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Ghost Bird
Remember daughter, the world is a lot bigger than anyone knows. There are things that science may never explain. Maybe some things that shouldn’t be explained.
Stacey and Laney are twins – mirror images of each other – and yet they’re as different as the sun and the moon. Stacey works hard at school, determined to get out of their small town. Laney skips school and sneaks out of the house to meet her boyfriend. But when Laney disappears one night, Stacey can’t believe she’s just run off without telling her.
As the days pass and Laney doesn’t return, Stacey starts dreaming of her twin. The dreams are dark and terrifying, difficult to understand and hard to shake, but at least they tell Stacey one key thing – Laney is alive. It’s hard for Stacey to know what’s real and what’s imagined and even harder to know who to trust. All she knows for sure is that Laney needs her help.
Stacey is the only one who can find her sister. Will she find her in time?
Stacey and Laney are twins – mirror images of each other – and yet they’re as different as the sun and the moon. Stacey works hard at school, determined to get out of their small town. Laney skips school and sneaks out of the house to meet her boyfriend. But when Laney disappears one night, Stacey can’t believe she’s just run off without telling her.
As the days pass and Laney doesn’t return, Stacey starts dreaming of her twin. The dreams are dark and terrifying, difficult to understand and hard to shake, but at least they tell Stacey one key thing – Laney is alive. It’s hard for Stacey to know what’s real and what’s imagined and even harder to know who to trust. All she knows for sure is that Laney needs her help.
Stacey is the only one who can find her sister. Will she find her in time?
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2019
32 people are currently reading
1790 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Fuller
4 books39 followersLisa Fuller is a Wuilli Wuilli woman from Eidsvold, Queensland, and is also descended from Gooreng Gooreng and Wakka Wakka peoples. She won a 2019 black&write! Writing Fellowship, the 2017 David Unaipon Award for an Unpublished Indigenous Writer, the 2018 Varuna Eleanor Dark Flagship Fellowship, and was a joint winner of the 2018 Copyright Agency Fellowships for First Nations Writers. She has previously published poetry, blogs and short fiction. Lisa is an editor and publishing consultant, and is passionate about culturally appropriate writing and publishing.
Lisa is a member of Us Mob Writing, the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild, the First Nations Australia Writers Network, and the Canberra Society of Editors.
Lisa is a member of Us Mob Writing, the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild, the First Nations Australia Writers Network, and the Canberra Society of Editors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 12, 2020
HOLY HECK THIS WAS SPOOKY.
The blurb: Stacey and Laney - twins, who are super close but opposite in almost every way. Stacey's the good girl while Laney is more of a rebel, so when Laney goes missing it's only Stacey's 'twinstinct' that tells her her sister is in trouble.
(Yes, I'm pretty sure I just invented the word 'twinstinct'.)
Me reading the blurb: Ooh, a YA crime novel, cool.
Me actually reading this book:
*eyes widen*
*eyes widen further*
*mouth gaping*
*contorting expressions of terror*
It's such a uniquely terrifying story. I'm tempted to add it to my 'horror' shelf, it was that sinister. I mean, the sister goes missing and that's mysterious, but then Stacey (Tace) starts having these nightmares that are completely wild and I will never be able to see a red laser dot ever again without thinking of this book. And shuddering.
I absolutely loved the culture of this story. Aboriginal culture is so rich with myths, legends and customs, and many other things that, as a white woman, I'm not privy to. So it was fascinating to get a glimpse into that world through Tace's eyes. Particularly as she's a spirited teen who is more interested in rational science than the rumours and legends of her Nan. There's also that very clear divide between the 'blackfullas' and the 'whitefullas' (as Tace calls them) that was incredibly relevant to read about in our current climate, despite this being set 20 years ago. The racism in this book is just a matter of fact, and Tace takes it as such, just as she does the hatred between her family and the Millers (despite not knowing why they are at war). She is clearly enraged by the injustice, but at the same time is utterly defeated by it. I really appreciated reading this POV.
The writing style was immersive, and the language used helped me really hear the voices of these characters. It may be a little hard to understand for non-Australians as a lot of the words are clipped, and there were a few words that I wasn't familiar with myself and I assume they are from an indigenous language. The authenticity is a massive part of this story, and it adds such an important realism to the myths and legends as they arise.
I loved the experience of reading this story, and it really did get super creepy. I liked how dark and twisted it was, and that it wasn't just about the culture - there was a gritty story here to carry you away.
If you're looking for a creepy little mystery to sink your teeth into, I recommend this highly. It's also a great option for anyone looking to explore more indigenous authors. LOVED IT.
