Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Blood Lines - TK Roxborogh


For some reason I did not post on the first of this trilogy (Banquo's son) written by NZ teacher and author, Tania Roxborogh. The story of Fleance's rise to the throne of Scotland is the basis of the first book in the trilogy - following on 10 years after the death of Macbeth in the original play.

Blood lines sees Scotland still divided over what type of rule and who should rule the land. Fleance is seen by some as the rightful 'blood heir' to the throne, but not by others. In order to rule well he needs to marry well - and that means wedding Rachel, the sister of the recently dead king, his friend Duncan. But threats from Norway and England as well as from within the borders of the kingdom make for difficult times. And then his fiancee disappears in an ambush.

The idea for this series of novels is a great one - what happended to Fleance after the death of Banquo and Macbeth? The plot is fast paced and action packed - almost too fast paced - as the events seem a little unbelievable at times and the style a little forced. But a great idea!

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex - Eion Colfer


My kids love these books - but I found this one a little weaker than the previous installments.

Artemis' exposure to too much fairy magic has left him susceptible to the 'Atlantis Complex' - basically a nice alter ego appears - Orion.

The usual attack from evil forces is combined with some pro action wrestling, a bit of romance for Artemis and series of new inventions.

I think 'die hard' young fans will still enjoy the story line.

Lies - MIchael Grant


The 3rd in the 'Gone' series picks up where Hunger left off - the survivors are split into three distinct groups - those with special powers are feared by all others. A council of elected members are making the decisions - making life a little easier for Sam - but only for a while. The FAYZ is still in place and food and fresh water are becoming scarce. It appears that on top of everything else, those who die can return. Including Sam's arch enemy Drake.
As well as this one of the girls claims to be able to communicate with the children's parents on 'the other side' of the dome.

Fast paced and not quite as brutal as Hunger. Again more suited to mature junior readers as the content is scary.

The 4th instalment Plague is due next year.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The strain - Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan


Yep vampires - but not as we know them!!

Much like The passage, the world of The strain is under attack from the dark and demonic 'Master' and his rapidly increasing vampire hordes - whose stingers (and there are some great descriptions of these in action) replace the more commonly known fangs we associate with vampires . A great opening - which reads like a CSI investigation - a plane lands and all of the passengers appear to have died at the exact same moment of time. Or have they? As the scientific world struggles to comprehend and contain the 'virus' they believe is in action, the story becomes more personal for Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his family.

The story is a complex one - the vampire master is one of 7 ancients who are all linked (aka The passage), but live under a fragile truce which is about to be tested.

The first of a trilogy - and maybe even a film...a fast paced thriller for vampire lovers.

Check out the website here - that's scary in itself!!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Ebony Hill - Anna McKenzie


Ebony Hill is the sequel to The sea-wreck stranger - contuing the story of Ness and Dev - and the struggle for survival in a post apocalyptic world.

As the communities rebuild, Ness tries to find a place and identity amongst her newly found "family" and that is not easy . The community itself faces threat from other groups who choose force over collaboration and community spirit. This in itself is very topical as we as readers can see the connections between the treatment of prisoners of war in this text and the treatment of simialr detainees in places such as Guantanomo Bay. What are the boundaries of human behaviour in times of war? An age old question.

Fast paced and thought provoking.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Now - Morris Gleitzman


The third in a the series - this follows on from Once and Then, Now picks up the story of Felix 50 years after the end of WW2. He escaped the horrors of post war Germany and has resettled in Australia, where he became a successful surgeon.

The story is set in a small rural, bush community during very hot summer. The Zelda of Now is Felix's grandaughter, who struggles to find her identity and place in the new school and town she has moved to. Modern disasters prove to be as harrowing as those of the past and we are reminded of the speed in which someone's life can change.

The style is as captivating as Once and Then, but Now can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend making the effort to read them first. The issues of identity, remorse and regret as well as the need for closure are key to the novel. A moving story for young teens.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Into the wilderness - Mandy Hager


Dystopian NZ fiction seems to be in favour this year.

