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  • Published: 1 July 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986474
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99

Risk




'Gripping, devastating and terrifying. The scariest thing is that everything that happens in Risk is all too possible.' Rebecca James, bestselling author of Beautiful Malice

Taylor and Sierra have been best friends for their whole lives. But Taylor’s fed up. Why does Sierra always get what – and who – she wants? From kissing Taylor’s crush to stealing the guy they both met online for herself, Sierra doesn’t seem to notice when she hurts her friends.

So when Sierra says Jacob Jones is the one and asks her friends to cover for her while she goes to meet him for the first time, Taylor rolls her eyes.

But Sierra doesn’t come back when she said she would.

One day. Two days. Three . . .

What if Taylor’s worrying for nothing? What if Sierra’s just being Sierra, forgetting about everyone else to spend time with her new guy?

When Taylor finally tells Sierra’s mum that her daughter is missing, Taylor and her friends are thrown into a dark world they never even knew existed.

Can Taylor find Sierra’s abductor in time? Or should she be looking for a killer?

When a former police officer and paramedic writes a novel inspired by true stories of online predators and love gone wrong, you know you're getting the real deal.

WINNER, Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards – Best Young Adult Novel 2016
JOINT WINNER, Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards – Best Debut Book 2016
WINNER, Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature 2016
LONGLISTED, Indie Book Awards 2016

  • Published: 1 July 2015
  • ISBN: 9780857986474
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99

About the author

Fleur Ferris

Fleur Ferris spent the first seventeen years of her life growing up on a farm in Patchewollock, northwest Victoria. She then moved twenty times in twenty years.

During this time, Fleur sometimes saw the darker side to life while working for a number of years as a police officer and a paramedic.

She now lives a more settled lifestyle in Moama, southern New South Wales, with her husband and three children.

Fleur’s colourful and diverse background has given her a unique insight into today’s society and an endless pool of experiences to draw from. When she isn’t weaving this through her latest story, reading or spending time with her family, you will find her with friends, talking about art, books and travel.

Fleur’s first YA novel, Risk, won the Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, the Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards for Best Young Adult Novel and Best Debut Book 2016, as well as a YABBA in 2017. She has also written Black, Wreck and Found for young adults. Nullaboo Hullabaloo and Seven Days are Fleur’s novels for young readers.

Also by Fleur Ferris

See all

Praise for Risk

Gripping, devastating and terrifying. The scariest thing is that everything that happens in Risk is all too possible.

Rebecca James, bestselling author of BEAUTIFUL MALICE

I'm going to say this straight up – everyone needs to read this book. Whether you're a teenager, a parent, or a teacher, you need to get your hands on this book. It is so important that stories like these are heard and that parents and young people have an understanding of what's possible on the internet, and how to protect yourself from it . . . This is one of my top reads for the year, and I can't give it enough hearts.

nicolehasread.blogspot.com.au

Risk should be on your To-be-read list as of July, and give it to any teenagers you know. It’s not a light read, but it’s a compelling and important one.

shereechristoffersen.com

Teenagers are taught about online safety at school, but it can take a novel such as Fleur Ferris’s Risk to drive home the dangers . . . As a former police officer, Ferris keeps the police investigation realistic and highlights how online predators operate . . . Verdict: insightful.

Herald Sun

Ferris has worked as a police officer and paramedic so her voice and pacing is authoritative . . . Two naive girls don’t realise that their web trail shows exactly where they are whenever they’re online. Although uplifting in a way, this cautionary tale is suspenseful and shattering.

Joy Lawn, The Australian

On the back of the excellent comments from a school principal about her experience of reading Fleur Ferris’ Risk, I decided to have a quick dip into the book yesterday over my lunch break. Well, I finished reading it at about midnight last night, and had a fitful night’s sleep afterwards. This book was most certainly gripping, and the story of seemingly innocent online behaviour that goes tragically wrong was heart-wrenching in its authenticity. This story should be read by every teenager with online access, and by every parent who believes their children are safe in their online behaviour.

