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July 2025 Reading Round Up

In July, I read 22 books, and am keeping on track with maintaining reading mostly Australian authors, and reading as diversely as I can between what I have already and what I am being sent for review. I’m also focused on certain styles and genres, so there might be some that are, say, translated, that… Continue reading July 2025 Reading Round Up

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The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester

Title: The Mademoiselle Alliance Author: Natasha Lester Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Hachette Australia Published: 26th March 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 408 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: How did a young Parisienne mother, celebrated for her beauty and glamour, come to lead the largest spy network in France? A powerful, heartbreaking historical novel by the New York Times bestselling author. Morocco,… Continue reading The Mademoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester

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When Dark Waters Burn by Zena Shapter

Title: When Dark Waters Burn Author: Zena Shapter Genre: Fantasy Publisher: MidnightSun Publishing Published: 1st June 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 400 Price: $21.99 Synopsis: Stay out of sight. Stay hidden under the lake. Even as giant water-ants scout the surface, and deadly trees slop their hungry roots along the shoreline. For unrest surges in the… Continue reading When Dark Waters Burn by Zena Shapter

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Blood Moon Bride by Demet Divaroren

Title: Blood Moon Bride Author: Demet Divaroren Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 1st April 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 Price: $19.99 Synopsis: Forced into marriage for her valley's survival, Rehya must decide: submit or rebel against a ruthless system? A brilliant, fierce and compelling YA fantasy perfect for fans of The Prison Healer and Children of… Continue reading Blood Moon Bride by Demet Divaroren

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Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout

Title: Song of a Blackbird Author: Maria van Lieshout Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Allen and Unwin Published: 4th March 2025 Format: Paperback Pages: 256    Price: $26.99 Synopsis: Fictionalised but based on true events, Song of a Blackbird has two intertwined timelines: one is a modern-day family drama, the other a thrilling true story of a WWII-era bank… Continue reading Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout

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Jo and the No by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Judy Watson

Title: Jo and the No Author: Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Judy Watson Genre: Fiction Publisher: Dirt Lane Press Published: 1st March 2025 Format: Hardcover Pages: 40 Price: $28.95 Synopsis: A gentle fable about overcoming our resistance to the unknown. Sometimes, when we’re faced with something new, we push it away. We tell ourselves ‘No!’ even… Continue reading Jo and the No by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Judy Watson

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The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer

Title: The Paris Agent Author: Kelly Rimmer Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Hachette Australia Published: 28th June 2023 Format: Paperback Pages:  340 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: Two otherwise ordinary women become female spies in WWII France in this sweeping new novel of historical suspense by New York Times bestselling author Kelly Rimmer. Two otherwise ordinary women become spies in… Continue reading The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer

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A Rebel in Auschwitz by Jack Fairweather

Title: A Rebel in Auschwitz Author: Jack Fairweather Genre: Biography Publisher: Scholastic Australia Published: 1st March 2022 Format: Hardcover Pages:  384 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: Occupied Warsaw, Summer 1940: Witold Pilecki, a Polish underground operative, accepted a mission to uncover the fate of thousands interned at a new concentration camp, report on Nazi crimes, raise a… Continue reading A Rebel in Auschwitz by Jack Fairweather

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Revisiting a Favourite: The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth

In 2015, Kate Forsyth published what I think was one of her most powerful, most harrowing, and most effective novels: The Beast’s Garden. Set in Germany in World War Two, it follows Ava as she does what she can to resist the Nazi regime and help her family and those she loves. To save them,… Continue reading Revisiting a Favourite: The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth

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The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel by Sarah Steele

Title: The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel Author: Sarah Steele Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Hodder/Hachette Published: 30th November 2021 Format: Paperback Pages: 408 Price: $32.99 Synopsis: The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and deeply moving story of love and hope in World War II from the USA Today bestselling author of The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon. The war… Continue reading The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel by Sarah Steele