The blood of the lamb was the first part of this trilogy. Into the wilderness carries the story on as Maryann, Ruth , Joseph and Lazarus flee from the control of the tribe and the 'floating city'. They reach their first destination, Marawa Island, only to be disappointed by the lack of life. As Joseph's health deteriorates they risk their lives once again and set sail to look for life further afield.

Their journey takes them to an all too familiar Australia, where illegal immigrants are still kept in atrocious conditions in detainment camps. Maryann and Ruth face further discrimination due to their colour. Has it all been worth it?

A fast paced and very emotional journey for the characters and the reader.

Fierce September - Fleur Beale


I really enjoyed the first book in this series - Juno of Taris - and was looking forward to reading this one.

Fierce September picks up the thread as the people of Taris are being evacuated from the island and the dome they have lived under for the last 30 odd years. The New Zealand (and the world) they return has changed considerably. While many of the settlements and cities remain, a new way of life is being followed. Juno and her 'tribe' hope to learn to be assimilated into this new life - but it will not be easy. Many think they should not have been allowed to enter NZ as refugees. Prejudice and 'racism' almost destroys the community's hopes for a new life.

Juno and her family are singled out for special attention - their special powers set them apart. Life in NZ will not be easy - it will also be dangerous.

Reasonably fast paced - the books provides an interesting insight as to how we treat refugees and those who are different.

Friday, October 29, 2010

iboy - Kevin Brooks


I have been a long time fan of Kevin Brooks. His books often deal with a harsher look at the life of disenfranchised teens. His style is very contemporary and very gritty. iboy is no exception.

A shocking attack begins the story - and for this reason I would recommend this only to mature teen readers. The attack changes Tom and Lucy forever - in different ways. Tom's brain has somehow merged with the mobile phone that is embedded in his head. A phone that provides him with continual online hook-up with the entire mobile network. Just how will he use this power?

Set against a backdrop of housing estate gangs, drugs and violence, Brooks provides a tense and emotional journey.

American Youth - Phil LaMarche

It's not often that I don't like a book that's been recommended - but this is one of those times.

I really expected to be won over by this story of Terry, an ordinary boy from small town America, whose life is changed by a fatal mistake. After his family tries to cover up and hide the truth Terry's issues become internalised. The novel has been lauded as 'great' by American critics. I simply did not 'warm' to any of the characters.

I guess the scary thing is, is that fiction mirrors life. Read about the real life NZ case here...




Thursday, October 28, 2010

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (The hunger games 3)


Wow! What could we expect from the third in this great series. Action and reflection. Tension and tenderness. Provocative and thoughtful.

A great conclusion. An ending that was expected and not.

What are we as humankind capable of?

Thank you Suzanne for a great read.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The messenger - Marcus Zusak


I am always a little suspicious when publishers republish (usually with a new cover) an author's books that pre-date a best-seller. So I wasn't expecting a lot when I picked this from the author The Book Thief.

From the start the narrator, Ed Kennedy, a down-and-out underage taxi driver, was a captivating voice - at times I just wanted to shake him. Ed is reluctant hero who foils an incredibly 'stupid' bank robbery. From here he is targeted by an 'unknown' watcher who presents him with a series of challenges in the form of playing cards. Each ace holds a particular meaning.

An vast array of characters cross his path - from his best friend Audrey (who sleeps with everyone except for him and who he is hopelessly in love with) to the lonely old woman who thinks he is her dead husband come back to read her Wuthering Heights. Every social issue imaginable confronts the reader making the novel more of a social commentary than a straight narrative.

The ending is unusual and leaves the reader questioning the very nature of fiction writing.

