughout the book the use of Mathematical concepts such as cardinal and ordinal numbers, fractions, word equations and angles provide children with examples of how Maths can be used during the day. The delightful beginning endpapers show the family in a photo montage of their lives with the final endpapers showing them altogether sharing a room. There is a depth to this story which may not be immediately obvious and the glorious pencil and watercolour illustrations add so much more to the narrative.
Themes Sharing, Siblings, Families, Mathematics.
Kathryn Beilby
White noise by Raelke Grimmer
UWA Publishing, 2024. ISBN: 9781760802851. (Age:14+) Recommended.
In the humid and heat-soaked climate of Darwin city life we get a glimpse into the life of a family of two, still coming to grips with the death of one. Grief lays like a cloud over every aspect of Emma’s life, and her father too is struggling, but hiding his pain under the pressures of his work as an ED doctor and his role as a single parent. Friendship connections help Emma and her father, but being a teenager means that there are many layers to life – school demands, dreams and hopes for the future, relationship possibilities. Into this familiar plotline lands the bombshell of the diagnosis for Emma of her autism. Pieces that had made no sense, become clear, but things are not easier. Emma must navigate the grief she feels and the struggles of her mental meltdowns that can arise without a lot of warning. She also is targeted as a future Institute of Sport talent and must weave a heavy training schedule into all the other demands of her life. And yet, even when things seem complex, Elliot seems to see past her diagnosis and is attracted to her in a gentle and understanding way. Will this high school relationship survive despite Emma’s grief-state, trauma, injury, illness? What lies ahead for them all?
This is a nuanced high school-based story, with profound insights into the difficulties of negotiating grief and autism. Emma’s autism could be described as high-functioning, but the description of the short-circuitry that impacts her functioning would be helpful for anyone who goes to school with someone diagnosed with autism. The complexities of grief are also explored in compassionate ways. The overall impact of this book is a tender understanding of these issues, with the overlying complexities of the teenage years. Friendship and romance must also negotiate the random barriers and hurdles of conflict and misunderstanding. I enjoyed this gentle story told through the perspective of Emma herself, and the impact of the Darwin setting with the pervasive heat is also refreshingly different. Anyone who has visited Darwin will recognise the localities referenced, but it is good to have a book set in the Top End. Recommended for readers aged 14+.
Themes Grief, Autism, Family life, Darwin, Romance, Same-sex attraction.
Carolyn Hull
When the lights went out by Lian Tanner and Jonathan Bentley
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761180019. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
A wonderfully affirming book about community and family, this story shows what happens in one street when the lights go out. At first the child is scared, but Mama and Dad make a game, an adventure in the dark as Dad lights a match and the family finds its way upstairs to get some candles. Coming downstairs, the explorers hear music. It is their neighbour Mrs Martinez playing her guitar. The family gets rugged up and walks outside to find other neighbours have joined them, and they smile and laugh and sing. Mrs Martinez plays sad songs and brave songs and ones that make them tap their feet and sway in the cold night air. The community dances with Mr Harada, and just when the night is almost over and they are all yawning, the lights come back on. They go back to their own homes, with the small child wrapped up in bed, hoping it happens again.
A gentle story about neighbourhoods, of people coming together, is told in this understated tale. The people react to the light going out by sharing their resources, coming out of their houses to greet their neighbours. They commune together on this cold dark night, reassuring the young and strengthening the ties in their street.
Bentley’s illustrations are wonderful, creating a street where people know each other, their little single-fronted cottages showing an inner-city suburb containing a diverse range of people. The candle on the front cover lights the way for the family as the dark falls around them, soothing the fears of the child on Dad’s back. Outside, the cold bites the reader just as it does the families singing together.
The pencil and watercolour images will stay in the readers’ mind long after the last page is read. And they will turn back to feel again the warmth in the dark street as the people all come together. The usual inhabitants of the night, foxes and owls, keep watch on the intruders in their domain, and can be seen taking back their territory once the families return home.
There are so many touches that say family and warmth and togetherness: the crocheted quilt cover on the child’s bed, the scarves and coats worn by those who come into the street, the smiles on the faces of the children, the warmth radiating from the candles, the almost sad faces when the light comes back on, the warmth of the light shining through the windows of the houses. All of these underscores the feelings the community radiates.
Shirin and Amir and the dragon smoke by Liz Drummond and Jemima Shafei-Ongu. Illus. by Magie Khameneh
Little Steps, 2024. ISBN: 9781922833525. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
As a result of the 2019-20 'Black Summer' bushfires, many diverse communities were unaware of the danger posed by the smoke haze drifting across city areas. Researchers from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH) at the Australian National University (ANU), worked collaboratively with the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies to devise ways to inform families about how to stay safe during these challenging times.
In the story Shirin and Amir and the Dragon Smoke, two young friends, forced indoors by the smoke, creatively play how they stayed safe inside. By pretending the smoke was from a dragon, they bravely fight the dragon by rolling up towels to seal off gaps, wear face masks and stay inside their playhouse. Amir also keeps his asthma inhaler close by. Once the smoke hazard has passed by, the children see the neighbourhood returning to normal.
This engaging read with brightly coloured full page illustrations is an important book to be shared with all. It has been translated by the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies into Persian, Arabic and Turkish and will hopefully reach many communities. It is a valuable resource for school and public libraries.
This quote from co-author Jemima Shafei-Ongu, perfectly sums up the reasons behind this important publication:
'Picture books can be a wonderful conduit between parents' and childrens' experiences, can introduce and hold space for difficult conversations; and when bilingual texts are shared, can expand a child's experience of language and culture beyond the page.'
Gumbaynggirr artist, writer and designer Melissa Greenwood has added a fifth book to her beautiful series for younger readers. The gorgeous cover in a soft palette of greens and apricots on a black background draw the eye to this lyrical and gentle narrative.
Aunty and child wake to the day and go on a walk through the bush at the base of the juluum (mountain). They pay their respects to Country around them as they walk and notice changes and movement – the fresh green growth on the jaliigirrin (trees), the bindarray (river)rises and falls, the creatures who live at the base of the juluum and the animals that live in the bush. As they ascend the juluum they see smoke signals to the meeting place at the tip and prepare for a corroboree. Aunty shares stories of creation and how juluum watches over them.
The colourful full page illustrations throughout provide a stunning visual backdrop for the words. Giinagay Juluum is a delightful book to read aloud and has an important dual language aspect with a complete Gumbaynggirr translation included in the final pages.
Themes First Nation’s Stories, Country, Mountains, Family, Respect, Dual Language.
Kathryn Beilby
Kevin saves the show by Jacqueline Harvey. Illus. by Kate Isobel Scott
In verse, each pair of rhyming lines will intrigue readers as they hear more about the wonderful Kevin, the curious sheep, and predict the rhyming words as they turn each page. Readers will love reading again about Kevin, introduced two years ago in Kevin the sheep. Ever adventurous, Kevin tries things which other sheep find most concerning. At the local show, Kevin sets up a song competition. For a dollar admission the prospective competitors will use karaoke to display their talents. Kevin in his purple phase, welcomes the range of competitors who turn up. Wanda the bantam is followed by Polly the pig and Gary the goat who precedes the four sheep, Shaun, Shauna, Sheryl and Shane.
The last sheep performs, making the audience gasp at his spine-tingling singing. Kevin then gives out all the commendations and then the runner up. But when the winner is announced, no one is surprised. But eagerly picking up his cup, he trips over a cord and his sheep suit falls off his back.
Everyone is in uproar; a wolf has come into the fray and the scrum which follows causes Kevin to grab the microphone and ask for quiet so the wolf can speak.
What he says will have readers laughing hilariously as the wolf garners sympathy from the sheep with his tale of rejection.
