Reviews for In the Secret Place:
'This new book from multi-award winning, master writer Gary Crew weaves together history and a profound connection to the Australian landscape in the story of a damaged boy growing up and finding his courage as he negotiates the complex landscape of the adult world, with all its dark crevasses and bright heights.' Dr Isobelle Carmody, Author
‘Gary Crew is a masterful writer and In the Secret Place is an insightful and deeply moving example of his consummate art as a story-teller. The complex interweaving of themes of time and place with the mind of a boy trying to come to terms with his place in the world are beautifully evoked in this artfully structured and immensely satisfying novel.’ Helen Chamberlain, OAM
'Quintessential Crew – wild things, family, friendship and deep time. A strange and captivating story of self-discovery.' Shaun Tan, Author and Artist
‘Gary Crew’s works are always carefully crafted and rich in literary metaphor and symbolism, evincing his determination to offer young readers a challenging and yet entertaining reading experience. His interest in magical realism informs this story of Ben Gardner’s struggle to reconcile his search for identity with the sometimes threatening behaviours demonstrated by the teenagers and adults in his life. Crew’s academic interest in stories of feral children imbues the narrative, and Ben’s fear of the wild creatures in this landscape culminates in his discovery of a ‘secret place’ which ultimately offers him the refuge and the courage he desperately desires. This is a powerful metaphorical exploration of maturation with which any teenage reader might identify.’ Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright, Author
‘A memorable read – a story of mateship, identity, family, trust and self-acceptance from a master of words and story.’ Jenny Stubbs, President of Book Links
Reviews for Ralph Ridley in the Hunt for Time:
‘Thought-provoking, mind-bending and fantastical - a SCI-FI masterpiece full of charm and vulnerability with an almighty sting in its tail. Perno’s narrative is a dizzying dance through the realm of possibility, where each twist and turn left me questioning the fabric of reality. This story is for the curious, the thinkers and dreamers…’ Caroline Jones, Author
‘The science is at once contagious and mind-boggling. Imagine not ageing while everyone you know does. A gripping tale. Engineers and scientists – this one’s for you!’ Cate Sawyer, Author
'A fantastic premise executed with mind-bending brilliance. This is a sci-fi quest through the curse of eternal youth, the magic of science and the infinite possibilities of time itself. A cosmic mystery laced with enough scientific nuggets to fire your imagination and blow the quark dust from your brain.' Troy Henderson, author of Head Grenade
'Ralph Ridley in The Hunt for Time is a leap into the unknown—an interstellar adventure brimming with curiosity, wonder, and the enigma of time itself. Hayden Perno masterfully weaves a vibrant tapestry of imagination through the eyes of Ralph Ridley, an unconventional hero whose scientific discoveries and quest for answers carries readers across the cosmos. Driven by isolation, Ralph’s quest is more than a chase through time—it’s a search for connection and the meaning of his own origin. Equal parts philosophy, fantasy, and sci-fi, this tale will captivate dreamers of every age. The finale resonates long after the last page with lingering questions about the human condition and the world in which we live.' Jack Roney, author of The Ghost Train and the Scarlet Moon
'An imaginative and exhilarating adventure that bends time and twists reality in all the best ways. Hayden Perno crafts a richly layered tale full of heart, mystery, and wonder. Ralph Ridley is a character you won’t forget—brave, curious, and utterly human. A must-read for fans of time-travel fiction with soul.' Nieves Murray, CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia
'A story about a boy stuck on Earth as the majority of the population leaves, while being stuck in time while everything moves on without him told vividly and compellingly by Hayden Perno, who bridges the real, the philosophical, the scientific, and the mystical in The Hunt for Time with the main character, Ralph Ridley, as they pursue an answer to a curse keeping them from living a normal life in a crazy world. This page-turner will take you into the depths of imagination, adventure, and steadfast dedication.' Marko Zebić, father/avid reader
