Welcome to Perth YA Fans Unite! Make yourself at home, have a look around, and don't be afraid to ask questions at: ya.perth@gmail.com

Saturday 22 September 2012

Melina Marchetta event recap.

On Wednesday September 12th Perth YA Fans Unite were lucky enough to hold our very first event at Subiaco Library. Our guest of honour was none other than the lovely Melina Marchetta. We were very excited to have 75 people rsvp to attend. The crowd consisted of mainly teenagers, but it was fantastic to see quite a few others of varying ages. This wonderful turnout has boosted our drive to get another guest to WA as soon as possible.
One of our founding members Anna, started it off with a small speech about how Melina’s books have impacted her and then introduced Melina.
Anna reading her speech.

Melina started out telling us how she would speak for a while, and then we could have question time and finally moving on to sign our books. We were given an insight into all her books; how Looking for Alibrandi is close to her heart and she explained how she knew 200 people in the world and was sure they would be the only ones to pick up Alibrandi. After Saving Francesca she was categorized as a certain type of writer and how much this label annoyed her. She told us how she got the idea for Saving Francesca while she was working at an all-boys school. On the Jellicoe Road was over ten years in the making, and it was the book that catapulted her onto the international stage. Then along came The Piper’s Son and now the Lumatere Chronicles.
Melina with a copy Quintana which she gave away.

Melina then spoke about the process of turning Looking for Alibrandi into a movie, which consisted of a screenwriter that had no idea about the characters and had no interest in speaking with Melina about them. She then wrote the screenplay herself. Everyone was extremely pleased when she confirmed that On the Jellicoe Road is also going to be on the big screen; which she is also penning the screenplay for. Unfortunately we weren’t given many details, but hopefully casting would begin next year.
We were shown several slides of locations from Italy, Turkey, Greece and France which Melina used as inspiration in parts of the Lumatere Chronicles. The slides consisted of landscapes, paintings and buildings that she reimagined into Finnikin of the Rock, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn. It was wonderful to see which pieces she used and how.
This is Melina showing us a slide from Italy, and which buildings and landscapes she used.
It was interesting for all when she showed the slides of her international covers, and how she does have some small say in what goes on the covers in the US. She wasn’t too impressed with the covers for the Lumatere Chronicles, and that the cover for The Piper’s Son went through quite a few cover models because he wasn’t attractive enough, with the right look. (She said “I didn’t want to have sex with him”, which, if you’ve read the book you’ll know he’s a very sensual character.) This got quite a few laughs.
Question time was brief, but many got their questions answered. Finally we all stood and rushed to get in line to get our books signed. She was wonderful and signed every book, and even had a small chat with people whilst signing their books and having photographs taken so we could all have a hard copy of the night.
The beginning of the signing line. Courtesy of Jess @The Tales Compendium.
It was a great night all round and we have to give a giant thanks to Melina herself for coming out and being there, Alex from Subiaco Library who helped organise the event, Dymocks Subiaco for supplying some books for us to buy, and Anna who got the ball rolling. We’d also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who showed up! This was a fantastic turn out for our first event and we’re hoping to prove to publishers that we can get people to attend these types of events! So we need you and make sure you invite your friends to sign our petition so we can show them we mean business!


Tuesday 18 September 2012

Book Launch: Creepy and Maud by Dianne Touchell

Book Launch!
Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell 



Join best-selling author of The Last Viking, Norman Jorgensen, for the launch of a vivid and unusual new book for young adults.

When: 6.00pm Thursday 27 September
Where: Kulcha, 1st Floor, South Tce, Fremantle
Cost: Free!
RSVP: Fremantle Press: admin@fremantlepress.com.au / 08 9430 6331
OR
Dymocks Fremantle: fremantle@dymocks.com.au / 9335 8131

Friday 14 September 2012

Review: Sovereign Hope by Frankie Rose


Title: Sovereign Hope (The Hope Series book 1)
Author: Frankie Rose
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: July 1st 2012
Publishers: Self-published
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author

Everyone has a soul

Some are just worth more than others

Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.

