Cirrus@Austlit

'Things aren't exactly getting easier for Reed Lavender. Old obligations and new cases are piling up but in the aftermath of Feronia's defeat, answers are still too thin on the ground. But one clue - his father's knucklebone - might just lead to something big. To learn the truth about his parents' disappearance, Reed will have to take the fight to whoever is behind the growing turmoil in his city. And if the rising number of Spirit-Worms, needy Gods, vindictive lawmen and only somewhat-helpful cousins don't stop Reed, then his sense of duty might do what the others cannot. Because Reed now finds himself caught between two goals - solving the murder of Elise or chasing down whoever stole the Goddess' hand, an unfathomable thief who might hold answers about his parents...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Notch finally holds the answers he sought, along with an unsuspecting Sacrifice... but drawing all the pieces together will prove a greater challenge - especially when it becomes clear that the Fura Leones does not approve of such desperate measures. In Renovar, Flir must find a way to salvage the bones of the frozen Sea God but Chelona has other plans for the mighty corpse, and trapped within her now is Seto, whose frustration can only build as he watches over but cannot warn his friends. Equally troubling is the floating city of Ilesinya, which now hovers dangerously near Anaskar, seemingly poised to strike. Lord Danillo is drawing together his allies in a final gambit to defeat Chelona and her unstable creation, Zasemu, but none know her true plan... and when it becomes clear, all lands will face a threat like no other.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Fighting the insect hordes of a malevolent God isn't easy when you're a young man with no special talents.

'While searching an old temple Kilek and his friends stumble across the Goddess Avendria who transforms them into heroes - all grown up, with weapons, magic, and skills.

'But when she gives Kilek nothing at all - nothing except the impossible task of saving the lands - he must fight bitter doubts. Worse, a dark prince is massing his armies and more, agents of other Gods have been set loose in the world.

'Only the long-lost dragons can turn the tide but Kilek must find them before it's too late.

'And somehow, he has to do it all without divine intervention.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A new collection of haiku and senryu from poet and novelist Ashley Capes.

'teeth of the world brings together previously uncollected and brand new haiku and senryu, some verging on gendai but most dealing with nature and the range of human foibles.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A new free verse collection from Ashley Capes - 'small town lazarus' is his fifth work and features both familiar and new themes, with a clear focus on aging and change, of childhood and memory. The collection also explores the double-edged sword of new media technology, doing so via a mix of his usual focus on the intimate details, but also, at times, through somewhat more experimental forms.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Darkness is gathering deep within the land of Vadiya as the Red Seed Cult perform twisted experiments on human flesh.

'Never has already tangled with the foul creatures and knows no-one else can stop them... but if he charges into enemy territory now, he will have to face old flame Sacha, who has promised to kill him should they meet again.

'Yet when he learns that she has been captured by the creatures he sets out with unlikely allies on a quest to uncover the truth behind the cult and hopefully save - and then survive - Sacha.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Meet Reed Lavender, mostly-human nephew to Death herself, a man with the ability to hear the final words of the recently deceased.

'Using those words and his own investigative skills, Reed does his best to solve crimes or bring peace, joined by his Reaper relatives and demi-gods - some of whom are actually helpful and others who only think they are.

'On Reed's latest case, this time trying to solve the murder of a teen runaway, he uncovers something far bigger and darker beneath his city, something vast, something that is ripening to rot...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Australian poet Jane Downing's When Figs Fly reveals life in Australia and beyond with a keen eye for poignant details that linger, deftly capturing the beauty of the natural world, the bittersweetness of childhood and memory and exploring the all-too familiar foibles of human nature.

'A widely published writer, When Figs Fly is Jane's first poetry collection.' (Publication summary)

'A dark sorceress sinks her talons into the land...

'War-hero Notch has abandoned his king and city to wage a war against his own guilt. With the giant Alosus at his side, Notch must search the Land of the Sun for ancient magic to bring a loved one back from the dead. But when he arrives in the city of vipers, Notch quickly finds himself entangled in a web of conspiracy and hidden motives as ruthless Houses vie for the soon to be vacant throne.

'Far across the glittering sea, Notch's home of Anaskar is still reeling after repelling a mighty invasion. King Oseto is forced to scatter his heroes across the world in a desperate quest for the last sea beast and its bones. With them, he will be able to forge new Greatmasks to protect his people and the fragile state of peace between nations.

'Yet evil stirs in every corner of the lands. Reports of new, foul creatures and old foes alike are growing; and worse, the King fears that through his own weakness, he himself has unleashed the architect behind it all.'

(Sourced from bookseller's website.)

'Dig into the cold earth, pull away the damp leaves and burrow deep down to uncover true darkness...

'Face the horror of war-torn Germany with Edmund as he fights to rescue his family. Confront the same overwhelming dread as Cody, in the midst of a futuristic prison, is haunted by his past and desperate for a chance at redemption. Discover true monsters aboard a slaver’s ship on the high seas and witness a more twisted side to Christmas.

'Uncover these and other bleak mysteries in Beneath the Ferny Tree.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Gatekeeper is a near-future sci-fi thriller set in Australia, an Australia where multi-national corporations seek to hi-jack social interaction with invasive advertising – advertising so powerful that it can even interrupt speech, forcing citizens to spout their lies.

'Rejoin Never as he searches for his father's legacy and the sister he hadn't known existed.

'In The Phoenix of Kiymako Never must navigate a secretive new culture ruled by warrior monks. Distrusted and hunted for his blood, he must forge new alliances while following the dark trail his father has left. If Never can survive, it will lead to both his long lost sister and - finally - the truth about his mysterious name.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Thomas, Mia and Ethan have finally discovered the long-lost rebellion airship Clara - only to learn that it cannot grant them their freedom, since none know how to fly the mighty ship.

'A desperate search for a pilot follows but disaster strikes when Thomas falls into the clutches of their old tormentor, Lady Elisabeth; master of the Sand-Hog and lieutenant to the King. Yet Elisabeth has her own plans for Thomas and they do not involve simply handing him over to her liege.

'Mia and Ethan find themselves torn between chasing Thomas and following clues to the Clara's pilot but hounding Mia every step of the way is her own doubts and fears, her confusion over her feelings for Ethan and worse, dark dreams that hide an even greater threat than King Williams could ever pose.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Leap into worlds like and unlike our own: a creepy restaurant stalks its customers, steampunk slaves find a new home in the Australian desert, storybook characters come alive to make deals with the Roman God of Sleep and in the future, a synthetic society suffers dark consequences of endless augmentation... all these stories and more lurk within.

'A collection of short fiction featuring steampunk, cyberpunk, fantasy and even a little horror!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.