A worthy winner of the 2025 Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, Wastelands is a gripping dystopian story that I couldn’t put down. It is set in the near future, where people live in Domes and there is no green plant life. Karridrae is different – she is a telepath, but difference is forbidden in her world and she must suppress her ability, while working as a drudge. When she has a vision of a green plant growing in a crack, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to follow the rules of her community, and a meeting with Ryn, a rebel who has connections with the underworld of the Dome, changes her life. She makes a dangerous journey across the Wastelands and uncovers a secret that might save the world.
Tight plotting, relatable characters and a theme of the effects of climate change kept me glued to the page, as I wondered if Karridrae would be able to survive. She is a flawed character who initially relies on alcohol to deaden her feelings. This is encouraged by the leaders of the Dome as it keeps the population subdued. The time and effort it takes for Karridrae to withdraw from her addiction is still a lingering memory for me, an excellent warning of the effects of alcohol, not usually seen in this type of novel.
Action packed scenes are cleverly grouped with more thoughtful ideas about climate change, authoritarian leaders and exclusion of diversity. There are chases across the wastelands, dark tunnels to navigate, guards to fool and daring escapes to plan, all enough to keep those who like excitement and tension fully engaged.
This is the first in the Parched Lands trilogy and I look forward to the next in the series. The Dome Journals, free short stories, are available from the author’s website.
Readers who liked the theme of a seedbank might like Wild dark shore by Charlotte McConaghy while others may like to try Octavia Butler’s classic Parable of the sower.
K-Pop Demon Hunters: For the fans by Angela Song, adapter
Golden Books, 2026. ISBN: 9798217233977. (Age:7-Adult) Recommended.
Not a having seen the film and after flicking through what reads like a stageplay program, we learn it is based on the Netflix screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan and Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; and the film Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans
First, the sets of the drama are described and between them a magical barrier - the Honmoon. The Honmoon separates the human world and the demon world. Very quickly we’re introduced to the protectors of the Honmoon, the demon slayers. As main characters, we understand Zoey, Mira and Rumi are also the members of the famous K-Pop band, the Huntr/x. Minor cast members come next – Healer Han the band’s manager, Bobby, Celine and more.
Enter the bad guys with the mandatory complication. We are introduced to rival K-Pop boy band members, the charasmatic Saja Boys, who are far more successful in bewitching fans because Jinu, the lead singer, is really a Demon. He has been tasked by the Gwi-ma to destroy the Honmoon. Very quickly we are told succinctly what happens next and the fate of the human world.
Little Golden Books can only hope to be abridged versions and spark interest in their readers imaginations. One can’t be certain if this title is meant to be a souvenir story for those who have already seen the film?It certainly doesn’t pretend to be more than a book-from-a-movie title rather than the other way around.
The stylized manga illustrations didn’t resonate with at least two primary school film fans despite being of the type designed to woo with the cuteness of large eyes and skulls.Perhaps the adaptation missed the mark with them because the original film is aleady an appealing classic animated movie? Perhaps my Huntr/x teachers were simply a little older than the Little Golden Book target market?
There's no doubt this version, an official abridged storybook and a collectible item, is one which K-Pop Demon Hunters fans of all ages will enjoy inspecting over and over again. Ages 7-Adult.
Themes magic, music, bands, pop culture.
Deborah Robins
The girl on the roof: The life of a change-maker by Valerie A. Brown
Subtitled ‘the life of a change-maker’ Valerie Brown’s memoir is a fascinating account of a woman’s life forged across changing eras from the lingering Victorian-era attitudes of her childhood in the 1930s to the Internet and ChatGPT era of today. Valerie Brown is 95 years old, she walks three kilometres with friends each day, and only after the age of 90 did she stop accepting supervision of PhD candidates. She describes herself as a revolutionary, a rebel, a reactionary, and a reformer. She is a change-maker.
The most enduring image of Brown is ‘the girl on the roof’, the girl who escaped from her nanny and her family to find solitude on the roof of the grand 19th century house which was her home, to read books and to gaze down on the life carrying on below her. Her determination to be a scientist (ideas and learning) as fostered by her father had to be married with the role of decorous young woman (action and rules about behaviour) as expected by her mother. That dichotomy pervaded her life, the holding of two incompatible ideas, leading to her espousal of new pathways in science, education and health, formulating innovative holistic approaches to problem-solving and change-making.