Well worth a read.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Top 10 Teen Reads for 2010




Check out the list of the top 10 books as voted for by teens across the US - some of my fav. books are on the list -

  1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
  2. City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
  3. Heist Society by Ally Carter
  4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
  5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
  6. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
  7. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
  8. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
  9. Fire by Kristin Cashore
  10. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Can't say that I have read them all - but the fact that they are all by women writers is FAB!!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Homer and Langley - E L Doctorow


I read about this novel awhile ago and it took me some time to find a copy. Worth the wait! An incredibly interesting tale based on the lives of the Collyer brothers who lived in New York through to the 1960s. They were renowned for their compulsive 'hoarding' - you can see some of it here . The events are told from the narrative point of view of Homer, as he slowly went blind. His views on some of the most radical times of the 2oth century are as eccentric as the brothers themselves. They say that fact is stranger than fiction - and so it is with Homer and Langley.

You can read about Homer and Langley here

Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery


Rene, the unattractive widowed concierge of a Parisian apartment. A deep thinker and philosopher, she hides this from the residents she has lived with for 27 years. Until Paloma, the 12 year old daughter of a resident family discovers her secret. Almost at the same time a new resident, Mr Ozu , also finds out the depth of her intellect.

Paloma and Rene's narrative voices are quite distinct and but they are linked by their common bond of wanting to remain apart from those around them. While some critics think that these voices are artificial and unrealistic, I enjoyed the contrasting stream of consciousness style.

And I was surprised by the ending!

Monday, September 27, 2010

The Passage - Justin Cronin


Another one that I have been watching for awhile - I'm glad that I waited until almost the holidays before I started reading this, as I could not put it down! Engaging from the first page - and a mental challenge as I kept up with the array of characters; the change of settings and timezones.
The post-apocalyptic world has been overrun by vampire / human hybrid creatures. These are not the broody, good looking Twilight types, but bloody, violent creatures that tear bodies apart. Only Amy NLN (no last name) may have the answer.
A pity we'll have to wait till 2012 to find it out!!

Read more here

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The prince of mist - Carlos Ruiz Zafon


I've read and thoroughly enjoyed both The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game by Zafon. This is his first book, written over 15 years ago for a teen audience. The subject matter is similar to his hugely successful adult titles - mystery, magic and the unexplained.

The prince of mist is set in run down mansion in an isolated coastal town. The lighthouse keeper and his grandson have a secret past and the garden of statues bear an unusual resemblance to a circus troupe that drowned on the beach 25 years ago.

When Max and his family move into the old homestead strange things begin to happen...

Quite a dark tale of broken promises and the inability to escape one's fate. Mature teen readers.

hush, hush - Bekka Fitzgerald


I have looked at this book on library shelves so many times - the cover really intrigued me - and finally got round to getting it out this week.
Unfortunately it was a little disappointing - a variation of the Twilight theme - instead of a vampire and a human the forbidden love is between a 'fallen angel (who wanted to be human) and a half human (who has no idea of her ancestry).
Nora meets Patch (definitely didn't like the names), feels an instant (but scary attraction). Other angels and dark forces stalk Nora and Patch must protect her (sound familiar?).
I'm sure this will be popular with teenage girls, as will the sequel due out soon (and the sequel and the sequel......)
Read more about the series here ....

Friday, September 17, 2010

The Cellist of Sarajevo - Stephen Galloway


Set against the backdrop of the siege of Sarajevo (early 1990s), this is the fictional account of 4 people struggle to maintain a sense of humanity and morality as the city is decimated around them.

Recommended by a colleague, I couldn't put this down once started. Modern warfare at it's worst - the attempted destruction of a city and a people.

Based on real events - check out this link for an interesting point of view - the real cellist's!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The sixth lamentation - William Brodrick


Came across this author's first novel via an accidental conversation with a colleague. A fascinating read into the minds of a range if diverse characters - a Fransiscan monk (an ex lawyer) a Nazi collaborator, a death camp survivor, a woman who risked her life smuggling Jewish children out of Paris and a vast array of their families whose paths cross over the course of the novel.

While no actual historical link for the characters, they are based on people that Brodrick has come across or have links to his family.

The story moves across time periods from the Fall of Paris (1940) to the present day - and the final action is not fully revealed until the last page.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Circle Of Gold (Book of Time, book 3) by Guillaume Prévost & Send Simon Savage by Stephen Measday



















Time travel books seem to be very popular at the moment (maybe they have never been out of fashion!

Circle of Gold completes the Book of Time trilogy.
Sam travels time in an attempt to rescue his father who is lost
somewhere in time AND prevent the death of his mother. Until he can control the time he arrives in, he can land anywhere, anytime and in any circumstance - in the middle of a battle, or the middle of a revolution. Action packed and fast-paced.

Send Simon Savage is obviously the first in a series to come. Simon Savage has also lost his father, a scientist who discovered the ability to travel through time. Simon is recruited to by a special government agency, to travel time trouble-shooting a range of problems.

If you like a snap-shot of historical events and eras these will interest you.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Monsters of men - Patrick Ness


The third of the Chaos Walking trilogy brings to a conclusion the conflict between the three groups that are vying for control of the 'new world'. We hear for the first time the 'noise' of the indigenous inhabitants, the 'spackle'. Todd and Viola continue to support the opposing forces of the Mayor Prentiss and Mistress Coyle in the hope that they can bring a negotiated peace with the three parties. Mankind's hunger for power and inability to bargain with integrity are key thematic concerns.
Fast-paced and unpredictable - I didn't want to it down until I'd finished.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tom Robb Smith : Child 44 & The secret speech


These two have been on my shelf for a little while - but really enjoyed both books.

Crime fiction set against a background of Stalinist and post-Stalinist Russia - a fascinating look at the mentality that 'convinced' the Soviet people that they had a 'perfect' society.

Child 44 -
how can there be a serial killer at work when there is no crime in this 'new Russia'? Leo, a Chekha agent grapples with this reality. For his efforts he (and his wife) is exiled to the outer regions of the state. With the assistance of the local militia (who are highly suspicious of an ex-agent) he works to solve the case.

The secret speech deals with Russia after Stalin's death and Kruschev's 'secret speech' denouncing all past actions of the secret police - putting agents like Leo at high risk. The close up look at a Siberian Gulag (prison camp) seems very real.

As an ex-history teacher I found both books kept my interest - both with their storyline and the social commentary - on the communist revolution, the state orphanges and 'welfare' system and the total fear of authority in particular.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Patrick Ness - The ask and the answer


Finally got round to reading the second instalment in the 'Chaos walking' series.
Action packed from the first chapter - pretty riveting reading. The parallels to historical events are very clear - segregation and branding (banding) - have clear links to racial cleansing of the not too distant past.
The bond between Todd and Viola is believable as are the lengths they go to in order to survive.
The underlying question of moral responsibility in a time of war, makes for a very thought provoking book - for a mature junior reader.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Let the right one in - John Ajvide Lindqvist


Mmmm - a vampire story - bleak and yet with some redemption - that leaves the Twilight saga for dead (for adults anyway). Modern day themes are interwoven with the ageless tale of the cult of the vampire.
A fascinating read - the movie must be scary!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Ship of Rome & Captain of Rome - John Stack



If you are a fan of action packed-historical fiction and love the world of Ancient Rome then John Stack is the author for you.

Both novels are set during the lead up to and in the Punic Wars (between Carthage and Rome) and signaled the beginning of the end for the ancient civilization of Carthage. Detailed accounts of Roman army and navy life make for fascinating reading - as does the fictional insights into the wheelings and dealings of Romans senators.

The main characters Septimus and Atticus represent both the ancient traditions of Rome and the new worlds of the empire - and naturally the tensions created by this mix. The final in the trilogy - Master of Rome - in 2011.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Hunger - Michael Grant


Dark, scary at times and a psychological thriller - this is definitely a book for the mature teen reader. Hunger is the second novel in the Gone series - a supernatural fantasy about a world of Perdido Beach now known as the FAYZ - where everyone over the age of 15 has disappeared and the remaining kids struggle to survive. Some of the kids have an array of supernatural and peculiar powers. Sam struggles to provide leadership in a town where no adults have survived and where the necessities of life are in short supply.

