After losing the use of his legs and both his parents in a car accident several years ago, Calum Challenger has become focused on one thing - cryptozoology. Through his Lost Worlds website Calum tracks down and records information about creatures of legend and creatures that everyone believes no longer exist. It is a strange hobby for a teenage boy, but then not every teenage boy has the financial resources Calum does - as long as he doesn't want to buy a Ferrari then he pretty much has his aunt (and guardians) support. When Calum finds a picture online that appears to be an Almast he is excited beyond belief, this may be the first chance to really prove that these creatures exist - and it might be his first chance to source some of their DNA, DNA that may help[ cure him one day.
What Calum can't prepare himself for is the arrival of new allies in his life - and new enemies. Gecko is a free runner who calls the roof tops home, a free open space where he can challenge himself mentally and physically. He is smart, driven, and has no small skill when it comes to knowing what he is capable of. Unfortunately there are people who are all too aware of what he is capable of and they have plans for his unique skill set, plans that don't sit well with Gecko. At the same time Tara is happy to try and crack websites and open up information about corporations that don't seem on the up and up, but that has brought her to the attention of a company that is as interested in her as she is in them - and they don't play fair. In the USA Rhino is the subject of some unwanted attention and only some quick thinking can get him out of the jam he is in.
All three of them - Gecko, Tara, and Rhino - have the need to be elsewhere for awhile, and Calum has the need for someone to be in the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. An expedition seems like the answer, but things don't run smoothly, especially with the Nemor Corporation working in the background to make sure Calum and his team don't succeed.
Lost worlds was fast paced, multi-faceted, and addictive. Lane has a knack for writing tension and action without all the flowery details and descriptions that can make some series seem to be drowning under the weight of their own words - what you get here is a tightly written novel that keeps the tension and pace up through the whole story, providing you with enough detail to picture the story in your own mind. The cast of characters is varied and interesting, each of them has their own demons to deal with and bring a unique skill set to the team - there are moments of clichés but not enough to turn me off the story. While there are some impressive "toys" in the story, they are not outside the realm of possibility and you end up with a believable action adventure for teens of all ages. This promises to be the first book in the series, and if the series keeps to this same high standard then it will be an exciting and addictive series to read.
If you like this book then try:
Reviewed by Brilla
Katie Langford has performed with the circus since she was a child - first with her parents, and then after their tragic death, with her husband Dick. It is not an easy life, she works hard to maintain her flexibility and keep her performances to a high standard, but that is more and more difficult as she watches her abusive husband drink and whore their money away. It is a life with no breaks, no chances - only the same routine over and over again as the circus travels from village to village performing for whatever money they can. Certain that things are not right, Katie looks for help among the women of the circus but they offer nothing - Katie belongs to her husband just as she used to belong to her father, and in the eyes of the law Dick can do what he wants with her and face no consequences.
Driven to breaking point, Katie takes her share of their earnings and runs away from the circus, seeking a chance at a new life away from her abusive husband and the only life she has ever known. She has no real plan, all she wants to do is escape and it seems as though fortune is smiling on her because through a small series of chance events she finds herself employed as a magicians assistant in the popular seaside town of Brighton. It is a completely different way of life, she has a place to call home, and a permanent job with a wage in an act that stays in one place - the Palace Music Hall in Brighton. The only real dark mark is the knowledge that Dick can turn up one day and take her away to the circus, and there is nothing she can do to stop him.
Surrounded by people who care about her Katie starts to relax and enjoy herself a little, even though the work is physically demanding she has a safe place to sleep, she is making friends, and she has a chance at a future away from Dick. The people who care about her know that she is hiding something, but they don't press her until they discover something about Katie that even she never knew - Katie has the power of Fire. Her employer Lionel Hawkins is an Air Magician and one of the theatre workers Jack Prescott shares the ability of Fire, and between them they must teach Katie to control her ability before it leaps out of control and destroys her life.
Steadfast is the latest book in the Elemental Masters series from Mercedes Lackey. The last two books in the series were not as much to my taste as the earlier books in the series, but Steadfast has seen a return to more of the storytelling that I like - although I have enjoyed all the books in the series to varying degrees. The cast of this novel is smaller than some of the others, and reminds me very much of Reserved for the cat as some of the characters from the wider story arc of the series are not featured prominently - this really is a story about Katie and the people around her rather than just another book in the series. Another addictive read and (slightly) guilty pleasure.
If you like this book then try:
- The Fire rose by Mercedes Lackey
- The serpent's shadow by Mercedes Lackey
- Reserved for the cat by Mercedes Lackey
- Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey
- Firebird by Mercedes Lackey
- Deerskin by Robin McKinley
- Beauty by Robin McKinley
- Rose daughter by Robin McKinley
- Spindle's end by Robin McKinley
- Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Reviewed by Brilla
Ethan Wynkoop and his friend Ti-Anna Chen have an unusual friendship - mostly because her family would have trouble accepting that she has an American friend who also happens to be a boy. Their secret friendship is really put to the test when Ti-Anna confides that her father has gone to Hong Kong and has gone missing - and she and her mother both fear that his status as an activist against Communist China has gotten him into trouble.
Thinking a little outside the box, Ethan comes up with a cunning plan - he and Ti-Anna can sneak off to Hong Kong and find her father - paid for by his "borrowed" credit card from his somewhat distracted and oblivious parents. It seemed like a good idea, something that would be relatively simple to pull off, but right from the start there are forces at work that seem determined to keep Ti-Anna and Ethan from finding out the truth about what happened to her father.
Nine days is a relatively quick read, with the action happening in quick fire succession over the course of just over a week - the prose is well written without any waffly extra bits, which keeps the story moving forward (I think you will have no trouble picking up that the author is a newspaper journalist from his writing style). The story itself is a little incredulous, that two teenagers could get so far in a country foreign to both of them, but it is not completely implausible.
The relationship between Ti-Anna and Ethan is very sweet, and you can see the depth of their friendship and the way it develops over the course of the novel. This is an interesting political read too, not only because of the subject matter of the book, but also because of the note from the real Ti-Anna at the end of the book. Communist China is a massive state, and it has been criticised over the years by many individuals who are considered very brave to speak out against the state, and I have heard stories of people being watched and "controlled" in the media - there is definitely a political lean to this novel, but it is not distasteful or too "in your face".
This book can be enjoyed as an adventure story, as an example of what two teenagers can do if they set their mind to something - but it can also be read as a true life read, and example of what happens when someone agitates against the State, and what can happen to young girls in foreign countries. It is a social commentary, but it is also a great read. This book will not be to everyone's taste because of the political overtones, but it was a good read.
If you like this book then try:
- The recruit by Robert Muchamore
- Sold by Patricia McCormick
- Never fall down by Patricia McCormick
- Trafficked by Kim Purcell
- After by Francine Prose
- The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- The walls have eyes by Clare B. Dunkle
- Legend by Marie Lu
Reviewed by Brilla
Game is the sequel to I hunt killers so there are ***SPOILERS*** in this review. If you like reading series in order then read I hunt killers before you read any more of this review.
The Impressionist has been caught and Jazz should be feeling pretty proud of himself - and he probably would if he didn't know that his dad is out of prison. Being the son of the famous Billy Dent is bad enough, but living with the knowledge that moving the bird bath sent some kind of signal to help Billy escape is a heavy weight for Jazz to bear. He is relatively content to settle down back into his life of school, looking after his senile grandmother, and avoiding sex with his girlfriend - but fate has other ideas.
When an NYPD detective comes knocking looking for Jazz's help with the Hat-Dog Killer it seems like the chance to get back in the game, a chance to live up to the message Jazz has tattooed on his chest - but things are not what they seem. When he arrives in New York Jazz finds Connie has ignored his warning to stay away and has come to New York too, a city Jazz hates immediately because the little voice of Billy Dent that has always lived in the back of his head cranks up the volume and croons about all the prospecting Jazz could do in such a large city - so many people, a few could go missing easy. It is a challenging game this time, and this time there are more players - and more bodies.
Sometimes a sequel tries too hard to live up to the original and fails miserably - Game is not one of those sequels, it is a force of nature sequel that sucks you in from the beginning and keeps up the tension to the mind blowing conclusion (damn cliffhangers). I loved I hunt killers, it was an indepth read for teens that you don't often see, a story that wasn't dumbed down or softened for the teen audience, Lyga treated his audience with respect. Game continues in that same vein, creating a story that is both chilling because of the backgrounds of the characters, but also addictive because of the way the story drives forward as you try and figure out who the bad guy is and what is really going on.
Both I hunt killers and Game are books for older teens, merely because of the subject matter, however I was thoroughly engrossed as an adult and if younger teens have someone to talk to about the subject matter if they have questions they should also enjoy the books as well. From the ending it is clear there is at least one more book to come in the series - hopefully we don't have a long wait as I really want to see what happens next for Jazz and Connie. This is a series that seems like it would translate well to a tv series or movie franchise, but unlike other series it doesn't feel like the author is a frustrated screen writer who wrote a novel hoping it will be "picked up". Jazz and his world are incredible, and the creepy voice of Billy hovering in the background is just - well - creepy.
If you like this book then try:
- I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
- The book of blood and shadow by Robin Wasserman
- Acceleration by Graham McNamee
- Death cloud by Andrew Lane
- Crime seen by Jenny Pausacker
- The Christopher killer by Alane Ferguson
- Guy Langman, crime scene procrastinator by Josh Berk
- Dead to you by Lisa McMann
Reviewed by Brilla
Sophie likes to do lots of different things- but it's no fun when she does them by herself. At the park she wants to do things, but there is no one to play with so she ends up doing them by herself. Then one day she goes to the park and finds a rather unusual friend to play with - a goose! Sophie and Goose have lots of fun together, but then one day Goose's friends fly over head and it is time for Goose to fly away. Sophie is lonely when her new friend leaves, but it may not be forever.
There are some very simple books out there that are purely and simply charming and Goose is one of them. Sophie could be any little girl in any city in the world (as long as they have geese and playgrounds) and her story will ring true for lots of different children - but Goose isn't an imaginary friend, Goose is a friend that brings some brightness into Sophie's life. I loved this book and it's simply message and illustration style. One for sharing for sure, and one that should read well as an out loud book.
If you like this book then try:
- Goose goes to the zoo by Laura Wall
- Goose on the farm by Laura Wall
- Ben & duck by Sara Acton
- Duckat by Gaelyn Gordon; illustrated by Chris Gaskin
- Giggle, giggle, quack by Doreen Cronin; illustrated by Betsy Lewin
- Wanted: the perfect pet by Fiona Robertson
Reviewed by Brilla
Linus was only trying to help the blind man out, but by the time he figured out something was wrong it was too late. When he woke up in the bunker he thought it was a bad dream, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. In the bunker there are six little rooms, six plates, six cups and Linus has a bad feeling about that, a bad feeling that is confirmed when the first of the other five "guests" arrive in the bunker. Over time the bunker slowly fills up, and over time Linus fills the pages of his diary with the day-to-day life of the bunker and the people trapped inside.
I knew when I picked this book up that it would not be an easy read, not when the name of the book and the first few pages confirmed that it is a very personal story about a teenage boy trapped in a bunker by a person who has complete control of his life - and the life of the other people in the bunker. This is an intense and emotional read, and is definitely best left to mature teens who have the ability to process what is happening as well as understand what they are reading - the content could take a lot of explaining to younger teens and may bring up more questions that could be difficult to answer.
Without spoiling the story, and without giving too much away, this is an intense read right from the start, and with the little incidents that happen it quickly becomes both absorbing and disturbing. Linus is remarkably mature and astute, but the fact he has been living on the streets leading up the abduction may have something to do with that. The rest of the characters are well constructed and add to the drama and tension, especially the mysterious Him that has them all contained in the bunker. This is a story that will stay with me for some time and has the potential to be The Lord of the flies for this generation, an example of human nature under pressure.
This is not a pleasant read, however it is absorbing and keeps you connected to Linus throughout the story, and because of that the events in the bunker are made that much more real because you experience them as he does.
If you read this book and would like to read similar books then try:
Reviewed by Brilla
Rise is the final book in the Eve trilogy and follows on from Eve and Once - and as such this review contains ***SPOILERS***. If you like to read series in order then read Eve and Once before reading anymore of this review.
Time has passed for Eve since Caleb died, but his death has left a heavy weight in her heart - a weight made heavier by the mask she must wear in public. At times the mask can slip, but only when she is around her husband and around the rebel leader known as Moss. It is a difficult time, a time of balancng in two worlds and making decisions that will have consequences for Eve, for her family, and for the country her father has rebuilt with an iron hand over the past few decades.
Life in the Palace is pleasant enough, but the presence of the Lieutenant makes it a dangerous place to be, and each time Eve catches him in conversation with her father she feels more than a little uneasy. Her sense of unease grows when Moss gives her the means to kill her father, a death that is necessary for the regime to fall and a new America to grow, but it is also a very personal choice that will leave the blood of her father on her hands. When she is forced to flee the city, she finds herself supporting a group of sometimes unwilling escapees who are a burden on her already stretched resources, and a stress she doesn't need at a time when she is already feeling vulnerable and desperate.
Rise is the final book in the Eve trilogy and provides a satisfying and logical end to the series, an ending that is somewhat predictable - but also not quite what you might be expecting. Dystopian novels are a huge genre right now, and some of them take a very dark turn looking at the worst of human nature, this trilogy doesn't take that path and instead blends together action, drama, and a little bit of romance in a dysfunctional and tightly controlled world. This is more one for the girls than the guys as the strong female voice of Eve is what drives the story forward and there is not enough action and intrigue to fully appeal to the male audience - however there will be exceptions to the rule and it is a well written novel so that will make a difference for some of the boys out there.
Carey has a good writing voice and has the ability to keep the story moving at a good pace, and hopefully she will write more books in the future as she is an emerging talent that is able to balance the personal voices and stories of her characters with the need to create a world that challenges them to face their inner (and outer) demons.
If you like this book then try:
- The hunger games by Suzanne Collings
- Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
- The always war by Margaret Paterson Haddix
- Among the hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- Inside out by Maria V. Snyder
- Virals by Kathy Reichs
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- The selection by Kiera Cass
- Slated by Teri Terry
- The silver crown by Robert C. O'Brien
- Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
- The forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan
Reviewed by Brilla
Lizzie, Ella and Betsey Best are a modern marvel, a genuine set of human clones grown from the DNA of their "Original" at the request of the Originals parents. It is a secret they have kept for years after growing up believing that they were identical triplets, their mother never told them the truth to keep them safe, but now they know the truth they must also live with the consequences of their mothers secret - the consequence being that they are three teenage girls sharing one life.
Elizabeth Best is a little aloof, but she is also involved in cheer leading and dance, and attends college classes in the evening to get a head start on college when she graduates. It is a carefully balanced dance, with each of the girls taking a third of the day - one does school in the morning while the other two are home schooled in the same subjects, another takes the afternoon classes while the other two are home schooled in the same subjects, and the third takes their part time job and college classes. It is a balance that can easily be thrown out of kilter, which is exactly what happens when Lizzie bombs during a math quiz and Ella takes her place in the morning schedule and Lizzie moves into her slot in the afternoon.
It is a stressful time for them all - but then Lizzie meets Sean and things begin to spiral out of control. "Elizabeth" has never been allowed to date, but their mother may finally be relaxing that rule - but how do you decide who gets to date when Ella and Lizzie like very different boys. The time is approaching for Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey to decide is one shared life is enough for all of them.
I have to confess that I have fallen very much into an addiction when it comes to books by Cat Patrick - the concepts and ideas behind the books are intriguing and fresh, she has a deft touch with her writing that keeps the tension and the pace moving through the entire book, and she comes up with little twists and turns that keep you guessing how the story would end. The originals was not quite up to her usual standard (I guessed the ending pretty early on) but the story was absorbing enough that the ending was a satisfying end rather than a too easily guessed cliche.
It can't be easy coming up with these storylines and ideas, but Patrick has a knack for teasing out the parts of her characters that make them truly human - including all their flaws. Lizzie is the strongest voice in this novel, but her "sisters", mother, and boyfriend hold their own. A gripping read that was impossible to put down.
If you like this book then try:
Reviewed by Brilla
When her mother was murdered, Lila was taken away from the only home she has ever known and was forced to leave behind her brother Jack and her brothers bestfriend Alex. Years later she runs away from her dreary home in London after she uses her secret ability to stop a mugging near her home, and she runs to her older brother Jack who stayed in America to finish college. It seems like a breath of fresh air to be back in the US, although it is surprisingly hard to breath whenever she is around Alex, but that may have more to do with the crush she has had on him forever more than anything else.
Lila was hoping to be able to stay with Jack and Alex, but they are being awfully secretive about what they do, and her father is adament that she will return home to her life in London. When Lila stumbles across someone who seems to know a lot about Jack, it doesn't seem that big a deal - until she discovers even more about the secret work that Jack, Alex, and the rest of the Unit do. Suddenly the mugging is a distant memory, because there are other things to worry about now - and Lila has to run, and keep running if she wants to stay ahead of the people after her.
Hunting Lila was an interesting read for me, one of those books where I loved the idea and the world building, but the writing style of the author bugged me. Let me just say that I got it really quickly that Alex was Lila's dream guy, that she was really in love with him and that he had the perfect body - I really didn't need all the reminders, you don't have to hit your audience over the head Alderson to get your message across. There were also moments where I got completely jarred out of the story for the simple reason that throughout the book the mother is referred to as "mum" but this is a teenager who grew up in the States and so did her brother and his best friend - they would have been using "mom" instead - it may seem like a little niggle but it didn't ring true for the characters (although it would have if the book was set in the UK).
This is the first book in the series, and I hope that the sequel keeps up the pace and the mystery - especially with some of the plot twists towards the end of the book. It is too late to plead for more accurate language, but hopefully there are more "mom" language usage, and less "mum" language usage. Alderson shows great promise for a new voice in the action/thriller genre for teens, and Hunting Lila sits nicely with the emerging trend of writing books combining elements of the supernatural with military conspiracies.
If you like this book then try:
Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson
Altered by Jennifer Rush
Fated by Sarah Alderson
When we wake by Karen Healey
Adaptation by Melinda Lo
Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Eve by Anna Carey
Slated by Teri Terry
Sister assassin (Mind games) by Kiersten White
Reviewed by Brilla
Twelve years from now the world will be a very different place - thanks to a deadly virus carried by rats which has simply become known as rat flu. Rat flu decimated the animal population, only a few lucky farm animals survived thanks to a vaccination programme, but they are not the only animals. The Lost World Circus is home to rare and exotic animals that survived the outbreak of the deadly rat flu and have since become a travelling attraction - and the biggest attraction by far is Lucy, the last elephant on Earth. When Lucy catches the dreaded rat flu it looks as though it is the end for her, especially when the Rat Cops arrive and threaten to end the menace of the rat flu by ending Lucy!
Lucy's only hope is Colt, who was at the circus the night Lucy caught the flu, and was there when his mother was called to see Lucy because the circus vet is too scared. Colt is determined to save Lucy, and with the help of one of the human stars of the circus he may just be able to pull off the impossible - especially when he discovers that he can do things that he really shouldn't be able to, things that are almost superhuman.
The last elephant is the first book in a new series from Australian author Justin D'Ath - and it is a very promising start to a series that blends together action, adventure, mystery, danger, and kids pulling out all the stops to do what they believe in (and even succeeding). Justin has a deft hand with his writing, and although his writing style is to use little words and use them well, he has a knack for keeping the action moving and the characters growing, without throwing lots of big words and complicated plot twists at you - it is a pure story, one that is easy to get absorbed in right from the start.
While the story does seem to be pitched at the 8 - 12 year old 'tween market, I thoroughly enjoyed it and there are going to be older readers who also enjoy the action and drama - if you know a teen who is struggling with reading and wanting something to enjoy that is not babyish then suggest they give this book a try, or one of the other series that D'Ath has written in recent years. A quick read with substance.
If you like this book then try:
- Crocodile attack by Justin D'Ath
- Bush rescue by Justin D'Ath
- Northwood by Brian Falkner
- The forests of silence by Emily Rodda
- The tunnels of Ferdinand by James Moloney
- The real thing by Brian Falkner
- Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
- January by Gabrielle Lord
- Animal lab by Malcolm Rose
- The halfmen of O by Maurice Gee
- Four degrees more by Malcolm Rose
Reviewed by Brilla
Sherlock Holmes is waiting to go home for the school break, but instead he is sent to live with relatives he has never met because his father has been sent to India to serve his country. It is an uncertain time, and Sherlock quickly discovers that he is not a welcome guest is his aunt and uncles home, but it is not them who make him feel truly unwelcome - it is the housekeeper. It looks as though it may be a dull summer with little to do except feel like an intruder, but then he meets Matty a local boy, and he meets his new tutor Amyus Crowe. He also stumbles across a mystery in desperate need of solving.
It began with the mysterious death of one man, a death that Matty almost witnessed, but he definitely witnessed the dark cloud that moved away from the place where the man died - a dark cloud that Sherlock also witnesses when he finds a dead body on his aunt and uncles property. With the discovery of the two bodies the people in the town are starting to panic, packing up their belongings and moving away from the plague that they fear is about to spread like wildfire, but something is tickling in the back of Sherlock's brain, a tickle that gets stronger when Crowe encourages him to develop his reasoning skills. What is the connection between the plague and the mysterious warehouse that Sherlock found in town, and what is the connection to the boxes in the warehouse?
Death cloud is the first book in a series that follows the development of a teenage Sherlock Holmes, laying the foundations for the man that will one day become the worlds most famous detectives. Welcome to a world where the young Sherlock Holmes is an extraordinary teenage boy, one who is coming to terms with a situation that would frustrate most teenagers - a change of plans and expectations that leads to some extraordinary encounters. Here are the first glimmers of an ability to connect the dots, an ability to see beneath the surface and understand what others can not - a skill that is enhanced and nurtured by the appearance of his tutor Amyus Crowe.