The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he's hot as all hell. 

The moment Farley lays eyes on Daniel, everything changes. He is cold and withdrawn, but there are cracks in his harsh veneer- cracks that betray the secrets he is trying so hard to hide. Farley is drawn into a world that will shake apart everything she thought she ever knew. There are truths out there that she must learn: that a person’s soul is their only real currency, and there are people who would do anything to take hers; that loving someone can hurt so much more than hating them; but, most importantly, when your future is predestined, there is little you can do to change it.

Farley Hope is prophesied.

Her coming has been awaited for hundreds of years.

She is destined to end the tyranny of the Soul Reavers.

To do so she must die.
--------


Sovereign Hope is one of those books that grab you from the first page and does not let you go. I adore this book on so many levels. I have been in a reading funk for a while, I just felt like every book I was reading was the same. I have to say a huge thank you to Frankie for asking me to review her book because I was blown away. I was instantly immersed in the world Frankie has crafted and did not want to stop until I finished it. I seriously considered calling in sick to work just so I could stay up all night to read it!

Farley Hope's mother has been missing for six months and the police are still no closer to finding out what happened to her. Farley holds out hope that they will find her when she crashes into Daniel, literally. He saves her life and from then her world is turned upside down. Daniel is part of a secret society that lives beneath our world. Farley finds out she is part of a prophecy that claims she will destroy the Immortals that rule over them. The Quorum are an impartial entity that is supposed to keep the balance between good and evil. The Immortals have upset this balance and Farley is part of the solution.

I loved Farley’s character, she's strong, stubborn, insecure and knows her own mind. I found her instantly likeable and was engaged with her character. She handles herself so well through everything; I think she was one of the more mature characters I have read. Then there's Daniel. He's one of those beautifully broken guys that break your heart and make you just want to hug them. He kind of reminds me of Will from the Infernal Devices, and has an arrogance to match Daemon from Obsidian. If you meshed those two guys together you will have a small idea of who Daniel is. His character is one of the one's that make you fall hard and fast, and I did. He had such a haunting presence to him, it's no wonder Farley felt herself falling for him. The romance plays a big part in the story, but it's only one part of the overall storyline. They have this connection that binds them together, yet Daniel acts as if it's one sided because of his sense of duty and a deal he made with the Quorum. He's totally swoon worthy, too. Trust me.

The storyline is original, action-packed and compelling. Sovereign Hope is a one-sit read, once you pick it up you just can't put it down. This is definitely one of my favourite reads of 2012! Frankie has such an addictive style of writing. Grab a copy of Sovereign Hope to be swept up into an amazing adventure that will have you turning the pages to see how it ends. I am desperately waiting for book 2.
5/5
 
 
 
 
This review is by Jo-Anne from Worlds of Wonderment.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Melina Marchetta Event!

Big news, Perth fans! We would like to announce that Perth YA Fans Unite has successfully organised an author event with none other than YA royalty, Melina Marchetta! In conjunction with Subiaco Library, we will be hosting an author talk and signing on Wednesday 12th September. You can find all the details below on our flyer

As always, please help us in spreading the word as this is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to show just how much we love YA authors here in Perth, and we get to do it while meeting one of our favourite authors. We hope you can come along to what we hope will be a terrific night!

Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or email us if you have a question but make sure you RSVP to Subiaco Library.



Tuesday 7 August 2012

Author Event: Derek Landy




Did you guys know that author Derek Landy is coming to Perth? We posted about it a while back over on facebook and it is on our events page but we never ended up doing a post on it.


So if you haven't heard of Mr Landy, he's the creator of the wise-cracking supernatural detective Skulduggery Pleasant, and is visiting Australia to promote his latest book in the series, Kingdom of the Wicked!

