TWIST
By Colum McCann
$32.99
Colum McCann takes his time setting up this suspenseful yet meditative tale of men at sea. Twist’s protagonist is Anthony Fennell, an Irish journalist left melancholic by his marriage breakdown. To repair himself, he chases a story about global connection, which brings him to the coast of South Africa. We are taken aboard a repair ship, whose crew is tasked with repairing the internet cables resting at the bottom of the ocean. But when the enigmatic captain Conway vanishes in the middle of the repair trip, Fennel is left with more questions.
The beauty of this taut novel is in the ruminations McCann weaves throughout the main plot. The irony of how something as vast as the internet can leave us feeling more disconnected than ever, and how we may never truly understand an individual’s motivations. The strength in Twist comes from the careful plotting, and the nuanced character studies of a crew burdened by loneliness and mess, yet they try to power through.
Review by the Sun Bookshop – sunbookshop.com
ELLA AND THE SLEEPOVER SAFARI
By Cassie Pomelini & Illustrated by Hykie Breeze
$15.99
This charming follow up to Cassie’s best-selling book Ella and the Frog Orchestra sees Ella’s worlds collide when her old friend Viv and new friend Mai finally meet at Ella’s birthday party – a sleepover at the zoo! But these best friends aren’t getting along, and when a cheeky critter escapes its enclosure it’s up to the trio to find it. Will this conundrum drive them further apart or can they learn to work together?
With fun animal facts interwoven with a compelling storyline, this novel also deals with the fraught nature of friendship, and how we learn to accept each other for our differences – there’s even a chatterbox diagram at the back, along with tips on how to be a ‘wildlife warrior’. Ella and the Sleepover Safari is the perfect book for the animal obsessed child in your life.
Review by the Sun Bookshop – sunbookshop.com
The Ledge
By Christian White
The Ledge is an exciting story about secrets and how the past can catch up with you. When bones are found in the forests of Victoria, a group of old friends starts to worry. Their secret from 1999 is about to come out.
The story moves between two timelines—the past, when Aaron, a teenager, ran away and dragged his friends into trouble, and the present, where the truth is slowly coming out. This back-and-forth keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to piece everything together.
The book is easy to follow but full of surprises. The characters feel real, and you can understand their choices, even when they make mistakes. The ending is shocking and will stay with you.
The Ledge is a great choice if you like mysteries with many twists. It’s a story about friendship, guilt, and how secrets can change lives.
Review by Aryani Siti
Clear
By Carys Davies
Set against the backdrop of 18th-century Scotland during the Highland Clearances, where entire communities were forcibly evicted from their homes, this novel follows John, a minister tasked with relocating Ivar, the last remaining inhabitant of a remote island. What begins as a mission of displacement evolves into an unlikely friendship between the two men. Though they don’t speak the same language, they form an endearing bond. Davies’ writing is striking, bringing the rugged Scottish landscape to life with such vividness that readers feel truly immersed in its beauty and desolation. A brilliant exploration of human connection amidst hardship.
Review by The Chestnut Tree – thechestnuttree.com.au
