A review by Nalini Haynes The picture (left) of Harry Potter: The Creature Vault doesn’t do it justice. It’s two-toned purple with 3D embossing to …
Women
Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier
A review by Nalini Haynes I’ve never read a Juliet Marillier novel before; heaps of people, even other students (who hardly seem to read), have …
Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
A review by Nalini Haynes Originally published in 1996, Assassin’s Apprentice is so popular that HarperVoyager released an anniversary edition a few years ago. I …
Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
A review by Nalini Haynes Queen of the Tearling has a beautiful hardcover dust jacket featuring a dark chocolate background with dusty gold highlights in …
Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
A review by Nalini Haynes Once upon a time there was a girl with blue hair, Karou, living in Prague. A vampire jumps out at …
Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor grew up with her toes in many oceans and her nose in many books. She studied literature and art, has edited travel guidebooks, …
Heartwood by Freya Robertson
A review by Nalini Haynes Heartwood is the first in the Elemental Wars series BUT IT WORKS AS A STAND-ALONE. Yay. I’m a bit over …
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
A commentary by Nalini Haynes [Spoilers, Sweetie] Burial Rites is ‘Scandinavian Noir’ because it’s set in Iceland; it’s the ‘speculative biography’ of Agnes Magnusdottir, the …
“Romancing the Reader”: Kate Cuthbert, Anne Gracie and Sarah Mayberry
Romancing the Reader Kate Cuthbert of Escape Publishing, the electronic arm of Harlequin here in Melbourne, invited authors Anne Gracie and Sarah Mayberry to join …
Gates of Paradise by Melissa de la Cruz
A review by Evie Kendal Gates of Paradise is the final book in Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods vampire series, which follows the life …
Melbourne Writers Festival 2014: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
by Nalini Haynes Wearing black as befits a Melbournian during the Melbourne Writers Festival, Hannah Kent chats to Bethany Blanchard as the audience files in, …
Melbourne Writers Festival 2014: Tiddas — Anita Heiss in conversation
by Nalini Haynes ‘Tiddas’ was Anita Heiss in conversation, a Melbourne Writers Festival event, held on 23 August 2014 at ACMI Studio 1. The photo …
“Vampires then and now” with Jason Nahrung, Angela Slatter, CJ Dee and Liz Manthos
“We don’t need no edjucashun” sang Pink Floyd; sadly, on the topic of vampires, I can’t join the chorus. Authors Jason Nahrung and Angela Slatter …
Impossible Quest: Escape from Wolfhaven Castle by Kate Forsyth
A review by Nalini Haynes To be released in September 2014. Although The Impossible Quest sounds like something from Moffat-ized Doctor Who, it’s a new …
Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J Maas
A review by Elizabeth Manthos Celaena Sardothian is Ardlan’s most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin’s Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn …