Power play by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Power play is the third book in the Petaybee trilogy so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first books in the series.  This series is best enjoyed in order so I suggest you read Powers that be and Power lines before you read any more of this review.

Petaybee has faced the challenge of proving it is sentient, but for some that proof will never be enough.  One of the most resistant is anthropologist Matthew Luzon, who not only faced the embarrassment of being injured in a natural disaster that was attributed to the sentient planet, he has also set his sights on swamping the planet to prove the appointed guardians of the planet are not up to the job.  It is a cunning plan and one that should bear fruit for Intergal in the future, but his is not the only plan in place.  Another disgruntled "victim" of the planet Petaybee has plans for the kidnap and ransom of some very special people - and one way or another the price will be paid as far as he is concerned.

Far away from the safety and protection of the place she has called home for months, Yana is in the unenviable position of speaking for the whole planet in front of a hearing that has the potential to go very badly.  Marmion is trying to protect her and support her from the worst of the situation, but being far from home is always unsettling - and when you are pregnant with your first child and far from family and husband and it is even harder.  When Yana and her company are kidnapped by pirates it seems as though everything is lost - but you should never underestimate just how small the universe really is.  In a race against time the residents of Petaybee need to figure out what is happening and fast - otherwise their planet may be destroyed before their very eyes.

Power play is the final book in the Petaybee trilogy and brings together the different threads of the previous books - creating a seamless end to a series that was engaging, pushing boundaries of believability (a sentient planet, need I say more), and bringing together a cast of characters that were perfect in their imperfections.  Power play closes off some of the plots left open at the end of Powers that be and concludes the involvement of the characters introduced in Power lines, as well as bringing to an end the journey that begins in Power play.  

There are some people who seem to really dislike this series, and I can see why that might be the case - writers who step outside what their readers are used to often face confusion or dislike because it is not familiar.  There could also be a lot of dislike because of the strong messages of protecting the environment and living within your means - these messages strongly resonate today because we are already seeing the damage done to the environment over many years of taking what we want without necessarily having care for the rest of the planet.  Enjoy this series for it's messages, enjoy the series for the strong female characters who hold their own in a man's world, enjoy this series for the connection to the animals and the world - or just enjoy this series for it's own sake.

If you like this book then try:

• The crystal singer by Anne McCaffrey
• The ship who sang by Anne McCaffrey
• Decision at Doona by Anne McCaffrey
• The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
• Werehunter by Mercedes Lackey
• The elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
• Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
• Alien taste by Wen Spencer
• The diamond throne by David Eddings
• Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Reviewed by Brilla

Power lines by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Power lines is the second book in the Petaybee trilogy so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the first book in the series.  This series is best enjoyed in order so I suggest you read Powers that be before you read any more of this review.

Yana Maddock may now be a true citizen of Petaybee, accepted by the planet itself, but that does not mean that she is free of the influence of the company that terraformed the planet and placed all of the human inhabitants on it's surface.  There is resounding doubt that the planet is sentient, and of course the company must send experts to examine the truth of the bald statement themselves.  As in any situation, there are those who would turn the events to their own advantages, taking what they can claim for themselves.  It also brings so called experts to Petaybee - some of whom will twist and turn the truth to their own needs.

In a rapidly changing world, Yana must walk the line between the company and the citizens of Petaybee who are remarkably innocent in the ways of the universe.  On the surface the arrival of Marmion de Revers Algemeine and Dr. Matthew Luzon seems like good news, but both of them have a reputation - not necessarily a good one.  While Marmion seems to take to Petaybee and fall under its charms, Luzon is determined to prove the inhabitants are suffering from some kind of mass delusion that makes them dangerous rather than endearing.  With a whole planet at stake, the inhabitants of Petaybee will have to find a way to convince Intergal that their planet is not only sentient - it has it's own ideas about what should happen to it's surface and it's inhabitants.

Power lines is in the unenviable position of the being the middle book in a series that carries some rather strong themes and messages - which makes it a little stodgy in some places and a little fast paced in others.  I jumped straight into reading Power lines after finishing Powers that be, with the plan to jump straight into Power play when I was finished, so the effect was less pronounced for me than it would be for someone who was reading the books with a gap in between.  Once again there are strong messages about the environment and the damage we can do taking what we want, and some of the other reviews I have seen of this book state that for them as readers the message was rather heavy handed.  As someone who makes an effort to reduce, reuse, recycle - and who has respect for all of our environment and the species in it, - I actually found the messages to be just right.

As events unfold in Power lines it becomes clear who the major players will be in the final book in the series, and it sets us up quite nicely to move into the last book in the series.  This is one of the outlying series from Anne McCaffrey who is best known for her blended fantasy/science fiction series of the Dragonriders of Pern.  I did love this series and there is a lot to like about it - you just have to make sure you read it in it's own right rather than hoping for another series like Pern.

