This week our Maroochydore team take us on a fantastical journey through their favourite reads!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore:
A land where people with two different eye colours are graced with a certain skill, a mysterious king with ulterior motives and a female protagonist that doesn’t need a man to defend her. A land where there are seven different kings of seven bordering kingdoms so there is always drama. Kristin Cashore’s fantastic fantasy read will keep you hooked until the very last page.
A niece of one of the kings, Katsa, happens to be graced with killing and despite her best efforts is used as the King’s personal thug to threaten his enemies. Little does he know, Katsa has recruited a secret council and is righteously helping those in all kingdoms who can’t help themselves. Then in a dangerous race to figure out who is behind the kidnapping of a king’s father, Katsa will have to defend the heir to one of the thrones with her life. With adventure, romance and a beautifully constructed fantasy world, you will no doubt fall in love with this book as much as I have. – Lauren

One for the money by Janet Evanovich:
One for the money is one of those great beach reads. Light, hilarious and a great quick read! Stephanie Plum is down on her luck. In a desperate attempt to make some money she begins working for her cousin Vinnie’s bail bond company. Problem is she doesn’t know a thing about being a recovery agent… – Maylee

The Passage by Justin Cronin:
An absolute must read for all Stephen King fans, and lovers of post-apocalyptic fiction.
The Passage provides a different approach on the usual zombie, post-apocalyptic world that we often see in books and media.
It follows the story of a young girl, Amy, abandoned by her mother at a young age, who is saved from the grips of a government experiment from the special agent who was sent sent to capture her.The experiment fails, and the world crumbles around them, leaving a world of uncertainty, horror, and violence, in which the survivors must fight to save the human race.
It in an intense, heart-stopping novel, which will grip you from the first page, haunt your dreams, leave you craving more at the end. – Coreena

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor:
Daughter of Smoke and Bone is a truly enthralling read. Laini Taylor produces a wonderfully written book that has elements of mystery and darkness. Daughter of Smoke and Bone tells the tale of forbidden love mixed in with mythology, angels, and demons. Think you know angels and demons? Well think again! Laini plays a twist on these common ideas to truly make this series unlike any other in the Young Adult genre. I would highly recommend this book if you are after something that is bound to captivate you! – Tariana

Before I fall by Lauren Oliver:
This story follows the life of Sam – an egotistical mean girl in high school. When Sam is thrown into a crazy journey of self-discovery, she also uncovers the importance of humanity. Lauren Oliver beautifully details the importance treasuring loved ones, and staying true to yourself. This story was so heart-wrenching, yet so beautiful, eloquent and honest. I am not embarrassed about the amount of conflicting emotions I felt within, or the amount of tears shed over this story. If I had to rate this book out of ten, it would be at least an eleven. – Chelsea

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch:
Biggest plus of the series – it’s genuinely funny, with some great witty dialogue and banter. I fell in love with the characters, and was equally delighted with how they managed to get out of whatever scrape they found themselves in, and with the satisfying revenge that they usually managed to impart upon the antagonist before they went. Full of cons and rogues and delightful twists, it’s fresh and smart, and it makes you truly care about what happens to the characters. My favourite fantasy series to date. – Krystal