Jacinta's desk 2025

November 2025

Jacinta is a member of our Youth and Children's Team. Jacinta has a special passion for our teen collections and knows all the good stuff. Here she will be sharing some of her favourites.

	Godzilla Skate or Die! By Louie Joyce A bit different from my usual reads, this graphic novel really caught my eye when it came to my desk! Aussie skaters, Godzilla on a rampage, sounds like a good time. Australian skater punks versus Varan and the King of the Monsters in this thrilling Godzilla miniseries! Four years ago, four best friends and die-hard skaters found the perfect location for a DIY skatepark. After months of hard work, they created the world’s sickest spot that they could enjoy for the rest of their lives… That is, until the ferocious Varan appeared in the middle of central Australia and started making a beeline for their beloved park. Why is Varan on a rampage? Why did Godzilla just appear off the coast? What does their beloved skate spot have to do with this? And most importantly…what are these punks willing to do to save it? Request a copy via our catalogue
	The Dark Within Us By Jess Popplewell If you like romance, fantasy, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Hades & Persephone, check this out! The Dark Within Us brings an inventive, funny and quirky reimagining of a modern version of hell. Jenny's felt broken for a long time. Luc has his own issues - you would too if your family ruled Hell. When they meet at a party, sparks fly. She sees a handsome devil. He sees a lost soul. Both sense trouble. But it will take a journey to the very depths of the underworld to bring a girl and a demon together . . . Request a copy via our catalogue
	A Forgery of Fate By Elizabeth Lim If you like stories inspired by Beauty and the Beast, romance, fantasy, and mythology you should check out this incredible new book by Elizabeth Lim! A girl who paints the future, a cursed dragon lord. Bound by love and deception, they will bring down the gods. A gifted art forger, Truyan Saigas has the unique ability to paint the future, but not even such magic can heal her family, or save her two younger sisters from the dangerous consequences or her mother's gambling debts. Then Elang, a mysterious dragon lord, offers her a deal: in exchange for a fresh start for her mother and sisters, Tru must enter a marriage contract and join him in his desolate undersea palace. Once there, Tru will embark on her most dangerous forgery yet. To infiltrate the tyrannical Dragon King's inner circle and paint a future so treasonous, it could upend both the mortal and immortal realms... Request a copy via our catalogue
	Rebis By Irene Marchesini and Carlotta Dicataldo This beautifully illustrated graphic novel contains some of my favourite fiction themes and tropes - Historical fantasy setting, found family, and sisterhood. Born with paper-white skin, Martino is an outcast. To the villagers, albinism is more than a curiosity - it's a curse. Bullied and shunned, Martino seeks refuge in the deep woods - and finds it in Viviana. Powerful and beautiful, Viviana lives alone - but isn't lonely. She belongs to a sisterhood of outcast women who depend on the forest for sustenance and healing. Martino is welcomed into the fold and, drawing on the magic of the forest, is reborn. In Rebis, Italian duo Marchesini and Carlotta Dicataldo deliver a medieval fantasy steeped in mystery - a haunting and hopeful tale of transformation and found family. Request a copy via our catalogue
	I Guess I Live Here Now By Claire Ahn As a girl currently obsessed with K-Pop and all things Korean culture, this new book by Claire Ahn caught my attention as soon as it came in! If you've ever imagined starting your life fresh in a new country, new friends, new you, I guess I live here now is an awesome contemporary fiction, romance and family drama read! Seoul, Korea. In this glittering city where the latest trends are born, Melody finds herself swept away by luxary, romance, and family drama ... but is this a place she could ever call home? Thanks to a tiny transgression after school one day, she's shocked to discover that her parents have decided to move her and her mom out of New York City to join her father in Seoul--immediately! Barely having the chance to say goodbye to her best friend before she's on a plane, Melody is resentful, angry, and homesick. But she soon finds herself settling into their super luxe home, meeting cool friends at school, and discovering the alluring aspects of living in Korea--trendsetting fashion, delectable food, her dad's black card, and a cute boy to hang out with. Life in Seoul is amazing...until cracks begin to form on its shiny surface. Clair Ahn's charming debut lets you hear every beat of a k-pop bop, taste savory bites of Korean barbecue, bathe in the glow of Seoul's neon lights, and feel the highs and lows of Melody's emotional journey across the world and within her heart. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Restaurant at the Edge of the World By Oliver Gerlach and Kelsi Jo Silva The last thing on soup's to-do list is to make waves at her job, but when her boss's villainous behaviour becomes toxic, she decides to dismantle his power by beating him at his own game - cooking! At seventeen, Soup is at a crossroads, eager to make her mark on the world, yet reluctant to leave the restaurant she calls home. The last thing on her to-do list is to overthrow the patriarchy, but when her elven boss snaps at her she begins to see his pattern of abuse, starting in the kitchen. Something's got to give, and the answer is simple: a bet for the restaurant. If Soup wins the cooking competition, she'll claim the business and protect her village. If she loses, she'll have to leave her home and stand by as the food community she loves is razed to the ground. With friends and chosen family rallying around her, Soup has a chance to win. Yet, everyone knows villains don't fight fair and this restaurateur is not going to give up his throne so easily . . . An empowering story about taking risks, finding your voice, and being brave enough to stand up for friends. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Wicked Lovely By Melissa Marr Urban fantasy, faeries and their schemes, paranormal romance, Wicked Lovely is the first book in a series of five gripping novels by Melissa Marr. This is an older series that has just been reprinted with beautiful new cover art. And while I'm a firm believer in not judging a book by its cover, I was so excited to see a series I loved so much have new life breathed into it, for a new audience of readers to enjoy! Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires. Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything. Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The Teenager's Guide to Burnout By Dr. Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker An essential guide for all teenagers experiencing stress and burnout Does any of this sound like you? - Lacking in energy and feeling that your life has lost its sparkle - Feeling like you can't ever quite relax - Unable to sleep despite being exhausted all the time - Finding that you don't really enjoy anything anymore, even things you used to love - Feeling that everyone is irritating and no one understands - Finding going to school really hard or not possible at all anymore Then this book might help. These are signs that you are experiencing burnout − your battery has taken a battering and you are running on empty. Many people think burnout only happens to adults, but it's something lots of teenagers experience too. This book will help you to understand what burnout is, how you got there and what you can do to get back to a life you enjoy. We've written it to help you work out if you might be burnt out, and if so, what you can do about it. It will help you identify some of the ways that you might be getting stuck when you're trying to get better. You'll get some ideas as to what is and isn't helping. And if you decide that you aren't really burnt out but you're heading that way, this book has some ideas to stop it from happening in the future. Co-written by expert clinical psychologistDr Naomi Fisher, who has helped many teenagers deal with the stresses and pressures of school and life, and by bestselling author and illustratorEliza Fricker. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Adultish The Body Image Book For Life By Dr. Charlotte Markey They say that comparison is the thief of joy, but it's hard to look away from the prettiest girl in your class, the latest celebrity surgery trend, and photoshopped social media pics! It can feel impossible to meet a standard that does not exist, so any book like Adultish that gives you the facts and strategies to focus on becoming your best self, is a book worth reading! Discover the ultimate guide to taking on adulthood with body confidence. In a world where body satisfaction plummets during adolescence, and a global pandemic and social media frenzy have created extra pressure, Adultish is a survival kit for young adults. This all-inclusive book provides evidence-based information on everything from social media and sex to mental health and nutrition. Packed with valuable features like Q&As, myth-busting, real-life stories, and expert advice, it is a go-to source for discovering the importance of self-acceptance and embarking on a journey towards loving the skin you're in. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Don't Let the Forest In By CG Drews Don't Let the Forest In hits the mark on a stack of delicious literary tropes; dark academia, gothic horror, fantasy, paranormal, LGBT, and mystery thriller. Once upon a time, Andrew had cut out his heart and given it to this boy, and he was very sure Thomas had no idea that Andrew would do anything for him. Protect him. Lie for him. Kill for him. High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality―Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more. But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won't say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork―whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew's wicked stories. Desperate to figure out what's wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster―Thomas's drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator... Request a copy via our catalogue