If you like this book then try:

• The crystal singer by Anne McCaffrey
• The ship who sang by Anne McCaffrey
• Decision at Doona by Anne McCaffrey
• The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
• Werehunter by Mercedes Lackey
• The elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
• Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
• Alien taste by Wen Spencer
• The diamond throne by David Eddings
• Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Reviewed by Brilla

Powers that be by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Major Yanaba "Yana" Maddock has received a medical discharge from the company after her lungs were almost completely destroyed in a gas attack during an uprising on one of the company's many planets.  She was lucky to survive, but the experience has left her weak and crippled by lungs that refuse to work properly and reduce her to fits of coughing without warning.  The planet the company decides to send her to so she can enjoy her retirement is a terraformed planet known as Petaybee, a planet settled by people of mostly Irish and Eskimo decent.  It seems like a peaceful planet, one lacking in most of the trappings of a civilized universe - mostly because most of the trappings of the rest of the universe are quickly ruined by the Arctic environment of the ice and snow bound planet.

Yana thought she was sent there to recuperate and enjoy her retirement, but the truth is not that simple.  With her experience working for the company, Yana is seen as a valuable asset for infiltrating the local population who are suspicious of the company and all outsiders.  As she settles into her new life, Yana is constantly surprised by how supportive and welcoming the native population are - she is given the tools she needs to survive the harsh environment without the need for credits or repayment.  The most miraculous thing of all is the way her abused lungs and body begin to health in the clean environments of the planet.  When yet another team of researchers disappears Yana feels the pressure to find answers, her "superior" officer threatening to make life even more difficult for her than it already is.

When part of the missing team is found, Yana comes to understand more about her new planet - discovering one of the most amazing things of all.  Petaybee is not just a ball of ice and snow, it is a sentient being that connects with it's inhabitants, changing them to meet the needs of the environment.  When Yana falls "captive" to the mass hallucination that the planet is "alive", she finds herself in the path of a company that will do anything to get what it wants.  For the first time in a long time Yana feels like she has a family and a place to call "home" - but at what cost?

Powers that be is the first book in the series focused on the planet of Petaybee - a series that is more than a little mind boggling when you consider the whole premise is based on the fact that a planet can be a sentient being.  There are quite a few themes and story arcs that make this series both interesting and very relevant for readers today - just like it was nearly 20 years ago when this series was released.  It is human nature to want to own and control, to use things up while looking for resources - there is a strong message of conservation and connection to the land in this series, the idea that you do not take more than your share, that a planet has enough for everyone if you take without greed.  Many peoples of the world have a close affinity with the land and continue to speak of it as if it was alive with a spirit like that found in people - and idea that is taken to the next level in the form of a sentient planet that can communicate with it's inhabitants.

There is also the theme of people displaced and relocated without thought of how this might impact them in the long term - this was still happening in recent decades, people moved and relocated for their own "good".  For some people the story may come across as heavy handed, but it echoes truly for anyone who has explored Earths own history - people of power make decisions for the people without power everyday, often claiming it is for their own good.  There are some obvious cliches in terms of the characters, but they are cliches because they are part of every good novel.  The arrogant company man who thinks he knows best and who will threaten and bully people into submission.  The perfect balance in the form of the local woman who oozes calm and knowledge, unflappable in the face of arrogance and ignorance.  And of course we have Yana, the person who helps us discover the truth about Petaybee through her own eyes.

Anne McCaffrey was one of the great fantasy and science fiction writers of the 20th century, and her loss is still felt so many years later.  Anne McCaffrey was one of the writers who had a great influence on my life and my reading, helping my teenage self explore a world where it was okay/normal to be homosexual, where people discovered amazing things about themselves through difficult circumstances, and where it was okay to dream about exploring the world by dragonback, having a conversation with a mighty beast that chose you for a lifelong friend.  This may be one of the more science fiction novels from McCaffrey, but it was an infinite please to be reacquainted with this amazing series.

If you like this book then try:

• The crystal singer by Anne McCaffrey
• The ship who sang by Anne McCaffrey
• Decision at Doona by Anne McCaffrey
• The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
• Werehunter by Mercedes Lackey
• The elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
• Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
• Arrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey
• Alien taste by Wen Spencer
• The diamond throne by David Eddings
• Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Reviewed by Brilla

Eyes on you by Kate White

Robin Trainer seems to have it all - she is co-anchor on one of the hottest cable shows and her book is gaining widespread attention ahead of its official release.  It seems as though all the hard work and drama of the past few years is behind her, her star is shining brightly and growing brighter by the day.   But with the good comes the bad, and it seems as though someone is not as happy about her success as they should be - or it least that's how it seems when Robin finds a sinister note at her books launch party.  Shaken by the note but shaking it off, she soon discovers that it is not a one off event.  As each little, and not so little, act of sabotage and vandalism occurs Robin can't help but feel unsettled and unbalanced.  

Each event brings back memories from the past, the feelings of items stained and ruined by a vindictive stepmother who made Robin appear to be unstable and a liar.  She thought she had left the events of her childhood behind, but as the number of incidents mounts Robin begins to experience feelings of doubt and confusion.  Is she seeing shadows where there aren't any?  Is what she feeling real, or is a tortured childhood reaching out to ruin her future at a time when she should finally be happy?  Forced to think on her feet and face her demons, Robin needs to figure out what is really happening - before it is too late.

One of the fun parts about reading thrillers is trying to figure out whodunnit before the author reveals all - the "funnest" reads are the ones that convincingly string you along for the whole book offering you tempting tidbits about who it could be, right until the big reveal at the end of the book.  Eyes on you was one of the better thrillers I have read in recent years because you are presented with quite a few plausible candidates for the "bad guy" and it was very satisfying to know that the little tingles of "I wonder" were right on the money - and by the end of the book I didn't care that I had changed my mind a few times because my original idea was right on the money!  