Whilst not describing herself as a feminist, Brown nevertheless broke down many of the barriers to working women and women scientists. Her memoir is an inspiring read for budding young female scientists, or for anyone who has self-doubts in the face of societal challenges. This book would be a good one to include in school libraries.
Themes Science, Change, Women scientists, Feminism, Identity.
Helen Eddy
My Spinning Anxious Brain by Dani Vee and Ruth-Mary Smith
Anxiety can be experienced in many different ways and at varying intensities. It affects both young and old and can be quite debilitating if early recognition and intervention strategies are not yet in place. For young children, anxiety may manifest itself in a sore tummy, a worrying brain, fidgeting or a sleepless night.
Dani Vee’s thoughtful new picture book, My Spinning Anxious Brain, gently brings together the many components of anxiety that children may experience. She begins the narrative with the young child sharing some of the worries they have – will rainbow ice cream ever run out? Will the ocean overflow?
Once their brain goes into overthinking mode, their body experiences all sorts of reactions – a racing heart, shortness of breath, a funny tummy, a feeling their brain might explode. But a trusted person may be able to help. In this case family members step in. Gran takes the child to her yoga class. Dad mediates with them. Mum journals and Rosie the cat is there for cuddles.
Being prepared prior to a situation arising is another safe option to feel ready and less likely to suffer an anxiety-driven situation. Sometimes being anxious can also help a child to be more aware of their surroundings and take more care. With support, patience and understanding a young child will learn to be better prepared when heightened situations occur.
The large, vibrant illustrations by illustrator, Ruth-Mary Smith, provide a visual layer that works in harmony with the text. The wriggling lines showing movement when the child is anxious and the colourful squiggles when the brain is overthinking and how it changes when support is being offered is skilfully executed. They show clearly an understanding of the child’s shifting emotional state.
This book would be a valuable addition to a home, classroom, school or public library.
Themes Anxiety, Overthinking, Empowering, Strategies, Being Calm, Courage, Resilience.
Kathryn Beilby
The hidden way by Juliet Marillier
New Dawn Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781764266383. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
The second in the Heartwood duology following The amber owl, The hidden way brings the travels of Stasya, Aleksis and Markus, the true heir to the throne, to a satisfying conclusion. After finding Markus in The Amber owl, the travellers must bring him back to the court, where he must convince the Grand Council of his identity. He must be kept a secret from the Ruler and her guards until the Grand Council convenes. The travellers divide into two groups, Stasya joining a travelling fair with her companions, while Aleksis moves through the kingdom, gathering support for the return of Markus. They are in dire danger as they are hunted by the guards, face shipwrecks and monsters, but their belief in their quest keeps them going, especially as they see the damage that the Ruler has wrought on the land and its people in her search for amber.
Marillier gives the reader a brief “Story so far” introduction, always very helpful to remind the reader what has happened previously. She then goes on to tell the story in the voices of Stasya, Aleksis, Markus and Leja, delving deeply into the feelings of the characters and their companions. Stasya’s strange little dog Flip plays a key role and her denouement at the end is a wonderful surprise. Stasya succeeds in reaching the monastery where Leja, Matiss’ wife and loyal supporter of Markus, is working as a lay sister. I loved the vivid descriptions of the work of the nuns and lay sisters and the way that Stasya’s storytelling could bring comfort to people in pain. Aleksis’ path is full of danger and the reader is kept wondering whether he would be successful in evading capture and gathering support for Markus.
The conclusion left me pondering about the nature of love and commitment to duty. Fans of Marillier would probably enjoy reading an interview by subscribing to the publisher’s website. I enjoyed her response to this question: Who would The Heartwood Duology be perfect for?: Adult readers who love historical fantasy, especially when its themes are relevant to our own times. Readers who care about the environment; readers who like a focus on the personal journeys of individual characters. Readers who like strong, complex female characters. The duology might appeal to fans of T Kingfisher or Sarah Beth Durst.
I can't wait for the next fantasy from Marillier, one of my favourite authors.
