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A compelling and engaging story, Zara Muirson


Just Remember
Donna Blaber
Pub. 2021

 

 

November 02, 2021

When Em becomes the accidental cause of her father’s death and the centre of a dangerous operation, is the strange stone she found on the beach her only salvation?

In her book Just Remember, author Donna Blaber has found a creative way to come across to teenagers in an emotionally and heartfelt way, making a great connection with the reader.

Em, though going through a hard time, is determined to make sense of all the nonsense going on around her. It is easy to feel as though you are Em, protecting the native bush and those around her.  Read more

November, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A nail-biting historical adventure, Amber Cayley


Coastwatcher
David Hill
Penguin NZ
Pub. 2021

 

 

October 27, 2021

Coastwatcher by David Hill is a gripping war story inspired by the coastwatchers of Operation Pacific. Coastwatchers were the eyes and ears of the Pacific Ocean in World War Two who watched for strange ships and aircrafts, listened into radio activity, and reported any activity back to New Zealand Headquarters. In this book we get a glimpse of what it was like to be a coastwatcher in the war.

It’s 1943 and radio operator Frank Benson is settling into the harsh life of being a soldier when he hears the news that he is to become a coastwatcher along with his pal Wally Ropata and Les Murray, an annoying Australian.  Read more

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A near-future thriller with clever details, Kyra Johnson


Violet Black
First book in the Black Spiral Trilogy
Eileen Merriman
Penguin Random House New Zealand
Pub. 2021

 

October 26, 2021

Violet Black is the first book in Eileen Merriman’s Black Spiral Trilogy. Set in the near future, it tells the tale of two teenagers, Violet Black and Ethan Wright, who have survived the deadly M-fever virus. The virus has killed hundreds of people in NZ, with other cases in Germany and Australia. Most patients who get M-fever die from it or develop encephalitis, which also has a high chance of death.

But against all odds, Ethan and Violet have survived.  Read more

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Recipe for a thrilling read, Sasha Maclean


The Unflinching Ash
Angela Armstrong
Norsou Books
Pub. 2021

 

October 26, 2021

By night, Ash is held in awe for her talents, but by day she is scorned and shamed for being a witch. The Unflinching Ash tells her story as she tries to make her way in the world as a mystic.

The only way for Ash to achieve her dreams and be accepted in society is to earn the Queen’s Seal – a badge of honour and immunity. Getting the Seal will not be easy, though. Ash must avoid the witch-hunting, and find a way to not get hung, burned, or drowned before she can earn it.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A story infused with trademark Mahy magic, Eleanor Bassett


Kaitangata Twitch
Margaret Mahy
Allen & Unwin
Pub. 2005

 

October 26, 2021

I was once part of a book club that got to send questions to Margaret Mahy. Since then, her books contain weirdly more meaning, as the author is even more personified to me (perhaps a positive part that’s left out of discussions around the link between the author and their personality, and their work?). The first Margaret Mahy YA novel I remember reading was Organ Music, a book that I couldn’t find on my shelves and forgot I read until this one; Kaitangata Twitch.

 Kaitangata Twitch has the trademarks of a Mahy YA book.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

An enjoyable coming-of-age story, Savarna Yang


The Other Sister
Philippa Werry
Pipi Press
Pub. 2021

 

October 22, 2021

“Being in our town after the war was like being at the seaside when the tide rushes back in, bringing with it driftwood and debris with exotic and unusual shells, bringing the men back, who thought they’d walk up the beach and find it the same as when they’d left.”

It’s 1920. Living with her Ma and older sister, 14-year-old Tilly Thomas faces uncertainty as to what her future will hold. Although World War 1 is officially over, the aftermath of the war is devastating. Men return home from the front but none of them come back as they left.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A story about following your heart, Caitlin Fuldseth


The Calling
Fleur Beale
Penguin Random House New Zealand
Pub. 2021

 

October 22, 2021

The Calling by Fleur Beale is a well written book about a 15 year old girl named Molly, a Catholic whose mother’s dying wish was for her to become a nun. Molly has spent every day of her life since her mother passed caring for her father and her three younger brothers.

In order to keep the peace after marrying a woman who refuses to live in a house with a Catholic, Molly’s father gives her an ultimatum. She can give up her religious beliefs or she can marry the man across the road and leave her home for good.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Review archive, Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

An intriguing story with a little romance, Zaria Nobilo


A Mer-tale 
Jan M. Goldie
Self-published
Pub. 2014

 

October 21, 2021

A Mer-tale by Jan Goldie is the story of a land-trapped mermaid, Thala, who has the power to transform into a human when she wants to.

Thala has been confined to living on land by her uncle and only transforming into her mer-form every now and then. This is so they are protected from the sprats, her family’s lifelong enemies who are threatening to take all she has left. She is rebelling against her uncle and wants to destroy the sprats once and for all, but her uncle won’t let her endanger herself.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

An utterly enjoyable read with an ingenious heroine, Ashika Hira


The Unflinching Ash
Angela Armstrong
Norsou Books
Pub. 2021

 

October 18, 2021

The Unflinching Ash is a novel written by Angela Armstrong and published by Norsou Books in 2021. It depicts the journey of Ash, who has made it her goal to earn the Queen’s Seal after the murder of her parents. It’s the only thing that can guarantee the safety of her and her family, and Ash will stop at nothing to get it. She’s even willing to put her life on the line. She must put on a stunning performance to be commended by a Lord so that she can be in the running for the Queen’s Seal, but Ash isn’t the only one out there wanting to compete.  Read more

October, 2021 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers:

A masterfully painted portrait of artificial intelligence, Prabhleen Notra


Hello Strange
Pamela Morrow
Penguin NZ
Pub. 2020

 

October 18, 2021

“A problem shared is a problem halved.”

In Hello Strange by Pamela Morrow, Josie is a humanoid; a piece of artificial intelligence. She was created by Miles McClure, a man who lost his wife and has three children, all of whom express grief in their own ways. Brought to life early via a huge power surge, Josie finds herself in a tank, from which she soon escapes. Miles doesn’t know what to think at first, however, in an attempt to prevent security from taking her away as a result of his last creation, Miles brings her into his home.  Read more

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