I have read one other Kate White, and that was a shorter story that was satisfying but was not as absorbing and twisted as Eyes on you.  One of the appealing aspects was the fact that because Robin is essentially "damaged" you can't help but wonder if what she is experiencing is really what she is experiencing - or if she is seeing it all through her tainted past and trust issues.  One of the most endearing aspects of Robin is that she is so human, she is flawed, she makes mistakes, and she seems to have clung onto some of the naivety we lose when we become fully functioning "adults".  This is not a perfect read, there are some fumbles and odd phrases with the writing - but in some ways that makes the book a better read.  

It is not easy for an author to switch from one sub genre of crime to another, but White has managed to create a fun and light crime/romance on one hand, and on the other she has created this atmospheric psychological thriller that makes you doubt what you know.  

If you like this book then try:

• The wrong man by Kate White
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Normal by Graeme Cameron
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• The slaughter man by Tony Parsons
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

Private Sydney by James Patterson and Kathryn Fox

Private Sydney is the second book in the Private series set in the land "down under".  You can read this book independently but you will get more out of it if you have read Private and Private Oz first so you can get to know some of the characters before jumping into the action.

Craig Gisto and the team at Private in Sydney arrive one morning to find the front doors smashed in.  It seems as though they were the target of vandals, but something niggles at the back of Gisto's mind when he realises that the security system has also been affected and that there is no evidence of who broke down the doors or why.  It doesn't seem like a big deal, until Private helps a couple do a background search on a woman who soon turns up dead - and Private can't provide evidence that the couple exists, let alone visited their offices.  The case brings Gisto into the firing range of his cousin yet again, and Detective Mark Talbot seems determined to bring Private down a peg of two.

As if a murder connected to Private isn't enough of a complication, Jack Morgan has personally contacted Gisto and asked him for a personal favour - helping Eliza Moss find her missing father.  In a move completely out of character, Eric Moss has resigned by email and vanished without a trace.  Eliza is convinced that something has happened, and when the company her father worked for starts stonewalling them and blocking access to even the most basic of information, it becomes clear that something is going on and no one wants Private or Eliza to know about it.  As the Private team scramble to find information about Moss, they uncover secrets that were meant to be kept hidden.  Eliza wants to know what happened to her father and Gisto is determined to help - but that determination could cost them more than they are willing to pay.

The Private series is interesting, not just because of all the different co-authors, but also because there are Private offices all over the world which means story lines can happen a lot closer to home for international readers.  While some people think New Zealand and Australia are the same place, or that we can swim from one country to the other, we are separate countries with a shared history and to a certain extent a shared culture.  It was kind of fun reading a book that was set so close to home, and at times I did wonder if American readers get terms like "tallboy" or if they know what a Holden Commodore is!  Private Sydney flowed well and had none of the "weight" and "jumping about" or Private Oz - it was more linear in telling the story and more focused.  Kathryn Fox appears to have been a good choice as co-author as there was a seamless flow to the writing.

The basic bones of the book are two separate stories woven together by the presence of Private, and it was interesting how both stories had a strong presence without overwhelming each other.  Too often crime/thrillers focus on just one story and the reality is that no police force or detective agency would ever just have one case they were working on.  Patterson has a knack for writing stories that push the boundaries of what is believable without stepping so far that you can no longer suspend belief - and Private Sydney walks that fine line very well.  A great read across an afternoon and one that I hope has a companion novel soon as it is great to have something set so close to home.  Maybe in the next one the cast can hop the "ditch" to a major New Zealand city for some of the action .... (just saying, it could work).

If you like this book then try:

• Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Private London by James Patterson and Mark Pearson
• Private games by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
• Private # 1 suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Private Berlin by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• Private India by James Patterson and Ashwin Sanghi

Reviewed by Brilla

Zombie McCrombie from an overturned Kombi by Michael Ward; illustrated by Gypsy Taylor

Dead yet alive

and hungry for brains

lurched Zombie McCrombie 

from an overturned Kmobi

With some carefully thought out rhyme, and an artist with time - comes this rhyming and rollicking parody of the Hairy Maclary books featuring a motley (and falling apart) pack of zombie dogs that shamble from page to page looking for brains - and instead come face-to-face with their impending doom.

Hairy Maclary is one of New Zealand's most beloved picture book characters, and the author and illustrator of this book took a big risk in creating their parody - and it has proven to be pretty divisive.  I loved the book and the way it takes something so loved and turns it into something new, although it took the second reading for me to reach that conclusion - the first reading was a mix of laughter and revulsion.  Some of my fellow librarians also adored the book - while others were disgusted and disgruntled that they have "ripped" off Hairy and how can they get away with it (because it is a parody of course, one of the sincerest forms of flattery).  One of the most telling responses was the class of ten year olds who laughed at all the right moments and squealed with disgust at all the right moments.

