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The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray
By Christine Calella
Perfect for fans of historical fiction and fantasy, The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray is a story of family bonds, self-discovery, and thrilling adventure on the high seas.
Storms and pirates are nothing compared to the evil within men’s hearts.
After a lifetime of abuse at the hands of superstitious townsfolk, Ophelia Young, a bastard child of the notorious pirate queen, is tired of paying for the sins of her mother. Despite playing by the rules her whole life, she’s earned nothing but spite and suspicion. So when a naval officer saves her from the jeering crowd at her mother’s hanging, Ophelia hatches a new hope of enlisting in the navy to escape her mother’s legacy and redeem her own reputation for good. But Ophelia soon discovers that a life at sea isn’t as honourable as she hoped.
Betsy Young is as different as she could be from her half-sister Ophelia. She’s a nervous homebody who wants to keep her family safe and longs to be in love. So naturally, she’s devastated when the son of their family’s business partner rejects her hand in marriage and her sister joins the navy. But when her father contracts a life-threatening illness as well, Betsy has to bring Ophelia home to save the family business.
Unfortunately for the Young sisters, Betsy trying to get Ophelia recalled reveals that Ophelia enlisted fraudulently under Betsy’s name, a secret which Ophelia struggles to keep from crewmates who would kill her if they knew she was the pirate queen’s daughter. To save Ophelia from the naval authorities, Betsy will have to board a ship during hurricane season and brave all the dangers of the sea to get them both home safe.
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Grief in the Fourth Dimension
By Jennifer Yu
Greif in the Fourth Dimension is perfect for fans of Black Mirror and science fiction. It explores grief and loss from the perspectives of the people that have died. It’s funny and heartbreaking, and well worth a read!
A moving and unique speculative YA novel about the afterlife and the unexpected connections that can be made in death.
In life, high school classmates Caroline Davison and Kenny Zhou existed in separate universes—Caroline in one of softball practices and family dinners; Kenny in one of NASA photo books and late-night shifts at his parents’ Chinese restaurant.
But after their deaths, they find themselves thrown together as roommates in a mysterious white room—one that seems to exist outside of time and space, shows them their loved ones’ lives on a large hi-def TV, and grants their wishes with a sardonic sense of humour.
As Caroline and Kenny watch life continue to unfold back on Earth, they realize they can influence events through radio signals, psychic mediums, and electromagnetic interference. In their efforts to console their families, they also start to understand the tragic depth of how their lives and deaths were connected and how to help their families—and themselves—heal from the losses.
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Blind Spot
By Robyn Dennison
Australian author Robyn Dennison explores some heavy themes in her thought-provoking new book Blind Spot. This book explores themes of sexual assault, eating disorders, and drug use. It explores the complex feelings of responsibility and guilt that come from not speaking out and speaking up when you see the wrong thing happening, and the complex nature of friendships.
This is an important and well-written read, keep the themes in mind when reading.
When Dale stumbles into a bedroom at a party and sees a drunk girl being undressed by a group of guys, he backs away and runs. He’s pretty drunk himself, but he knows what he saw.
Why didn’t he stop them? Why did he run?
These questions haunt him. He wants to make things right but he doesn’t know how.
There’s no way he can talk to his dad. His mum walked out months ago. And his best friend, Kieran, wouldn’t understand. Dale’s not even sure Kieran would see a problem with what happened. Kieran is so casual about sex. And drugs. And life in general. The opposite of Dale.
Then Max arrives, Dale’s cousin. She’s older, smart, cool—with her own perspective on Dale’s problem. And problems of her own.
And there’s Brent. He’s a year older than Dale, and hot—everything Dale is looking for, but will he have the answers Dale needs?
Blind Spot is a nuanced and insightful exploration of the responsibility that comes with being a witness, the culpability of inaction and the complex nature of friendship—from an exciting new voice in Australian YA literature.
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The Girl with No Reflection
By Keshe Chow
The Girl with No Reflection is perfect for fans of fantasy, romance, mythology retellings, and historical fiction.
