Review: The Stolen Bairn

The gorgeous cover and enticing title bespeaks the thoroughly engaging nature of this fantasy faerie tale from newcomer Katrina Macdonald Roe. Drawing on Scottish legends and folktales, Katrina has woven a completely absorbing narrative that begs to be read from the very first page and that astounding opening.

To claim that I was single-handedly responsible for the extinction of the faeries, as some have said, is wildly unfair.

Firstly, everybody knew that faery sightings had become increasingly rare long before I met one and nobody did a thing about it.

Secondly, nobody seems to remember how troublesome the creatures really were.

Given my total passion for the Emily Wilde series and all things fae, this book had already won me before I started reading.

Review: The Game of Oaths

It's 1896 in Paris, where the Game of Oaths is held annually underneath the glittering spectacle of the magical Cirque des Ombres. But behind the sparkling spectacle, the circus performers are bound to the ringmaster Enchanteur Jean-Pierre by magical contracts - meaning the performers can never leave. 

Every year, 12 performers are chosen to take part in the Game of Oaths, an underground, brutal tournament watched by the elite - however, only the winner will make it out alive. 

Haunted by the death of her sister in the game the year prior, when seventeen year old Falan is selected to take part, she only has one thing on her mind - revenge. 

As she is thrown into a world of shifting alliances, dangerous magic and blood-thirsty opponents, Falan must decide who she can trust to help her win the game and fulfil her quest for revenge. 

Review: Fearless Finn

Finn is a young modern day knight in shining armour. He is on a hero quest to defeat a dragon that has caused chaos in his village. Donning his home made armour of a cardboard breastplate, saucepan helmet, saucepan lid for a shield and a broom for a sword, he sets off on his mission to find and conquer the fire-breathing dragon that has left a path of destruction.

But when he finally meets the foe, he discovers that this dragon is not as dangerous or fierce as he first thought. Can Finn be the hero perhaps in a completely different way?

Interview: Authors Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner

    

After turning fairytale conventions upside down in Lady’s Knight, Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner return with One Knight Stand—a sequel bursting with more adventure, sharp wit and plenty of heart. With cursed villages, sea monsters and medieval selfies on the horizon, the duo once again blends laugh-out-loud humour with thoughtful reflections on friendship, identity and what it truly means to be a hero. We spoke with Amie and Megan about returning to Gwen and Isobelle’s world, writing comedy with heart, and the enduring power of love in all its forms.

Review: One Knight Stand

One Knight Stand by Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner returns readers to the wonderfully chaotic world first introduced in Lady's Knight—and it is every bit as clever, witty and delightfully entertaining as fans will hope.

Packed with sword fights, schemes, banter and a healthy dose of absurdity, One Knight Stand embraces all the fun of fantasy while simultaneously poking fun at it. Kaufman and Spooner clearly know the genre inside out, and the novel is filled with glorious intertextuality and knowing little winks to the reader. From playful nods to classic fantasy tropes through to the hilariously clever chapter titles—which each appear somewhere within their respective chapters—there is a sense that the authors are inviting readers in on the joke.

Review: Danny Go’s Volcano Adventure

Is your young reader ready for a challenge? This interactive picture book will take them into a world of volcanoes, hot lava and avoiding danger at every turn.

Danny Go! is a popular YouTube show that is designed to entertain and activate kindergarten children with songs, stories and movement. One of his most popular videos is The Floor is Lava. This now takes the lava to another level.

Review: The Lost Defenders

An eclipse only happens every so often.

Normally an event worth anticipating, this particular eclipse has been long-awaited for a more sinister reason.

Jace can see monsters. He wishes he couldn’t because they get him in trouble when all he’s doing is trying to save people from them. Clearly, though, he has no idea what he’s doing because right now, he’s on the brink of expulsion.

Despite having resolved to lay low and ignore what’s in front of him, he realises now is not the time to do that. In fact, he’s just found out that he’s a ‘seer’ – a rare human who can see and communicate with monsters from the other side of the ‘veil’.

Thankfully, he’s not the only one with these skills.

Review: Oceanforged 2: The Silent Island

Book 2 in Amelia Mellor’s five-book fantasy adventure series begins in a sea of calm. But don’t be fooled because once we’re reacquainted with Cori, Jem and Tarn, the action moves into top gear.