Note: I'm still considering bumping this up to 5 stars. It all hinges on whether I think I'd wanna read it again. And it was pretty creepy XD
The blurb: Stacey and Laney - twins, who are super close but opposite in almost every way. Stacey's the good girl while Laney is more of a rebel, so when Laney goes missing it's only Stacey's 'twinstinct' that tells her her sister is in trouble.
(Yes, I'm pretty sure I just invented the word 'twinstinct'.)
Me reading the blurb: Ooh, a YA crime novel, cool.
Me actually reading this book:
*eyes widen*
*eyes widen further*
*mouth gaping*
*contorting expressions of terror*
It's such a uniquely terrifying story. I'm tempted to add it to my 'horror' shelf, it was that sinister. I mean, the sister goes missing and that's mysterious, but then Stacey (Tace) starts having these nightmares that are completely wild and I will never be able to see a red laser dot ever again without thinking of this book. And shuddering.
I absolutely loved the culture of this story. Aboriginal culture is so rich with myths, legends and customs, and many other things that, as a white woman, I'm not privy to. So it was fascinating to get a glimpse into that world through Tace's eyes. Particularly as she's a spirited teen who is more interested in rational science than the rumours and legends of her Nan. There's also that very clear divide between the 'blackfullas' and the 'whitefullas' (as Tace calls them) that was incredibly relevant to read about in our current climate, despite this being set 20 years ago. The racism in this book is just a matter of fact, and Tace takes it as such, just as she does the hatred between her family and the Millers (despite not knowing why they are at war). She is clearly enraged by the injustice, but at the same time is utterly defeated by it. I really appreciated reading this POV.
The writing style was immersive, and the language used helped me really hear the voices of these characters. It may be a little hard to understand for non-Australians as a lot of the words are clipped, and there were a few words that I wasn't familiar with myself and I assume they are from an indigenous language. The authenticity is a massive part of this story, and it adds such an important realism to the myths and legends as they arise.
I loved the experience of reading this story, and it really did get super creepy. I liked how dark and twisted it was, and that it wasn't just about the culture - there was a gritty story here to carry you away.
If you're looking for a creepy little mystery to sink your teeth into, I recommend this highly. It's also a great option for anyone looking to explore more indigenous authors. LOVED IT.
Note: I'm still considering bumping this up to 5 stars. It all hinges on whether I think I'd wanna read it again. And it was pretty creepy XD
December 16, 2019
Stacey and Laney Thompson are reflections of one another, identical sisters, companions and everlasting friends. In their small rural town of Eidsvold in Queenland, the Indigenous and white communities are segregated, white farmers claiming stolen land as their own and ravishing the natural resources. Since her grandmother passed away and her mother working long hours as an assistant nurse, Stacey and Laney would care for one another, until Laney begins her nightly rendezvous with Troy, a local boy who Stacey resents for monopolising Laney's time.
Stacey remembers her grandmother and her campfire stories, stories that will be passed through generations of the Thompson family, of monsters who lurk in the shadows. Stacey begins dreaming of a young woman captured, isolated and terrified and although frightened by the vivid dreaming, Stacey ignores her instincts. Until Laney goes missing.
Stacey is an intelligent and considerate young lady, she has the utmost respect for her elders, her mother and her large, fiercely protective family. Laney pushed boundaries, defying their mother and the educational system that favours white students, Indigenous students ignored and their education seen as secondary and an indication of how the white Eidsvold community thrive on racism and ignorance.
The Thompson and Miller families are adversaries, a continuing hostility which neither family is willing to concede. Stacey defies her family and enlists the assistance of Sam Miller in the search for her sister Laney, despite her better judgement. The rumour around town is that Laney, Troy and a group of local boys trespassed onto the property of local family the Potters. The Potter name is synonymous with violence against Indigenous youth, their claim as one of the founding families of the small town, cattle farmers and white supremacists not above using violence against the black members of the community. While Troy escaped, his are friends incarcerated and Laney is still missing. Still, no one is talking.
Ghost Bird also explores themes of racism and abuse towards Indigenous communities. Laney's disappearance is reported to the local police who are disinterested and apathetic, the disappearance of a young black woman being no cause for concern. The local historical society share the history of white settlement, neglecting the brutal colonisation of Indigenous land and communities. The inequality and blatant racism of small town Australia is confronting and indicative of the experience of many Indigenous Australians.
Ghost Bird is an exceptional read. A spiritual and remarkable journey of family, culture, identity and small town prejudices through the narrative of sixteen year old Stacey Thompson, a young Indigenous woman. Beautiful and breathtaking.
Stacey remembers her grandmother and her campfire stories, stories that will be passed through generations of the Thompson family, of monsters who lurk in the shadows. Stacey begins dreaming of a young woman captured, isolated and terrified and although frightened by the vivid dreaming, Stacey ignores her instincts. Until Laney goes missing.
