An adventurous story rich in symbolism and suspense, Kyra Johnson

Indigo Moon
Book I of the Eternity Loop series
Eileen Merriman
2022
Penguin Random House New Zealand

 

 

 

October 25, 2022

Indigo Moon is the first book in Merriman’s new series which follows the Black Spiral trilogy. Having read the first trilogy a couple of times, as soon as I saw Indigo Moon, I knew I must read it. This incredible story did not disappoint and met the expectations I didn’t even realise I had.

The story is told from two alternating points of view: Indigo Moon and Rigel Fletcher. Indigo is the 17-year-old daughter of the former VORTEX members (see Black Spiral trilogy) Harper Mehta and Bruno Hoffman.  Read more

October, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , , ,

Violet’s final showdown, Trillion Lau

Black Spiral
Black Spiral Trilogy, book 3
Eileen Merriman
Penguin
2022

 

 

 

 

September 28, 2022

After reading books one and two of the Black Spiral trilogy by Eileen Merriman, I thought that, surely, Violet would finally be free, and maybe a mother too. I had a lot of questions. I began reading hoping for a good, satisfying ending. Without giving any spoilers, I finished the book with only a few questions remaining, and I couldn’t have predicted how Merriman revealed information. The book used background exposition in ways I have never seen before; it was detailed and had its own section dedicated to it.  Read more

September, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , ,

A riveting spy story with deep themes, Ashika Hira

Katipo Joe: Wolf’s Lair
Brian Falkner
Scholastic
2022

 

 

 

 

 

July 22, 2022

Joe is back at it again, still deep undercover as Jürgen Weyl, in Brain Falkner’s third and final book in the Katipo Joe series. Published in 2022 by Scholastic, we join Joseph St George again, this time with even more danger and secrecy. This is the closest that any British spy has gotten to Hitler, and Joe must work hard to maintain this cover, but it won’t be easy! Although Joe has friends who know who he is, that just means there is more of a chance to get discovered.  Read more

July, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , , , , ,

A thrilling dystopian adventure, Trillion Lau

Violet Black
Eileen Merriman
2021
Penguin Books

 

 

 

 

 

July 22, 2022

I loved Violet Black by Eileen Merriman. I couldn’t stop reading: what got me at first was the introduction of a dystopian world post-pandemic. It reminded me of The Maze Runner by James Dashner. And then I kept searching for more information, and I am still craving it after finishing the book.

A deadlier strain of measles circulates, and the author holds anti-vaxxers accountable for allowing it to spread. What makes the plot thicken, is that some vaccinated teenagers, infected by the virus, wake from a coma to discover that they have special powers.  Read more

July, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , , ,

A thrilling story filled with twists, Amelia Mackenzie

The Blood Traitor
Prison Healer series, Book #3
Lynette Noni
2022
Penguin NZ

 

 

 

July 15, 2022

When I first saw this book for review I was so excited, because I had read the first two books of the Prison Healer Trilogy by Australian YA author Lynette Noni and they were so good I just couldn’t put them down.

The Blood Traitor, true to its name, is filled with traitors, spies, backstabbing, and twists that are so mind blowing and intriguing that you will do anything to hide from your chores so you can finish it. The exhilarating battles put you on the edge of your seat, filling you with anticipation and uncertainty.  Read more

July, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , , ,

Connecting threads weave an intricate story, Savarna Yang

Eddy, Eddy
Kate De Goldi
Allen & Unwin
Pub. 2022

 

 

 

 

 

July 7, 2022

Eddy Smallbone is 19 years old and an orphan, New World employee, pet minder and unintentional babysitter. His story starts just after the death of his much-loved dog. Struggling with life after the Christchurch earthquakes, he is living with his eccentric uncle, ‘Brain’, and trying to figure out what he wants to do next. Should he find his own place to stay? Get a ‘proper’ job? Leave Christchurch?

But these questions fall away as he meets new friends and reconnects with old ones and realises that what he’s looking for is already right in front of him.  Read more

July, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , ,

A story about identity and acceptance, Natalya Newman

Wynter’s Thief
Sherryl Jordan
OneTree House
2019

 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 2022

Wynter’s Thief by Sherryl Jordan, first published in 2019, follows two young people who strive to find freedom in a world where being different is dangerous. This novel explores how easily society can isolate a person based on one aspect of their identity. Though Wynter’s Thief is a medieval fantasy book, this theme is still widely relevant in the modern world.

This book paints a picture of a much simpler way of living, where everyone provides for themselves and their families and works to build a kinder life.  Read more

May, 2022 Melissa Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , ,

An emotional rollercoaster filled with suspense, Savarna Yang


Katipo Joe: Wolf’s Lair
Brian Falkner
Scholastic
Pub. 2022

 

March 29, 2022

It’s 1941. World War Two is raging and Germany has taken over almost all of Western Europe. Russia still stands, but Germany plans to invade any day.

Now Hitler’s unofficial heir, Joe St George is still in Berchtesgaden – a small town in the Bavarian Alps. His previous mission of infiltrating an elite Hitler Youth programme is complete, and he’s become a part of Hitler’s trusted inner circle. But unlike the rest of this select group, he’s a spy. And not Hitler’s spy. He’s a spy for MI5.  Read more

March, 2022 Tanya Prince Scroll down to see reviews submitted by YA readers: , , , , , ,

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

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

An inspiring story about following your dreams, Caitlin Fuldseth

Learning to love Blue
Saradha Koirala
Record Press
Pub. 2021

 

 

 

October 06, 2021

Learning to love Blue by Saradha Koirala is a well-written book about friendships, adventure, music and following your dreams. The main character is a major inspiration as she never gives up on her dream, not once. She is always working towards it.

Paige, the main character, is an 18-year-old girl who has recently moved from Wellington, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia. She moved out there to follow her dreams of becoming a well-known bassist playing in a band that she has yet to join. She leaves her home with her bass guitar, a copy of Bob Dylan’s book Chronicles, a Joni Mitchell album called “Blue” and a suitcase with her clothes.  Read more

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