The Naturals: Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Following on from ‘The Naturals’ where a team of kids with unconventional abilities work for the FBI on cold cases. Events take a sinister turn when a young girl is murdered and displayed at a college campus. For Dean, a profiler with the Naturals, it brings back horrific memories - as the murder echoes the pattern set by his father - an infamous serial killer, now in prison.

While the gang - Cassie, Lia, Michael, Dean & Sloane are not technically supposed to aware of the details of active cases - it seems inevitable that they will become involved, especially when Dean’s father refuses to talk to anyone except for Dean. With time running out, with more girls being murdered - will they be able to put together the pieces before the murderer strikes again or that their FBI handler works out what they are doing?

This is a fast paced read - with lots of danger, I was never sure if my favourite characters were going to survive to the end of the book. Can’t wait for the next one. 

Reviewer: Sharni @ Balwyn 

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Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

Little Hawk is a Pokanoket boy who must go into the wilderness and survive alone for three long winter months, to complete his initiation into the tribe.  He is eleven years old and is allowed to take only some very basic implements.  The thought of his family and everything he holds dear helps him to cope with the many challenges he faces.  But when he returns home he finds that the village has suffered a shocking blow from the white man’s disease, and he is alone again.  As he grows to accept his loss and rebuild his life in a new village community, Little Hawk finds himself curious about the foreigners and befriends a young British boy called John.  The bond between the boys, which grows in spite of the animosity and suspicion between their two peoples, is heartwarming.  But can it survive the biggest challenge of all?

Review by Philippa @ Balwyn

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Conspiracy of blood and smoke by Anne Blankman

This is the gripping sequel to Prisoner of night and fog. Having escaped from Germany, Gretchen and Daniel are beginning to make a life in London when Daniel receives a telegram that his cousin is in hospital.  Daniel decides to return to Germany without Gretchen.  Gretchen is torn between wanting to remain safe and her concern for Daniel.  In the end, despite the danger, she returns to Germany to help Daniel.  Once in Germany she finds that Daniel has been accused of murder.  Daniel is determined to clear his name and Gretchen sets out to help him.  As they work to find a way to clear his name, they discover a conspiracy which could break Hitler’s hold on power.  Can they find a way to both clear Daniel’s name and implicate Hitler at the same time? This book had me enthralled till the nail biting finish.

Reviewer: Rita @ Hawthorn

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Beneath by Roland Smith

Pat O’Toole is just a kid.  His older brother, Coop, has suddenly left home without any explanation and to make matters worse their parents look like splitting up. Pat has a lot of questions and no-one around to answer them - until he receives an intriguing package in the mail.  It is from Coop. At first Pat is furious and wants to ignore his request. But the bond between the brothers is too strong and he soon finds himself embarking on an exciting search to find Coop, only gradually realising just how much danger they are both in. 

Reviewer: Philippa @ Balwyn 

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The wizard of Rondo, by Emily Rodda

If you owned a magical music box that could transport you to another world, wouldn't you want to use it?

The Wizard of Rondo is the sequel to The key to Rondo and is the latest book by Emily Rodda, author of Deltora Quest and Rowan of Rin series, along with plenty of other books. Leo and Mimi are cousins who found their way into the land of Rondo in The key to Rondo. Now they face the dilema of whether to go back. Leo thinks it's too dangerous. Mimi thinks it will be fine. Needless to say they end up going back to Rondo. Afterall, there wouldn't be much of a story if they didn't.

In Rondo they encounter some old friends, keep an eye out for some old enemies and discover that a wizard has gone missing. Once they learn the wizard's apprentice has been charged with his murder they embark on a quest to discover the truth.

The wizard of Rondo is a good follow up the the first Rondo book. If you liked The key to Rondo, you will probably like this one. If you haven't read The key to Rondo yet, try it first.

Hit the catalogue to reserve the books here:
The key to Rondo
The wizard of Rondo

Emily Rodda's website is also worth a visit.

Tomorrow when the war began by John Marsden.

One of our staff members recently picked up the John Marsden classic for the first time in years...

Tomorrow when the war began by John Marsden. This is well and truly a re-read, but considering the last time I read it I was a teenager, I think it counts. I remember borrowing it from my library when I was maybe in my early teens, and I remember staying up all night, heart pounding, wondering what was going to happen to Ellie and her friends. Guess what? It hasn't changed. Ten or fifteen years later, and it still 'packed a punch'- I was totally sucked in yet again!

Click here to find it in the catalogue. Of course, if you like it, there are a bunch more in the series.

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Bog child, by Siobhan Dowd

Ireland in the 1980s is a troubled place, which has repercussions for Fergus McCann and his family. While digging for peat, Fergus discovers the ancient preserved body of a child. As Fergus tries to solve the mystery of the bog child, his life is turned upside down by events from the past and present.

Check the catalogue for Bog child

City of bones, by Cassandra Clare (The mortal instruments, book 1)

Fifteen year old Clary goes into a nightclub with her friend Simon, where she sees a boy kill another boy who disappears into thin air. The problem is, Simon can't see the first boy either. And so the world as Clary knows it begins to unwind as she begins to know her true identity as a shadowhunter.

Check availability at City of Boroondara Library Service

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