Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Hagtale: a Macbeth origin story – Sally O’Reilly

    Scribe Publications March 2026 ISBN: 9781761381430 RRP: AUD$29.99 Pre-order Macbeth would come pretty close to being my favourite of the Bard’s works [possibly because I played one of the witches in a school play – typecasting?], certainly its very creepiness is totally beguiling. And, of course, it is arguably one of the best-known right up…

  • An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating – Cecilia Edward

    Simon & Schuster November 2025 Publisher: Atria Australia (November 25, 2025) ISBN13: 9781761635267 LIST PRICE: AU$ 34.99 / NZ$ 39.99 It absolutely is not a Christmas themed book but it would make a great gift for a YA/NA reader in your circle because aside from anything else, it’s SO pretty! Look at those sprayed page…

  • The Book of Dust : Phillip Pullman – a recap

    While I await #3 in this extraordinary trilogy, I have been revisiting the first two on audio. The brilliant Michael Sheen is the narrator and absolutely perfect. So I thought it would be timely to re-post my reviews of the first two. Are you excited as I am for #3??? I CANNOT WAIT to get…

  • Comes the Night – Isobelle Carmody

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781760294762 Awards: Shortlisted, Best Young Adult Fiction, Indie Book Awards, 2025, AU Imprint:A&U Children’s RRP: $24.99 In a future Canberra, the citizens are protected and insulated under domes, safe from extreme weather, solar radiation and all the after-effects caused by recklessness of previous generations. They are also guarded from civil…

  • Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Stories of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorcerer – Garth Nix

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761068393 Publisher: A&U Children’s Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $32.99 Ummm…….well……..where to start? Don’t get me wrong – I love this! In fact, I love all Garth’s writing, and always have. I had never read any of these stories before so I’m still getting my thoughts sorted, and this…