Stacey is an intelligent and considerate young lady, she has the utmost respect for her elders, her mother and her large, fiercely protective family. Laney pushed boundaries, defying their mother and the educational system that favours white students, Indigenous students ignored and their education seen as secondary and an indication of how the white Eidsvold community thrive on racism and ignorance.
The Thompson and Miller families are adversaries, a continuing hostility which neither family is willing to concede. Stacey defies her family and enlists the assistance of Sam Miller in the search for her sister Laney, despite her better judgement. The rumour around town is that Laney, Troy and a group of local boys trespassed onto the property of local family the Potters. The Potter name is synonymous with violence against Indigenous youth, their claim as one of the founding families of the small town, cattle farmers and white supremacists not above using violence against the black members of the community. While Troy escaped, his are friends incarcerated and Laney is still missing. Still, no one is talking.
Ghost Bird also explores themes of racism and abuse towards Indigenous communities. Laney's disappearance is reported to the local police who are disinterested and apathetic, the disappearance of a young black woman being no cause for concern. The local historical society share the history of white settlement, neglecting the brutal colonisation of Indigenous land and communities. The inequality and blatant racism of small town Australia is confronting and indicative of the experience of many Indigenous Australians.
Ghost Bird is an exceptional read. A spiritual and remarkable journey of family, culture, identity and small town prejudices through the narrative of sixteen year old Stacey Thompson, a young Indigenous woman. Beautiful and breathtaking.
October 24, 2019
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Annie Deo
Ghost Bird is a wonderfully original, spooky, and action-packed YA debut novel. The author has delved into her rich cultural heritage to selectively weave Indigenous beliefs into her storytelling, and as a result, this is a refreshingly different to every other offering in the YA market.
Our protagonist Stacey is desperate to find her missing twin and is torn between listening to her instincts: no matter how outlandish it seems to believe in clairvoyant dreams, or whether she should stand by her education and stubborn regard for the scientific method. As she makes increasingly risky choices to try and save her sister, she faces the town’s prejudice against its indigenous inhabitants, her own community’s superstitions, and bitter feuds plus an ancient evil force intent on consuming anyone in its way.
This was a surprise in the best way! From the blurb, I expected a mystery thriller, but packaged with that was a beautiful depiction of the tight bonds of the indigenous community. Stacey and her sister grow up in a single parent household, but they are far from isolated with dozens of relatives to bicker and banter with, to play fight, or seek support from in times of need. When Laney goes missing, everyone in the ‘mob’ rally around Stacey and her mother, tirelessly organising search parties day after day and gathering in the evenings to offer comfort; her uncle in particular is a prominent presence, having taken on the role of their ‘second dad’.
Often in YA, the parents are conspicuously missing, which has always struck me as odd given how instrumental parents are in shaping their children’s personalities, but here it’s the complete opposite. In Ghost Bird, one of the recurring themes is how past generations affect their descendants and pass on their beliefs, strength and wisdom. The scenes interspersed throughout the novel showing Stacey’s interactions with her formidable Nan and cantankerous Pop are both funny and touchingly sweet. But rather than venerating the elders as infallible, we’re shown that at times, you need to question conventional wisdom and risk censure by going against the norm. Stacey has always been the good girl who does what she’s told and doesn’t break any rules, but with her sister’s life on the line, she surprises even herself by finding there’s no limits to her disobedience.
Readers who are averse to non-standard pronunciations being written into the text (‘tanight’ instead of ‘tonight’) may struggle at first, but while this is normally a pet peeve of mine, here I quickly became accustomed to the native dialect along with colourful colloquialisms. These added to the authenticity and overall charm of the story, and brought Stacey’s everyday interactions and inner musings vividly to life. The author doesn’t hold your hand, however, so be prepared to interpret terms from context! (I have to admit, I still haven’t puzzled out exactly what a ‘port’ is).
The author aimed to fill a void in Australian literature by writing a story that was relatable to those of indigenous background, and this doesn’t sugarcoat their experience, showing both the highlights of their close-knit community and the bitter frustration of dealing with open prejudice and microaggressions on a daily basis. But in addition to providing much needed representation, Ghost Bird succeeds in telling a riveting, suspenseful story about a lovable family unit in peril that alternately induces hilarity with their light-hearted repartee or chills when danger closes in. I was frantically turning each page towards the end, hoping and fearing for the safety of our main characters in the climactic showdown!
With fascinating insight into a different culture, complicated and multi-faceted characters plus a brisk engrossing plot, this is highly recommended.
Ghost Bird is a wonderfully original, spooky, and action-packed YA debut novel. The author has delved into her rich cultural heritage to selectively weave Indigenous beliefs into her storytelling, and as a result, this is a refreshingly different to every other offering in the YA market.
