The fantastical Dance of Gods series kicks off with “a huge blast of action . . . leaving the reader breathless but satisfied” (Kliatt). In a world of magic, where computers and nanotechnology are long gone, where thoughtless gods struggle for power with little regard for those below, one unlucky man must make some tough decisions . . . Maximillian the Vaguely Disreputable isn’t sure what’s going on in the village of Roosing Oolvaya. Someone—probably a god—has trapped Max’s friend, the Great Karlini, in a castle that keeps trying to move at the most inconvenient times, and naturally it’s up to Max to figure out how to spring him. But the gods throwing their weight around in Roosing Oolvaya are more than Max bargained for, and soon he’s caught between necromancers, working with a detective named the Creeping Sword, and even dancing with Death itself in a desperate attempt to save the city from catastrophe. “A generally humorous and entertaining piece.” —Science Fiction Chronicle “An enjoyable book. The characters have a sense of who they are and can laugh at their own foibles. The action moves swiftly.” —Locus “Another bit of good reading . . . Plenty of action, likeable characters, plot twists galore a light-hearted humorous style and some pretty good lines.” —Out of This World Tribune & Niekas

'Funny, smart and perfectly paced, I adore this book.' - Nova Weetman Can catastrophe expert Nell McPherson foil her mum's awful plan to blend their family, keep her balance on the wobbly friendship tightrope, and successfully campaign for grade six to strike for climate action? What's the worst thing that could happen? SHORTLISTED FOR THE CHILDREN'S PEACE LITERATURE AWARD 2023 LONGLISTED FOR THE ABDA BOOK DESIGN AWARDS 2023 BEST DESIGNED CHILDREN'S FICTION COVER Praise for How to Spell Catastrophe 'This book sparkles with humour and heart. I absolutely LOVED it. Fiona Wood meets tweens and teens where they are. Her stories deserve a place on every tween bookshelf.' - Rebecca Sparrow

"One day, a witch's cat found a dusty old cookbook, and it gave him the most marvellous idea..." The witch has gone out and inspired by the old cookbook, the cat is determined to knock up a super-scrumptious surprise lunch for her. But unfortunately, his enthusiasm far exceeds his cooking abilities, and he carelessly overlooks some rather important information. But hey, what's the worst that could happen? Reviews: "A fabulously charming story with beautiful illustrations. I have a feeling we'll be reading this one again (and again, and again...)" Fran Grant"This is a super book - it's got everything! Magic, potions, a lovely witch, and of course a cheeky cat - and with such beautiful illustrations, it's one that my little ones ask for over and over." Rebecca C "I love this book because it is really funny and made me laugh out loud. I woke up the next day and made a play with my sister, I was the witch and she was the cat. I like how the cat ends up reading her own book about spells, she is a clever cat!". Words from my daughter who was captured by this delightful storybook that has clearly made an impact! Highly recommended read! Kirstie Watson is a gifted author and the illustrations are adorable." Mrs Sumudu Edirisinghe "We love the Witch's Cat - my nearly 3yr old granddaughter asks for it almost every day and knows what's going to happen on every page - she still laughs at each bit though!! This is a really well written and beautifully illustrated story which I thoroughly recommend." Kindle Customer

Only Maximillian the Vaguely Disreputable could track down the being who has kidnapped the Great Karlini in a bespelled castle. Soon Max finds himself caught up in a war between Death Gods, necromancers, and a sorcerer/detective.

Award-winning author Fiona Wood delivers a thought-provoking story of self-discovery and first love-one that will resonate with anyone who has ever realized that the things that make you different are the things that make you...you. For Vân Uoc, fantasies fall into two categories: nourishing or pointless. Daydreaming about attending her own art opening? Nourishing. Daydreaming about Billy Gardiner, star of the rowing team who doesn't even know she's alive? Pointless. So Vân Uoc tries to stick to her reality-keeping a low profile as a scholarship student at her prestigious Melbourne private school, managing her mother's PTSD from a traumatic emigration from Vietnam, and admiring Billy from afar. Until she makes a wish that inexplicably (possibly magically) comes true. Billy actually notices her. In fact, he seems to genuinely like her. But as they try to fit each other into their very different lives, confounding parents and confusing friends, Vân Uoc can't help but wonder why Billy has suddenly fallen for her. Is it the magic of first love, or is it magic from a well-timed wish that will eventually, inevitably, come to an end?

The much anticipated and darkly comic first novel from a prize-winning storyteller "I grew up on a farm." The year is l974, the place Sweetwater College, and Beatrice Wolfe is telling the story of her life to the glamorous young professor Philippa Sayres. So begins the achingly funny, often heartbreaking story of Beatrice's double quest to find out who she might be, and to escape the gothic eccentricity of her family. Married in a misbegotten passion, her parents are totally unsuited to any kind of business. The four Wolfe children's lives are ruled by their mother whose larger-than-life demands and fears encircle them in a darkly comic web of contradictions. When their father's ping pong business collapses and he loses their "farm," Bea's family spirals out of control. Bea, under Philippa's romantic spell, joins a lesbian community and is so committed to her new gay identity that she barely notices she's falling in love with a man--a man just risen from the ashes of addiction, whose re-creation of himself she threatens to undo. In The Bride of Catastrophe, Heidi Jon Schmidt explores the magnetic effect of love in all its variations--its power to form and sometimes deform us, to make us who we are.

Three authors. Three appealing and relatable characters. One smart YA novel about a trio of unlikely friends who team up to take down the school cyberbully. “Mean stuff spreads so fast. One click. Post. Send. Share. Online bullying = sometimes suicides, so all the private schools have strategies for dealing with it. At St Hilda’s, it’s Wellness classes. We greeted the idea with genuine enthusiasm. Why not? Everyone loves the chance to slack off.” Popular Ady seems cool and confident at school, but at home her family is falling apart. Brainiac Kate wants to pursue her dreams of playing music, even if it jeopardizes her academic scholarship. And swim champ Clem finds herself disenchanted with the sport . . . and falling for a very wrong boy. When these three very different girls are forced to team up in a wellness class, they’re not too pleased. But over time, they bond—and when they’re all targeted by PSST, a website that dishes out malicious gossip and lies, they decide to take a stand, uncover the culprits, and fight back. But can they really fix a broken system? With each girl’s story told by a different author, as well as intriguing questionnaires from the wellness class included throughout, this empowering novel explores today’s most relevant topics— from cyberbullying and fat shaming to drug abuse and financial stress.