	What the River Knows By Isabel Ibañez If you loved Egyptology or The Mummy movie, What the River Knows should be at the top of your TBR! Combining historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, adventure, and romance. Bolivian-Argentinian Inez Olivera belongs to the glittering upper society of nineteenth century Buenos Aires, and like the rest of the world, the town is steeped in old world magic that’s been largely left behind or forgotten. Inez has everything a girl might want, except for the one thing she yearns the most: her globetrotting parents—who frequently leave her behind. When she receives word of their tragic deaths, Inez inherits their massive fortune and a mysterious guardian, an archeologist in partnership with his Egyptian brother-in-law. Yearning for answers, Inez sails to Cairo, bringing her sketch pads and an ancient golden ring her father sent to her for safekeeping before he died. But upon her arrival, the old world magic tethered to the ring pulls her down a path where she soon discovers there’s more to her parent’s disappearance than what her guardian led her to believe. With her guardian’s infuriatingly handsome assistant thwarting her at every turn, Inez must rely on ancient magic to uncover the truth about her parent’s disappearance—or risk becoming a pawn in a larger game that will kill her. The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in this lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Rise up and Sing! Power, Protest and Activism in Music By Andrea Warner and Louise Reimer Our library collections team struggled trying to fit this book into a category, is it more music and entertainment or biography? Would it fit in better with books about politics, or our society? In short, it really grabbed out attention! If you are a music fan, interested in musicians, or passionate about protest and activism this book is a great read. An inspiring introduction to activism and social justice for young teens showing the important role music plays in changing the world. Plus playlists! Each chapter includes a playlist with recommended songs about an area of activism, from classic tracks to contemporary hits. In *Rise Up and Sing!,* author Andrea Warner and illustrator Louise Reimer explore how music has contributed to the fight for social justice. Through ground-breaking artists and iconic moments, Rise Up and Sing! shows us that a song is never just a song, and that music really does have the power to change the world. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Nettle By Bex Hogan If you like Holly Black, Sarah J Maas, fantasy, folklore, and fairies, check out Nettle by Bex Hogan. Inspired by faery myth and folklore, the haunting, heart wrenching tale of a girl called Nettle in a dark, foreboding faery kingdom. A wild misfit in the human world, Nettle is enthralled by the glamour of the faery realm, with its two moons and scarlet stars. She grows close to Conor, a human stolen centuries before, and she also falls under the spell of mysterious Ellion, a Shadow Faery. To try to help her beloved grandmother who is fading in her world, Nettle makes a pact with the faery king. He'll heal her grandmother in exchange for Nettle completing three tasks. She agrees, not realising that deception lurks in this enchanted place, and that she has been tricked… In this dangerous fantasy kingdom Nettle discovers, too late, her part in an age-old love story and the price she will pay. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Where the Dark Stands Still By A.B. Poranek If you put The Witcher, Beauty and the Beast, Gothic Romance, folklore, and fantasy in a blender you would get Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek. If you like any of the above I highly recommend Checking out this book! Raised in a small village near the spirit-wood, Liska Radost knows that Magic is monstrous, and its practitioners, monsters. After Liska unleashes her own powers with devastating consequences, she is caught by the demon warden of the wood – the Leszy – who offers her a bargain: one year of servitude in exchange for a wish. Whisked away to his crumbling manor, Liska soon discovers the sinister roots of their bargain. And if she wants to survive the year and return home, she must unravel her host’s spool of secrets and face the ghosts of his past. Those who enter the wood do not always return… Request a copy via our catalogue
	Gentlest of Wild Things By Sarah Underwood On the island of Zakynthos, nothing is more powerful than Desire -- love itself, bottled and sold to the highest bidder by Leandros, a power-hungry descendent of the god Eros. Eirene and her beloved twin sister, Phoebe, have always managed to escape Desire's thrall. Until Leandros' wife dies mysteriously and he sets his sights on Phoebe. Determined to keep her sister safe, Eirene strikes a bargain with Leandros: if she can complete the four elaborate tasks he sets her, he will find another bride. But it soon becomes clear that the tasks are part of something bigger; something related to Desire and Lamia, the strange, neglected daughter Leandros keeps locked away. Lamia knows her father hides her for her own protection, though as she and Eirene grow closer, she finds herself longing for the outside world. But the price of freedom is high, and with something deadly - something hungry - stalking the night, that price must be paid in blood. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Her Radiant Curse By Elizabeth Lim One sister must fall for the other to rise. Channi was not born a monster. But when her own father offers her in sacrifice to the Demon Witch, she is forever changed. Cursed with a serpent’s face, Channi is the exact opposite of her beautiful sister, Vanna—the only person in the village who looks at Channi and doesn’t see a monster. The only person she loves and trusts. Now seventeen, Vanna is to be married off in a vulgar contest that will enrich the coffers of the village leaders. Only Channi, who’s had to rely on her strength and cunning all these years, can defend her sister against the cruelest of the suitors. But in doing so, she becomes the target of his wrath—launching a grisly battle royale, a quest over land and sea, a romance between sworn enemies, and a choice that will strain Channi’s heart to its breaking point. Weaving together elements of The Selection and Ember in the Ashes with classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Helen of Troy, and Asian folklore, Elizabeth Lim is at the absolute top of her game in this thrilling yet heart-wrenching fantasy that explores the dark side of beauty and the deepest bonds of sisterhood. Request a copy via our catalogue