Our protagonist Stacey is desperate to find her missing twin and is torn between listening to her instincts: no matter how outlandish it seems to believe in clairvoyant dreams, or whether she should stand by her education and stubborn regard for the scientific method. As she makes increasingly risky choices to try and save her sister, she faces the town’s prejudice against its indigenous inhabitants, her own community’s superstitions, and bitter feuds plus an ancient evil force intent on consuming anyone in its way.
This was a surprise in the best way! From the blurb, I expected a mystery thriller, but packaged with that was a beautiful depiction of the tight bonds of the indigenous community. Stacey and her sister grow up in a single parent household, but they are far from isolated with dozens of relatives to bicker and banter with, to play fight, or seek support from in times of need. When Laney goes missing, everyone in the ‘mob’ rally around Stacey and her mother, tirelessly organising search parties day after day and gathering in the evenings to offer comfort; her uncle in particular is a prominent presence, having taken on the role of their ‘second dad’.
Often in YA, the parents are conspicuously missing, which has always struck me as odd given how instrumental parents are in shaping their children’s personalities, but here it’s the complete opposite. In Ghost Bird, one of the recurring themes is how past generations affect their descendants and pass on their beliefs, strength and wisdom. The scenes interspersed throughout the novel showing Stacey’s interactions with her formidable Nan and cantankerous Pop are both funny and touchingly sweet. But rather than venerating the elders as infallible, we’re shown that at times, you need to question conventional wisdom and risk censure by going against the norm. Stacey has always been the good girl who does what she’s told and doesn’t break any rules, but with her sister’s life on the line, she surprises even herself by finding there’s no limits to her disobedience.
Readers who are averse to non-standard pronunciations being written into the text (‘tanight’ instead of ‘tonight’) may struggle at first, but while this is normally a pet peeve of mine, here I quickly became accustomed to the native dialect along with colourful colloquialisms. These added to the authenticity and overall charm of the story, and brought Stacey’s everyday interactions and inner musings vividly to life. The author doesn’t hold your hand, however, so be prepared to interpret terms from context! (I have to admit, I still haven’t puzzled out exactly what a ‘port’ is).
The author aimed to fill a void in Australian literature by writing a story that was relatable to those of indigenous background, and this doesn’t sugarcoat their experience, showing both the highlights of their close-knit community and the bitter frustration of dealing with open prejudice and microaggressions on a daily basis. But in addition to providing much needed representation, Ghost Bird succeeds in telling a riveting, suspenseful story about a lovable family unit in peril that alternately induces hilarity with their light-hearted repartee or chills when danger closes in. I was frantically turning each page towards the end, hoping and fearing for the safety of our main characters in the climactic showdown!
With fascinating insight into a different culture, complicated and multi-faceted characters plus a brisk engrossing plot, this is highly recommended.
July 20, 2022
Trigger warnings: racism, racial slurs, assault, disappearance of a sibling, mentions of kidnapping, death of a parent (in the past).
20/7/2022
This time around I read the print version and had a much better reading experience. And it was just as spectacular as last time. It's fast paced and action packed and full of twists and turns. I loved it just as much as last time.
24/6/2020
It took me a while to get into this one, but that's mostly because I borrowed it from my library as an ebook and it turned out to be a PDF version that required Adobe Digital Editions to read and so I had to read it on my laptop and honestly Adobe Digital Editions is a shit way to read a book, publishers, please just turn it into an epub file okay?
Anyway.
Once I got properly into the story, this was FANTASTIC. It's got a really sinister undercurrent throughout, which really ramps up towards the end. The characters were great, and the way that First Nations beliefs and spirituality play into the story is great. As a result, it's an incredible mixture of crime, contemporary and paranormal, and I LOVED it.
(I encourage you all to read this article by the author: https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/a...)
20/7/2022
This time around I read the print version and had a much better reading experience. And it was just as spectacular as last time. It's fast paced and action packed and full of twists and turns. I loved it just as much as last time.
24/6/2020
It took me a while to get into this one, but that's mostly because I borrowed it from my library as an ebook and it turned out to be a PDF version that required Adobe Digital Editions to read and so I had to read it on my laptop and honestly Adobe Digital Editions is a shit way to read a book, publishers, please just turn it into an epub file okay?
Anyway.
Once I got properly into the story, this was FANTASTIC. It's got a really sinister undercurrent throughout, which really ramps up towards the end. The characters were great, and the way that First Nations beliefs and spirituality play into the story is great. As a result, it's an incredible mixture of crime, contemporary and paranormal, and I LOVED it.
(I encourage you all to read this article by the author: https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/a...)