This second novel in the Vince Reid PI thriller series, following The wrong woman (2022), sees veteran private detective Reid taking on what is supposed to be an easy case proposed by his former police mentor, only to find it way more complicated and dangerous than he bargained for. But he is hooked, he is driven to solve the mystery and tie off the loose ends of a present day shooting and also a cold case that is possibly linked to it. The case sees him venturing into a charged political campaign, artificial intelligence scams, conspiracy theories, and, bizarrely, the non-electronic world of the Amish community.
The nice thing about this detective story is the central character, the down-to-earth and vulnerable detective Reid. He is fallible, he doesn’t have a good grasp of the digital world, he relies on friends to help him out in that respect; and he is human, he gets scared and he even cries, as also does his boyfriend Peyton. But Reid persists, even after his employers have accepted his findings and signed him off the case, he knows there is still something unresolved. He keeps going until he has all the answers.
The chapters are mostly in Reid’s voice in present time, but there are also some in the voice of Katie, the victim of an apparent random shooting by a berserk woman, and then a few set in the past, in the voice of Joe researching the Amish community. The swapping of voices and timelines is not hard to follow, and the pace moves quickly as the pieces start to come together in true thriller style. The plot is intriguing and will keep you guessing until the last pages.
Young adult readers may be drawn to this thriller with its modern themes of artificial intelligence, internet scams and gambling. Other readers may identify with the more old-world style of the ageing detective. Pomare has created a thriller that will appeal to a variety of audiences.
Themes Thriller, Detectives, Extortion, Internet scam, Artificial Intelligence, Gambling, Murder.
Fortune and Fate is the fifth book in the Twelve Houses series and immediately grabs the reader’s attention with a breathtaking first chapter where Karryn a young noblewoman, heir to the great county of Fortune, has been kidnapped. She has no friends and is afraid that she won’t be able to escape the clutches of Tover who wants to marry her for her inheritance. Luckily for her, Wen, once one of the elite Riders who protect the ruler of Gillengaria, sees her predicament and comes to her rescue. Wen has been roaming aimlessly, trying to alleviate her guilt for not saving her king by helping strangers in need and wants nothing to do with Karryn or her estate. But fate intervenes and she finds herself unable to leave Karryn unprotected and recruits and trains a troop of guards to watch over her.
The plot of Fortune and fate concentrates on the journey that Wen makes to overcome her trauma after the death of the king. She cannot settle in any one place and has lost contact with her friends in the Riders. Her gradual acceptance of her self-worth and the growing attraction between the quiet studious Jasper, Karryn’s uncle, is central to the story. A subplot of Karryn’s growth into the responsibility of her inheritance and a blossoming romance adds interest. Readers of the previous books will be interested to find out more about the aftermath of the war and how people cope with change and there is plenty of action to keep readers absorbed.
The Twelve Houses series is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy quality romantasy and Fortune and Fate is one of my favourite books in this series. Wen appears briefly in the earlier books and this means that her story can be read as a standalone, but readers will want to read the whole series as the story contains sections about the six main characters from the earlier books. It is a favourite reread for me, and in print since 2008.
The Counting Sheep is a cleverly crafted picture book created by Natashia Curtin. Colourful, witty and unique, this story is equal parts funny, captivating and charming; making it perfect for both winding down at night and sharing during the day.
The story follows four music-loving sheep who dream of making it big in the world of music. Full of enthusiasm, they bravely venture from their home, eager to perform for audiences in the city. But, when they reach the big stage, they begin feeling nervous and apprehensive about the whole idea. Deciding to use a tried and tested method to overcome their anxiety, their musical journey hits a hilarious snag: every time they count themselves in and start playing, the audience falls fast asleep! No matter what they try, the same sleepy result occurs. Their talents simply don’t seem to suit the crowd.
After trying many different musical genres and still struggling to find success, the sheep are resigned to give up. However, they unexpectedly discover their perfect audience: nocturnal animals who desperately want to sleep at night so they can function during the day. Suddenly, their music is so popular and exactly what these creatures are looking for.
Each page of the book is bursting with personality, vibrancy and detail. Curtin’s illustrations are cute, colourful and creative, giving the audience deeper connection to the text. Packed with playful visual jokes to enjoy and build story conversations, this book is a winner. Readers will enjoy spotting each little detail, making rereads just as delightful as the first.
