The ultimate tale of New Zealand's forgotten war -- Malaya 1948 -- and two men's linked destinies, foretold by horoscope and forged in battle.the conflict in Malaysia during and after World War two, as seen from the perspectives of a Kiwi soldier (Peter) and a Chinese Malay freedom fighter (Ng). Against a background of culture clash and political and individual conflicts, two young men are drawn inexorably together as victims and products of the Malay conflict. Will events or their ...

Against the forces of evil and night, who will stand true? Slave-born, fated to seek a terrible truth from lost centuries, her only allies are a thief, a giant and an ancient prophecy.A sweeping epic fantasy adventure from a master of the genre, Nina of the dark tells the story of a slave girl in a medieval world where humans battle for existence in fortified towns scattered through a fertile lowlands, dominated by the grim mountains of Backbone. Beyond backbone is a land of demons,...

Poignant YA historical romance between a teen who runs away to fight in World War One, and his sweetheart back at home. Harry Wainwright is 17, not quite 18, but he can't wait to enlist for the Great War - so instead of going back to boarding school he runs away to war. He does this with the help of his sweetheart, Jessica. They are a wholesome Edwardian couple, steeped in all the respectable morality of their age. Both are in love with romance. Their letters begin idealis...

YA thriller about a teen discovering the truth of his grandfather's terrible past as a World War Two fighter pilot. When 17-year-old Matt dreams that he is a World War Two pilot in a dogfight against the Germans, something strange happens. Was it a dream? Because later that morning, the family gets news that Grandad died at exactly that time, 3.15 a.m. This is the beginning of a bewildering set of adventures, into which Matt is plunged. At Grandad's funeral, two of his old...

A poignant young adult novel set in the goldfields of Otago during the 1860s goldrush. The story by an award-wining YA writer follows the lives of two young people, both very different, drawn to the goldfields for the same reason - they all hope to strike it rich. One of the main characters is a young Chinese girl, and the other a European boy. As well as being a plot-driven story, this book examines the cultural differences between these two. This provides interesting dis...

A thrilling young adult historical adventure novel about a boy on a ship forced to survive the elements as well as the ruthless crew. Set in the 1840s, Seal Boy tells the story of Emmet Tyler, a 14-year-old from the US port of Boston whose privileged upbringing has brought him a life of education and fine manners. So imagine his surprise and horror when he is attacked by thugs while on a visit to the wharves with his grandfather, and wakes up on board a whaling ve...

An exciting young adult historical novel based on the true story of Captain Bligh leading his sailors to safety after the mutiny on the Bounty. Sixteen-year-old John Hallet was on board the ill-fated Bounty when Fletcher Christian and others of the crew staged the mutiny against Captain Bligh. Cast adrift in a small boat in wild and dangerous seas, Hallet tells the remarkable story of how Bligh led the sailors who were loyal to him to saf...

A powerful YA fictional examination of war told through three interlocking stories. Monsters of Blood & Honour contains three stand-alone stories, each with a related theme. In each story a teenager of 17 or 18 interacts with an elderly person who was their age during World War II. Each of these now-elderly people has undergone a traumatic and violent experience, which the modern teen, living in a different world and lifestyle, cannot relate to. However, they are ...

The award-winning novel that started it all.“A riveting tale from start to finish. Between the simmering romance, the rich and inventive fantasy world, and one seriously jaw-dropping finale, readers will clamor for the next book—and I'll be at the front of the line!” —Marissa Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of the Lunar ChroniclesIn a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of sa...

Axelia fought an army of vampires and survived. Once fated as the destroyer of the vampire race, she is now welcomed into the immortal empire and revered as a god. But instead of relishing her victory, she faces a dangerous new world and an empire at war. Axelia is thrust into the position of supreme vampire and caught in the crossfire of battle. To make matters worse, her role alienates Lucas, the one vampire that she trusts. Her choices have brutal consequences ...

**“**An indulgently fun romp full of ‘lochness’ **monsters, tree trolls, and housekeeping pixies . . . a welcome twist on familiar fantasy themes.”—**Publishers WeeklyIt’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for ...

Captain Cook's goat is the first of many historical animals to bring the past to life.the HM Bark Endeavour is sailing to tahiti to map the transit of Venus, but there are rumours that once the task is completed, Lieutenant James Cook has a set of secret orders - orders that command him to search for the Great South Land. Isaac is twelve and has joined the crew of the Endeavour as a master's servant, good for scrubbing decks and not much else. He's certainly not considered good enou...