Princess Ying Yue believed in love...once upon a time.
Yet when she’s chosen to wed the crown prince, Ying’s dreams of a fairy tale marriage quickly fall apart. Her husband-to-be is cold and indifferent, confiningYing to her roomfor reasons he won’t explain.Worse still are the rumors that swirl around the imperial whispers of seven other royal brides who, after their own weddings, mysteriously disappeared.
Left alone with only her own reflection for company, Ying begins to see things. Strange things.Movements in the corners of her mirror. Colorful lights upon its surface. And when, on the eve of her wedding, she unwittingly tears opena gateway, she is pulled into a mirror world.
This realm is full of sentient reflections, including the enigmatic Mirror Prince. Unlike his real-world counterpart, the Mirror Prince is kind and compassionate, and before long Ying falls in love—the kind of love she always dreamed of.
But there is darkness in this new world, too.
It turns out the two worlds have a long and blood-soaked history, and Ying has a part to play in the future of them both. And the brides who came before Ying? By the time they discovered what their role was, it was already too late.
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If I See You Again Tomorrow
Robbie Couch
A New York Times bestseller! If I See You Again Tomorrow is a time-loop, contemporary, science fiction romance perfect for fans of They Hate Each Other, All That’s Left in the World, and If This Gets Out.
From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams.
For some reason, Clark has woken up and relived the same monotonous Monday 309 times. Until Day 310 turns out to be…different. Suddenly, his usual torturous math class is interrupted by an anomaly—a boy he’s never seen before in all his previous Mondays.
When shy, reserved Clark decides to throw caution to the wind and join effusive and effervescent Beau on a series of “errands” across the Windy City, he never imagines that anything will really change, because nothing has in such a long time. And he definitely doesn’t expect to fall this hard or this fast for someone in just one day.
There’s just one problem: how do you build a future with someone if you can never get to tomorrow?
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Glasgow Boys
By Margaret McDonald
A striking debut exploring the power of identity, community and the Scottish working class. This coming-of-age story is an incisive look at young masculinity and the way even the most fraught childhood is not without hope.
Meet Finlay. He’s studying for his nursing degree at Glasgow University, against all odds. But coming straight from care means he has no support network.
How can he write essays, find paid work and NOT fall for the beautiful boy at uni, when he’s struggling to even feed himself?
Meet Banjo. He’s trying to settle in with his new foster family and finish high school. But he can’t forget all that has happened, and his anger and fear keep boiling over.
How can he hold onto the one good person in his life, when his outbursts keep threatening his already uncertain future?
Can Finlay and Banjo let go of the past before it drags them under?
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The Only Light Left Burning
By Erik J. Brown
A sequel to the incredible All That’s Left at the End of the World, The Only Light Left Burning is perfect for anyone who loves dystopian, romance, queer, post-apocalyptic, or science fiction.
Andrew and Jamie once saved each other. But their future together is uncertain.
After a dangerous journey through a ravaged world, Andrew and Jamie finally found a community. More in love then ever, they begin to build a new life. But soon it becomes clear they want different things:
Jamie is ready to move on and take them on the road, just the two of them.
Andrew wants to stay put, and make a home among friends.
With a storm brewing up the coast, they are forced back into the wilderness, where old enemies roam, and they don’t know who to trust.
Can they find their way back to safety … and each other?
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Katipo Joe: Blitzkrieg
By Brian Falkner
A gripping read, Blitzkrieg is the first book in a three part series set to the backdrop of the second world war. This book is perfect for those that enjoy historical fiction, action, thrillers, and war stories.
Joseph St. George is a young New Zealander, the son of diplomats in 1930s Berlin. But the Nazis are on the rise and the world is on a spinning path to destruction. Joe's world is about to change, violently. After a narrow escape from Germany with his mother, Joe is recruited by MI5 and given a mission to infiltrate the Hitler Youth movement. From vital convoys across the frozen North Atlantic, to the terror of the London Blitz, to the shadowy world of the French Resistance, this is Joe's world. Inspired by true events, Katipo Joe is a story of incredible heroism, unlikely friendships and unbearable tragedy, set against the backdrop of World War Two.
