Ely

Hi, everyone—it’s Ely from Of Wonderland. I’m back today to help Angel out with a guest post. I’m going to be sharing four amazing Aussie books that deserve way more love than what they get at the moment. So let’s jump into it.

The Blackthorn & Grim Trilogy by Juliet Marillier

So Marillier is technically a New Zealander, but she lives in Australia now so I’m counting it. This is an incredible adult fantasy series filled with magic, fae, and mystery. If you aren’t a fan of fantasy novels filled with war and fighting, this series feels kind of cozy. Blackthorn is a wise woman. And her friend Grim is a gentle giant—they are honestly two of my favourite characters of all-time. The whole world is incredibly rich and the side characters are all well-fleshed out and interesting.

If you’re a fan of Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series or dare I say it, the ACOTAR series, and you want to branch out into adult fantasy, then this is perfect for you!

This Is How We Change The Ending by Vikki Wakefield

This is a #LoveOzYA title that I just recently read because of the Stella Prize, and I’m completely in love with it. This is the story of Nate, a teenage boy growing up in a pretty tough situation and it’s about him learning to take control of his life. I fully believe that this is one of those books that is going to change teens’ lives and so I think everyone should read it and share it around.

If you’re a fan of Melina Marchetta’s books or Perks of Being a Wallflower, then you might really enjoy this!

Ottilie Colter and the Narroway Hunt by Rhiannon Williams

Ottilie Colter was one of my favourite books of last year. This is a middle-grade fantasy following a young girl named Ottilie Colter and the journey she goes on when her young brother goes missing. This is just a really fun book—I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a good adventure story?

If you’re a fan of Rick Riordan’s books or if you like the magical creature element of Fantastic Beasts, then this is a perfect read for you!

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan is kind of a newish obsession of mine. He’s an artist and writer, and everything he touches is extremely beautiful. The Arrival is maybe my favourite of his so far—it’s a story told solely in illustrations, but it’s so powerful. I recommend going into this one without knowing much about it. Just trust Shaun Tan to take you on a journey.

I honestly don’t have any books or authors come to mind that are anything like Shaun Tan, he’s just that incredible.

And there we are! Let me know if you’ve read any of these. And I’ll see you in a little while with another guest post!