Yellowface
REBECCA F. KUANG
Outwardly, Athena Liu and June Hayward have much in common. Friends at university, both published authors, they continue to meet sporadically over the years. But Athena is publishing’s golden child while June is just another unsuccessful writer, and June’s resentments curdle.
When Athena dies, June is tempted by Athena’s just-finished – and unseen – manuscript. Wouldn’t it be a tribute to her friend to complete the draft for her? But ultimately the novel is published by the ethnically ambiguously named ‘Juniper Song’ … Soon others are examining June’s sudden success and she must decide what actions to take as her deceptions mount up. What will she do to protect her name, even if it is just a mask?
Yellowface examines the machinations of the publishing world. It dissects ideas about identity and the authorial voice, and raises questions about who should tell what stories and how. At the same time it is a psychological horror about the isolation and anonymity of the online world and the perils of mistaking success for worth.
A gripping, enjoyable, but sometimes uncomfortable, read
The Grimmelings
RACHAEL KING
Ella and her little sister Fiona live way down in the South Island of Aotearoa with their mother, Morag, and Scottish grandmother, Grizly (Griselda). Morag runs a horse-trekking business, but the family are ostracised from their local community with rumours of witchiness swirling around them; the menfolk in the family are mysteriously absent.
Ella is desperate for a friend and newcomer Gus seems to fit the bill. She can talk to him about the wild black stallion she has seen around the lake and search for the local boy, recently missing, a boy she has cursed.
There is real danger on every page of this book. The faerie realm threatens with the worst kind of mischief, and the thin veil between life and death haunts the family. Malevolence, terror, bravery and sacrifice make this a thrilling ride.
Most suited to readers of about 9 or 10 years and up.
Allen & Unwin. RRP $24.99
Before George
DEBORAH ROBERTSON
It’s 1953. A mother and her daughters flee family harm in SouthAfrica and survive a harrowing sea journey, only to be caught in the Tangiwai disaster. Survivor Marnya is left with nothing but her mother’s legacy: that she maintain her disguise as a boy, George.
George is taken in by the local community who are at first perplexed by this strange foreigner in their midst; the mask fools no one, but George is determined to be accepted. He is also confused by a bicultural nation quite at odds with the one he left.
George must figure how to navigate his identity, friendship, safety and freedom. Big concepts such as gender roles, life and death are cleverly explored through George’s situation and adventures to find out the truth about his family and build a future for himself.
Most suited to readers of about 12 years and up.
Huia. RRP $30.00