The three teens, thrown together in Book 1 when Cori stole a magical gauntlet and was unwittingly thrown into the role of Champion, are now tasked with locating the other pieces of Oceanforged Armour and saving their nation from destruction.

Thinking that the Loyalists will help them, Cori is shocked to discover they’re on their own. 

What’s more, they have less than six months to find the hauberk tunic – the second piece of armour – and push back the Great Dark Tide that is on its way and will destroy the nation of Aquinta and everything they know.

With no other choice, Cori, Jem and Tarn set off in Jem’s houseboat, Lucky, to try and find Mutemont, the mysterious island thought to be the hiding place of the hauberk. 

Junior Review: Forest of Hearts

Forest of Hearts is an amazing romance fantasy novel for young adults. It has you biting your nails through each twist and turn of the story. 

MA Kuznair doesn't fail to impress as her words whirl around your head and create images of the story as if you were there! 

I loved this retelling of the classic Snow White story and everything in it. I read this book from start to finish without stopping, and then read it all over again! 

This is a fantastic novel, and I recommend it to readers ages 13+.

Title: Forest of Hearts
Author: MA Kuznair 
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, $
Publication Date: 28 October 2025 
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781398551916
For ages: 13+
Type: Young Adult

Review: Swearwolves

Do not let the title of this book turn you off straight away. Hear me out first because the subject matter is treated in an exceptionally mature way and, let’s be honest, those words are out there and being used by our children (but not by Steve Worland in this book).

Luna Wilkinson has not long started at her new school and she’s having trouble fitting in. Everyone has their friendship groups and little cliques and there doesn’t seem to be space for the new kid who is rapidly getting a reputation for being a bit weird.

As Luna sees it, her one chance to stand out – and fit in – lies in wowing the crowds at the upcoming audition for Bite Me – The Musical. Luna doesn’t just want to be given a part; she wants to be cast in the lead role. 

Review: Feathers of Farwood and the Gripps Curse

Eva Feather has moved with her mother and two sisters to the little town of Farwood – a town like many other little country places in Australia but with many secrets. Eva’s secret is that her father has been infected by the Gripps, a mysterious condition affecting many, which causes a person to transform into an animal – in the instance of her dad, an owl.

Eva is already sprouting some feathers. She is desperate to rescue her father from being permanently trapped in owl form as well as to stop her own transformation. To add to the drama, there are the Hunters who roam looking for those who are Gripps-affected and effectively isolating them and banishing them.

Eva loves their new little weird and quirky house and she also likes Farwood very much but she is pretty much an outsider and friendless until she meets new boy, Harvey. Harvey also has secrets but he quickly becomes her staunchest ally and her partner in her mission to find the mysterious and long-hidden book that will reveal answers to help not only the girl and her family but all those who are in the grip of the Gripps.

Review: Her Hidden Fire

Éadha, a servant girl, would do anything for her best friend, Ionain. The future of Ailms Keep relies on Ionain and whether or not he has the ability to channel power. So, when Éadha discovers that she possesses the gift to channel magic - but Ionain doesn’t - she hides her gift and allows everyone to believe the power is his.

In a world where the nobility control the narrative, and the lower class are just pawns, Éadha must learn to hide and control her forbidden magic or there will be devastating consequences.

When the pair are sent away to an island to train among the elite and learn how to wield their power, Éadha begins to question the world she has been thrown into. She soon realises that the magic the kingdom values so highly comes with a far darker and deadly cost than anyone is willing to admit.

Review: The Keeper of the Octopus

Pippi has become afraid of water since her mother drowned nine months ago. 

She lost two parents on that day, as her grief-strcken father took off shortly after his wife’s death.

 Pippi, broken and filled with anger, is left with Uncle Isaac, her last family member. 

Isaac, worn by life, has become befuddled. But Pippi is always ready to fill his empty mind's thoughts and his mouth's forgotten words for him. 

But for how long will she be able to do so? 

When she falls off the bow of their fishing boat, she is saved by the giant octopus, Octavia. 

Uncle Isaac decides that it is time to tell Pippi that with her mother’s death, she has  inherited the burden of Keeper of the Octopus.

