New Releases by Victor Kelleher

''What is it, Gran?'' Peter demanded, pulling urgently at her sleeve. ''What''s the matter?'' Meg didn''t answer. She was staring down at the book they had been reading together, a shocked expression on her face. For there on the page she had just turned was a picture of the thing itself. Not a photograph, naturally, that would have been impossible. This was merely an artist''s impression. Still, there was no mistaking what she was looking at: the self same creature she had encountered all those years before, when she had been not much older than Peter. What a long time ago that was! Over forty years, and in all that time she hadn''t mentioned what she had seen to anyone. She had thought about it often enough, though. And now, confronted by the creature once more, here in the pages of a book, she almost felt that the long years had never passed. Those ancient eyes, gazing up at her from the painting, seemed to plunge her back in time, back to the lonely country road which ran between school and her grandmother''s farm. It was as if she were actually there, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the bush; as if she were a fourteen-year-old girl once more, hurrying through the dusk towards that first unsettling moment of contact ... The ''creature'' referred to here is a marsupial leopard. Is it real, or a figment of the imagination?

First published in 1999, this dramatic novel deals with issues of friendship, passion and betrayal. A young man known as the Ox is summoned to Castle Dracula where he enters the service of the Count. The two become locked in a passionate duel when a woman they both want is seduced into a life she does not want. The author''s other publications include ''Taronga'', ''Earthsong'', ''The Red King'' and ''Brother Night''.

This collection contains two of Victor Kelleher''s powerful books of interwoven stories, The Travellerand Micky Darlin'', as well as previously uncollected pieces. Taken together, they lead us on a journey- one which moves through the guilt-ridden, violent terrain of Central and Southern Africa; then shifts to an Australia which has yet to learn the lessons of pity and compassion; and ends where in a sense it began - in the raw, all-too-human world of the poor expatriate Irish living in London in the forties. Vivid, moving, and always finely crafted, this collection reveals those diverse qualities which have won Victor Kelleher major awards as a writer for both adults and children. ''Uncompromising in their emotional honesty.'' Elizabeth Perkins, Outrider

Dramatic novel for teenage readers, first published in 1997, dealing with issues of responsibility, environmental destruction, revenge and grief. Danny''s mother dies of asbestosis, and Danny tries to work out who is to blame for her death. He becomes an eco-warrior on the fringes of society, campaigning to preserve the environment. The author''s other publications include ''Master of the Grove'', ''To the Dark Tower'' and ''Where the Whales Sing''.

First published in 1990. Fantasy novel for teenagers, named as an honour book in the CBC Book of the Year Awards in 1991. Ramon thinks he is the son of the Sun Lord and the Moon Witch, but terrible events cause him to question his beliefs.The award-winning author''s other publications include ''Forbidden Paths of Thual''.

Fantasy/science fiction novel for teenagers, first published in 1995. Set in the future, it tells of a time when Earth is unpopulated and two off-world humans, Anna and Joe, are sent to Earth to establish a new colony. Sequel to ''Parkland'', this second volume in a loosely linked trilogy is followed by ''Fire Dancer''. The award-winning author''s other publications include ''Forbidden Paths of Thual''.

El velero en el que Claire viaja sufre un percance en el oc ano. Claire s lo tiene el consuelo de las ballenas, que la potegen, la acompa an y cuidan, as como del tibio mundo bajo el agua, que la llama y la reconforta. Pero en esa inmensa superficie azul los peligros acechan, como el vaiv n de las olas.

Thriller. Plunges into the world of kidnapping and horror.

Devastatingly sinister, and uncomfortably familiar, the truth about Parkland is yet to be revealed ... Parklandis the first title in a loosely linked trilogy (including Earthsongand Fire Dancer) exploring themes of humanity, responsibility and freedom.

Following the successful novels ''Parkland'' and ''Earthsong'', ''Fire Dancer'' is the final book in a loosely linked trilogy about humanity, responsibility and freedom.

Reissue of a novel first published in 1992 dealing with a series of incidents in the lives of an unhappy and wild Irish family living in poverty in London, seen through the eyes of a young grandson.

When her father is thrown from their boat during a storm, Claire spends days and night alone at sea, injured and feverish, with only the whales as companions and protectors.

Ramón, hijo de la sacerdotisa Pilar y del Señor del Sol, se entera de la existencia de una monstruosa criatura que vive en la ciénaga: ese monstruoso ser no es otro que su hermano gemelo Lal, hijo del Señor de la Noche y del cual fue separado al nacer. La intensa relación entre Ramón y Lal, los hermanos opuestos, se verá complicada con el anuncio de que el Señor del Sol está llegando a la ciudad. Las aventuras de esta original novela no sólo nos introducen en el fascinante reino de la imaginación, sino que invitan a una reflexión acerca de los valores aceptados como «bueno» o «malo», «oscuro» o «luminoso».

After freeing two ailing baboons from a research station in Africa, David and Jess are unexpectedly caught up in a struggle for survival in the bush.

How can an unlikely group of travelling entertainers possibly challenge the Red King in his stronghold? How could they hope to survive, let alone win?

A dark, brooding novel about a modern family torn apart by the reaction of one child, Sam, to the death of Laura, the family''s middle child. Exactly a year after Laura''s death, Sam becomes obsessed with a terrifying and evil presence he calls Del-Del. The author, a former associate English professor, has written more than 15 books for adults and young readers.

Novel by the prize-winning author dealing with racial, spiritual and sexual conflict in Australia in 1988. Jack Rudd is caught between his fixation with an Aboriginal activist and his guilt feelings over Benny who lies in hospital in a coma.

The disturbing and awesome Beast of Heaven wanders a ruined earth, destroyed long before by an atomic holocaust. He shares the land with the Gatherers, a gentle nomadic tribe, sensitive to the spirits of those long dead.

A fantasy adventure story about a society of warriors, their unseen rulers, the Makers, and the cadet Jeth, who is wrongly accused of breaking the law. Winner of the 1989 Children''s Literature Peace Prize and shortlisted for the 1988 Children''s Book of the Year Award. Paperback issue of a children''s novel first published in 1987.

While his family is visiting a remote Australian valley Kenny, a gentle young man with the mind of a three-year-old, is possessed by a hate-filled, long-dead convict, thus becoming a pawn of vengeful ghosts bent on reenacting an old tragedy.

The story of Emma Wilhelm, an idealistic young woman, starts in SW Africa at the turn of the century, and is recorded 60 years later by her granddaughter.