For those of you who haven't even heard of the series, Skulduggery Pleasant is a skeleton detective with a faithful sidekick by the name of Valkyrie Cain. They are urban fantasy detective stories and the pages are filled with adventure and intrigue, elements of magic and ghastly creatures.

While the books are written for children aged 9+, I find them absolute page turners and the sarcasm and witty banter is highly amusing. This is one of my favourite children's series with a fantastic cast of characters that I highly recommend.

You will find the event details below and also on our Events page. Make sure you RSVP to the right people if you want to go.

Also, stay tuned for another author announcement later in the week!
~ Jess, Perth YA Fans Unite

~Event Details~

Date: Monday 20 August, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Aquinas College - Redmond Learning Centre , Booragoon
Cost: FREE
Bookings/ Enquiries:  Liz Kenny - liz.kenny@aquinas.wa.edu.au OR Dymocks Garden City, Booragoon 08 9364 7687

Date: Tuesday 21 August, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: John Forrest Secondary College, 180 Drake Street, Morley, Perth
Cost: FREE
Bookings/ Enquiries: Bookings are essential contact Dymocks Morley on 08 9276 7500 OR email morley@dymocks.com.au


Tuesday 3 July 2012

Trailer: The Raven Boys + ARC giveaway!

Today on the blog I'm here to share with you the trailer for Maggie Stiefvater's upcoming release, The Raven Boys! Sit back, relax and enjoy.

In case your not sure what The Raven Boys is about here's the lowdown:

"There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.



I hope you all enjoyed the trailer and if your interested in winning an ARC of The Raven Boys, try your luck over at Alice Marvels who is hosting a giveaway to win a copy.

Good luck and I hope you are all having a fantastic week!

Happy Reading!

Monday 18 June 2012

Book Launch - The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

Hi all!

I've just heard about this book launch at Subiaco Library in a couple of weeks time. The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf is the first book in The Tribe series by West Australian author Ambelin Kwaymullina.

 
The Reckoning destroyed civilisation. Rising from the ashes, some people have developed unique abilities, and society is scared of them. Guided by the ancient spirits of the land, Ashala Wolf will do anything to keep them safe. When Ashala is captured, she realises she has been betrayed by someone she trusted. When her interrogator starts digging in her memories for information, she doubts she can protect her people forever. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?


Where: Subiaco Library, 237 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
When: Monday 2 July at 6pm

RSVP: Bookings are essential as places are limited. To attend, please RSVP to Subiaco Library on 9237 9300 or library@subiaco.wa.gov.au

Links

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Winter's Shadow mock reviews & Giveaway!

We have been lucky enough to get a signed copy of M.J Hearle's Winter's Shadow! The second book in the series Winter's Light, has recently been released. We have two mock reviews of Winter's Shadow that M.J has written. Read to the bottom as there's a giveaway at the end!