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Kate Forsyth's Long-Lost Fairytales
By Kate Forsyth and Lorena Carrington
This book is perfect for lover of fantasy, folklore, mythology, and short stories.
Long, long ago, storytellers all around the world told tales of wonder both to enchant and entertain us, and also to teach us that - if we are good and kind and courageous enough - we can change the world for the better. For this is what fairy tales do. They give us hope. As we travel through the dark and dangerous world of the fairy tale, as we fight dragons and outwit ogres and save our sisters and brothers, we learn that we are capable of anything. And then we return to our own world with all that we have learned along the way, stronger and braver than before. The stories in this book come from all the corners of the world. Some were told in deep time before history was recorded, and some were written not so long ago. All of them have been unjustly forgotten. In this collection of long-lost fairy tales, author Kate Forsyth and illustrator Lorena Carrington work together to bring tales of wisdom, compassion, and courage to life for the modern-day reader. This enchantingly beautiful book will transform the way you think about fairy tales.
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I Feel Awful Thanks
By Lara Pickle
I Feel Awful, Thanks is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that explores big life changes, self-care, and self-acceptance in a magic filled modern fantasy setting. Highly recommend for cozy-fantasy and graphic novel lovers!
Joana is a young witch who secured her dream job with a coven in London, her favorite city, where she can dedicate herself to creating potions, her favorite activity! However, she will soon discover the reality of city life is not so idyllic. Finding a flat is an ordeal, her "dream job" is stressful, and she's totally alone. Little by little, she makes her place, but fatigue, sadness, and doubts threaten to topple her hard-earned success... until she starts talking to a professional who helps her realize in order to take care of herself, she must know herself.
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I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79
By Lauren Tarshis and David Shephard
If you love action, adventure, thrillers, and historical stories the I Survived series is perfect for you. This new graphic novel edition is strikingly illustrated and is sure to keep you in suspense!
The beast beneath the mountain is restless...
No one in the bustling city of Pompeii worries when the ground trembles beneath their feet. The beast under the mountain Vesuvius, high above the city, wakes up angry sometimes -- and always goes back to sleep.
But Marcus is afraid. He knows something is terribly wrong -- and his father, who trusts science more than mythical beasts, agrees. When Vesuvius explodes into a huge cloud of ash and rocks that fall from the sky like rain, will they have time to escape -- and survive the epic destruction of Pompeii?
Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series comes to vivid life in graphic novel editions. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.
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We’ve just had these fantastic books by Kate Welshman added to our collection! If you’re a fan of choose your own adventure stories, you’ll love Play the game and Make up or break up. These books let you decide which path the heroine of the story should take.
Play the game
By Nova Weetman
A contemporary pick-a-path series about life, first crushes and friendship, that lets the reader choose how the story goes!
Edie Thomas is a natural at netball. She plays for fun – and to hang out with her sports-mad bestie, Tess. But when Edie makes the state team, it looks like netball will be taking centre stage. Until …
- Edie drops out of the team when she scores a lead role in Romeo and Juliet opposite her long-time crush, Freddy. But will the school play be all that Edie dreams it will be? And will Tess ever forgive her for dumping netball?
- Edie begins to resent netball taking over her entire life. Can a cute distraction, in the shape of footballer hottie Finn, rekindle her passion for sport? Or will she quit netball for good?
Follow your heart right to the end, or go back and choose all over again.
Make up or break up
By Kate Welshman
A contemporary pick-a-path series about life, first crushes and friendship, that lets the reader choose how the story goes!
Ally has always let her bestie, Cat, take charge. Now they’re in high school, and it seems Cat will continue to get her way. Until …
- Ally's invited to join an advanced Latin class. She loves Latin – and she likes James, her smart and gorgeous new classmate, too. But will Ally be able to keep up with the older kids? And how will Cat react to Ally doing her own thing?
