Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


  • Cuckoo’s Flight – Wendy Orr

    Allen & Unwin March 2021 ISBN: 9781760524913 RRP: $16.99 Wendy Orr continues her stunning and intriguing sequence of books set in ancient Crete, now focused on Leira’s granddaughter, Clio. In this companion book to Swallow’s Dance and Dragonfly Song, daily life is in turmoil as the ever-increasing threat of invaders pervades the village and its…

  • The Golden Tower – Belinda Murrell

    Penguin Australia March 2021 ISBN: 9781760897093 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99   Belinda Murrell’s time-slip adventures have always been thrilling and captivating and this new one does not fail to do the same. Sophie is feeling a little down. Though she loves her English grandmother dearly, she’s a little bored with her extended stay while her mum and younger…

  • The Eyre Affair – Jasper Fforde

    Hachette Australia AUG 9, 2001 | 9780340733561 | RRP $19.99 Earlier in the year I reviewed what I have said was my read of the year – The Constant Rabbit – and while I knew of Jasper Fforde and the huge impact he’s made along with the rave reviews particularly from my Welsh friend, that book was my introduction…

  • The Forever Horse – Stacy Gregg

    Harper Collins Australia October 2020 ISBN: 9780008332358 ISBN 10: 0008332355 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 24.99 AUD Stacy Gregg’s horse stories have constantly been some of the most popular loans in my libraries, mostly primary but I also have several lower secondary girls who just love these books. This new stand-alone novel introduces readers to talented young artist…

  • Pages & Co #3: Tilly and the Map of Stories – Anna James

    Harper Collins Australia October 2020 ISBN: 9780008229948 ISBN 10: 0008229945 Imprint: HarperCollins – GB List Price: 19.99 AUD This series is so utterly charming and original that it has been such pleasure to read and review each of them. Tilly and Oskar continue their adventures with the ongoing quest to thwart the horrible Underwoods who have usurped the British…

  • The Fire Star: A Maven & Reeve Mystery- A. L. Tait

    Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9781760897079 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $16.99 Well-known globally for her adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles and The Ateban Cipher, A. L. Tait brings another entertaining and engaging series to middle years readers with the introduction of Maven and Reeve. Maven, youngest daughter of an impoverished and dispossessed noble family, is companion and maid to…

  • Hollowpox: The Trials of Morrigan Crow. Nevermoor #3 – Jessica Townsend

    Hachette SEP 29, 2020 | 9780734418241 | RRP $17.99 Huzzah! It has finally arrived! We’ve all been waiting with great impatience but at last the next instalment is here. And what a corker it is! Not only is it gripping and full of new revelations but has most uncanny parallels to our current parlous circumstances. Morrigan is looking forward…

  • Rebel Gods: Monuments #2 – Will Kostakis – The Book Tour! with guest blogger Tiarna Georghiou

    What a double bonus for me! First to be part of the Book Blog Tour to launch Rebel Gods – the gripping conclusion of Will Kostakis’ Monuments series. Second to be able to introduce you all to an amazing young woman, Tiarna Georghiou – Year 12 student, blogger, reporter, talented performer, passionate reader and, I’m…

  • Never and Forever: Wizards of Once #4 – Cressida Cowell

    Hachette Australia SEP 22, 2020 | 9781444956627 | RRP $19.99 While it’s always sad when something wonderful, like this magical series, comes to an end it’s also exciting when the conclusion is so supremely satisfying. Just as she did with the magnificent How to Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell has combined exciting magic, with dangerous and thrilling adventure…

  • The Silver Arrow – Lev Grossman

    Bloomsbury September 2020 ISBN 9781526629418 RRP: AU $14.99 NZ $16.99 In my opinion it’s a rare middle-age novel that can transcend reading interests, age groups and genders but this is most definitely one that can. Certainly your middle grade readers will love it but it is just as appealing for older readers, including adults, as…