Kevin in his purple phase invites the readers to open this book. His genial face on the front cover is reciprocated as the story evolves. Funny images appear on each page, designed to entrance younger readers, who will seek out the various sheep mentioned in the tale. I love the image of the four sheep working together for their act, the many sheep attempts at winning the cup, and the wolf’s tears as he begs for help. A wolf in sheep’s clothing indeed.
Themes Sheep, Karaoke, Competition, Wolves.
Fran Knight
Kung Fu Roo: Enter the Roo by Anh Do. Graphic art by Jeremy Ley
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761069918. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Kung Fu Roo - Enter the Roo is a lively and colourful graphic novel that takes readers on an unexpected adventure; blending martial arts, humour, and a touch of the supernatural. Anh Do’s story follows three friends - Kai, Charley and Harry - who are on a train heading to a highly anticipated Kung Fu competition, when things take a strange and dangerous turn.
The plot kicks off with robbers taking over the train, aiming to steal passengers' valuables. As if that’s not enough, a meteor strikes, releasing a mysterious purple goo that changes everything. Kai wakes up in a hospital and discovers he’s not feeling quite right. Thinking it is just a side effect from the accident, he is really thrown when he begins having cravings for lettuce and, even more bizarrely, discovering he can understand kangaroo conversations! When he talks with his friends, they come to the realisation that the goo from the meteor must have merged them with some animals that were on the train too. They then realise that they have all developed some unusual new powers.
As they grapple with their newfound abilities, Kai, Charley, and Harry decide they need superhero names. But before they can work these out, they hear that the train robbers have escaped and are causing chaos. The trio realise they’ve been thrust into the role of unexpected heroes. With their animal powers in tow, they set out to stop the villains and save the day.
While the story takes some time to gather momentum, it builds to an action-packed, thrilling conclusion that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Anh Do’s knack for blending humour with exciting plot twists keeps the narrative engaging. Jeremy Ley’s vibrant illustrations add to the novel's captivation, bringing the animal-human hybrid heroes and their adventures to life with expressive, colourful artwork.
Kung Fu Roo is perfect for young readers who enjoy action, humour and twisting tales. It combines a fun plot with themes of friendship, courage and teamwork, making it an entertaining and exciting read.
Themes Heroes, Teamwork, Action, Supernatural, Friendship, Problem solving, Animals.
Into the labyrinth, the first in the Mage Errant series, had Hugh and his friends surviving a deadly labyrinth, while Jewel of the Endless Erg moves into a new setting, that of a vast desert known as the Endless Erg. Their teacher Alustin wants them to train them there improving their magical skills and finally take them to a meeting in a powerful city, Theras Tel, ruled by Indris Stormbreaker, a dragon. But what was supposed to be a quiet summer turns into a whirlwind of dragons, monsters, sandstorms and conspiracy.
Bierce cleverly builds up a new world for readers to appreciate. It is easy to imagine the desert dunes of the Endless Erg and the deadly sandstorms that plague any who dare to be in that environment. Hugh and his companions learn to hone their skills there, and when pirates attack, Hugh uses his ability to help the ship to escape from danger. The city of Theras Tel is vividly described with its huge court for the Queen, her courtiers and young dragons.
The magic system that Bierce portrays is fascinating. In Jewel of the Endless Erg he presents a unique look at dragons and their magic and the magic that Alustin wields in a huge battle is amazing.
The four apprentices begin to learn more about their magical skills and the background of each other. Hugh is still reticent and quiet but his growing ability to control his magic helps him become more confident, even daring to hope for romance.
Danger, betrayal and battles make for a very exciting action-packed plot with a cliff-hanger ending that will have readers wanting to read to the next in the series, A traitor in Skyhold. Readers who enjoy books about dragons may like to read the Harper Hall of Pern trilogy by Anne McCaffrey, which begins with Dragonsong.