- Cat is determined both she and Ally will audition for the school musical. But Ally’s not a good singer, and being involved would mean spending time with her old crush, Tony – and she hasn't forgiven him for what happened last year. Can Ally face the music?
Follow your heart right to the end, or go back and choose all over again.
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Two can play that game
By Leanne Yong
I’ve been loving exploring content by Australian authors and illustrators lately, and here is another fantastic example.
Sam Khoo has one goal in life: create cool indie games. She's willing to do anything to make her dream come true, even throw away a scholarship to university. All she needs is that super-rare ticket to a game design workshop and she can kickstart her career. So when Jaysen Chua, otherwise known as Jerky McJerkface, sneakily grabs the last ticket for himself, Sam is left with no choice. It's war. Knowing all too well how their Australian-Malaysian community works, she issues him an ultimatum: put the ticket on the line in a 1v1 competition of classic video games, or she'll broadcast his duplicity to everyone. Thank you, Asian Gossip Network. Meeting in neutral locations, away from the eyes and ears of nosy aunties and uncles, Sam and Jay connect despite themselves. It's a puzzle that Sam's not sure she wants to solve. But when her dream is under threat, will she discover that there is more than one way to win?
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One song
By A.J. Betts
I’ve been loving exploring content by Australian authors and illustrators lately, and a fantastic new book by Australian author A.J. Betts, One Song.
If you love tuning into Triple J, voting in the hottest 100, and can’t wait to see who comes out on top of Triple J Unearthed this is the book for you!
Aspiring singer-songwriter Eva has one last chance to enter Triple J Unearthed High and break into the music industry.
But after three failed attempts, she needs some help.
Cue the band: perfectionist Eva, charismatic Cooper, easy-going Ant and moody Ruby. Plus fly-on-the-wall Mim, who’s filming them for her school Media project.
Five people who have nothing in common but music. One emotionally and creatively charged weekend.
Can they record the most important song of their lives?
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Wrong answers only
By Tobias Madden
We have been celebrating Australian authors and illustrators this month with the Juvenilia exhibition happening at Unley Civic Library, and Australiana themed Crafternoon youth sessions. There are so many incredible books by Australian authors, one recent release from Tobias Madden, author of Anything But Fine, is Wrong Answers Only.
If you like young adult fiction, queer fiction, and rom com style drama this is for you!
Marco's always done the right thing. But now it's time for wrong answers only. Marco should be at university, studying biomedicine. Instead, he's been sent to live on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean with his estranged uncle, all because of a 'blip' everyone else is convinced was a panic attack. (Which it most definitely was not.) And even though Marco's trip is supposed to provide answers - about himself, about his family - all he finds on board the Ocean Melody are more and more questions. But then his best friend CeCe proposes a new plan- for someone who has always done the right thing, in every possible way, it's time for Marco to get a few things wrong. And hooking up with a hot dancer from the ship is only the beginning . . .
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The perfect guy doesn't exist
By Sophie Gonzales
If you like young adult fiction, enemies to lovers, queer fiction, and rom coms, The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist by Sophie Gonzales is the book for you.
While Ivy has the house to herself for a week, she plans to binge-watch her favourite TV show and throw herself into her fanfiction writing. Until she wakes up to find the very handsome but very fictional main character in her bedroom.
Somehow, Ivy has brought Weston to life, and he’s convinced they are soulmates. But this dream-come-true crush quickly causes some very real problems. To get rid of him, Ivy must team up with her ex-best friend and sworn enemy, Mack. And with Mack back in her life, Ivy starts to wonder if her ‘perfect soulmate’ might have been someone else all along …
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Children of Ragnarok
By Cinda Williams Chima
The first book of a new young adult series The Runestone Saga, Children of Ragnarok by Cinda Williams Chima is a great read for mythology lovers. If you liked Spice Road, The Isles of the Gods, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and anything from Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan this is for you.
Since Ragnarok -- the great war between the gods and the forces of chaos -- the human realm of the Midlands has become a desperate and dangerous place, bereft of magic. Sixteen-year-old Eiric Halvorsen is among the luckier ones -- his family has remained prosperous. But he stands to lose everything when he's wrongly convicted by a rigged jury of murdering his modir and stepfadir.
