Talking statues, magic threads, and a house full of secrets were enough to keep Hollo occupied these last years. Now the time has come to explore the ordinary world beyond her front door. On one such venture, things take a turn for the unexpected. Not only are the city streets perilous, and people don't behave at all how she expected them to, her secret house is losing its light. But as long as she keeps her magic under control, a hooded cloak should be enough to blend in. It has to be. Because the Hunter and his clockwork men are coming, and soon she will have nowhere left to hide. "Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman, of the darkest episodes of Doctor Who, of some of the madness of Tim Burton, Devon Michael's [Hollo] is an artfully told, dark, and frightening coming-of-age tale with a twist." -Marian Thorpe, author of Empire's Daughter "Full of intricate details that spill off the page like spun gold, this whimsical tale will delight any reader with an interest in craft or magic. The story follows a wooden doll who braves the outside world only to learn how terrifying reality can be. The characters and plot work together to create a complex and spooky story that will leave readers wanting more." -The Booklife Prize in Fiction

They say the world used to turn. They say that night would follow day in an endless dance. They say that dawn rose, dusk fell, and we worshiped both sun and stars. That was a long time ago. The dance has died. The world has fallen still. We float through the heavens, one half always in light, one half always in shadow. Like the moth of our forests, one wing white and the other black, we are torn. My people are the fortunate. We live in daylight, blessed in the warmth of the sun. Yet across the line, the others lurk in eternal night, afraid... and alone in the dark. I was born in the light. I was sent into darkness. This is my story.

Fourteen-year-old Gina has a fondness for ball-jointed dolls, especially her own beloved Isabelle. In fact, she loves the doll so strongly that it develops a soul of its own. Gina is overjoyed to have someone to talk to about her family problems and general issues of growing up, but then strange things start to occur. It begins with simple missing items and moving objects. Very peculiar, although seemingly harmless. But when things start to get dangerous and no one else will believe her, Gina has to find the source of the sinister force and figure out how to stop it with only Isabelle to back her up. The cover image does not belong to me. I believe credit goes to fender-bjd on DeviantArt. On hiatus. I've decided not to publish any more chapters until I've finished writing and started editing the story.

In a world of steam-powered machines and mechanical wonders, orphan Dorothea Dovetail possesses an extraordinary inheritance: a mysterious parchment that can transform lifeless matter into living constructs. When Dorothea is abducted by the Commission, a corrupt organisation seeking to dominate the world, she learns that the parchment is also the key to the legendary Golem City - a lost civilisation said to contain the secret of creating immensely powerful golems. After escaping her captors, Dorothea finds friendship and refuge with Turner Hullin, a courageous miner's son. But the Commission is never far behind. Hunted by the ruthless General Balsa, Dorothea and Turner join forces with Silverio Herrera, the leader of a secret band of government spies, in a desperate race to reach the hidden city first. As ancient powers awaken and the Commission closes in, Dorothea must uncover the truth about her family's past and decide how far she is willing to go to keep the city's secrets from those who would use them to enslave the world.