Issue six of Volume nine of the Review of Australian Fiction. This, Issue contains new short fiction by Alison Croggon and Leah Swann.

Perfect for readers of Tolkien and Garth Nix, The Bone Queen is the highly anticipated prequel to the original Pellinor sequence, and will delight fans of critically acclaimed author Alison Croggon, as well as newcomers to the world of Pellinor. Cadvan of Lirigon, one of the most powerful Bards of his time, has been exiled from the School of Lirigon for a grievous crime that unleashed the power of the Bone Queen. Isolated and guilt-ridden, he is burdened by memories of his dealings with the Dark. Meanwhile, across Edil-Amarandh, a number of disturbing events suggest that the Bone Queen may not have been successfully banished, as was previously believed. The Light is under threat, but does Cadvan have the strength to face the Bone Queen again?

From School Library JournalGrade 8 Up—In this concluding volume in the quartet, Maerad and her brother Hem face war, flood, and plague as they try to find one other and defeat the Nameless One. Now they have half of the lost Treesong, the powerful magic song known only in legend and prophecy. Both of them have bardic magic, and they are pushed to the limits of their endurance and abilities as they face an enticing and almost overwhelmingly powerful enemy. The grim tone here, particularly as Maerad begins to perceive horrific visions from the past, is consistent with the sense of imminent danger, and Croggon brings together a variety of elements and characters from the previous volumes to build to a compelling confrontation. Her device of presenting the novels as the translation of an epic from a lost civilization allows her to present details about the lives of the characters after the conclusion of the story and provide background information. While not a starting point for new readers, fans of the series will enjoy seeing the final stage of Maerad's transformation from a slave to her world's savior, and they will once again be drawn into this complex and gripping tale.—_Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI_ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FromIn the fourth and final book of the Pellinor quartet, the primary focus shifts back from Hem to his sister, Maerad, the series’ heroine. After saving Innail from a desperate attack by the forces of evil, Maerad and her mentor, Cadvan, set out once more on their quest to solve the riddle of the treesong. Maerad and Hem reunite to set their talismans and powers against the increasingly menacing forces of evil. From the refinement of character development to the dramatic portrayal of impending doom, the clearly written narrative creates a fitting conclusion to this epic high-fantasy series. Grades 7-12. --Carolyn Phelan

SUMMARY:In the classic spirit of epic fantasy comes this glittering saga of a young girl who learns she possesses an uncanny gift — and is destined to use it to save her world from a terrifying evil.Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child when her family is destroyed in war. She doesn't yet know she has inherited a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the noble School of Pellinor and enables her to see the world as no other can. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true identity and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now, she and her mysterious teacher must embark on a treacherous, uncertain journey through a time and place where the forces of darkness wield an otherworldly terror.The first book in a projected quartet, Alison Croggon's epic about Maerad and her remarkable yet dangerous gift is a beautiful, unforgettable tale. Presented as a new translation of an ancient text, THE NAMING evokes the rich and complex landscape of Annar, a legendary world just waiting to be discovered.

Lina is enchanting, vibrant but wilful. And her eyes betray her for what she truly is – a witch. With her childhood companion, Damek, she has grown up privileged and spoiled and the pair are devoted to each other to the point of obsession. But times are changing. Vendetta is coming. And tragedy is stalking the halls of the Red House.Black Spring is a stunning new novel by award-winning Australian poet and author Alison Croggon. Inspired by the Gothic horror classic Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, this gripping story of love, lust, magic and betrayal is the perfect book for young adult fiction readers and fans of sophisticated fantasy. Alison can be found online: alisoncroggon.com/

SUMMARY:The second book in the highly acclaimed Pellinor series Maerad is a girl with a tragic and bitter past, but her powers grow stronger by the day. Now she and her mentor, Cadvan, pursued by both the Light and the Dark, are seeking the Riddle of the Treesong - the key to restoring peace in the ravaged kingdom. But is Maerad herself the greatest riddle of them all? Maerad's epic quest continues as she travels from terrifying seas to vast stretches of glacial wilderness, drawn ever closer to her enemy the Winterking - the strongest ally of the Nameless One and the greatest tyrant of them all.