Also at risk is Eiric's half-systir, Liv, who's under suspicion for her interest in seidr, or magic. Then a powerful jarl steps in: He will pay the blood price if Eiric will lead a mission to the fabled Temple at the Grove--the rich stronghold of the wyrdspinners, the last practitioners of sorcery.
Spellsinger, musician, and runecaster Reginn Eiklund has spent her life performing at alehouses for the benefit of her master, Asger, a fire demon she is desperate to escape. After one performance that amazes even herself, two wyrdspinners in the audience make Reginn an irresistible offer: return with them to the Temple to be trained in seidr, forever free of Asger.
Eiric's, Liv's, and Reginn's journeys converge in New Jotunheim, a paradise fuelled by magic and the site of the Temple. They soon realize that a great evil lurks beneath the dazzling surface and that old betrayals and long-held grudges may fuel another cataclysmic war. It will require every gift and weapon at their command to prevent it.
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Cross my heart and never lie
By Nora Dasnes
Cross My Heart and Never Lie perfectly captures the struggle of getting caught up between being a kid and being a teenager, and all the social pressure that comes with that. The main character Tuva is torn between her friends when they split themselves into two groups, girls that fall in love, and those that don’t.
This was a funny, relatable coming of age graphic novel that explores the tricky phase when you and your friends become interested in different things, start becoming more grown up, and sometimes also growing apart. It made me smile when I read it, definitely a new favourite comfort read.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has felt torn between friendship groups, worried they’re not maturing fast enough, desperate to impress a new friend or a crush, and wishes things could always be as easy and fun as making forts and playing in the woods.
Check out the catalogue description for some insight into Cross My Heart And Never Lie, and place a hold.
Today, school felt really different from last year. Something felt strange while we waited in the hall, almost like everyone had heard a secret during the summer and now we were all standing there knowing something. Except me. I didn’t know what the secret was…
Seventh grade has split Tuva’s friendship group in two – those who fall in love, and those who don’t. Worst of all, Tuva’s best friends Linnea and Bao want her to choose a side!
But then new girl Mariam arrives, and somehow Tuva’s world changes all over again.
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Archives of despair : ten scary stories to keep you up at night
By Caleb Finn
This week we have had a stack of Premier’s Reading Challenge books come into the library. While reading for fun is one of the best hobbies you can have, reading for a medal is a great motivator. The Premier’s Reading Challenge will introduce you to books you may never have considered otherwise.
One Mature (years 10-12) Premier’s Reading Challenge book that caught my eye is Archives of Despair: Ten Scary Stories to Keep You Up at Night by Caleb Finn.
If you love suspenseful, eerie, and spooky short stories this book is for you!
From the chilling mind of Caleb Finn comes his debut collection of ten stories to haunt your thoughts and fuel your darkest fears. You have been given access to secret files buried deep within the archives. Disturbing stories never meant for the light of day. Stories of evil grandparents and unsettling homework. A string of deaths, seemingly unrelated. Walls squirm, as if alive. A cursed wish comes true. Ordinary people behave oddly, even family and your closest friends... These stories share a common fate. All the children are met with tragedy. Coincidence? Or could these nightmares be connected by something more sinister than you dare to imagine? A dark and chilling mystery awaits. Find the answers, before he finds you.
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Fake dates and mooncakes
By Sher Lee
Meet Dylan Tang: he juggles school and delivery runs for his aunt's struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn. Winning a mooncake competition could bring the publicity they need to stay afloat. Enter Theo Somers: charming, wealthy customer who convinces Dylan to be his fake date at a family wedding full of crazy rich drama. Their romance is supposed to be just for show... but soon Dylan's falling for Theo. For real. With the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can't risk being distracted by rich-people problems. Can he save his family's business and follow his heart -- or will he fail to do both?
From Jacinta: This one gives me all the wholesome romance vibes! Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians all the way, and utilises all your favourite tropes.
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