AustLit

'In The Witching Hours, Anna and Max travel the world with their father, the Professor – but their real adventures take place in the dangerous underworld of dark fairies, where the children face sinister creatures and battle for their lives.

'Something wicked is stirring beneath the icy mountains of China – and Anna and Max, who have just arrived with the Professor, are determined to discover what it is. Earthquakes are shaking the foundations of an ancient village, while bone-chilling roars and flashes of fire burst across the sky. The siblings are sure another fairy monster has awoken – but this time, they’re not the only ones who know.

'A strange man has been stirring trouble in the village – a man Anna and Max have met before. But with rumours of the monster’s vast treasure cave spreading fast, the children will have to decide whether to side with their old foe, or else seek out the monster on their own …'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The second book in Nette Hilton's irresistible emerging readers series for self-described princesses who dislike waiting around for things (especially princes) and can't resist a challenge from a troll (big brother).

Princess Peony has zero interest in waiting for a unicorn, a fairy princess or a silly prince until the Troll (her brother) tells her she'll never get one because she's not even a real princess. Then, The lovely Princess decides a Prince on a horse, with a big JUMPING LEAPING HOUND AND A SAVAGE LION OR TWO would be VERY handy. Trolls are to be ignored but sometimes they’re ASKING for it, if you really want to know. As only she can, Princess Peony manages to prove that she's a Princess and make her brother think he's a Prince, which he absolutely doesn't want to be. Of course, only she can turn him back into a Troll and restore order to the kingdom. This will involve some kissing, some frogs and a lot of surprises.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Once upon a time there was a dear little girl called Peony. That’s P.E.O.N.Y. And it’s me. I live in a Castle with my Dragon whose name is Totts. That’s T.O.T.T.S And that makes me a Princess if you really want to know. Princess Peony is not really a princess, but she does have a pet dragon, which means she's kind of like a princess. In her first adventure, she must keep an evil troll (her brother) from trying to steal her dragon (dog)--and avoid being eaten by a bear, which is really hard work.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Stuck in a leaky beach house by the Australian seaside, all Anna wants is a holiday –but in the shadowy ghost town of Mermaid’s Purse, something strange is going on. A famous explorer has gone missing, leaving behind their research about a long-lost shipwreck: a wreck that may be hiding a dark secret.

'In the midst of a violent gale, Anna sets out to explore the town, sure that Max and the Professor will be safe indoors. But with a weird voice calling out to her from across the sea, and a network of cobwebbed tunnels running beneath her feet, Anna is about to learn that this ghost town might not be as empty as it seems …

'Beware what lies beneath.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In The Witching Hours, Anna and Max travel the world with their father, the Professor - but their real adventures take place in the dangerous underworld of dark fairies, where the children face sinister creatures and battle for their lives.

'On their next adventure with the Professor, Anna and Max are journeying to Iran. A mysterious ruin has been unearthed in the desert: a citadel of sand and stone, built by a great sorceress of ages past. The Professor is searching the ruin for the ending to an ancient fairy story - but for Anna and Max, a dangerous new tale is beginning. A sinister figure has been stealing information from the desert camp, trying to uncover the lost treasure of the sorceress - which might be a powerful fairy weapon.

'Stranded in the desert, Anna and Max must ensure the terrifying treasure stays hidden - or else a monster of epic proportions could be unleashed ...

'Be careful what you wish for.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'After their adventures in Transylvania, Anna and Max just want to stay out of trouble – but trouble has other plans. The Professor’s taken them to the cold and foggy fields of England, where a new mystery is afoot. A small boy has disappeared near a strange and mysterious river, lost without a trace.

'Armed with her magical white knife, Anna is determined to crack the case, boldly leading Max into danger and darkness. With memories of the fairy world still haunting her dreams, Anna feels sure that another monster is behind the boy’s disappearance. But when the sinister secret of the river is finally revealed, will the siblings be able to save the missing boy – and themselves?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A storm is raging around the forests of Transylvania, where siblings Anna and Max are visiting with the Professor. Left alone to explore a creepy old inn, the children discover that something evil is lurking in the trees – and it just might have a taste for human blood.

'When Max goes missing, it’s up to Anna and her new friend Isabella to rescue him. Setting out in the dead of night, with the storm howling around them, the girls will face peril after peril. Only one thing is certain: even if Anna can find a way to rescue her brother, Max will never be the same again.' (Synopsis)

'The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

'The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker Powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what’s ahead.' (From the publisher's website.)

'It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

'Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men. Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered. With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way ... taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.' (From the Penguin website.)