Claire Mabey visits Book Hero

Claire popped by to say hello, meet the team, sign some books, and chat all things reading and writing. It was such a fun visit, and we loved having the chance to spend time with someone who does so much to champion books and storytelling across Aotearoa.

A magical sequel for young readers

While she was here, Claire signed copies of her brand-new middle-grade fantasy novel, The Raven’s Eye Rebellion, the unmissable sequel to her award-winning The Raven’s Eye Runaways.

Perfect for readers aged 10–14, The Raven’s Eye Rebellion follows Getwin, Lea and Buckle, with help from Sharp the raven, as they uncover the trickster Book of Blacke and set out to challenge the controls on their world. It’s packed with danger, intrigue, magic, friendship, justice, and a richly imagined city full of secrets.

Tarot, writing, and the Auckland Writers Festival

Claire was in town for the Auckland Writers Festival, where she appeared in the fascinating session Cards on the Table: Tarot and Writing. The event explored how writers use tarot as a creative tool for storytelling, inspiration, and unlocking imagination, which feels like a perfect fit for Claire’s thoughtful and inventive approach to writing.

As someone who reads and reviews books prolifically over at The Spinoff, Claire has such a deep appreciation for stories in all their forms. So when it came time to choose a gift for her visit, we wanted to find something a little different.

We gifted Claire the Banned Books Tarot Deck, a bookish tarot set we thought would make the perfect addition to her collection. Since Claire is also running a workshop soon on using tarot in writing, we couldn’t resist adding a literary-themed deck to the mix.

Thank you so much for coming to visit us, Claire. It was such a pleasure to meet you and have you spend time with the team. We loved hearing about your latest projects, and we can’t wait to see readers discover both The Raven’s Eye Series and Cass and the Beast.

A Magical Adventure Full of Heart and Mystery

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I’ve been a fan of Pax’s comedy since his days in the trio Frickin Dangerous Bro right through to his hit TV show Raised by Refugees. Each chapter had me genuinely laughing out loud as Pax reflects on embarrassing moments from throughout his life. At the same time the book offers a look at what it was like for him growing up as an immigrant in Aotearoa and navigating the challenge of fitting in with his peers and society. There are so many moments in his book that everyone will be able to relate too. If you’re after a book that will make you laugh and feel seen all at once then I highly recommend Mortified!