In the first review M.J has created a snobby literary critic named Gavin Thoughtpriss.
As the Editor in Chief of The Monocled Gentleman I, Sir Gavin Thoughtpriss, have had the misfortune of reading thousands of appalling novels. Some were simply poorly written, others dealt with subjects so tawdry and morally corrupt that I could barely bring myself to finish them. Few novels though have raised my irk as the one I bring to your attention today, dear readers. It is called Winter’s Shadow, and is authored by a literary terrorist named M. J. Hearle.
Upon glancing at the florid cover (which by itself managed to conjure some entirely disagreeable emotions), I was immediately suspiciously of this Hearle. What type of author chooses to hide behind an initial and to what end? I’ve never trusted authors I cannot call by the first name. It is a rule that has held me in good stead over the years and one, after finishing Hearle’s ‘opus’, I shall not be abandoning soon.
First, let us talk about the language. Winter’s Shadow, is referred to as a ‘paranormal’, a genre I’m sure, dear reader, you skirt just as widely as I do when visiting your local bookseller. It is a singularly repellent offshoot of fantasy writing, one that fosters occult interest in young, impressionable minds. Most paranormals (not that I would ever lower myself to purchase one for pleasure – these insights are gathered from fanning through the pages of those on the local library shelf) are distinguished by an exceedingly clumsy style. The prose is generally stained with purple descriptive imagery – much attention spent on describing the flawless physical perfection on whomsoever the lead character desires. The lexicon of these paranormal ‘authors’ seems painfully limited with some words being repeated over and over again to the point of redundancy. The word ‘Adonis’ is one such word. Every man seems to be an Adonis in these books.
Hearle, however, has written Winter’s Shadow with an irritating level of sophistication. Or should I say a veneer of sophistication, for no real writer would ever deign to address such base material. Nevertheless, care seems to have been taken in establishing atmosphere, the dialogue borders on naturalistic and most paragraphs are constructed with at least a nod to classical form. In short, the book reads like a book, instead of the penny dreadful I knew it to be. This, I can assure you, dear reader, angered me to no end. If Hearle wished to write pulp than he should have adopted the appropriate pulpish style. Reaching for something more is not only vaguely pathetic, but insulting to those of us blessed with the literary faculties to recognise such reaching. Know your place, Hearle! Swill merchants serve swill, not wine.
This infuriatingly Icarus-like predilection of Hearle is evident in the books narrative as well. After the first few chapters I was confident, in fact I was very nearly delighted to find Hearle lapsing into cliché. His tale of a young woman, Winter Adams, falling in love with a handsome, mysterious stranger, Blake something-or-rather is one we’ve seen recycled innumerable times before. Veritably, it is a staple of the genre. I was so relieved to find Hearle following the expected patterns that my anger began to ebb. An insolence in language may be forgiven if the story conforms to well worn conventions. I was fully confident that handsome Blake would be revealed as a vampire or werewolf or angel or fairy or some other such nonsense and the plot would roll towards an obvious conclusion.
But, no! Again Hearle displays frustrating ambition by introducing a completely new supernatural mythology. This mythology is rife with sordid invention – new worlds, new creatures with the obligatory convoluted new rules to govern them. Such arrogance! At least have enough respect for your audience to give them what they expect. What they deserve! More vampires and shirtless werewolves. Or troubled angels and their like. Not these Malfaerie, Demori and Skivers – creations seemingly ripped straight from a lunatic menagerie.
If these fresh additions to the supernatural canon weren’t enough, Hearle decides to create his own reading on the philosophical concepts of causality and fate. Yes, you read that correctly. Not content with re-writing the rule book when it comes to monsters, Hearle believes his paranormal is the ideal forum to tackle these not insignificant topics. Thus, we are presented with such outlandish notions as Occulumas (glowing ‘eye lights’ which serve as battery readings for the soul), and ‘life paths’. These inappropriate heady musings are given so much weight in the novel that it became clear to me that the author’s intention was to try and use this pulp about a doomed supernatural romance to offer a serious discourse on mortality.
In this humble writer’s opinion, it is one thing to overreach with one’s material, to employ nuance and craft when it is entirely unnecessary – it is quite another thing altogether, to smuggle intellectual concerns within such a crass and tawdry package. I should have stopped reading, if only to spare myself further aggravation but Hearle uses a con artists trick – a method of leaving his chapters hanging so the reader is compelled to turn the page. To my immense shame, I finished the novel in one sitting. That Hearle should draw me away from other worthier pursuits is unforgivable. 
Before beginning this critique, I carefully considered the sense in covering this novel at all. Wouldn’t it be better simply to ignore it and hope the rest of the world did so as well? And then I happened to stumble across one of those internet ‘chatting rooms’ whilst searching for a rare copy of Margaret Wainwright's Guide to Geranium Cultivation and was mortified to find Hearle’s book being discussed. Worse still, it was being considered favourably. Further investigation proved that Winter’s Shadow, had in fact, managed to draw a meagre but devoted following – a following that appeared to be growing. This must be stopped! Hearle must be stopped! Already, there are rumours of a sequel, Winter’s Light, being published in May this year – a prospect that chills me to the core... but I am working myself into a state. I apologise, dear reader, if I have lapsed into hysterics during this review but I assure you my response was entirely genuine. Winter’s Shadow is reprehensible in its complete lack of self-awareness. Should you see it on the shelf march right past it. Do not spare the cover a second look. For God’s sake do not open it! Otherwise, I shall not be responsible for the turmoil and upset that befalls you. You have been warned.
Yours Sincerely
Sir Gavin Thoughtpriss


