The Spell of Rosette by Kim Falconer

HarperVoyager, 2009. ISBN 9780732287719
(Age 15+) Forced to flee for her life after her family has been murdered, Kalinda Rose takes on a new identity as Rosette and makes her way to refuge with her aunt, where she learns magic and witchcraft. However she is unaware that she carries a secret DNA encoded in her blood, which is the only hope for Earth, reduced to near ruins by climate change and pollution.
A clever mixture of fantasy and science fiction, The spell of Rosette is set in two worlds. Rosette, a heroine who has magic powers and can talk to her huge cat, Drayco, was born in pristine Gaela, but discovers that there are portals into Earth, lying in a parallel dimension. Falconer uses quantum physics and a super intelligent, human like machine, Jarrod, along side a traditional fantasy scenario, of good versus evil, sword fighting, shape shifting and sorcery.
This is an engrossing story, with romance, an enigmatic queen of the underworld and many engaging secondary characters. It is likely to be enjoyed by people who read the works of Trudi Canavan and Sara Douglas.
Pat Pledger