With its enjoyable humour, lovable characters and creative storyline, The Counting Sheep works beautifully at any time of day. This delightful picture book is sure to charm families, teachers and young readers alike, and become a popular and well-loved addition to many bookshelves.
Themes Music, Animals, Courage, Problem solving, Resilience, Sleep, Humour.
Michelle O'Connell
How we relate by Ahona Guha
Scribe, 2026. ISBN: 9781761381775. (Age:Adult, young adult)
Described as "a psychologist’s guide to building and maintaining good relationships” Dr Guha draws on her background, growing up in a South Asian household with culturally fixed expectations, then moving to the experience of an adult female in the multicultural Australian environment. She validates her position by laying out her own family circumstances which have forged her view of the world and informed the relationships she has made in her life. She makes the case that our childhood experiences of parenting can be hardwired and changing destructive patterns formed in childhood can be incredibly difficult. She also points out that it is not your role to understand or heal your parent, but understanding their parenting style can give you the tools to build your own better relationship with yourself and with others. The first case study seems to also mirror her own relationship with her mother; conditional love offered only with good behaviors and achievements of the child. There are some text boxes through the book with questions or suggestions for the reader in line with the topic being covered. In keeping with Dr Ahona’s premise that understanding the family background is essential the first half of the book covers family issues and at times it seemed repetitive, often going back to the author’s lived experience. I did feel that Dr Guha didn’t articulate enough that parenting and being parented is a two-way relationship. The second part covers friendships, dating, work and pets. There is an excellent part at the end where Dr Guha offers a few rules for the reader to adopt what works for them, “You can’t change your past, and the only person who can change your future is you. You can’t change the future without changing the present” p306, and ultimately "be kind”. I would have liked to see a glossary of terms and abbreviations and a guide to reliable sources of more information or help if issues raised are causing concern. I didn’t feel I came away with any of the promised tools but this book might strike a chord with women with similar backgrounds and issues.
Themes Relationships, Psychology.
Sue Speck
The guy she was interested in wasn't a guy at all by Sumiko Arai. Trans. by Ajani Oloye. Lettered by Brandon Bovia
This is volume 3 in the Japanese Manga series about shy, talented Mitsuki and bubbly, Aya. In this volume they are in their final year at high school. Aya describes her relationship with Mitsuki as a “fangirl crush”, admiring her musical taste and songwriting but when Aya holds herself responsible for an accident where Mitsuki hurts her ankle and must use crutches, she overdoes it trying to help her. The extra attention from their school friends is challenging for Mitsuki and makes Aya jealous but they get through it, and their emotional ties get stronger. Aya says she leaves her mind empty during the day but at night she gets the urge to make music and it is music that draws everything together. They go to a music festival with Mitsuki’s uncle from the CD shop and Kanna, his business partner, events cascade from there.
This edition is read from back to front in the Japanese manner, with the graphic frames reading from right to left generally, with break out images, close ups and dynamic backgrounds creating an exciting, emotionally charged atmosphere in green, black and white. The story, written and illustrated by Sumiko Arai was first posted online in parts in 2021 and has become very popular. This edition was translated by Ajani Oloye with lettering by Brandon Bovia, there are some helpful translation notes and some character profiles at the front. I haven’t read any of the other volumes but was entranced by the powerfully drawn artwork, using all the characteristics of manga style layered to great effect, the dynamic hair, close-ups, expressive eyes and mouths to communicate emotional states. I am sure I missed a lot, but true fans will lap this up and it could very well ensnare some new ones.
Themes Manga graphic novel, Friendship, Music.
Sue Speck
Batthew Aromascent and the phantom ingredient by Ella Mulvey and John Roebuck
The city of Candlenut is thrown into an aroma-laden tournament that is redolent with all the smells of winning and loving, and that for Batthew impels him to rescue everything that smells of home and love. But his opponent in this competition does not care about anyone in Candlenut and in his usual bullying style just wants to win at any cost. For Batthew this cost will be high. He needs to rely on Lavender, his closest friend, and others who knew his missing parents, to climb high and dig deep to make the most remarkable olfactory delight that will impress the judges and wipe the smile off his opponent’s face. Can he find the ‘Phantom Ingredient’ that will save the memory of his parents and make his perfume creation a waft of wonder?
