Moonlight & Dust
Title: Moonlight & Dust
Author: Jasmin McGaughey
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Shortlist: John Marsden Prize for Writing for Young Adults
An intriguing, fast-paced debut YA fantasy novel, featuring 16-year-old Torres Strait Islander Zillah, who is caught up in the world of exclusive high school parties after her sister has a mysterious accident. For fans of kick-arse girls, enigmatic boys, true friendships, dark secrets and illicit magic.
‘There's something dangerous in the air. It shimmers in the night, wrapped in the warm, humid breeze. I stand on the kerb outside my cousin's house waiting for my sister.’
Zillah has always been a good girl – nothing like her rebellious big sister Nik. After Nik has an accident that leaves her comatose, Zillah has to find a way to navigate life and high school in Cairns without Nik's guiding light.
Determined to fit in, Zillah seeks out the secrets of her school's after-hours party scene and discovers Moondust – a sparkling elixir with magical properties. Could this have something to do with Nik's accident? To find out, she must plunge further into a world of moonlit parties and take out-of-character risks.
As Zillah unravels what might be going on at Craigmont High, she forges friendships with other Island students and starts falling for a boy who might know more about Nik than he lets on. But Zillah is not entirely sure who she can trust. And she has no idea of the danger they're all in.
A wonderful new voice in YA fantasy with a unique story about family and friendship, mysterious parties and unknowable secrets.
Judges’ Report
This is a distinctive, compelling debut that effortlessly brings together magic and contemporary YA. The use of creole throughout the book was seamless and demonstrated an immense respect for its readers, a trust reflected further in the cultural references and complex thematic layers throughout the novel. We loved the relationships between the characters, the unique and playful take on magic, and the confident world-building. Moonlight & Dust is a truly impressive debut novel that rose to the top of an already strong list of fantasy novels that were submitted this year.
Extract
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About the Author
Jasmin McGaughey
VPLA book photography by Shannyn Higgins
The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are proudly supported by the Victorian Government.