I have not read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, a fact that may have made this more enjoyable for me, but I have read stories based around him including books about the Baker Street Irregulars which mention Holmes in passing. I find this time period particularly engaging and interesting, and Lane has done an amazing job of working historical facts and accuracy into his rendition of Holmes. At times he was a little heavy handed with some of the descriptions, but I was thoroughly tangled in the story from the start.
The authors afterword provides quite a bit of information about Lane's motivation for writing the series, and provides an idea of where his character comes from - the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a healthy dose of other sources. It is a challenge to take someone else's character and write a convincing and engaging story - but Lane has managed to define a teenage Sherlock Holmes that shows the promise of the adult Holmes that has come to be well known through novels, movies, and tv series. This is one for anyone who likes a good mystery built around strong characters in a world that is both realistic and relateable - I look forward to reading more books in the series to see if Lane is able to keep building on the strong foundations of Death cloud.
If you like this book then try:
- The case of the Ranjipur ruby by Anthony Read
- The case of the Limehouse laundry by Anthony Read
- The ruby in the smoke by Philip Pullman
- The shadow in the North by Philip Pullman
- Silverfin: Young James Bond by Charles Higson
- The case of the missing Marquess: an Enola Holmes mystery by Nancy Springer
- The case of the left-handed lady: an Enola Holmes mystery by Nancy Springer
- The paranormal puppet show by Justin Richards
- Shadow beast by Justin Richards
Reviewed by Brilla
Dark triumph is the sequel to Grave mercy so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read Grave mercy yet. If you like reading series in order then read Grave mercy before you read this review.
Sybella is one of Deaths handmaidens, and she is very good at what she does. The Abbess of the convent knows that Sybella is gifted in the arts of death and seduction, a combination that makes it easy for her to reach her targets because they welcome her with open arms - and where they welcome her they also welcome death. But Sybella's latest mission is one that poses great danger, not only because she has been sent into the home of a ruthless man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, but also because that man is her father.
Sybella escaped from her family, but she was left broken and half-mad - until she found peace at the convent and developed her skills so she could carry out the will of Mortain, but something is not quite right, sometimes it seems as though the Abbess has secrets. Back in the loving embrace of her family, and far from the care and protection of the convent, Sybella finds herself struggling to keep a clear head and most of all stay safe. The twisted past of her family haunts her, and Sybella must face her own personal demons to stay on the mission her Abbess has sent her on. The one thing that keeps her going is the knowledge that she can kill her father as soon as the marque appears - a marque that is richly deserved.
Dark triumph is the sequel to Grave mercy and follows the story of Sybella, but continues on from and overlaps with the events that Ismae faces in Grave mercy - the third and final book in the series promises to follow the story of Annith. This series is richly steeped in historical detail, although LaFevers admits at the end of this book that she compressed time and took some poetic licence to make the history work for the story. This is a strong story which is rooted in a very real world, one that lives and breathes with people who are fighting their own battles, who are working behind the scenes to get what they want, and just a touch of magic through the touch of the god Mortain on Sybella, Ismae, and the other girls who are the daughters of death (or another god which is mentioned).
It took me a few pages to get back into the story because it is so different from what I have been reading lately, but also because it has been some time since I read Grave mercy - a grumble I have had a few times lately because I tend to read books when they first come out and then have to wait for the sequels to come (and I seldom have time to re-read the previous books because my shelves are packed with new books to read). This is a fantastic series for young people who like to have a solid foundation for their stories with a well developed casts of characters, and language that you can sink your teeth into. This is not a simple story, it is an epic tale that is part of an even greater epic tale, and the historical detail helps to make it both captivating and thoroughly engaging.
This is one for the boys and the girls, although the touch of developing romance for some of the characters may have the boys rolling their eyes and skipping ahead to the fight scenes. As an adult reader this was still an absorbing read written by a deft hand, but older teens will also enjoy the story. Younger teens may struggle with some of the themes (incest and murder), and parents may want to have a quick look to make sure they are happy with the tone of the book and what it involves.
If you like this book then try:
Reviewed by Brilla
Dom Silvagni is nothing special, sure his family has money and he is a pretty good middle distance runner, but other than that he is pretty ordinary. Pretty ordinary, until his father and grandfather reveal that now he is fifteen he has to complete six tasks for the Dent, tasks to settle a debt one of his family agreed to in the very distant past. His father completed his tasks, but his grandfather didn't and his missing leg is a grim reminder that if Dom fails to complete his tasks that the Debt will literally take their pound of flesh instead.
When his first assignment arrives Dom is convinced he is doomed to failure from the start - he has to catch the Zolt, a teenaged one-man crime spree who has been going all Robin Hood on the holiday homes of the rich on Reverie Island. When he learns that the Zolt has already been captured it seems as though it truly is an impossible task - but things are not what they seem. Dom is about to see just how far he can push himself and what he is really capable of.
Catch the Zolt is the first of six books in The Debt series. This was an interesting read for me as I didn't actually like the book that much for the first 100 pages or so because it reminded me a little too much of other books, but I also couldn't put it down because it was relatively well written and I wanted to see where the series was going. The fact there are six books in the series makes it pretty obvious that Dom is going to succeed at least some of the time, but I did get a little hooked to see what would happen and how far fetched the storyline would get - and I was pleasantly surprised by how realistic the storyline stayed as the story progressed (realistic as far as these things go).
This series feels a little too much like Conspiracy 365 for my taste, mainly I think because it is a serialised story, because it involves things starting with a significant date, and because it is based around an Australian teenager. I do think though that my review is somewhat tainted by the fact that I am an adult and an adult female - quite removed from the teen male audience this series is obviously written for. This is the kind of story that I would give to my teenage nephew and I would recommend it to teen readers at work so try it and see what you think.