This is a unique mystery and adventure set within a world where the sense of smell has a place that is above all other senses. From the worst wafts to the greatest odours of delight, the authors have created a feast of the senses mixed with a lot of humour. Young readers may find names a little ‘strange’, but the delights of petrichor and patchouli weave through the adventure with young protagonists trying to achieve something that smells amazing, and rises above fear and malodorous bullies. This is a book for 9 to 12-year-olds who are happy to have a different world of fantasy where lovers of friendship, aromatics and perfumes rule.
Too Messy to Be a Princess is the fourth instalment in the A Little Bit Lola series written by Kiah Thomas and illustrated by Bec Kitson. Welcoming readers back into Lola’s colourful, chaotic and charmingly imaginative world for another fun adventure, readers will be thoroughly entertained. Whether you have previously met Lola, or this is the first time, you won’t be disappointed.
Lola is a character bursting with personality, imagination and big dreams. In this story, she decides she is tired of always following everyone else’s rules in her busy family and wants to start making the rules herself. Naturally, the perfect solution is to become a princess. So, with a party coming up, Lola has already worked out the perfect princess outfit; while dreaming of the moment when everyone will follow her royal rules.
Her plans quickly hit a hurdle when her older sister refuses to lend her the perfect princess dress; stating she is too messy! Lola must prove this is not the case and, with this mission in mind, what follows is a hilarious chain of events.
Young readers will be giggling as Lola experiments with outrageous ideas, including a standout attempt that sees her try to get her cat to lick her clean by pouring milk over herself. Throughout the chaos, Lola’s trusty pet unicorn remains by her side, adding an extra layer of charm and cuteness to the story.
Thomas has written another fast paced and highly entertaining short novel, with Kitson’s illustrations bursting with colour, movement and expression. Each element perfectly complimenting one another and capturing Lola’s peppy personality and cleaning chaos.
Too Messy to Be a Princess is a fantastic choice for children beginning their independent reading journey. It works beautifully as a standalone read; rewarding returning fans or first fans alike.
Funny, engaging and full of heart, this book will have readers eagerly wondering what Lola could possibly get up to next.
Themes Problem solving, Princesses, Parties, Family, Humour, Rules.
Michelle O'Connell
The book of dust vol. 3: The rose field by Philip Pullman
David Fickling Books, 2025. ISBN: 9780241458709. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
The rose field is Volume Three of Philip Pullman's epic trilogy The book of dust. It is possible to read The rose field as a stand alone but due to the multi-layered complexity of the plot and the multiplicity of characters it is recommended that The book of dust trilogy is read in order: La Belle Sauvage, The secret commonwealth... and then The rose field. Pullman though, being a skilled writer, leaves enough markers to assist the reader if they choose to read just The rose field (but once hooked on the story that might be unsatisfactory!) Thus, preceding The book of dust is a short precis which informs the reader that Lyra (the central character of the trilogy) has reached the deserted city of al-Khan al-Azraq in search of her daemon, Pan. She goes into the ruins and meets a girl of North African appearance who is also without a daemon (a guiding spiritual being, manifestation of a person's soul in the shape of an animal) who has been waiting for her... Pullman's work is aimed at competent readers and is usually first discovered by able students in upper primary levels and marketed at a teenage + readership in good bookshops. It is both "sophisticated fantasy" and "philosophical fiction" so it pleases a wide readership. Pullman's books quickly become an "addiction". Readers (this one included) soon want to read the entire collection. Adult readers can appreciate the clever mirroring of Pullman's characters, politics, philosophy and theology with what goes on in the real world.
Pullman is known for the dazzling, exotic settings of his books. It is recommended that readers keep an atlas beside them as Pullman mixes real with fictitious settings. Lovers of geography will find themselves in far-flung locations of great interest. In The book of dust, Lyra is heading towards Aleppo in search of her daemon. The setting stretches from dystopian, Brytain - (Britain thinly veiled) across the Middle East to Central Asia and includes such places as the Karamakan Desert which is the Pullman parallel universe counterpart to the real-world Taklamakan desert in NW China and was the desert where Lyra had to find the botanical research station. The Karamakan is tied to the dangerous shifting lakes of the real world Lop Nor which was known as "the Wandering Lake" with this area now highly restricted, a potash mining hub and site of China's former nuclear testing facility. The "potash" company logo is a sinister component of the story and another example of the blending of real world and fictitious counterpart. This journey is so dangerous that in Pullman's story, humans must separate from their daemons and that is a terrible, terrible wrench. Crucial to the story, it points to the separation of man from his soul or his imagination or his consciousness.