November 17, 2025
it felt so much like a book that it just wasn't enjoyable. the 'fantasy' part of it felt random even though it should feel like it belongs in the story because (I'm pretty sure) it's literally part of a real myth in the author's hometown but it just didn't. laney was a hater the entire time even though she actually wasn't even there. the main character was constantly thinking about what someone else would think about a situation to the point where I think I know laney more than her and she, once again, wasn't even there.
anyways in the end it was a school book so I was never going to fully enjoy it, there would always be the weight of NEEDING to read it so maybe I'm biased but maybe this is just a bad book, idk.
2nd read:
I’m so glad I never have to think about this book again after today
anyways in the end it was a school book so I was never going to fully enjoy it, there would always be the weight of NEEDING to read it so maybe I'm biased but maybe this is just a bad book, idk.
2nd read:
I’m so glad I never have to think about this book again after today
May 9, 2021
What a compelling, atmospheric, spooky story! Ghost Bird is about two twins, one who goes missing and her identical twin Stacey trying to track her down. She has strange, vivid dreams of her twin and is determined that she's still alive.
Following Stacey over a condensed 5 day period, we learn of the racial tensions between her family and the Miller family. As Indigenous people, they face long running prejudice and racism from not only the rich White families in town, but also the majority of others within this small town. This is shown through not only what Stacey faces at school, with the other girls gossiping about her, but even down to the school administration, the punishments they dole out, and even the local police.
The appearance of the ghost bird was super spooky and it lends itself to a chilling atmosphere within the book.
This is such an important story written by an own voices Australian Indigenous author about the prejudice they face within their communities when faced with a tragedy. I really enjoyed this one!
Trigger warnings: racism, attempted rape
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews.
Following Stacey over a condensed 5 day period, we learn of the racial tensions between her family and the Miller family. As Indigenous people, they face long running prejudice and racism from not only the rich White families in town, but also the majority of others within this small town. This is shown through not only what Stacey faces at school, with the other girls gossiping about her, but even down to the school administration, the punishments they dole out, and even the local police.
The appearance of the ghost bird was super spooky and it lends itself to a chilling atmosphere within the book.
This is such an important story written by an own voices Australian Indigenous author about the prejudice they face within their communities when faced with a tragedy. I really enjoyed this one!
Trigger warnings: racism, attempted rape
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews.
April 23, 2022
This was a spooky YA horror/mystery novel infused with Indigenous Australian mythology that got me genuinely scared in the second half of the book (yes I did the classic Rachel fail of reading creepy horror books at night again WHY do I do this). 3.5 stars.
Content warnings: kidnapping, confinement, injury detail, racism, sexual assault, violence, bullying
Content warnings: kidnapping, confinement, injury detail, racism, sexual assault, violence, bullying
February 7, 2020
Author Lisa Fuller has won many awards and fellowships, including the 2017 David Unaipon Award for an Unpublished Indigenous Writer for her Young Adult novel Ghost Bird (UQP 2019). Ghost Bird depicts pragmatic and authentic modern life, featuring indigenous characters, combined with what I (from my white perspective) am tempted to call ‘magic realism’ but in reality is so much more than that – it is a mysterious and ghostly thread to this tale that relies on Aboriginal myth and legend, traditional Elder knowledge and community and cultural beliefs.
The story is narrated by adolescent Stacey. She and her twin sister, Laney, are almost identical in appearance but very different in personality. When Laney disappears one night in suspicious circumstances, Stacey cannot believe she has left of her own accord without telling her. The girls’ extended family begin the search, mob coming from everywhere to assist. But Stacey experiences dark and disturbing dreams that she cannot explain, and as more information comes to light about Laney’s last movements, it is feared that she has disobeyed ancient lore and trespassed onto dangerous territory. Whether this danger comes from the local white racists or from angry Aboriginal spirits, nobody can tell. But Stacey is the only one who can save her sister, and she must make some unexpected alliances and seek support from unlikely people in her quest.
Ghost Bird is tense, atmospheric and spooky. The reality of the twins’ day-to-day lives is punctuated by sinister dream sequences and creepy scenarios and we are unsure if they are real or imagined.
This is a perfect example of an ‘own voices’ story. Fuller depicts Aboriginal culture and family life from her real-life perspective. The language, in particular, is a rich and engaging patois that rolls easily off the page and is sustained throughout the entire novel. There is never any question that this is a black woman writing about a black community. And yet the story will appeal to teenagers of all stripes – the loyalty and fighting between sisters and family, the conflict between parents and adolescents about what they do and when and with whom, the gripping mystery of a young girl lost and her family’s desperation to find her, and the uneasy and unsettling sense of something evil or menacing just beyond the circle of light, ready at any moment to pounce on the unsuspecting. The story touches on all the expected YA themes of young love, self-identity, separation from family, bullying, familial expectations and self-doubt, themes with which all adolescent readers will identify. With a wry sense of humour (especially from the twins’ mother – a great character), this book will appeal to a broad range of readers and leave them wondering what on earth actually happened.
