J.R. Burgmann has reviewed Brendan Ritchie’s Eta Draconis and Roanna McClelland’s The Comforting Weight of Water for the Australian Book Review as both novels “in different ways [..] attend to the central question: how does one come of age in a collapsing world?”
Much like the late Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Ritchie’s rhythmic text is punctuated quite precisely by affecting flashbacks that reveal the developing rift between Elora and Vivienne.
J.R. Burgmann, Australian Book Review
“Join Laurie Steed, Michael Trant and Brendan Ritchie for an author event at the Busselton Library on Monday 4th September.
Laurie Steed is a prize-winning novelist and short story writer from Perth, well-known for his novel You Belong Here which was shortlisted for the 2018 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards.
Michael Trant is a WA country boy turned suburban writer, whose novels Wild Dogs and No Trace depict the quintessential “outback noir” that Australia’s vast landscape is so perfectly set up for.
Brendan Ritchie is a local South West writer who was the winner of the 2022 Dorothy Hewett Award, and is the author of new book Eta Draconis.
Busselton Dymocks will have copies of the writers books for sale, with cash and eftpos available.
The Busselton Library will provide drinks and light refreshments on arrival.
Like all Busselton & Dunsborough Libraries events, it is free, however bookings are required.”
Rod McLary of the Queensland Reviewers Collective has reviewed Eta Draconis.
It is a beautifully realised story of the importance of family and the need for us to shape our own future regardless of any threats which may stand in our way.
A story of hope in the face of potential destruction – well-written with engaging protagonists. Recommended to all readers.
Rod McLary, Queensland Reviewers Collective
An article on Brendan Ritchie’s talk at the Margaret River Library was published in today’s Augusta-Margaret River Mail.
Cowaramup local and award winning novelist Brendan Ritchie will share the creative process behind his work and his latest book, Eta Draconis, at a free event on Thursday.
Nicky Lefebvre, Augusta-Margaret River Mail
Brendan Ritchie is scheduled to host an author talk at the library in Margaret River on July 27th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
“Brendan will treat guests with an insight into the creative process behind his work and talk about his latest offering. Light refreshments will be provided after the talk.”
Reserve your (free) spot through Eventbrite or phone 9780 5600 or email amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au.
Eta Draconis has been reviewed by Sheree of Keeping Up With The Penguins.
Eta Draconis is like an upper-YA Australian take on The Grapes Of Wrath, complete with the misery spiral and messy teenage relationships (that Ritchie absolutely nails, by the way). You won’t be able to help glancing up at the night sky after you’re done, wondering whether the stars might actually fall someday.
Keeping Up With The Penguins
Duncan Strachan has reviewed Eta Draconis for Kill Your Darlings.
… Eta Draconis brilliantly questions how we deal with life-altering change on a global scale. How Elora and Vivienne keep moving when all is seemingly lost is ultimately a story for our time.
Dundan Strachan, Kill Your Darlings
“We can’t wait to welcome author Brendan Ritchie to our next YA Club on Tuesday, July 4th!
Brendan will be in-conversation to discuss his new book Eta Draconis, followed by a book signing.
Places are limited, book your (free!) spot here: Eventbrite“
5:45pm – 7:00pm, Dymocks Joondalup
Gemma Nisbet has reviewed Eta Draconis in Saturday’s print issue of The West Australian. The review can also be found on The West’s website:
Book Review: Eta Draconis by Perth author Brendan Ritchie
Throughout, Ritchie ably builds both the authenticity of his world and the tension of his plot, but it’s the emotional acuity of this complex sisterly bond that’s the novel’s clear highlight.
Gemma Nisbet, The West Australian
The Sydney Morning Herald book reviews are in, and Eta Draconis is their Fiction Book of the Week! You can read the review on The Sydney Morning Herald’s website:
A vital handbook on the Voice and unnerving dystopian fiction
It’s a tense tale of two young women coping with constant and implacable threat, daring to imagine a future for themselves in a world where precarity reigns.
Jason Steger, The Sydney Morning Herald
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