	The Ones Who Come Back Hungry By Amelinda Bérubé From the author of Here There Are Monsters comes a chilling supernatural horror that is part terrifying vampire legend and part modern exploration of toxic relationships wrapped up in a novel about hunger, yearning, and loss. After the sudden death of her perfect, popular older sister, Jo and her family feel empty. But days after crying at Audrey's graveside, Jo stumbles on the impossible: Audrey, standing barefoot in the snowy backyard. But Audrey isn't breathing. She's still marred with the evidence of an autopsy. She's decaying. And worst of all, Audrey is hungry, and only human blood can curb her relentless appetite. Jo knows she can put her family back together; she just has to figure out how to fix Audrey. She hides her sister and sustains her with her own blood, determined to figure out how to keep Audrey with them. When her search takes her to her sister's grieving inner circle of friends, Jo finds herself drawn into their fold―and to Audrey's boyfriend, Sam. As Jo slips further into her sister's old life, Audrey's hunger and jealousy grow more insatiable. She's not going to sit back and let Jo replace her or, worse, discover the secrets hidden beneath her golden girl facade. As Jo struggles to juggle everything she will be forced to decide which of her loved ones needs her the most ―and who she's willing to sacrifice to save them. Request a copy via our catalogue
	I Shall Never Fall in Love By Hari Conner George has major problems: They’ve just inherited the failing family estate, and the feelings for their best friend, Eleanor, have become more complicated than ever. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men’s clothes, George is sure it would be ruination for the family name. Eleanor has always wanted to do everything "right," including falling in love—but she’s never met a boy she was interested in. She’d much rather spend time with her best friend, George, and beloved cousin Charlotte. However, when a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened, forcing her to rethink what "right" means and confront feelings she never knew she had. Inspired by Jane Austen and queer history, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules for what makes a happily ever after. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Illustrated Girl By Josephine Angelini From bestselling author Josephine Angelini comes a whimsical cozy read with loads of adventure and none of the triggers. Perfect for fans of Olivia Atwater and Travis Baldree. Ever wish you could travel inside your favorite book and become the main character? Of course you have. Everyone has. But if you ever manage to pull it off, here’s a tip. Timing is everything… Take Holly for example, who after saying a spell is transported inside a fairytale called The Chronicles of Lucitopia, a magical world infested with grifter grandmas, halitosis-riddled bandits, and devoid of any functioning toilets. Holly becomes Princess Pleasant exactly as she wished, but she gets there too late, right after an evil sorcerer turns Lucitopia into a tetanus-ridden hellhole. And now, it’s up to Holly to make things right. With the help of a freakishly handsome, yet frustratingly virtuous knight, Holly sets out to fix her story, but she only has fifteen days left to do so or she risks being stuck in Lucitopia for the rest of her life, which may prove to be a short one considering she’s overdue for her shots. Request a copy via our catalogue
	Pupposites Attract, Vol. 1 By Hono Natsuna A fluffy, feel-good romance manga for dog lovers! Chiharu enjoys every day with her sweetie of a Rottweiler, who probably weighs as much as she does. Meanwhile, Kiyotaka can't get enough of his fluffy Pomeranian, who barely comes up to his knees. When these two mismatched pairs chance upon each other at the park, they're like oil and water. But, after enough chance meetings, could this turn into an unlikely friendship, or something more? Chiharu's bold personality in a petite frame strikes a contrast in every way to her scaredy-cat Rottweiler Tsubu-chan--and the same could be said for the sturdy but shy Kiyotaka and his outgoing Pomeranian, Monjuro. Yet, for these inseparable pairs, their long walks together are the highlights of the day. One encounter leads to another, and before long, these two unusual duos find their feelings changing... Pupposites Attract is a comforting manga for pet lovers about finding joy in the unexpected, and the importance of bonds with both four-legged companions and two-legged ones alike. Perfect for fans of A Man and His Cat and Lovely Muco. Request a copy via our catalogue