The story is narrated by adolescent Stacey. She and her twin sister, Laney, are almost identical in appearance but very different in personality. When Laney disappears one night in suspicious circumstances, Stacey cannot believe she has left of her own accord without telling her. The girls’ extended family begin the search, mob coming from everywhere to assist. But Stacey experiences dark and disturbing dreams that she cannot explain, and as more information comes to light about Laney’s last movements, it is feared that she has disobeyed ancient lore and trespassed onto dangerous territory. Whether this danger comes from the local white racists or from angry Aboriginal spirits, nobody can tell. But Stacey is the only one who can save her sister, and she must make some unexpected alliances and seek support from unlikely people in her quest.
Ghost Bird is tense, atmospheric and spooky. The reality of the twins’ day-to-day lives is punctuated by sinister dream sequences and creepy scenarios and we are unsure if they are real or imagined.
This is a perfect example of an ‘own voices’ story. Fuller depicts Aboriginal culture and family life from her real-life perspective. The language, in particular, is a rich and engaging patois that rolls easily off the page and is sustained throughout the entire novel. There is never any question that this is a black woman writing about a black community. And yet the story will appeal to teenagers of all stripes – the loyalty and fighting between sisters and family, the conflict between parents and adolescents about what they do and when and with whom, the gripping mystery of a young girl lost and her family’s desperation to find her, and the uneasy and unsettling sense of something evil or menacing just beyond the circle of light, ready at any moment to pounce on the unsuspecting. The story touches on all the expected YA themes of young love, self-identity, separation from family, bullying, familial expectations and self-doubt, themes with which all adolescent readers will identify. With a wry sense of humour (especially from the twins’ mother – a great character), this book will appeal to a broad range of readers and leave them wondering what on earth actually happened.
August 28, 2021
I would have liked this a lot more if there wasn't so much racism. I HATE racism whoever it is against and do my best to remove it and anyone pushing it from my life. This book managed to be racist against both blackfullas and whitefullas. Perhaps it is the area the author grew up? It is not how people round here behave most of the time and we sure as hell don't have separate seating in pubs. This is not healing, suggesting people still behave like that and don't at least try to understand each other.
The actual story could have been excellent and very spooky if a few more of the characters had had anything about them to like. Their behaviour was disrespectful to everyone and everything, including themselves. Just depressing.
The only decent characters were Sam and Mad May. Mad May had lived through major trauma and still tried to help others, even those with a grudge against her family. Sam looked after May, showed respect for his elders and tried to help even those with a grudge against him. The book should have been set on them as they are involved in all the adventure and mystery and still manage to be decent people.
The actual story could have been excellent and very spooky if a few more of the characters had had anything about them to like. Their behaviour was disrespectful to everyone and everything, including themselves. Just depressing.
The only decent characters were Sam and Mad May. Mad May had lived through major trauma and still tried to help others, even those with a grudge against her family. Sam looked after May, showed respect for his elders and tried to help even those with a grudge against him. The book should have been set on them as they are involved in all the adventure and mystery and still manage to be decent people.
November 18, 2025
3.25 stars
wasn’t as bad i thought it would be honestly, maybe it’s because i was annotating it and thinking of it more from a writing perspective and not for entertainment. like i wouldn’t have read it if we didn’t have to for school but it wasn’t terrible
wasn’t as bad i thought it would be honestly, maybe it’s because i was annotating it and thinking of it more from a writing perspective and not for entertainment. like i wouldn’t have read it if we didn’t have to for school but it wasn’t terrible
January 3, 2020
I bought this book in October 2019 and meant to read it straight away but my to be read pile is bigger than Q1! How poignant that I read it this week with Australia ablaze. It's not bush fires that are written about but the sadness of the destruction of land for the purposes of greed. Great hard hitting book - winner of the David Unaipon Award.
May 12, 2020
A really great read. This should win the CBCA award this year.
October 22, 2020
Completely unexpected - spooky as all hell! Fascinating insight into the connection of twins and the beliefs and mythologies of indigenous Australians. 👌🏽
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December 20, 2022A really enjoyable short read! Approaches the Genre in a way that is uniquely Australian
December 12, 2022
There are so many things I loved about this book, not least of which the lightning bolt of nostalgia I experienced reading about life in a rural Qld high school at the end of the last century. The setting, the language, the way the kids talk to each other and interact - all very much reminded me of my own experience.
Stacey (Tace) is in her last year of high school when he sister Laney goes missing. The boy she was running around with claims he doesn't know what happened, but she never came back from their visit to the Potter's place. The mountain near there has always been taboo but there's also the Potters themselves who don't have a good track record with local race relations. Tace doesn't believe in all the old stuff her Nan taught her any more, but when she starts dreaming of Laney trapped by something unnameable with red eyes and fur and claws, she knows she has to do something.