In the second review we are introduced to teenage blogger Cherie.
Hello lovelies,
Welcome back to Cherie’s Blood Crush my blog dedicated to cataloguing the crushworthy guys of the paranormal world. I haven’t got a vampire hottie for you today but I do have...well...something else for you to sink your teeth into...he he he (laughs mysteriously) His name is Blake Duchamp and he’s the brooding hunk of supernatural hotness featured in M. J. Hearle’s Winter’s Shadow. I don’t really want to give away exactly what Blake is because part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was the mystery surrounding him. Suffice to say, Blake isn’t anything you’ve ever read about before. In fact there’s lots of stuff in Winter’s Shadow that’s new – I’m talking new monsters people, new worlds, plenty of new awesome weirdness...but I’m getting ahead of myself.
This book has been sitting on my ‘To Read’ pile for the past couple of months staring at me with its big beautiful cover but I hadn’t picked it up because I’ve been trying to get through all two and half million Vampire Academy books. (Seriously, every time I think I’ve reached the end of the series another one is released. Richelle Mead must write in her sleep!)
And then I found out that the sequel to Winter’s Shadow, called Winter’s Light, is coming out in May this year so I figured I better read this one quick smart. The first thing I was surprised to learn was that it was an Aussie YA. I mean the story isn’t set in Australia or anything (at least I don’t think it is? The country’s identity seems purposefully glossed over so it might be) but the author, M. J. Hearle, is an Aussie. The second thing I was surprised to learn was that M. J. Hearle is a guy. The story is told mainly from the point of view of Winter Adams who is a seventeen year-old girl and it’s a little scary how Hearle has managed to nail that particular voice. Winter could easily be one of my friends (or even me sometimes!). Hearle must have had some sisters growing up or something.
So, let’s talk about the story. It’s set in the fictional town of Hagan’s Bluff and mainly follows Winter, though it does flashback every now and again to Europe in the 1800’s and another character named Madeleine Bonnaire. At first I was a little confused as to what Madeleine’s story had to do with Winter’s but by the end it all comes together. Anyway, the core story begins with Winter in the midst of her final year of school. She’s struggling with her grades because her parents have just died and she’s feeling generally lost. Part of the reason for her angst is because she lives with with her big sister, Lucy and the two of them have kind of prickly relationship. Lucy is super–overprotective (um...yes, I can relate!). Oh, and Winter’s got this great fiery friend named Jasmine who reminds me of my friend Rosalyn (please don’t be mad, Ros!).
To improve her grades, Winter takes a photography assignment to document this creepy old church called Pilgrim’s Lament, for the school newspaper. While she’s taking photos inside the church she sees through one of the windows a mysterious guy standing in the graveyard. This is Blake and, as you’ve probably guessed, he and Winter are destined to have something of a romantic/dramatic future together. That aspect of the story more or less follows the predictable paranormal model which isn’t to say it’s boring or cliched just that you sort of expect Winter to fall in love with Blake and of course he doesn’t want her close to him because he has a dark secret etc. It’s still fun reading the romance though and it’s never annoying or cringeworthy which I sometimes find in paranormals. Mainly because Blake and Winter seem a little more real than the cardboard cutouts that usually stand in for these sorts of characters. They’re just not Bella & Edward clones.
Soon enough, Winter discovers Blake isn’t exactly human (and wow - what a way to find out!) and she also learns that there’s a whole other secret world hidden behind the one we know. This is when the book really starts picking up – I started turning the pages so fast my fingers burnt. Up until this point the story is really creepy and atmospheric and I was loving just soaking in the gothic mood of it all but then it turns into this tense thriller, with car chases, and scary (and I mean really SCARY – like ‘you wouldn’t give this to your younger sister or brother’ scary) sequences with grinning soul stealing monsters and cats (oh did I mention this book is full of cats? I think Hearle might be obsessed with them) and other kinds of nightmare fuel.
Luckily, the tender love story between Blake and Winter anchors the whole thing and stops it spinning too far off into supernatural craziness (not that that would be a bad thing as I was kind of willing to go wherever Hearle took me). And then it gets to the end and well...I won’t say anything but let’s just say I’m pretty damn happy there’s a sequel cause otherwise I might have been sending Hearle some emails because I NEED TO KNOW how things work out with Winter and Blake. I’m invested now. Oh and he owes me a new box of tissues because I went through like three boxes when I finished the last paragraph. Seriously, it left me feeling very sad and wistful (in the best possible way).
So yeah, Blake Duchamp welcome to the club. You are officially Blood Crush-worthy. Hopefully you won’t feel out of place with all the vampires, werewolves and angels. If the other boys are mean to you it’s only because they’re jealous. You’re one of a kind and I love you all the more for it. Bring on Winter’s Light!
Cherie X
Want to find out more about M.J and The Winter Tales? Check out www.mjhearle.com. Follow M.J on Twitter! twitter.com/Mjhearle 
The Winter's Shadow facebook page url http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winters-Shadow/131161630290034
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So who wants to win a signed copy of Winter's Shadow? In the comments tell us which review you like the most along with your email address. This giveaway is only open to West Australian residents, Giveaway ends 31st May!
 
