Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds

Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds
Jane Doe Chronicles Book One
Written by Jeremy Lachlan
Fantasy, Adventure, #LoveOZYA
432 Pages
Published August 1st 2018
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont
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★★★★★
When a fierce quake strikes the remote island of Bluehaven, and her father disappears, Jane Doe is thrown headfirst into an epic quest to bring him home.

But this ain’t no ordinary rescue mission. Her father is lost in a place between worlds, a dangerous labyrinth of shifting rooms, infernal booby traps and secret gateways. And Jane has to find him fast, because someone else is searching for him, too. A man who knows her father’s secrets. A man who has an army.

With a pyromaniac named Violet and a trickster named Hickory by her side, Jane is about to discover that this adventure is even bigger on the inside than it looks...

This is the blockbuster adventure the worlds have been waiting for.
The island nation of Bluehaven is a picturesque community, a village permeated by earthquakes and immersed in mythology. For thousands of years, the residents of Bluehaven have apotheosised the remnants of the entrance to another world, a decrepit, monument representing adventure and heroism. The entrance dormant since John and infant daughter Jane Doe arrived on the cusp of destruction, the Night of All Catastrophes.

The Cursed Ones
Fifteen year old Jane Doe and her father are undesirables, contaminating the community of Bluehaven. Reluctantly imprisoned within the basement of Beatrice and Bertram Hollow where Jane cares for her father, incapacitated since his unexpected arrival on the island. Each tremor brings accusations of an abomination, Bluehaven remonstrating against John and Jane Doe until the annual Night of All Catastrophes celebration. During the commotion, John Doe is consumed by the labyrinth.

With gallantry and tenacity, Jane embarks on a adventure to recapture her father and return to Bluehaven. Accompanied by whispered words from the peculiar Winifred Robin and a mysterious brass key, Jane evades the vigilante community and enters the labyrinth. Alone. Abandoning Violet Hollow, her friend and coconspirator. 

The Sidekicks
Jane must navigate through wintery wonderlands and arid, desolate conditions as each landscape challenges courageous, accomplished adventurers. Hickory Dawes continues to journey through the decrepit remnants, unable to escape. Hickory understands the extraordinary ecosystem of the labyrinths, entrances infringing upon the otherworld. Jane and Hickory agree on a tentative alliance, reluctantly, Jane still uncertain of his intentions and authenticity.

Violet Hollow is an incredible heroine. Although Jane has journeyed several days, Violet is now sixteen years old and no longer a pyromaniac child seeking adventure. When Jane disappeared, Violet immersed herself within the history of the Otherworld and beneath the instruction of Winifred Robin, will reunite with Jane to salvage the catacombs. Bringing her friend and companion home.

Violet has endured the antagonism and resentment of Bluehaven as she was ostracised by her parents, now residing within the library under the supervision of Winifred. Her journey is miraculous and incredible heroic, creating an inspirational character of determination and perseverance.

The Villian. Dun. Dun. Dun
Roth is man withered by disease, a decomposing illness throughout his decrepit world now infecting the labyrinths. Roth is determined to conquer each world, his artillery composing of soldiers bound in leather and enslaved humans. To escape the Otherworld, Roth must capture Jane and the brass key.

It's Just A Little Crush
Throughout literature written for the middle grade and young adolescent audience, friendships are at the forefront of the narrative. The friendship was beautifully compassionate but beneath the companionship, a wonderful attraction is flourishing. Jane is attracted to Violet, exploring unfamiliar feelings of her first infatuation. A wonderfully tender and delightful inclusion.

Absolutely Phenomenal 
Incredibly atmospheric and intricately engineered. A phenomenal blend of fantastical and dystopian landscapes, meticulously illustrated and beautifully cinematic. 

Jeremy Lachlan is a wonderfully imaginative and ingenious voice in Australian young adult literature. Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is breathtaking and delightfully captivating until the final page. 

17 comments

  1. Great review, Kelly. I love that you opened it up with a little background on Bluehaven. I feel like it's a character on its own.

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    1. It's incredibly atmospheric and such a fun adventure read for all ages!

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  2. Aw, this sounds like such a good MG novel. I really want to read more MG fiction. I think I'd really love both Jane and Violet, and I like that it includes a bit of a f/f "romance" if you will - though I know it's more of a crush. Still, it's great to see books for younger readers be more inclusive - especially in books where that's not really the main focus!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It truly is Lauren and I was absolutely delighted. I've read very few middle grade novels that include same sex couples, the only other that I can recall is Marco Impossible by Hannah Moskowitz where the protagonist identifies as gay. Jane Doe and The Cradle of All Worlds is such a wonderfully adventurous read, I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  3. I love the sounds of this! Jane and Violet sound wonderful, and I was pleased that an MG book included a hint of something between them.

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    1. It was really lovely, those first love nerves especially for Jane. I'm hoping it'll be explored more in the next installment. Such a wonderful adventure and a debut novel as well, such an extraordinary read Verushka!

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  4. I can see myself reading this in the near future. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Mary, I would love to see what you think of it!

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  5. Great review! Sounds like something I would really enjoy.

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    1. A wonderful read for the young and young at heart Sarah, really looking forward to the next installment in the series.

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  6. Aww, this sounds really cute with the friendship and smol crush but also beautifully created world! I love that cover as well. 😍

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    1. The world building is absolutely magnificent, among the finest I've read in any fantasy novel.

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  7. Yes! This sounds like a lovely book to read to my kid! I think it's something I would enjoy as well. I love that friendship is the main focus, but that a budding attraction is also included. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one. I thought it was a brilliant review (as always)!

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Thanks Lindsi! This is one that you would both enjoy together! The chapters are reasonably short and there are lots of points for discussion throughout. Such a wonderful read! Australian middle grade has been incredible this year.

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  8. OH how FRIGGING AWESOME does this book sound. Awesome review Kelly!!! I’ve got to get a copy of this one stat. I put it on my TBR after we were all chatting about it the other day, but I think I’ll pop off to Booktopia and grab a copy NOW.

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    1. I'm so excited and can't wait to talk to you about it! You're in for an absolute adventure, such a wonderful narrative and superb world building. It's phenomenal!

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  9. I'd seen this one floating around a lot of the Aussie blogosphere, but I hadn't actively sought out information on it! But then you told me that the protagonist has a crush on a girl and I was in. That's honestly all it takes for me, haha. I instantly added it to the TBR, and my library has a copy! So I hope I can get to it ASAP.

    I love the sound of the things you described in your review - it looks like this will be a fun adventure book with some deeper moments and threads in it as well.

    I'm so glad you liked this one, Kell! And thank you for bringing it to my attention <3

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