Reviews on the Run

I've come down with one of those annoying winter colds - you know, the kind that leaves you tired and exhausted, feeling flat and a bit off-colour, but not bad enough to justify a day off work.

As a result, my reading brain is also a little flat & off-colour. I haven't been able to settle to anything heavy and I certainly haven't been able to tackle any sparkling reviews.

So I've decided to knock off a few quickies, twitter-style.
Reviews in 140 characters or less - I just hope my brain is up to the challenge!

First up is a Hot Key Book, Circus of the Unseen.

Russian fairytale meets modern day gothic in this creepy undead circus. A threshold world between life and death. Which world would you choose?

Joanne Owen's story is genuinely spooky - great for mature 10+ readers.



The Door that Led to Where by Sally Gardner was thoroughly enjoyable.

Dysfunctional families, teen angst, some convenient plot twists with a key, a door, secrets & 1830's London. Contemporary Dickens for teens.

Promised by Caragh O'Brien is the final book in her Birthmarked trilogy (Prized being the second book). 

Sadly this trilogy didn't take off in Australia, and the final book was never released here. Which was a shame because I loved the Nick Stearn covers and the books (click on review links above).

Dystopian romance in a world of walls, enclaves & strong women. A baby shortage, a water crisis & genetic disorders. Nature/nurture at odds.

The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale is a great early reader guaranteed to get the most reluctant reader off to a flying start.

Prim & proper princesses like pink & tiaras; they also like black & ninja moves. Will the curious goatherd suss out her secret identity?

The 1945 Newbury Honour book, The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes has become a modern classic and a favourite of teachers the world over.

Does Wanda really have a 100 dresses? How do you fit in when difference is all they see? A classic tale of friendship, bullying & belonging.