Bron, thekidsbookshop.com.au

What makes stories like these really have an impact on me is how realistic they are, and this one was spot on. The whole way through all I could think about was how this could quite easily happen to somebody I know . . . This was an amazing book which tackled real-world issues, tugged at my heartstrings, and had me laughing/crying throughout. An amazing YA debut from Fleur Ferris.

Chris Buur, yawonders.blogspot.com.au

This has got to be the most affecting Young Adult novel I have ever read. It is also the scariest. What makes Risk so truly horrifying is that it is too real. The threat that is explored in this novel is ever present in all of our social media ridden lives . . . All the characters in this book are so relatable. Their stories are relevant and captivating. They could be people you know, or people you go to school with. You could just as easily be reading about your sister, or your best friend . . . All young adults would benefit from reading this book. So would their parents, their teachers, and their siblings. This is such an important story, and it needs to be shared.

thenookreviews.weebly.com

Risk is an important message wound up in an excellent and thrilling read. Put this book in as many young people’s hands as possible!

professionalbooklady.wordpress.com

As a Mum this is a truly terrifying novel, and should be eye-opening reading for every teenager who uses the internet . . . Beautifully written, tragic and sad, but with a wonderful theme of learning to forgive yourself and not to worry about the little things in life, this book was incredibly hard to put down and will strike a chord with teenagers everywhere.

Michelle, lamontbooks.com.au

This is a chilling, gripping thriller for young adults but, more importantly, portrays just how easily Sierra’s story could be any one of ours.

Breanna O'Brien, Manly Daily

With a writing style that is easy to read and characters that are well developed, this book was entertaining from the very first page. I loved the drama and the mystery and the shocking truths that this book contains about online privacy . . . Risk is a perfect text to add to a high school curriculum. I have absolutely no hesitation giving Risk a 5/5 rating, and I’m very much looking forward to reading more books by Fleur Ferris!

Mel, jenandmelsbooknook.blogspot.com.au

This was such a fantastic and well written book that provided a chilling insight into just how easy it is for young girls to be preyed upon by online predators. The fact that the author is a former police officer and paramedic only adds to how realistic this situation could be. I gave it a 5/5 rating and recommend it to everyone, YA readers especially.

Jen, jenandmelsbooknook.blogspot.com.au

This is an amazingly informative cautionary tale . . . The novel will have a wide appeal to the younger secondary reader and perhaps make them more aware of their vulnerability online.

Fran Knight, Magpies

This isn’t exactly your classic sweet tale of besties who share a friendship of sunshine and selfies . . . If you’re not spooked easily, this should be your next read. You’ll like it cos: It seems so REAL.

Dolly

I loved reading this book and read it in one sitting . . . The storyline is hard hitting in a way that is still enjoyable and fun and it gives the reader something to think about.

Lauren, age 16, Random House Book Buddies

This suspenseful story is a thrilling read from beginning to end . . . My favourite character was Taylor as I was inspired by her bravery and mental strength that helped her through the tough times. Risk is such a great book and I would definitely recommend this to my friends.

Nora, age 14, Random House Book Buddies

Incredibly hard to put down. I just got so involved in the stories and I couldn't stop reading until I finished . . . I think this book had a very powerful message that came across incredibly well and I loved reading it!

Stephanie, age 17, Random House Book Buddies

Great book, really makes you revaluate what you're doing online. Hits you pretty hard and is really impactful.

Catherine, age 16, Random House Book Buddies

Awards & recognition

Australian Family Therapists' Award for Children's Literature

Winner  •  2016  •  Older Readers

Sisters in Crime Davitt Award

Joint winner  •  2016  •  Best Debut Crime Book

Sisters in Crime Davitt Award

Winner  •  2016  •  Best Young Adult Crime Novel

Discover more

Teachers' notes
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