Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Wundersmith : The Calling of Morrigan Crow : Nevermoor 2– Jessica Townsend

    Hachette OCT 30, 2018 | 9780734418227 | RRP $16.99 Imprint: Lothian Books Morrigan is back! The eagerly anticipated second instalment of Nevermoor is no disappointment and the many readers who are bursting at the seams waiting to get their hands on a copy will be delighted. Now that Morrigan has passed her trials she becomes part of Unit 919…

  • The Storm Keeper’s Island – Catherine Doyle

    Bloomsbury Australia August 2018 ISBN: 9781408896884 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP :$14.99 What a simply sparkling debut novel! It did take me two nights rather than my usual one (but I confess a little tiredness even after a week of holidays) but it was simply page-turning and thoroughly engrossing. Fionn Boyle and his older sister…

  • Finch – Penny Matthews

    Walker Books ISBN: 9781760650759 Release Date: August 1, 2018 Australian RRP: $16.99 Even in holiday mode it’s a big ask for me to read a book in one sitting but this one is a corker! At once a coming-of-age story and a beautiful reflection on accepting differences its country setting along with an environmental theme provides a strong…

  • Fabio the World’s Greatest Flamingo Detective: The Case of the Missing Hippo – Laura James

    Bloomsbury March 2018 ISBN: 9781408889312 Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books RRP  : AU$12.99 Like many others I am addicted to great detective fiction be it books or TV shows and also like many others my favourite sleuth is the one and only Hercule Poirot (as in David Suchet not – you know who KB bleuggh). So…

  • The House of Unexpected Sisters – The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series – Alexander McCall-Smith

    Hachette Imprint: littlebrown.co.uk September 2017 ISBN 9781408708156 RRP: $29.99 When you’ve spent the first week of your holidays sick, trying to do much-needed spring-cleaning in short bursts between resting you tend to feel pretty dreary. So to sit in my comfy  bed with fresh clean sheets, a lovely new doona cover in soothing colours, and…

  • Goodly and Grave in a Bad Case of Kidnap – Justine Windsor

    Harper Collins ISBN: 9780008183530 Imprint: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks May 2017 Lucy Goodly has been won in a game of cards against the strange Lord Grave, despite the fact that she has a  magical card to help her win. Her parents are inveterate gamblers – unsuccessful ones at that – and this time they have lost their only child who…

  • Lexi & Lottie #1: Trusty Twin Detectives – Melanie Alexander

    Penguin Random House 9780143784135 May 29, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP $12.99   If you’re looking for something new for your early independent readers this might be just the thing. Ignorant as I am of TV shows in the main, apparently this is based on a kids’ show of the same name.  The author…

  • Vet Cadets : Bks 3 & 4 – Rebecca Johnson

    Penguin Random House 31 July 2017 Imprint : Puffin (AU YR) RRP $14.99 This new series from Rebecca Johnson is perfect for those who have graduated from Juliet Nearly a Vet with girls who are just a little older and perhaps with a slightly more exciting setting. The three main characters – Abbey, Talika and…

  • The Shop at Hoopers Bend – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins       ISBN: 9781460753668       ISBN 10: 1460753666       Imprint: HarperCollins – AU      On Sale: 24/07/201      List Price: 16.99 AUD When you go to bed feeling a little tired and start reading a new book and then just keep reading it until you’re finished, you know it’s a terrific piece of writing. It’s been a while since…

  • Wreck – Fleur Ferris PLUS Q&A with Fleur

    Penguin Random House 9780143784319 July 3, 2017 Random House Australia Children’s RRP: $19.99   Bad things happen. Fight to make them right. Or let it wreck your life.   Once again Fleur Ferris has delivered a gripping and tension filled narrative which will have readers impatient to turn each page. Tamara Bennett is about to…