 

Wednesday 25 April 2012

One Long Thread by Belinda Jeffrey

Title: One Long Thread
Author: Belinda Jeffrey
First Published: 2012 by University of Queensland Press 

Ruby's life was torn in two when she was 13, her mum and twin sister moved to Darwin to be part of The Aberdeen, a new church with very strict rules, while she and her father stay in Melbourne. Now, at 17 life seems to be going well for Ruby she's about to finish high school, she likes her friends and she has a great job is the local fabric shop. Then tragedy strikes and is at risk of losing what seems like her whole family. 

Quick Review
A solid novel about first love, family and vocation. One Long Thread is well written and has well developed, unique characters. the description and setting was vivid, leaving us with an interesting and textured novel. If you like Sue Lawson, and even most fans of Melina Marchetta should enjoy this novel. 

Quotes
"No one is responsible for our happiness or lack there of. No one except us." 

“I began to understand what bound Pearl to their simple mystery because i felt the same connection. in front of us, all around us, was the energy of life and growth. beauty was only a month away and it depended, in part, in what i could do.” 

Ramble Review 
The thing that made this novel was the characters. I really liked Ruby, or Button as her family call her (you have to read the book to find out why. hehehehe). there was nothing stand out spectacular about her she was just solid, sensible and well, likable. Her twin sister Sally, who we really only meet through Ruby's memories, also came across as a lively character, though we don't get to see her much. Her mother was painted as a terrible character, but slowly. as the novel was written in first person you could hear words of love, compassion and shared memory as well as the bitter, hurt and disgusted ones. It's her actions towards the end of the novel that really show, unfortunately, her true colours. the best character was Pearl, Ruby's grandmother. She was so lively, she shone with originality. while at times it seemed a few characters had cliche characteristics, Pearl never bought into the stereotype of 'crazy grandma'. I Dare you not to love her. While this novel is about the relationships between Ruby and her female family members, sister, mother and grandma, the male characters in this novel are so lovable. Ruby's father, Brett Moon, is the ultimate pacifist going to have no opinion to save himself conflict. He shows himself to be an Amazing father and funny character in himself-and i loved that he got his happy ending too! The other male of note is Mr Grandy the middle-aged man who runs the fabric shop. He is just so sweet, and his relationship with Ruby is almost grandfather like. they have the best jokes and he gives her the advice she could take from no one else.