This book is not going to appeal to everyone - partly because it is such a clever parody.  My advice, forget about Hairy Maclary and just enjoy the book in all its twisted glory.  The illustrations are not the cutesy drawings we expect from Lynley Dodd, they are sketchy and more amateurish, seeming to have been drawn by a survivor of the zombie apocalypse.  The rhyme also fails to meet the high standard of the source material, causing you to stumble a little in places when you read it out loud - but it works.  Love to see what the author and illustrator can come up with next - although maybe next time they can stick a little closer to home and tackle a Mem Fox .... a little possum we all know could do with the zombie treatment (just saying).

If you like this book then try:

• The very hungry zombie: A parody by Michael Teitelbaum and Jon Apple
• Go the f**k to sleep by Adam Mansbach
• All my friends are dead by Avery Monson and Jory John
• If you give a kid a cookie, will he shut the f**k up?: A parody for adults by Marcy Roznik and Miranda Lemming
• OMG! That's not my husband ... by Kasey Edwards
• OMG! That's not my baby ... by Kasey Edwards

Reviewed by Brilla

Jaws by Peter Benchley

The small town of Amity is a town that gorges itself on summer, the towns resident population swelling by thousands across the summer as the wealthy descend on the town to enjoy the sun and the beaches.  The resident population depends on the parasitic relationship with their summer visitors, the money they earn in the short three month window has to last through the other nine months of the year.  A lean year is a challenge, but a truly bad summer can echo for years to come.  Luckily they have not had to face a lean summer for years - but that luck is about to run out.

It starts with an innocent swim in the small hours, a swim that will end in fear and death for Chrissie Watkins.  For Police Chief Martin Brody her death marks the beginning of the worst time of his life - professionally and personally.  Wanting to protect the people of Amity, he wants to report the attack but the Mayor and other members of the community block him at every turn - worried about the summer folks finding out about the attack and not coming,  Despite the contempt with which the summer folks are seen by some, they are the lifeblood of the community.  When a second death occurs and then a third the news leaks out and things just get that much harder - for Brody and Amity.  As the death count mounts Brody learns more about his town than he ever wanted to know.

Until now my only experience of Jaws was watching the movie, and I am not ashamed to admit that every time I watch it I get the shivers when I am anywhere near the ocean.  The movie is atmospheric and creepy, partly because it takes so long for you to see the shark in the first place!  I was expecting the book to be a lot like the movie and I was extremely surprised to realise how different it actually was.  I'm not particularly prudish, but I was surprised by the language in the book - I didn't realise that swearing like a sailor was the thing back in the 1970s or that a publisher would have allowed a book to be published with so many swear words (and those swear words in particular)!  I was also surprised by how much Brody drank - it seemed like there was a beer or some other form of alcohol in every scene.

For a retro read (one more than ten years old) there is a lot of currency in Jaws - partly driven by the character development and the timeless story of a small community that survives by the skin of its teeth.  There are other themes that appear too, particularly in the comparison between the summer folk who come and enjoy their summers, and the local people who hang in for life and live in a parasitic relationship with the summer folk and their money.  I don't remember there being so much tension between Brody and his wife Ellen in the movie, and it was interesting to explore the relationship and the themes of resentment and lose - particularly as it seems to reflect the era as well.  There are some interesting surprises here too in the expanded story which includes personal pressure, secrets, and conspiracies - and did I mention the mob?  Jaws was well worth a read, and now I have read it I plan to watch the movie again to see how close the movie is to the book.

If you like this then try:

• Meg by Steven Alten
• Jurassic park by Michael Crichton
• Congo by Michael Crichton

Reviewed by Brilla

The wrong man by Kate White

Kit Finn is used to taking the safe option - not always by choice, and not always with the best consequences.  Lessons from her past keep her on the straight and narrow, and have helped her lead a safe and stable adult life.  While visiting the lovely Islamorada for work and for pleasure, she makes the rather rash decision to do something a little dangerous and out of character - something that involved a tall and mysterious man she literally bumps into on her last day in the Florida Keys.  It seems like a harmless dalliance, but when he invites her to dinner back in New York where they both happen to live, it seems as though the fates may be toying with them.  When Kit turns up for their dinner she discovers that the man she met in Florida was not who she thought he was, and the man who he was impersonating seems very eager for Kit to actively help him and the company he works for solve the mystery of who the man is.

Suddenly Kit finds out that sometimes you really do need to be careful what you wish or dream for, because her carefully structured life is about to fall apart at the seams.  In a matter of days she becomes the target of some very unwanted attention - and known to the police in both Miami and New York.  At a time when she should be concentrating on building her client base for her business she is instead having to circle the wagons and desperately hold on to the clients she has.  Kit is at the centre of a game where she doesn't know the rules and all the players - and where someone is playing for keeps.  Just when she thinks she may have figured out what is going on the impostor reappears with a far fetched story that on the surface could be genuine, but they have some serious trust issues.  

I picked up The wrong man because I saw it in a new books list and the blurb seemed intriguing - although I didn't expect very much when I saw the physical book and the rather cliche cover.  What I got was a thoroughly enjoyable read that tested my ability to sift through the clues dropped like little bread crumbs - trying to solve the mystery and guess what would happen next before the author revealed the next clue.  I read a fair amount of crime fiction - some by the big names, and some by the new names - and The wrong man easy holds it's own in terms of delivering an intriguing read that has a 360 degree approach, creating a whole world for the characters to live in rather than a 2 dimensional landscape.  Kit is a fantastic character to see the world through, partly because I have to sheepishly admit that if I was in her shoes I wouldn't have left the mystery alone either!

