Category: Fantasy

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September 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In September, I read 20 books for review, and some reviews will be appearing at later dates for various reasons. I mostly read Australian authors, and focused on children’s and young adult books. I also made progress on reading challenges, and am almost done with my last few. Most books were by women authors, and… Continue reading September 2025 Reading Round Up

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The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

Ashleigh

Title: The Keeper of the Octopus Author: Neridah McMullin Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $17.99 Synopsis: Engaging, heartfelt and imaginative - magical realism from the award-winning author of Evie and RhinoSince her father sailed away, Uncle Isaac is the only family Pippy has left.… Continue reading The Keeper of the Octopus by Neridah McMullin

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Naynay and the Mermaid by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

Ashleigh

Title: Naynay and the Mermaid Author: Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st October 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: 'With long tendrils of seagrass for hair, her body is blue green like the sea, and her tail sparkles with iridescent scales ...' Naynay and her family… Continue reading Naynay and the Mermaid by Tasma Walton, illustrated by Charmaine Ledden-Lewis

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOzYA, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Awards, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Crime/Mystery, Fantasy, literary fiction, Publishers, Reading, Reviews

Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

Ashleigh

Title: Into the Mouth of the Wolf Author: Erin Gough Genre: YA Mystery Publisher: Hardie Grant Published: 1st May 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 Price: $22.99 Synopsis: Part thriller, part queer romance, Into the Mouth of the Wolf is a stunning, CBCA Notable YA novel from the award-winning author of Amelia Westlake. Dear Iris, If all goes well I will be… Continue reading Into the Mouth of the Wolf by Erin Gough

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, Indigenous authors, literary fiction, Nevermoor, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series, Verse novels, Young Adult

#AussieYAChallenge Update 2

Ashleigh

It’s time for another update! Last time, I had read 12 books, and completed my chosen level. So now I’m working on getting up to 40 books, Well, I have read 22 more Australian young adult books since April, and some possibly crossover into middle grade, because I found them on lists for both, and… Continue reading #AussieYAChallenge Update 2

#AussieAuthors2025, adventure, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fantasy, literary fiction, middle grade, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, series

The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

Ashleigh

Title: The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) Author: Kiah Thomas Genre: Fantasy/ Science Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia Published: 26th August 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 272 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: Return to the world of the Callers in this exciting middle-grade fantasy series that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being and the ominous consequences… Continue reading The Hidden Forest (The Callers #2) by Kiah Thomas

#AussieAuthors2025, #AussieYAChallenge, #LoveOZMG, #LoveOzYA, adventure, animals, Anna James, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, biography, Blog Tour, Book bingo, Book Industry, Books, challenges, check in post, Children's Literature, Covers, Crime/Mystery, Dymocks Reading Challenge, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, historical fiction, history, humour, Indigenous authors, Junior Fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, non-fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic, Sci-Fi, series, Young Adult

August 2025 Reading Round Up

Ashleigh

In August, I read 25 books and reviewed most of them. Literary judging duties are over, so I was able to do everything I could to stay on top of my reading and reviewing. And was able to read a few books that I hadn’t agreed to review. This was nice, and I am enjoying… Continue reading August 2025 Reading Round Up

#AussieAuthors2025, animals, Aussie authors, Australian literature, Australian women writers, Book Industry, Books, Children's Literature, Fables, Fairytales, Fantasy, Junior Fiction, Picture Books, Publishers, Reading, Reviews, Scholastic

Koala Fairies by Anna Pignataro

Ashleigh

Title: Koala Fairies Author: Anna Pignataro Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Hardback Pages: 24 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: In a faraway place, where the bush meets the sea, live two little friends in the eucalypt tree ... Say hello to adorable Koala Fairy friends, Cookie and Clover. Together, they look after… Continue reading Koala Fairies by Anna Pignataro

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Evie P and Me by Petra James, illustrated by Andrew Joyner

Ashleigh

Title: Evie P and Me Author: Petra James, illustrated by Andrew Joyner Genre: Adventure Publisher: Walker Books Australia Published: 1st September 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 144 Price: $16.99 Synopsis: An unforgettable character at the heart of a story filled with imagination and adventureEvie P, the air-explorer has arrived for her first day at school, her… Continue reading Evie P and Me by Petra James, illustrated by Andrew Joyner

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Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors by Meredith Downes

Ashleigh

Title: Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo WarriorsAuthor/illustrator: Meredith DownesPublisher: Bugalugs BooksPublication date: 31 August 2025Price (AUD): $18.99 Page numbers: 250 pagesGenre: children's fiction (ages 8-12)Synopsis: Liam is an echidna destined for trouble. A fierce fire inside him makes him do strange things...crazy things! Like standing up to the wicked Goanna Gang, something no other echidna… Continue reading Liam the Chid and the Kangaroo Warriors by Meredith Downes