There have been some good series out of Australia over the past few years, mainly written by young male writers and The Debt looks like it could translate relatively easily to readers in other countries if they enjoy high octane stories driven by the action rather than the relationships, with a touch of drama just to round out the story.
If you like this book then try:
- The arrival by Chris Morphew
- The recruit by Robert Muchamore
- Conspiracy 365: January by Gabrielle Lord
- Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
- The lab by Jack Heath
- Mister Monday by Garth Nix
- Thyla by Kate Gordon
Reviewed by Brilla
Torchwood is one of the worst kept secrets in Wales, an agency outside the law that deals with the odd and dangerous, the heroes in the black SUV that drive in to save the day when things get messy. They are a tight team and used to using their unique skills to make progress in whatever Rift related challenge they are facing, but this time the team is a little fragmented and focused on different projects. Tosh and Gwen are ghost hunting. and Owen has become more than a little distracted by a mysterious illness that has struck a community not far from the Rift. To make matters worse weird sparks of Rift image are appearing and disappearing, tantalising little sparks that something isn't right.
As Captain Jack Harkness and his team try and solve the mystery they find themselves at risk of becoming part of the mystery, a mystery that seems to revolve around a woman named Saskia Harden and the legend of water hags. When Tosh and Gwen discover a body in the bog and bring it back to the Hub they are shocked to discover that the dead body still has secrets to share - secrets that start them on a race against time.
One of the best things about reading books based on a television series is finding an author who manages to capture the charm of the series and the quirks of the characters - creating a story that reads like an episode of the show. Baxendale has nailed the team of Torchwood, the quirks, the subtle charms, the lurking immaturity which makes them both a tight knit and somewhat childish team. You can hear the characters through the writing, picture the boyish charm of the roguish Captain, and picture the horror as the supernatural villain rears it head and wreaks havoc on the team and the rest of the "cast".
This is an old book in the series, written in 2008, and there have been cast changes in the series since but these early episodes is my favourite time period, a time when it was more about the freaky events and monsters than story arcs that got increasingly far fetched - a time when you could picture things happening rather than having a little trouble suspending belief. I loved Torchwood and this book was a good fix.
If you like this book then try:
- X-files: Ruins by Kevin J. Anderson
- X-files: Skin by Ben Mezrich
- Supernatural: Witch's Canyon by Jeff Mariotte
- Supernatural: Night terror by John Passarella
- Doctor Who: The kings dragon by Una McCormack
- Doctor Who: Nuclear time by Oli Smith
- Torchwood: First born by James Goss
Reviewed by Brilla
For years Anna has helped her father study the young men who live in the lab in their basement. At first she snuck into the lab, a secret act of rebellion to see what was down there, but once she was caught she became his assistant. It is a consistent life, during the day she records the results of the tests and putters about through family life with her dad - but at night she spends time with the boys getting to know them as individuals. There is Cas who is always hungry, always ready to try one of the recipes her mother wrote down in her journal. There is Trev who is good natured and the closest thing she has to a friend, who chats with her and makes her feel connected. There is also Nick, who seems to have a cold detachment from Anna, a cold detachment that appears as though it could easily turn to hate. And finally there is Sam, the member of the group that Anna feels a real connection to, the person that seems to affect her like no one else.
Anna knows that the boys are part of some experiment for Branch, but she has no idea what she is really working with. When the day comes for the boys to be taken away, Anna witnesses a fierce escape, and finds herself on the run with them when her father begs Sam to take her with them. It is a scary new world for Anna, one where she is no longer protected by glass and walls, the boys are all around her, and she doesn't know what to believe and who to trust. When they begin to unravel the mystery of who they were before, Anna and Sam come to realise that there is more going on than they thought - with themselves, with the boys, and with Branch.
Altered is a fast paced and absorbing read, right from the start you connect with Anna and her world, which is just as well as you are dragged at breakneck speed through an action thriller adventure as Sam races against time to solve the mystery of who they are and what Branch really wants with them, At times it is not clear what genre this book belongs to, but that doesn't matter as the text is well written with strong characters that each carry part of the story, and there are little twists and turns that keep you guessing about what is coming next.
It was a little difficult to tell if this was the first book in a series or not, the ending is satisfying and concluding, but there is room for the story to continue. The trend in publishing seems to have shifted from vampires and werewolves, then to dystopian futures, and now there seems to be a trend to have books that involve genetics and advanced applications of science - and Altered is one of the better books from the latest trend. The characters are great and are easy to connect to, the pace is carefully controlled, and the plot has been well thought out. I thoroughly enjoyed Altered and hope that this is not the only book we have from Rush - a great debut novel.
If you like this book then try:
- Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
- Legend by Marie Lu
- The program by Suzanne Young
- Adaptation by Melinda Lo
- Variant by Robison Wells
- Agent 21 by Chris Ryan
- Revived by Cat Patrick
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- Virals by Kathy Reichs
- Unremembered by Jessica Brody
- When we wake by Karen Healey
Reviewed by Brilla
Sylvia "Vee" Bell is most of the way to being the school freak because everyone thinks she has narcolepsy which means she can drop off to sleep at any minute without any warning. It is a frustrating condition, one that leaves her tired and sometimes grumpy. Her best friend Rollins thinks she also has OCD because she hates to touch things other people have handled, but it isn't really OCD - and it isn't really narcolepsy either. What people take as a narcolepsy attack are really moments when Vee loses grip on her own body and own consciousness and slides into someone elses mind, seeing the world through their eyes.