The plot was pretty typical, not bad, but no surprises. the use of cult like religious groups was well done, but always results in drama, but it does work well. i did feel that i didn't quite connect with the 'dramatic events' in the middle as much as i wanted too. it didn't quite feel real enough, especially compared to the fantastic beginning and end. The other major fault was that the author abused the use of first person. In parts, mainly the middle scenes in Darwin once again, a little more 'show not tell' would have really added to the book. the words 'i felt' were a little too common.

The other thing i LOVED was the use of fashion and the silk worms, which fitted together nicely. Not only did silk worms and fashion fit with each other, but with the story. it was really what took the novel from average story to lovely. There were some really special scenes and simile and metaphors using these to themes which tied the novel together. it added to the texture, if you'll pardon my fashion pun.

Over all a really book, it was definitely a book which somehow left me smiling.
Also, don't you just love the cover?

Monday 2 April 2012

Melina Marchetta in Perth???

Some of you may or may not have already seen that Melina Marchetta is coming to WA for the Big Sky Readers and Writers Festival in Geraldton. We have it on very good authority that if we can find enough interest here in Perth, Melina would be happy to do an event.


We know there are so many Perth fans out there, we just need to prove it! So now is the time to show your support! Sign our Perth YA Fans Petition and lets get Melina, and other authors, over here to Perth!

For those of you new to the YA book world, Melina is the author of countless wonderful YA novels including Looking for Alibrandi, Saving Francesca, The Piper's Son, On the Jellicoe Road and Finnikin of the Rock.

Check out her website, Goodreads page, Twitter or Facebook.

Thursday 15 March 2012

Smashing Summer Giveaway winners!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Smashing Summer event! Here are the winners.

3 x signed sets of Rebecca Lim's Mercy books:
Natasha Parker
Anya Sandoval
Carolyn Rolfe

2 x copies of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer:
Megan Hilbert
Tasnim S

2 x sets of Elixir & Devoted:
Mandu Bianca
Maria Q

2 x copies of The Future of Us:
Anna Dolin
Karen H

3 x copies of Sektion 20:
Karen H
Marissa Cahill
Carolyn Rolfe

All winners have been notified by email.

Monday 27 February 2012

Smashing Summer - Sektion 20 by Paul Dowswell Giveaway!



Alex lives in East Berlin. The cold war is raging and he and his family are forbidden to leave. But the longer he stays the more danger he is in. Alex is no longer pretending to be a model East German, and the Stasi has noticed. They are watching him.

 
Alex is told that further education will be blocked to him. His summer job is mysteriously cancelled, and friends begin avoiding him.

 
His parents start to realise that leaving the East may be the only option left to them, but getting across the Wall is practically impossible. And even if Alex and his family make it to the other side, will they be able to escape the reach of the Stasi?

Fill out the Rafflecopter form to win one of three copies of Sektion 20 by Paul Dowswell!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday 23 February 2012

Girltank & Catching Suki by Sarah Alderson

Our goal: Find 10,000 young women social entrepreneurs, innovators and heroes.
We want to show the world that young women from every region of the planet are making powerful contributions to society and leading social change. We want to tell your stories!
So send us the names of the best examples of young women innovators from Chicago to Hong Kong to Capetown to Buenos Aires. Then spread the word to your networks!
As a thank you, each entry will receive a copy of “Catching Suki,” a short story by U.K.-based author Sarah Alderson (Hunting Lila and Fated).
And we will raffle off these prizes:
  • $25 Amazon gift card
  • $100 self-care package from LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
  • Apple iPad2
  • An all-access pass to TED Global Conference 2013




Visit Girltanks Facebook page to nominate a young woman who is making a difference in the world. How cool is it that you get a copy of Catching Suki for free!! 
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