This is something of a genre bending book because while at the core it is essentially a whodunnit, it also borrows quite a bit from the romance genre.  Kit's potential love life is somewhat left to the whims of fate here, and it is easy to see why she makes the choices she does.  Without ruining plot lines and surprises, there are some classic moments from the romance genre here.  I would recommend The wrong man to anyone who likes a good whodunnit that is not too heavy and not too gory - especially if you like to match wits with the author and try and figure out who the bad guys are before the author reveals all.

If you like this book then try:

• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• City of fear by Alafair Burke
• Murder past due by Miranda James
• Dipped, stripped, and dead by Elise Hyatt
• Lending a paw by Laurie Cass
• Pies and prejudice by Ellery Adams
• Death of a kitchen diva by Lee Hollis
• Death of a country fried redneck by Lee Hollis
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

Alert by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Alert is the eighth book in the Michael Bennett series, and while they can be read independently you get the most enjoyment out of the series when you read them in order.  This review contains series ***SPOILERS*** if you have not read the entire series.  I highly recommend that you read the series in order, starting with Step on a crack.

After spending time with Mary Catherine in Ireland, returning to New York feels like coming to Earth with a thud.  With Mary Catherine stuck on the other side of a very large ocean Detective Bennett quickly realises that she is the glue that really keeps the family together, and the grease that keeps the wheels turning smoothly.  Adjusting to the appearance of chaos is bad enough, but then an act of senseless destruction brings chaos to the city.  New York is no stranger to acts of terror - 9/11 is still burned into the hearts and psyche of the city - but terror comes in many shapes and forms and Detective Bennett and the rest of the NYPD have their work cut out for them as they try and find the culprit.

When the terrorists strike for a second time Detective Bennett feels the heat like never before, and he soon finds himself keeping some interesting company.  With a threat to the City and population of New York all the alphabet agencies are sending the troops in to support the NYPD and try and catch the "bad guys" - including FBI Agent Emily Parker.  Having history with Agent Parker makes it both a comfortable experience, and also uncomfortable - because Mary Catherine is so far away and because Agent Parker is seeing someone who sounds like they could be a substitute for Michael.  As the acts of mindless terror begin to mount up the tension and pressure also builds, and Detective Bennett soon finds himself under pressure and on the outside of a very public case.  With a deadline looming, Detective Bennett is going to find himself caught in the cross hairs more than once, and this may be the case that finally catches him.

I have devoured every book in the Detective Michael Bennett series - the books are slickly written with great chemistry between Patterson and Ledwidge.  Each book in the series builds on the events in the previous books, often jumping in straight after the action finishes, which can sometimes leave you scrambling to remember what happened in the book before  (or even the book before the book before).  Unlike a lot of detective series, the Michael Bennett books are a careful balance of action and detecting - this makes the series more appealing to readers who prefer a character driven story rather than one that gets bogged down too much in being clever.  I have to say that I like books that test your attention to detail and your ability to guess what happens next - rather than books that are too clever for their own good and test your ability to sort through masses of fake outs or obscure references.  Patterson and Ledwidge keep their books on point and keep the pace hot which is a very welcome treat.

This series will not appeal to everyone and this seems to be the book in the series, so far at least, that tips the balance to being an action novel with a touch of detecting rather than being balanced or a detecting book with some action.  It appealed to me, but some fans of the series may find it a little too far fetched because of some of the events that happened.  One thing is clear though - where on Earth can Patterson and Ledwidge take this series next?

If you like this book then try:

• Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Run for your life by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Worst case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Tick tock by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Burn by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• Pop goes the weasel by M. J. Arlidge
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• The apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
• Kill switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene
• NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp
• Kill me if you can by James Patterson and Marshall Karp

Reviewed by Brilla

The cat's out of the bag by Max Cryer

The cat's out of the bag is a compendium of facts and whimsy about the domestic cat - a small, furry, and demanding creature that has invaded our hearts and our lives without seeming to really offer anything in return.  Having read Every dog has it's day, it seemed only right to read what is essentially a companion book.  While Max Cryer is a New Zealand author, this is a very international book with anecdotes and facts from around the world.

If you like quirky books that follow the whimsy of the author in a semi-structured way then The cat's out of the bag may just be the perfect book for you.  There are short, focused chapters that are not interrelated, and that have a collection of short writings and musings that are very easy to dip into and out of.  There are some truly interesting facts, especially the fact that cats have two distinct purrs - one of which manipulates humans by producing sound waves with peaks similar to the frequency of a crying baby!

If you like this book then try:

• Jessi-Cat the cat that unlocked a boy's heart by Jayne Dillon with Alison Maloney
• A friend like Henry by Nuala Gardner
• A street cat named Bob by James Bowen
• Dewey: The small-town library cat who touched the world by Vicki Myron & Bret Witter
• Homer's odyssey: A fearless feline tale, or how I learned about love and life with a blind wonder cat by Gwen Cooper
• Making the rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
• Norton, the loveable cat who travelled the world by Peter Gethers
• Cowboy & Wills by Monica Holloway
• Cleo: The cat who mended a family by Helen Brown
• The dog who rescues cats by Philip Gonzalez

Reviewed by Brilla

The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Tess Kendrick is used to keeping secrets, and she's used to working hard to stay under the radar.  When she steps in to help a classmate she has no idea that her world is going to be turned completely upside down.  After years of practically ignoring her, Tess's older sister Ivy has come to take her back to Washington DC - and because she is only sixteen Tess has no option but to do what she is told, just don't expect her to be happy about it.  Ivy seems to be making an effort to help her settle in, but so much about Ivy and her life are secret and secretive.  When Tess starts at the elite and exclusive Hardwicke School, she quickly discovers that Ivy is a living legend among her fellow students and their parents - Ivy is a Fixer.

When Tess follows her gut and helps another student she has no idea that she is about to create a new legend - the legend of Tess Kendrick, Fixer.  Suddenly people are coming to Tess and asking her for help, requests that range from mundane to the bizarre.  It seems like a rather bemusing situation, until Tess finds herself caught up in a conspiracy about murders, secrets, and the White House.  It is hard to deny you are a Fixer when you seem to be in the right place at the right time, and when you seem to know just what to do to get what you want.  Tess is determined to stand by her friends, even if it places her at odds with Ivy.  As Tess and her friends learn more about the conspiracy the more Ivy tries to warn her off the case - and Tess really should have listed to Ivy, as the consequences can be fatal.

I have to confess that I am something of a fangirl for Barnes and her books - they are action packed, character driven, and have some amazing little twists and turns to keep you guessing.  The Fixer is no exception, an engaging and believable romp through a world where you have to keep your eyes open and be careful what you wish for!  There have been several books in the past year or so that have tried to bring the political world into teen hands, but they have failed to hook the reader and breath believable life into their world.  The most alarming thing about The Fixer is that it is all too easy to imagine that there is a Tess and Ivy Kendrick out there - and if you have been raised on a diet of American conspiracy theories then it goes from probable to likely!

Barnes is a master at creating repeatable and believable characters that are both very grounded and larger than life at the same time.  She has also managed to make the cross over from fantasy/horror to thriller with grace and style.  Barnes uses short chapters and action sequences to build the tension and mystery, giving you hints and clues to help you figure out what is coming next - it is a bit of a challenge to try and figure it all out before she finally gives you the answer.  While Tess is the main character and there is plenty of relationship building, this is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers.  This is the first book in a new series and I now have the unpleasant wait for the next book in the series so we can find out what is next for Tess and her family.

If you like this book then try:

• I hunt killers by Barry Lyga
• Acceleration by Graham McNamee
• Hate list by Jennifer Brown
• The conspiracy of us by Maggie Hall
• Guy Langman, crime scene procrastinator by Josh Berk
• A girl named Digit by Annabel Monahgan
• The Christopher killer by Alane Ferguson
• Nickel plated by Aric Davis
• Dead to you by Lisa McMann
• Crime seen by Jenny Pausacker
• Burning blue by Paul Griffin
• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Such a pretty girl by Laura Wiess
• Living dead girl by Elizabeth Scott

Reviewed by Brilla

Ink and bone by Rachel Caine

In an alternate version of our own world the great library of Alexandria was not destroyed, but instead became the Great Library that guides the world and provides the knowledge people need to go about their daily lives.  In cities all over the world Serapeum, the daughter libraries, provide people with access to the knowledge housed in the Great Library and the Archives.  Any person who owns a Blank can access the material they want and need, but that doesn't stop a thriving black market that operates in the shadows, selling Original books to anyone who has the money to purchase what they desire.

Working the black market can be dangerous for an adult - for children growing up in that same world it can be deadly if they are caught.  His whole life Jess Brightwell has been preparing to work in the family business, running the streets with contraband books strapped to his chest, learning the routes to run and the true value of Original books kept hidden from the Library.  All that changes when his father decides to buy him an entrance exam to the Great Library, and instead of working in the black market, Jess finds himself studying to become part of that which his family hates.  To make matters worse the world of the Great Library is full of dangers and mysteries that place the life of Jess and all his classmates in mortal danger.

It is rare to find a book that is fresh, bold, and brave - and Ink and bone is all three.  Rachael Caine has created an alternate reality that has touches of the expected alongside a mind boggling and eye opening reality that takes some believing.  I initially picked the book up because it is about the "Great library" and what librarian could miss the tantalising thought of a world ruled by the Library and Librarians (sad I know, but true).  What I found inside the pages was not a tongue in cheek look at a possible world - what I found was a breath taking new world that I couldn't step outside of once I was there.  I was not entirely convinced that I liked Jess and his world at first, but it was a world that I didn't want to leave and the wait for the sequel is bitter sweet - sweet because we will get to spend more time in the world of the Great Library, and bitter because I have to wait for Caine to write it!

It is unusual to come across a book that is difficult to define into a genre, and rare to come across a book that can be pitched to both boys and girls - Caine has managed both.  Ink and bone has a vast cast of characters that are in the game for their own goals, and Caine is not afraid to maim and kill her characters - something that teen authors still seem to shy away from.  There are conspiracies, betrayals, acts of war and violence, and acts of redemption.  Because of the genuine way Caine has written Ink and bone I would recommend it for older teens who have the emotional capacity to cope and understand - older children and younger teens may not have the life experience to cope with the reality of a world at war.  

Conspiracies (seemingly) hiding in every corner makes this an intriguing world with layers and layers of secrets, and plenty of opportunity to show your true colours.  A truly wonderful find and a delightful read.  Best suited for fans of action and thrillers, although there are enough fantasy elements to keep those readers happy too.  Here's hoping we don't have to wait too long for the sequel!

If you like this book then try:

• The girl of fire and thorns by Rae Carson
• Pawn by Aimee Carter
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore
• The testing by Joelle Charbonneau
• Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
• The hunt by Andrew Fukuda
• Winter of fire by Sherryl Jordan
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Gathering blue by Lois Lowry
• Throne of glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Crown duel by Sherwood Smith
• Reboot by Amy Tintera

Reviewed by Brilla

The slaughter man by Tony Parsons

Slaughter man in the second book in the Detective Max Wolfe series, however you can read it as a stand alone book like I did without much trouble.

On New Years Eve a figure enters a family home and leaves no one alive inside - mother, father, daughter, son all snuffed out of existence, while the youngest child is smuggled away to an unknown fate.  The murder weapon is crude, brutal, and effective and points to a single culprit - a killer known as the Slaughter Man, known to his family as Peter Nawkins.  It seems like it might be a cut and dried case, Nawkins has been released after serving his time and there seems to be a connection between the murdered family and the travelers community that Nawkins calls home.  

In some ways it is too perfect though, there are too many niggly little details that just don't sound right - details that stop Detective Max Wolfe from putting the case to bed - especially when a second child if a similar age goes missing.  With Bradley Wood missing the race is on to find him before he becomes another statistic, another little body found too late, but that desperate chase may lead them on a merry dance before they discover the truth.  As the lines of investigation between to converge Detective Wolfe will have to lay everything on the line to save a child that he has never met, and stay one step ahead of the killer who has nothing left to lose and everything to gain.

The slaughter man was a very pleasant surprise, a gripping read that kept me thoroughly engrossed from start to finish.   Detective Max Wolfe is the perfect anti-hero, he is flawed, he makes mistakes, and he takes risks to do what is right - the perfect combination for someone who likes their heroes human rather than perfect.  I sometimes find British crime too heavy and detail orientated to enjoy, the pace dragged down by pages of descriptions of characters and scenery that does nothing for the story other than make it seem like a chore to enter their world.  The world of Max Wolfe, in comparison, is declared with bold text and broad sweeping text that jumps in with the action and keeps moving until the last pages.  You don't have time to smell the roses or wonder about the world, the action and story keep you wondering what is going to happen next.

This is a twisted story that left me surprised (which is great, no seeing through flimsy plots here), and I thoroughly enjoyed the real world they all encountered as the story progressed.  There are some very nasty and petty little people here, and there are also diamonds in the rough that keep yo cheering them on through the events that happen.  Like in the real world there is also a blurring between the "good guys" and the "bad guys" - you have people who also flip happily between the two at the drop of a hat or when it is convenient for them.  This is not a book for the faint hearted, but it is also not needlessly violent or gory.  A great read and I hope there are many more adventures to come for Detective Wolfe and his team.

If you like this book then try:

• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• One step too far by Tina Seskis
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• The basement by Stephen Leather
• The silence of the lambs by Thomas Harris
• Level 26: Dark origins by Anthony E. Zuiker and Duane Swierczynski
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Private Oz by James Patterson and Michael White
• The survivors club by Lisa Gardner
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
• Kill switch by Neal Baer & Jonathan Greene
• The edge of normal by Carla Norton

Reviewed by Brilla

Truth or die by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

"What you don't know can't hurt you", is an old saying, but sometimes it should be "what you don't know can get you killed, or kill the ones you love".  When his girlfriend is killed in what appears to be a robbery gone wrong Trevor Mann finds himself drawn into a conspiracy that will rock his world to the core.  Claire wasn't just his girlfriend, she was an investigative reporter with a reputation for being hard nosed, honest, and fiercely loyal to her sources - even spending time in jail rather than giving up her source.  That honesty and integrity leads her to a story that is too big for any one person to handle, a conspiracy that people will kill for again, and again, and again.

At first Trevor has no idea what he is up against, it just seems like Claire was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but once he scratches below the surface and finds Claire's source he realises just how deep the rabbit hole goes.  Doctors working in America have created a truth serum unlike any other, it doesn't just encourage you to tell the truth it makes it virtually impossible to do anything but tell the truth.  In disturbing footage Trevor discovers just how potent the serum is, as he watches suspects succumb to the pain and terror - but he also watches as an innocent man dies because of the acceptable loss fail rate.  The race is on to find the source of the serum and to prove it - because Trevor is in the cross hairs and the men in control of the serum consider him an acceptable loss.

When you find an author you really like it is difficult not to get excited when you hear a new book is coming out - especially when it appears that the book is a stand alone rather than the start of a new series.  In my household the release of a new James Patterson is always a cause for excitement as except for a very few titles they always seem to hit the spot.  There are two main streams of Patterson (speaking very broadly), the twisted whodunnits in the great tradition of murder mysteries and thrillers the world over, and then there are the action based thrillers which take you on an adrenaline fueled rush from page one to the last page.  Sometimes there is a little bit of an overlap, but generally they fall into one of those two camps - and Truth or die is definitely in the second camp keeping you on the edge of your seat from go to whoa.