I really loved reading about Murri culture and family life in this story, something that although I grew up with a lot of Murri kids at school, I was woefully mostly ignorant. There's a great Romeo & Juliet subplot too as Tace teams up with a boy from their rival family to find answers that lay in the past. The way the author writes about the racism and prejudice that exists between the black- and the white-fellas is devastatingly matter-of-fact, and probably as true today as it was as 20 years ago when this is set.
Can we also talk about how incredibly creepy this story is? I had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck several times, I can tell you. Tace and her family's increasingly frantic search for her missing sister really kept the tension up, and when THEY made an appearance (the ones who will drag you into the bush if you're not careful) I was completely spooked out. I've seen others use the word terrifying to describe this book in their reviews and I can definitely back that up.
All in all, this is a fantastic YA thriller by a talented First Nations author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended. NB. Non-Australians however may struggle with some of the language, as many of the words are shortened to their in-life phonetic pronunciation/dialect.
Stacey (Tace) is in her last year of high school when he sister Laney goes missing. The boy she was running around with claims he doesn't know what happened, but she never came back from their visit to the Potter's place. The mountain near there has always been taboo but there's also the Potters themselves who don't have a good track record with local race relations. Tace doesn't believe in all the old stuff her Nan taught her any more, but when she starts dreaming of Laney trapped by something unnameable with red eyes and fur and claws, she knows she has to do something.
I really loved reading about Murri culture and family life in this story, something that although I grew up with a lot of Murri kids at school, I was woefully mostly ignorant. There's a great Romeo & Juliet subplot too as Tace teams up with a boy from their rival family to find answers that lay in the past. The way the author writes about the racism and prejudice that exists between the black- and the white-fellas is devastatingly matter-of-fact, and probably as true today as it was as 20 years ago when this is set.
Can we also talk about how incredibly creepy this story is? I had the hairs standing up on the back of my neck several times, I can tell you. Tace and her family's increasingly frantic search for her missing sister really kept the tension up, and when THEY made an appearance (the ones who will drag you into the bush if you're not careful) I was completely spooked out. I've seen others use the word terrifying to describe this book in their reviews and I can definitely back that up.
All in all, this is a fantastic YA thriller by a talented First Nations author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended. NB. Non-Australians however may struggle with some of the language, as many of the words are shortened to their in-life phonetic pronunciation/dialect.
December 2, 2024
“Remember, daughter, the world is a lot bigger than anyone knows. There are things that science may never explain. Maybe some things that shouldn’t be explained.”
Recommended by an Australian friend, whose review hooked my interest. It's unavailable as an ebook in the UK, so I went for the Audible version, splendidly read by Tuuli Narkle (who, like the protagonists and the author, is of First Nations descent). The one drawback of audio books is that I don't tag passages and make notes for reviews...
Laney and Stacey are twins, growing up with their mother -- their father's dead -- in a small town in Queensland. Stacey's a good girl, studying hard so she can leave behind their small town, with all its casual racism and long-standing feuds. Laney prefers to skive off school, hang out with her boyfriend Troy, and freewheel through life. But one night Stacey doesn't come home, and Laney's been dreaming of her twin being snatched by someone ... or something.
This is a YA novel with elements of horror and fantasy, firmly rooted in First Nations spiritual beliefs and the stories that have been handed down through the generations. The most monstrous element of Ghost Bird is the combination of racism and apathy that Stacey encounters at every turn, from her school and from the police, and from the white folk who refuse access to 'their' land, where Laney disappeared. Stacey isn't allowed to join the adults in their search, either, which she resents bitterly. She is not without resources, though: she has the old stories her Nan told her, she has her awesome cousin Rhiannon, and she is not afraid to break the rules.
There's a lot of emotional tension in this novel, especially between Stacey and her mum: there's also tension between how Stacey has been brought up to behave, and what she feels is right. I loved the close-knit extended family, with its complex connections, obligations and loyalties; the focus on women and girls, rather than men; the role of tradition, belief and stories. Fuller has a gift for imagery, and even in a cold British winter I could feel the suffocating heat and the dryness of the land. This is an excellent first novel, and I'll look out for more by this author.
August 30, 2021
A terrific YA novel, about indigenous kids and families dealing with the usual challenges of indigenous people in a small town but also a supernatural element to add some spice to the story.
At the end, the author says that she changed the beings to Ghost Birds from another type of beings that her indigenous community believe are real. I suspect those may be a type of Quinkin or like the Hairy men (sometimes known as Yowies).
One of the few novels that have held my interest during the unsettling times of early lockdown.
At the end, the author says that she changed the beings to Ghost Birds from another type of beings that her indigenous community believe are real. I suspect those may be a type of Quinkin or like the Hairy men (sometimes known as Yowies).
