Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Silverborn arrives!

    Ok, so that whole global gasp when the latest in the Empyrean series arrived a while back has got nothing on the collective excitement of both young ‘uns and adults as this long-awaited #4 in the Nevermoor series makes its grand entrance. And last night I was lucky enough to meet and chat with Jessica…

  • The Night Librarian – Christopher Lincoln

    Scholastic Australia Scholastic Australia January 2025 ISBN: 9781761643507 RRPP: $19.99 There was a lot to like about this one but as usual the graphic format, didn’t quite do it for me, which I freely admit is just a personal thing. There were definitely moments when I felt confused about sequences or even conversations but I…

  • Are you ready for Silverborn?

    Just a few weeks ago, I re-read all the books, in preparation for #4’s release- at last!! and today this sumptous box arrived. Like a Xmas present only betterer. So I’m re-posting my original reviews for your delectation. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow Jessica Townsend Hachette October 2017 When you receive a proof copy…

  • The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest – Aubrey Hartman

    Walker Books Australia May 2025 ISBN:9781761601453 RRP: $17.99/New Zealand RRP:$19.99 Now, how to describe this delightfully quirky and sometimes dark quasi-horror with heart? It’s a little bit My Dead Rabbit, maybe a little bit Coraline, and a little bit The Graveyard Book. And then there’s A Girl Called Corpse – and soon you will get…

  • The Girl and the Ghost – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia April 2025 OMG!!! JH fans, both young and old, are about to lose their minds!!! This fabulous new book, which I gobbled up in two sittings, heralds the start of another new series from the best-selling author, who really knows how to reach her audience. In this instance, the audience has just expanded…

  • Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire: a Tail of Adventure. Bravepaw #2- L. M. Wilkinson. Art by Lavanya Naidu.

    Allen & Unwin February 2025 ISBN:9781761180569 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:Albert Street Books RRP: $16.99 My newest favourite mouselings are back and their quest continues apace. Titch and Huckleberry have absolutely no idea how to reach the Heart of Alluria, where they are meant to repair the crack in the world. And even though Titch has the…

  • Washpool – Lisa Fuller

    Hachette Australia Feb 26, 2025 | 9780734420756 | RRP $16.99 Let’s see. Take a little of Alice down the rabbit hole, and mix that with a smidgin of Oz. Then add in some snippets of lands reached using the Subtle Knife plus some of the strangeness of Nevermoor. After that, throw in some Upside Down and sprinkle it all…

  • Comes the Night – Isobelle Carmody

    Allen & Unwin October 2024 ISBN:9781760294762 Awards: 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 unrest as small drones constantly monitor the skies, and AI…

  • The Chronicles of Wetherwhy: the Age of Enchantment – Anna James

    Harper Collins September 2024 After the roaring success of her Pages & Co series, Anna James has kicked off an engaging new series with which I am already wholly engaged, as I’m sure will be your readers. Everyone in Whetherwhy has magic, to a greater or lesser extent. And each person’s magic is connected to…

  • The Colour of Revenge – Cornelia Funke

    October 2024 ISBN: 9781915947611 Scholastic Australia Publisher:THE CHICKEN HOUSE RRP: $20.00 For the past four nights I’ve been happily immersed once again in the world of Inkheart. I really find it hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the publication of Inkheart, and our introduction to Mo, Meggie, Dustfinger and all the glittering and…