Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • This Book Kills – Ravena Guron

    Harper Collins Australia March 2024 I recently read someone ‘predicting’ that murder mystery for teens/YA was going to be a big new trend this year. I have news for them. It has been for quite a few years now as any of the devotees of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson or Robin Stevens will affirm –…

  • Super Sloth Episode #1 – The Shar-Wolf of New York City – Aleesah Darlison. Illustrated by Cheri Hughes.

    Big Sky Publishing April 2023 ISBN: 9781922896537 RRP: $14.99 What’s that I hear you say? This book was published in April last year, and I’m only just reviewing it now? Riddikulus! But, in my defense, I would point out that I only received yesterday – it’s been somewhat of a mission one way or another. Also…

  • Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge #14 – Anthony Horowitz

    Walker Books September 2023 ISBN13:9781529517422 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 My fondness for Alex’ adventures is pretty well-known, and some people may remember my huge excitement with an exchange I had with the boy spy’s creator, Anthony himself, when I did my promo for Alex’ 20th anniversary. Well I remember our collective sadness when we…

  • Ruby and the Pen – David Lawrence. Illustrated by Cherie Dignam.

    EK Books August 2023 ISBN: 9781922539380 RRP: $16.99 I’m fairly sure that at one time or another, we’ve all wished we had a magic wand to just ‘swish and flick’ to remove any obstacles, problems or annoyances. Somehow, I’d never pictured it as a magic pen though! 12-year-old Ruby is an inveterate cartoon-sketching kid, who…

  • Scar Town – Tristan Bancks

    Penguin Australia August 2023 I’ve been a fan of Tristan’s work since back in the Mac Slater days, especially after attending one of his presentations on making book trailers (can’t even remember which event that was, it was so long ago!) and I’ve particularly loved his ‘crime/thriller’ books – like a series that’s not, if…

  • Some Shall Break – Ellie Marney

    Allen & Unwin June 2023 ISBN:9781761068010 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Of course, we know we are blessed in this country to have so many superlative creators of children’s literature, but how lucky are we when an internationally acclaimed author chooses our great nation as their home – and then continues with…

  • Kensy and Max #10: Time’s Up – Jacqueline Harvey

    Penguin Australia Fasten your seatbelts for one last rollercoaster ride with the intrepid twin spies, in their most difficult and worrying adventure/mission yet! When their closest family members begin disappearing – apparently kidnapped – the twins become increasingly isolated and anxious. With no ransom notes or other explanations, the snatching of their relatives seems completely…

  • The Hidden Girl – Louise Bassett

    Walker Books Australia August 2022 Imprint:Walker Books Australia ISBN 9781760654788 Australia RRP:$19.99 New Zealand RRP:$21.99 It is clear to see why Louise Bassett‘s debut novel was short-listed for the Ampersand Prize. It is a tense and gripping mystery/thriller that will hook readers in from the first page. Drawing on her real-life experience working in the…

  • Friday Barnes 11: Last Chance – R. A. Spratt

    Penguin Australia Oh Friday, you just get betterer and betterer! Readers will remember my anecdote of the dismay felt by my coterie of Friday fans, when the ‘last’ in the (original) series was announced, and was confirmed by my (then) recent conversation with Rachel over afternoon tea. Subsequently – and by then in a different…

  • Seven Days- Fleur Ferris

    Penguin Australia May 2022 ISBN: 9781761043352 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 I really do love a good countdown action/adventure and Fleur Ferris has brought her masterful manipulation of tension into a fantastic new narrative for middle school readers. In similar fashion to her hugely successful and popular suspenseful stories for YA kiddos, this one follows a cracking pace from…