Malcolm Polstead, loyal and from Lyra's past, races simultaneously across the world trying to get to the red building in the desert to discover the meaning of Dust and the roses. Powerful enemies called the Magisterium threaten. Alliances are formed with gryphons and witches.
Pullman's descriptive powers are on full display; scenes and characters are perceptively wrought. The description of King Edward the Twelfth's character and the wily manipulation of him be the Magisterium and the War Office is an example... "in his late eighties...it was felt better to spare him the burden of what was being planned in his name...his penmanship was shaky, his memory was tenuous, but his courtesy was unfailing."(p. 60) That passage alone, being indicative of the rest of Pullman's writing, gives the uninitiated Pullman reader an idea of the power of his writing.
The book of dust is a breathtaking and emotional read!
Themes Politics, Theology, Fantasy, Philosophy, Imagination vs dogma, Freedom vs control, Love and reunion.
Fans of the wildly popular Funny Kid will be delighted to dive into this laugh out loud spin off where the spotlight has shifted to the animals. In Duck: Look Who’s Talking, Duck and Mouse are done staying quiet. Humans have had their say for long enough - now it’s the animals’ turn to reveal what they really think… and their opinions are brutally honest and hilariously delivered.
From the very first few pages, readers get a sense of what they are in for; animals observing human behaviour with confusion, outrage and plenty of sarcasm. Duck is particularly unimpressed by the destruction of the old theatre, perplexed that Pony would choose to stay trapped in a front yard and most of all disgusted by the arrival of the mysterious “Big Black Dome” café - run by the ambitious and suspicious Eon.
Determined to make their voice heard, Duck and Mouse, with a little help from dog, hatch a chaotic plan to disrupt the café’s grand opening. Dog, desperate for human approval and slightly brainwashed by treats and pats, joins the mission in his own lovable and confused way. The trio’s antics spiral into a ridiculous adventure full of misunderstandings, wild schemes and plenty of mayhem as they attempt to “save” humans from themselves.
Matt Stanton’s signature humour shines throughout the book. The witty narration is packed with clever observations, playful exaggeration and an abundance of groan-worthy Dad jokes that children will love sharing with friends and family. The comedic timing is spot on, making it a perfect read aloud choice; giving giggles from start to finish.
A standout feature is the blend of traditional prose intertwined with black and white comic strip panels. The graphic novel elements bring extra energy and visual humour, making the story feel fast paced and accessible for reluctant readers while still entertaining confident readers and adults alike.
Ultimately, Duck: Look Who’s Talking is a hilariously, hectic celebration of friendship, teamwork and the amusement of seeing the world from a completely different perspective. Duck has spoken - and readers will certainly be listening!
Allen & Unwin, 2026. ISBN: 9781761182464. (Age:9-12) Highly recommended.
Three friends, self-identified as ‘nerds’, may in fact be the ones who might save the world. Aitch (actually Harrison Harrison) is telling the story and his style is unique and occasionally eccentric. His friends, Ally and Mo, have more ‘smarts’, but Mo seems to also have a weird connection to aliens. Together the three friends must confront the strange path of connection with extra-terrestrials and then work out why they have been chosen by them. With charm and humour, Aitch delivers a remarkable account of this journey and this book is a wild ride.
This is a humorous story that is a delight from beginning to end. Aitch tells the story, with numerous asides to the reader, and his tone is light-hearted and intriguing. He shares details about narrative writing that are very kid-friendly, but mostly this is a story about aliens and saving the world from human influence and climate change. The aliens are far from home, far from the stereotypical alien in description and have also shared the joy of watching ‘Home and Away’! Kids aged 9-12 will love this brightly positive story and the characters within (including the snoring and indolent dog, named Oddjob).
Themes Friendship, Aliens, Saving the planet, Humour, Narrative writing.