One of the few novels that have held my interest during the unsettling times of early lockdown.
August 7, 2020
AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!! So umm I've just finished this at 1 am, so I very much doubt that I will be getting any sleep.
Also I need this to be a movie or t.v. show, like right now please.
Also I need this to be a movie or t.v. show, like right now please.
February 1, 2023
yummy book
May 14, 2024
Mandatory school read lowkey underwhelming and anticlimactic up until the last like 40 pages best part about it was Jensen Ackles mention
January 15, 2021
I forget how heavy the topics are that YA tackles sometimes. Wouldn't be able to sleep if I was a kid reading this, the perfect amount left unsaid about the mythological creature to let your mind fill in the blanks with the worst. Really fun relationships, main character feels like a friend you know.
March 26, 2021
This is hard to define, and is pacy, full of family connections, and the importance of listening
August 2, 2024
Ghost Bird is a highly engaging, on edge and thrilling read. The story follows Stacey, a teenage girl whose twin sister goes missing. The novel gives perspective to First Nations cultures in Australia. I found the novel to be insightful, relateable and a great read! I loved the character of May and the character development of Stacey (the main protagonist). The novel was well written and immersive.
I was weighing up whether to give this book a 4 or a 5 star review and so I think I'll give it 4.5 stars.
I was weighing up whether to give this book a 4 or a 5 star review and so I think I'll give it 4.5 stars.
September 29, 2023
Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller is like a ghost story that just won't end, but not in a spine-tingling way. It's as if the author took a promising premise and left it stranded in a haunted forest of confusing plot twists and underdeveloped characters. Reading this book is like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded – frustrating and disorienting. If you're searching for a literary thrill, keep looking. Ghost Bird is more like a flightless turkey than a soaring eagle in the world of literature. One star for effort, but not much else.
July 15, 2020
Brilliant. Realistic and honest portrayal of a small Queensland town and families.
Indigenous storyteller turns the lens on small town life, prejudice and culture with a readable and scary story.
Loved the characters and the suspense. Well deserving of its place in the CBCA shortlist. I hope it wins.
Indigenous storyteller turns the lens on small town life, prejudice and culture with a readable and scary story.
Loved the characters and the suspense. Well deserving of its place in the CBCA shortlist. I hope it wins.
October 10, 2020
Oh this was so good. My heart was truly in my mouth throughout. This has it all -- twins, curses, family feuds, family love, consequences, taboo and fear of the dark places. And a little bit of a Romeo and Juliet-esque subplot works for me...
December 6, 2019
An absolute gem. A powerful, thought provoking book that’s rich in detail, culture, honesty and heart. Highly recommended!
October 16, 2020
Wow! I mean... heckin wow! That was a wild ride. I don’t like horror movies and I didn’t even know horror books were a thing but this book is fricken terrifying!!! Only... in a good way. Ha ha.
Stacey’s twin sister, Lacey, sneaks out with a boy one night, and doesn’t return. The whites don’t care and the mob can’t look where they reckon she is. Only Stacey’s dreams reveal the truth. Is she brave enough to defy logic? Can she channel enough of her sister’s rebellious nature to defy the grown ups? And is she willing to count on the family she’s been raised to believe are her biggest enemies?
This one had me gasping and squirming. A great read, but not for the faint-hearted. Award winning for a reason, that’s for sure.
Stacey’s twin sister, Lacey, sneaks out with a boy one night, and doesn’t return. The whites don’t care and the mob can’t look where they reckon she is. Only Stacey’s dreams reveal the truth. Is she brave enough to defy logic? Can she channel enough of her sister’s rebellious nature to defy the grown ups? And is she willing to count on the family she’s been raised to believe are her biggest enemies?
This one had me gasping and squirming. A great read, but not for the faint-hearted. Award winning for a reason, that’s for sure.
February 20, 2022
Stacey is the good girl, well behaved, rule following. Her twin Laney is outgoing, sporty and definitely not a rule follower. Laney’s decision to go out with Tony, wear the necklace he gave her and get Stacey to cover for her turns their whole world upside down.
The old people know things. Knowledge is earned not given. The old people are the final word. No-one is to go anywhere near The Mountain.
Laney vanishes and Stacey is haunted by nightmares. These are a special link between the twins. Stacey decides she must follow the dreams. A life-threatening decision. What does she find?
I enjoyed the rich characters. The book held me spellbound.
Recommended for Tweens and YA 13+
The old people know things. Knowledge is earned not given. The old people are the final word. No-one is to go anywhere near The Mountain.
Laney vanishes and Stacey is haunted by nightmares. These are a special link between the twins. Stacey decides she must follow the dreams. A life-threatening decision. What does she find?
I enjoyed the rich characters. The book held me spellbound.
Recommended for Tweens and YA 13+
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews