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The Peculiars

the-peculiar.jpg

By: Stefan Bachmann

Bartholomew Kettle and his sister are different. They are Peculiars, that is they are half human, half faery. They live by the words, ‘Don’t get yourself noticed and you won’t get yourself hanged’. Bartholomew wants more, he doesn’t always listen to his mother, he tries to summon a house faery just to start. It gets worse though because Bartholomew sees a strange lady mysteriously disappear with the boy across they way, that is when he forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

This tale takes the idea of the the fae, the not always nice creatures who have, in this world taken a place in it and in it’s politics. The world is complex with a very Victorian feel about it. Bartholomew is likeable enough and loyal beyond measure when something happens to his sister. The world is gritty and layered, nice little touches like mechanical creatures make for nice accents. The fae are as varied as humans can be so their is the element of the familiar mixed in with the different.

A good choice for those who like grittier tales and old mixed with new.

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 1st October 2012

Key Words: Faery, Steampunk, Family, Loyalty

ISBN: 9780007498857

 

Category:

Fiction 8-12, Young Adult Fiction

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Monsters of Men Book Trailer

Chaos Walking is a truly fantastic, award winning YA series by Patrick Ness.

Here is the book trailer for the final book of the trilogy – Monsters of Men.

Random bit of information, the first book of the trilogy has one of my favourite first lines: “The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don’t got nothing much to say. About anything.”

The dog’s first sentence in the book is: “Need a poo, Todd.”

Category:

Book Trailers

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Glow

I received my copy from the publisher.
By: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Waverley and Kieran are young, still teenagers, but having grown up on a space ship they are contemplating marriage. Fertility and the continuation of the species is of primary importance to those on the Empyrean. Then they come in contact with the New Horizon – a ship that had been sent out a year before theirs and one they should never have met up with. Now events are spiraling out of control and the young couple find themselves separated after a violent battle. It soon becomes obvious that both sides are lying to suit their own, less than honest, purposes.

Kieran finds himself struggling to make command decisions he simply isn’t equipped to make, and finds mutiny is a very real threat. Waverley finds herself struggling for survival and to uncover the truth in a strange environment surrounded by people who lie and hurt her. She is determined though to save all the girls from the Empyrean, but is she strong enough to convince others of the hidden truths?

This story twists and turns as these characters are thrust into a fight for their very survival. The central three; Kieran, Waverley and Seth, are complex and there is an uncertain dynamic between them. There are times when you find yourself not necessarily liking them. The relationship between the two boys is very interesting, they are both burdened by what they perceive as their duty; Kieran’s to command and Seth’s not to let a person like the previous captain take control of the ship.

This is a tensely woven drama in which society is shrunk to a microcosm of two space ships. On the Empyrean the story plays out as survival of the inexperienced, manifesting in the form of force. On board the New Horizon, manipulation is the means to an end with little regard to who suffers along the way, all of which is disguised under the costume of religion.

In the end the lines blur as brute force and religion fan into flames more than just the drive for survival.

As it all plays out it becomes obvious that the things Waverley thought were a good idea in the beginning may not be, and this is the start of what could turn out to be a complicated love triangle.

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Published: 01 October 2011

Format: Paperback 320 pages

Categories: Science Fiction

ISBN 13: 9781742610320

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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Street Magic

By: Tamora Pierce

Circle Opens series bk 2

Briar is a plant mage. His is incredibly skilled, especially for one so young. He can distil medicines, get a garden to grow in the blink of an eye and persuade a tree to trap a criminal. He has a very strong empathy with nature and plants love to reach out to him. His is a power that can kill just as easily as it can heal. Briar knows how important it is to learn how to channel your magical ability. While taking a walk through the Golden House Market he stumbles across Evvy. Evvy is a street rat who doesn’t realise she has stone magic, nor is she interested in learning how to control it. In fact she doesn’t want to learn anything from Briar. Briar knows she has to be taught and he tries to find a suitable tutor for her, however Evvy’s life is close to his past and he cannot leave her unprotected.

The Circle of Magic quartet are real ensemble stories, with a slight emphasis on one character, in the Circle Opens Quartet the players all get their own stories. Briar’s story is one that masterfully matches the person he has become with the person he was. Evvy is brash and stubborn and no match for Briar who has spent much time with stubborn and powerful female companions. I love the way Pierce has used this story to give insight into Briar’s past. This story is filled with wonderfully visual descriptions of the city of Chammur. Evvy is a fun character who is carefully developed throughout the course of this tale. I look forward to reading more about her. I have to say I loved the climax, it had me unwilling to put my book down no matter what the interruption. Once again a great story from a truly wonderful storyteller. I haven’t come across a Tamora Pierce book I wouldn’t recommend.

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: 01 March 2008

Format: Paperback 255 pages

Categories: Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9781862917835

Purchase: here or use logo on side of page to link to Booktopia

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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