The Spider Goddess (Pandora English #2) – Tara Moss
Pan MacMillan, 2011
348 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN: 9780732290733

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

The second in Tara Moss’s Pandora English series, The Spider Goddess continues the adventures of intrepid (and Talented) young journalist hopeful, Pandora, as she comes across the usual and unusual traps of living and working in the fashion industry in New York. Like the first novel The Blood Countess, this is a fast-paced, easy read that will appeal to teens and adults alike.

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The Blood Countess – Tara Moss (A Pandora English novel)
Pan MacMillan, 2010
389 pages
RRP: AU$26.99
ISBN: 9781405040143

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Having read a couple of Tara Moss’s previous mystery novels, I was intrigued to see she’d branched out into the paranormal, one of my favourite genres. The Blood Countess didn’t disappoint. It is an easy read, quite young-adult in the pacing and tone, but this meant it was a quick and interesting read.

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The City and the City – China Miéville
Pan Macmillan, 2010
500 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN: 9780330493109

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

The City and the City is an interesting read, exploring Inspector Borlu’s involvement in an international murder investigation of a body found in his city. I found it slow to begin, with the introduction of the two interlocking cities of the title being explored at length, somewhat to the detriment of the plot. I’ve seen many people compare this to 1984, and in structure and tone, I have to agree. The dark and initially confusing atmosphere of the twin cities and the ominous presence of the Breach and thought-crime makes this comparison an easy one.

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Heart’s Blood – Juliet Marillier
Pan Macmillan, 2009
410 pages
RRP: AU$32.99
ISBN: 978-1-4050-3943-7

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Heart’s Blood is an enjoyable fantasy story, loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, set in Medieval Ireland. Since B&B has always been my favourite fairy tale, I jumped at the chance to read this novel written by Western Australian author Juliet Marillier. I’d only read Marillier’s young adult titles before (Wildwood Dancing and Cybele’s Secret), so I didn’t have many preconceptions about what I would find. I ended up staying up almost all night to finish it, so it’s safe to say that this was a great read.

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