It is a lonely existence because she has no one to tell, no one she thinks will believe her - she is even too afraid to tell Rollins, letting him believe she is just a little weird is better than him thinking she is crazy. As if high school wasn't stressful enough, now she has to worry about sliding into the wrong person too. Sliding used to be a rare event, but with each year that passes Vee slides more and more - and this time she has seen something she wasn't meant to see, the murder of a girl from school. Vee can't get the image out of head, and to make matters worse everyone thinks it was a suicide. Then a second body is discovered and Vee struggles with the realisation that someone she has met is a killer - because she can only slide into someone when she touches something that belongs to them, something they have made a connection with.
Slide was a fun and absorbing read, one that had me hooked from the beginning and rapidly turnign the pages to find out who the killer was and what their connection was to Vee. This is not high brow literature, but it was an addictive read that I did not want to put down, and there were enough viable murder suspects to keep the story moving at a rapid pace with the twists and turns leading to an expected/unexpected ending that has left me itching to read the next book in the series. The characters are not rendered in great detail, but they are well defined and easy to connect with, and while there are the expected characters in a teenage novel (the cheerleader, the rebel, the jock, the ex best friend) they are not so cliched that you roll your eyes and sigh and wait for something new.
The "science" of how sliding works is well thought out and Hathaway obviously spent a little it of time figuring out the rules of how sliding works because each slide felt "real" - nothing happened to jar you out of the reality. I really enjoyed this book and hope that Hathaway continues to write more books, not only in the series, but also in general as she has a deft touch for writing readable books that leave you absorbed, fascinated, and thoroughly satisfied. I can't wait for Imposter to arrive so I can see what happens next for Vee, her family, and friends.
If you like this book then try:
- Imposter by Jill Hathaway
- Numbers by Rachel Ward
- Anna dressed in blood by Kendare Blake
- Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Origin by Jessica Khoury
- Sister assassin by Kiersten White
- Fracture by Megan Miranda
- Every other day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Graceling by Kristin Cashore
- I swear by Lane Davis
- The future of us by Jay Asher
- Revived by Cat Patrick
- Sleeper code by Tom Sniegoski
- Thirteen days to midnight by Patrick Carman
Reviewed by Brilla
Breaking point is the sequel to Article 5 so there will be ***SPOILERS*** in this review if you have not already read Article 5. If you like reading series in order then read Article 5 first.
In what seemed like an impossible move Ember Miller and Chase Jennings escaped certain death at the hands of the Federal Bureau of Reformation (FBR) and they have taken shelter with the Resistance. Everything feels very strange, but they have settled into an uneasy routine, one that is shattered when a sniper starts killing soldiers and Ember ends up on a highly publicised list of suspects - a list that is painting a target on her back for any soldier to take a shot at her, and for any civilian to turn her in for a reward. It is a desperate time, and with the FBR squeezing the marginalised it seems like it is only a matter of time until Ember is caught and turned over to the authorities.
It should be a terrifying time, Ember should be watching the shadows and be ready to run - but instead she is more determined than ever to fight her own battles and take her fair share of the danger. When a new recruit appears in the Resistance headquarters, Ember and Chase are immediately on the defensive because the new recruit is someone from their past, someone that immediately has them on edge. With the word Sniper hanging over her head it is only a matter of time before Ember has to deal with her past, and with the lies that have been told - by her, and by people around her. As Ember, Chase, and Sean push forward with their plan to rescue Rebecca, they realise that nothing is what it seems, and there really may be no one they can truly trust - except for each other.
Breaking point is the sequel to Article 5, one of those books that took a little while for me to get into but thoroughly enjoyed once I was well into the story. One of the most interesting aspects of this story is that it is not some far distant dystopian future where it has been centuries since the cataclysmic event happened, instead what you are experiencing is the change from a war torn country into a truly dystopian future. Through Ember and Chase you experience the small changes that over time make the control of the state more intense, as it becomes a crime not to do something, but to instead be something. The religious links in the story are fascinating, especially as real effort is often made to separate the State and the Church in most of our current societies. Article 5 and Breaking point really do raise the issue of what could happen if someone who was extremely religious came into power and took over a government.
Breaking point continues on immediately after Article 5 so if you have not read the first book, or if it has been some time since you read the first book then it may take a chapter or two for you to fully immerse yourself back into the story. One of the strongest features of Article 5 and Breaking point are the strong characters and the relationships between those characters - no one in this world is perfect, and they make some very realistic and human mistakes. From what I can tell Article 5 is a trilogy so bring on book three so we can all see how the series ends!
If you like this book then try:
- Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
- Arrival by Chris Morphew
- Slated by Teri Terry
- The hunger games by Suzanne Collins
- Origin by Jessica Khoury
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
- Legend by Marie Lu
- Tomorrow, when the war began by John Marsden
- The selection by Kiera Cass
Reviewed by Brilla
Fractured is the sequel to Slated, and because of that this review contains ***SPOILERS***. If you prefer to read a series in order then stop reading now until you have read Slated.
A person who has been slated is supposed to have a clean slate, their past is supposed to be removed completely, and they are supposed to be incapable of violence. Kyla now knows that what is supposed to be and what actually is are two completely separate things. When Wayne attacked her part of her was released, something that should have been gone forever - part of her true self that survived the slating process. She is confused and feels pulled in different directions - in one direction she is the Slated girl Kyla, and in the other direction she is Rain. At times it feels as though she is fractured beyond repair, because not only does she has memories from Rain, she also seems to be remembering things about Lucy.