Truth or die takes a single death under suspicious circumstances and leads you to a conspiracy that seems just real enough to make you think it could be happening right now somewhere in the US.  Conspiracy theorists and movies tell us that the US government is always working on the next tactical advantage, and with all the advance in medicine and science it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a truth serum that can kill you for telling lies really could exist - today, or in a today just around the corner.  Trevor Mann is an interesting character to observe and experience this conspiracy through, partly because his background makes him somewhat more believable than some other characters who have fallen into similar circumstances.  It feels like this is a stand alone book, but who knows maybe we might get to see Trevor and his world again - and that wouldn't be a bad thing.

James Patterson and his writing is the subject of some scorn in literary circles because he writes so many books and because some people see them as the same book over and over again.  While he has a style, you don't read the same book twice when you read a Patterson, but you do get a good, fun ride that will keep you turning to the last page.  The few exceptions for me have been books that have been a little too descriptive, a little too clever, or ones where the writing chemistry is missing from the co-authored title.  Hopefully we can expect many more from Patterson, for many more years to come.

If you like this book then try:

• Step on a crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• The basement: A novel  by Stephen Leather
• Swimsuit by James Patterson
• Kill switch by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene
• Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Private # 1 suspect by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• The silent girl by Tess Gerritsen
• The postcard killers by James Patterson and Liza Marklund
• Now you see her by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
• Hide by Lisa Gardner
• Vodka doesn't freeze by Leah Giarratano
• The surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
• Darkly dreaming Dexter by Jeffry P. Lindsay
• Kiss the girls by James Patterson
• Kill me if you can by James Patterson and Marshall Kamp

Reviewed by Brilla

Homecoming by Kass Morgan

Homecoming is the sequel to The 100 and Day 21 so this review contains ***SPOILERS*** about what happens in books one and two.  If you have not already read The 100 and Day 21 then I recommend you do before picking up Homecoming.  (The book series is independent of the television series.)

For the 100 life on Earth has settled into an uneasy routine - now they know they are definitely not alone and the others aren't all friendly.  Life has been challenging, but they are starting to reap the rewards of working together and working hard.  They have a life,  but that life is about to be shattered by the arrival of drop ships from the colony above, drop ships that are fleeing from a dying community.  The landings are brutal and not everyone who boarded the ships was able to taste the fresh air of Earth before dying.

It seems like a gift from above to have the drop ships land, even though the 100 are not equipped to feed and house hundreds of people.  The arrival of the drop ships was supposed to reunite the 100 with their families, a reward for their hard work and sacrifice, but there are very few familiar faces on board - unless you count the armed guards and the Vice Chancellor.  Peace, calm, and order is quickly replaced with fear, confusion and betrayal.  The Vice Chancellor is determined to run the colony the way he sees fit, using fear and control to keep people in line.  He may have underestimated the 100 though - especially Clarke and Wells.  As the tension in the camp rises so does the danger, because a divided camp is in no position to protect itself from danger - and there is danger all around.

The 100 series has been a delight for me right from the start - a series that stands out from the rest because of it's grittiness and willingness to cross lines and make moves that would be taboo in most teen series.  Morgan is not afraid to kill off members of her cast, even beloved characters, in ways that are grisly and emotional.  I won't say who dies in Homecoming but needless to say it was an emotional death that just wouldn't have happened in many series, a death that seemed very real.  Morgan is also not afraid to make her characters flawed, they make mistakes and learn lessons the hard way - just like you do in real life.

The only thing about this series that takes getting used to is the fact the action picks up right where it left off from the ending of the previous book - so if you have a bad memory or it's been a while since you read the last book it can take a chapter or two (or three or four) to remember all the details of what happened before.  That said, it is a very effective tool for keeping the series moving at a rapid pace, and it makes the series feel like it hasn't lost anything in the time between the books.  The use of alternating characters and switching viewpoints is also incredibly effective as you don't have time to get tired of the voice you are hearing, and you don't have the opportunity to think of characters as whiny when they go through a tough patch.

The 100 series and The 100 television series may have the same foundations but they have already evolved in quite different directions - which is just as well as Television New Zealand put the series on at a time almost guaranteed to prevent a decent audience so I have only seen season one.  Hopefully they will continue to develop independent identities and grow as their own creations as they both have their strengths - but there is something special about a world that you create in your own imagination based on the words on a page.

If you like this book then try:

• The 100 by Kass Morgan
• Day 21 by Kass Morgan
• The sky village by Monk Ashland and Nigel Ashland
• The testing by Joelle Charbonneau
• Breathe by Sarah Crossan
• When we wake by Karen Healey
• The lab by Jack Heath
• Proxy by Alex London
• Arrival by Chris Morphew
• The glass arrow by Kristen Simmons
• ACID by Emma Pass
• Inside out by Maria V. Snyder
• Slated by Teri Terry
• Reboot by Amy Tintera
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• What's left of me by Kat Zhang

Reviewed by Brilla