-
Book Review: The Set-Up Girl by Sasha Vey
I love a contemporary YA novel set in Australia – we have some incredible authors writing in this market and I’m always keeping my eye out for new ones to add to my must-read list. Given this, I was excited to receive an early copy of local author Sasha Vey’s debut YA novel The Set-Up Girl – from Allen & Unwin. No sooner had it arrived than my almost 12yr old snatched it up to read first (she loved it), and this week, in the lead up to the Canberra Writers Festival, it was finally my turn to sink into this gorgeous novel. Check out the synopsis, and then read…
-
New books to look out for… Prince of Fortune by Lisa Tirreno
I love Australian YA novels and the start of a new year always feels exciting because there are so many new releases just waiting to hit the shelves and get into our eyeballs. One of the first #LoveOzYA titles I’ve got my eye on in 2025 is Lisa Tirreno‘s debut novel Prince of Fortune, a romantic fantasy that has been described as Red, White & Royal Blue meets A Darker Shade of Magic. Here’s the synopsis: Shy Prince Edmund will be a great king one day—it has been Seen again and again. With rare magic giving him dominion over his country’s plants and weather, Edmund feels a great deal of pressure to…
-
#LOVEOZYA Book Review: DARK HEIR by C.S. Pascat
I’ve been busting for the release of Dark Heir since the moment I finished Dark Rise. I did a reread of Dark Rise to be ready for the sequel, and honestly I don’t understand why more people aren’t talking about this series! It’s just so perfect! I don’t want to share more about Dark Heir here because of spoilers, but you can find out more here, and I have shared the synopsis of Dark Rise below – I recommend everyone pick this up ASAP and then come back and let me know so we can talk about it! Synopsis of Dark Rise by C.S. Pascat The ancient world of magic is no more. Its heroes are…
-
I Can’t Wait for… Dark Heir by C.S. Pacat
Back in September of 2021 I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of a brand new dark fantasy YA novel, Dark Rise by Australian author C.S. Pacat. As I said in my review at the time, this book completely blew my mind. I have thought of it often since I read it and have been hanging out for the sequel to arrive, and it is finally time! Dark Heir is being released next week, on 14 November and I am so excited. Last month I reread Dark Rise in preparation for Dark Heir coming out, and honestly it thrilled me just as much the second time around! I…
-
Currently reading :: The Last Sorceress by Bonnie Wynne
I love an epic fantasy saga and one of my favourites over the past few years is the story of Gwyn, protagonist of Bonnie Wynne’s The Price of Magic series. I’ve been along for the (wild) ride with Gwyn from the very first book, The Ninth Sorceress, and this month the fifth and final book in the series – THE LAST SORCERESS – was released. I’ve picked it up this week and am so happy to be back in Gwyn’s world (I’m kind of in denial about this being the final book!). Biggest congrats to Bonnie on this latest release, and thanks so much – as always – to the…
-
#loveozya :: Deep Water by Sarah Epstein
March and April were brilliant months for new releases in 2020. One of my most anticipated books for the year – Sarah Epstein’s Deep Water was originally released in April of that year and has now been rereleased by Fourteen Press. I read Deep Water right before it was first released absolutely ADORED it! I loved Sarah’s debut – Small Spaces (my review is here) – and I think this one is just as wonderful. I wanted to update my post to include images of the stunning new cover on this edition – my review remains unchanged and you can read it below. What is Sarah Epstein’s Deep Water about? Henry Weaver is missing.Three…
-
LoveOzYA :: Nightbirds by Kate J Armstrong
One of the debut Aussie YA novels I’ve most been looking forward to in 2023 is KAte J Armstrong’s Nightbirds (I featured it in this post about some of the upcoming LoveOzYA books I’m excited about). I was thrilled when the team at Allen & Unwin sent me an early copy to consider for review and have been looking forward to sharing my thoughts about it here. Read on below to find out more. What is Kate J Armstrong’s Nightbirds about? Magic may be illegal in Simta, but you can find it if you know which whispers to heed. None as tantalising as the ones about the Nightbirds, Simta’s best…
-
New #LoveOzYA books to read in 2023
I always love reading Aussie books and right now there is a rapidly growing list of Australian young adult books that I just can’t wait to get my eyes on. Today I thought I’d share a bit about some of the titles coming out in the next couple of months in case you would like to add them to your list as well. Four new Australian YA books I can’t wait to read in 2023 Nightbirds by Kate J Armstrong Magic may be illegal in Simta, but you can find it if you know which whispers to heed. None as tantalising as the ones about the Nightbirds, Simta’s best kept…
-
LoveOzYA :: The Cult of Romance
Sarah Ayoub is one of my favourite writers of contemporary Australian YA, and I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel, The Cult of Romance, when it was released last year. I loved it and since then it has become one of the books I most often, and most widely, recommend. Check out my review below to find out why. What is The Cult of Romance about? Natalie is living proof that love is a scam. She’s traumatised by her parents’ failed marriage and overwhelmed by her grandmother’s expectations of good Lebanese girls — marriage, motherhood and exceptional tabouli-making skills. When her best friend decides to get hitched…
-
Preview :: Night Lights by Sarah Epstein
Creepy reads are perfect for an October tbr, and Sarah Epstein’s latest #LoveOzYA thriller Night Lights has arrived at the perfect time for the spooky season. I have loved Epstein’s previous thrillers (you can see my reviews here and here), so I was delighted when she offered to send me a copy of this one for review, and I’m looking forward to getting into it and sharing my thoughts. In the meantime, check out the synopsis below, add Night Lights to your Goodreads here, and keep up with the latest from Sarah Epstein on her website here. Also, I’d love if you let me know in the comments whether you…