With her life fractured into three sets of memories, and more than one mixed emotion, Kyla is also confronted with conflicting loyalties. Should she be loyal to Nico, the man from her past who expects her to be a good little soldier, to fight for the cause that would label her a terrorist in the eyes of the law. Maybe she should just stay Kyla, and be loyal to the woman that she has come to really care for, the woman she calls mother. There is also the added complication of the Lorders and Dr. Lysander who all seem to have expectations of her - expectations that may lead her down a path that she is not ready to travel yet. It is a confusing time, and with so much of her past coming to the surface, Kyla is slowly but surely unravelling, caving in to the pressure around her, making choices that she may regret - if she lives long enough that is.
Fractured is the sequel to Slated and I was very much looking forward to reading it as the first book in the series was original, dark, and a shining example of a well thought out dystopian future in the making. I did find it a little hard to get into the story in the beginning, but as is often the case this was simply because it has been nearly a year since I read Slated and even good books get a little hazy after such a long gap between novels. Kyla has continued to develop as a realistic and engaging heroine and I am now eagerly awaiting the final book in the trilogy to see what happens. The subplots that slowly trickle into the story over the course of the book lead to an explosive conclusion that is even more of a cliffhanger than Slated.
A well written and absorbing story, one that leaves you wondering what twist and turn is coming next, and who the "bad guys" are. As Kyla learns more about her past we also learn the depths to which some people will sink to reach their goals - no matter what the human cost may be.
If you like this book then try:
- Slated by Teri Terry
- When we wake by Karen Healey
- Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
- Variant by Robison Wells
- Nobody by Jennifer Lynne Barnes
- Enclave by Ann Aguirre
- No safety in numbers by Dayna Lorentz
- Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
- The always war by Margaret Peterson Haddix
- The declaration by Gemma Malley
- Unremembered by Jessica Brody
Reviewed by Brilla
On November 9 2001, Christian fundamentalists hijacked four planes and aimed them at targets in the United Arab States. One was brought down by the passengers, one flew into the Arab Defense Ministry in Riyadh, and the others flew into the Tigris and Euphrates World Trade Towers in Baghdad - killing thousands of people. These unspeakable acts lead to the United Arab States declaring a War on Terror sending troops to establish a Green Zone in Washington, D.C. It was supposed to be a relatively easy war to win, but nearly a decade later the UAS still has troops deployed in the Green Zone, and their troops are still coming under attack from Christian insurgents.
In the summer of 2009, Mustafa al Baghdadi interrogates a captured suicide bomber, but before the Arab Homeland Security agent can get the information he needs his investigation runs into resistance. As part of his ongoing investigation, Mustafa discovers a puzzling artifact which shows the act of terrorism happened in New York on 9/11 - he immediately things it is a sick joke, a cruel part of a larger picture. As he investigates further with the help of his team Amal and Samir, Mustafa learns that knowledge of the Mirage is growing, but he also learns that some people will stop at nothing to change the Mirage, while others will stop at nothing to keep it firmly in place. But what is the Mirage, how did it come about, and what will it take to find the truth - and what will it cost Mustafa and his team?
The Mirage is one of those books that really opens your eyes and challenges you to really think about what is happening in the story - and by extension in our own world. For some people this story will be offensive, plainly for the fact that it could appear to mock the tragedy of 9/11. I am not an American, and while I was (and continue to be) horrified by the events of 9/11, I am far enough away to be able to read this book for what I think it was intended to be - a chance to look at the War on Terror from another perspective, a chance to really think about the causes of conflict and how we respond to it.
Matt Ruff has been respectful of the situation, but he has also created a novel that makes you sit down and think about what happened and what continues to happen. You can also see the dominoes of history, as each part of the story changes not only the 9/11 story, but also tweaks with some of the other countries and histories to create a world of Christian and Muslim nations that are not what (and sometimes where) you expect them to be. This book wont be to every one's taste, but I found it fascinating and completely absorbing. The names you would expect are all there, as well as some names you may not have, and I did not see the end coming - it was not what I was expecting but it was also very satisfying. A thought provoking and absorbing read, with attention paid to the details that matter, and enough humanity built into the storyline to keep you attached to the main characters as they strive to uncover the truth of the Mirage - for themselves,. and for you.
If you like this book then try:
- Bad monkeys by Matt Ruff
- Tinker by Wen Spencer
- Arctic rising by Tobias S. Buckell
- Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
- Empire State by Adam Christopher
- Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson
- The last policeman: A novel by Ben H. Winters
Reviewed by Brilla
Starting school can be scary for children, but for the puppies in We love school it is a big adventure with lots of fun things to do. There is painting and playtime and then a story from a big book - just like in a real kindergarten or school! There is also time for something to eat at lunch, a bathroom break, and nap time. Through the puppies children can learn that school can be fun, and the different activities in the book mirror what happens in a real preschool or school so when the child starts on their first day they will have an idea of what to expect.
Beyond the starting school message, this is a fun and enjoyable read, with illustrations that support the fun and energy of the story. Puppies of all shapes and sizes are part of the class, and there are loads of bright colours including the text which has highlighted words. This could be a great story for older children in the family to read to younger siblings, helping prepare them in a positive way for starting school.
I loved this book because the puppies are so full of energy, and because I could easily visualise the havoc puppies would wreck if they really were in a classroom - especially if they were sharing the classroom with children!
If you like this book then try:
- Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
- First day of school by Anne Rockwell; pictures by Lizzy Rockwell
- What puppies do best by Laura Numeroff; illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
- The things I love about school by Trace Moroney
- Muddypaws by Moira Butterfield; illustrated by Simon Mendez
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's dairy by Lynley Dodd
Reviewed by Brilla