Review: The Village Beyond the Mist

It is holiday time for Lina. She is not going to her usual destination, but somewhere different, where her father sends her. 

She is headed for Misty Valley, also known as Absurd Avenue. 

She discovers the reason for this name is due to the unusual occurrences that continuously take place, and the oddest people that come and go in this place. 

It turns out to be exactly what her father called it. Different! 

She ends up at Picotto Hall, owned by the elderly and crusty, Pippity Picotto. A strange and mysterious boarding house where the boarders earn their keep in one form or another. 

Lina is allocated The Clown Room, with the most perfect surroundings and her own bathroom. 

Review: Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the Harry Potter Stories

Especially for Harry Potter fans come a set of books called the Pocket Potters: Little Guides to the harry Potter Stories.

There are three titles in the series out now: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. And they're like a special gift book. Hardcover, full colour, and packed with information. 

Each book is focused on one of the characters (Harry, Hermione, or Ron). 

Working your way through the 32 pages in each book, you're treated to a potted summary of the character's experiences throughout the Harry Potter series.  

The books are highly illustrated, highlighting what's memorable or important about the character and their life at Hogwarts, and at home. 

They progress through the school years with events like being sorted into their houses, playing quidditch, and learning magical spells.

Review: Impossible Creatures: Book #1

After waiting for months to have this in my hands, there was never any doubt in my mind that it would be worth that wait. From the first page, it was as if the glimourie was flowing straight off the text and into my fingers, spreading with warmth and delight as I read voraciously.

Christopher Forrester has a strange connection with animals. Ever since he was tiny, animals of all kinds are drawn to him. His father finds this somehow irritating but Christopher secretly enjoys opening his windows at night for the birds to come in, and having foxes nosing his knees.

In a parallel world, Mal is an orphan girl who is able to fly with the aid of a coat given to her, along with her name Malum, by a seer when she was born. Her great-aunt who has raised her, was distrustful of the giver, and sent him away before any more could be known about either coat or child’s destiny.

10 Quirky Questions with author Amelia Mellor

1. What's your hidden talent?

I’m not really the type to hide my talents – I’m more of a ‘look at what I can do!’ kind of person. But people are often surprised to find that for someone so entrenched in the world of words, I’m pretty good at visual arts and crafts as well. I recently crafted a set of potion bottles as props to promote Oceanforged using old perfume bottles, epoxy resin and alcohol inks. I hand-paint wooden toys for the children in my life. Lately I’ve been collecting sea pottery from the beach to eventually make a mosaic.

Review: The Enchantment of Golden Eagle

A whimsical tale of love and family, The Enchantment of  Golden Eagle is one of those books that flies into your heart and builds a nest there.

It will spark questions and deep thinking in young and old — the kind of picture book I truly adore!

In this Margaret Wild and Stephen Michael King gem, Ella and her brother Leif find a baby eagle. They care for the eagle as he grows older and stronger. 

Review: OceanForged - The Wicked Ship

It is a Dark Age for the Realm of Aquinta. Before the Prime Council, in the Age of Glory, the Champions ruled. The Radiant Palace belonged to those heroes who wore OceanForged armour - a set of magical artifices shaped with extreme heat and cooled by the salt water of their sea.

The Prime Council takes over the Radiant Palace.  New laws suppressing the citizens are enforced till they are unable to survive. The burrows become their home. 

Poverty prevails.

Warnings are not circulated before the cyclone hits. The burrows flood. All those caught within, drown, including eight-year-old Cori’s parents. 

Life is preparing Cori for a great adventure when she discovers information about the artificers that created OceanForged Armour. 

Review: Dragon Forged: Sword of the Champion

It is a century since the passing of the last Champion. The Day of Legend is drawing near when a new hero will arise, and Goddess Draela’s Champion will restore Draeland to the locals, after years of captivity by the Fiendlord.

Orin is courageous and modest. With his friends Beatrix and Pascal, he goes in search of a missing villager. They are well equipped for any attack by the goblins who have recently overrun the village, due to their their mentor Bruno, who has been training them for the Village Guard.

But life has other plans for them all.

When Orin and friends lead an attack on the fiends sent to destroy Draeland, a power is released in Orin.