The archetype and sinister struggle between good and evil reminds us that evil lives inside even the most innocent.

You can check out the fanwebsite here ..if you dare.

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Road - Cormac McCarthy


After reading The Road in some Level 3 exam essays the last couple of years, I decided I'd better read it. As a fan of science fiction, this post apocalyptic novel appealed. The bleak view of the world presented is tempered only by the unwavering love the father has for his son.

I cannot imagine what the film will be like - other than that Viggo will be powerful as the father.
You can read more about The Road and McCarthy here .

I couldn't put it down. Powerful Level 3 essays too.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Exposure - Mal Peet


Great idea, great story. Following in the footsteps of Shakespeare, Peet takes the story of Othello and reworks it (with interesting changes) into a modern day setting.

Otelo is a South America's football superstar, Desmerelda is a his pop idol bride (not unlike the Beckham's). Peet retains the original racial contrasts. Desmerelda's father 'owns' Otelo's new club. Michael Cass is their bodyguard, Diego (Iago) is Otelo's trusted manager. Set against a backdrop of football fanaticism, streetkid poverty, exploitation and racism in modern day South America, it tells a believable story of what life can be like in the world of 'superstardom'.

I'll definitely be recommending it to senior readers.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Between the assassinations - Aravind Adiga


Adiga's second novel ( though written before the highly successful White Tiger ) blurs the boundaries between fiction, travel log and history text. The history of the fictional town of Kittur and the travel log of the city's sites are interspersed with detailed descriptions of the lives of the privileged and not so privileged inhabitants of Kittur.
Set in the years between the assassinations of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi, there appears to be little joy in the lives of the characters.

A fascinating depiction of the city and it's people.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Triskellion – Will Peterson


Rachel and Adam are sent to their Mother’s home village in rural England – the first time they have ever been there from their home in NY. The village is quiet and unsettling and has a dark history going back 1000s of years. The villagers have a strange way of dealing with mysterious issues that arise. Mysteries and a history that the kids are inextricably linked to.
The novel pulls together threads of medieval history and mysticism - the druids and pagan rites and is a little 'dark' in places.

The first in trilogy.

For the mature junior reader.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

The hungry ghosts - Anne Berry

This unusual novel is set in Hong Kong during the 'hey day' of British rule and the handover to the Chinese in 1997. The 'hungry ghosts' of the title are the spirits of those who have died but do not want to move on into the next world. In this case, Alice's life is complicated by the 'hungry ghost' of a young girl murdered during the occupation of HK by Japan in WW2. The complications of this inhabitation form the basis of the novel. Other ghosts join her the course of her life, creating further issues.

The underlying themes of love and the lack of create a group of characters at times have few, if any redeeming features.

Interesting.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Night Watch - Sergei Lukyanenko


Wow! Before Twilight for teens there was Nightwatch for adult vampire tale fans! Set in modern day Russia, good and evil forces have an uneasy truce that has lasted 100o years. These 'Others' move in and out of our world and their 'twilight' world. The 'watches' keep the balance of power and peace. The main character Anton, a low level member of the 'Night Watch' saves a young woman from destruction and discovers an extraordinary talent who could change the course of the world.

A fascinating tale of the struggle between good and evil and the'humanity' that exists in all of the creatures.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Free fall - Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams


First of all - apologies for being so slack on the blog front over the last 8 months - I am now right back into it!!

Starting off with the 3rd book in the Tunnels series, Freefall is an action packed continuation of the amazing journey of Will, his Dad and Chester in the 'Deeps' - the world that exists in the depths below our very own world. The Styx twins continue to plague Will and his father and the very survival of the 'upper world' is threatened.

If you have been waiting for this you won't be disappointed - and what's even better is that the ending suggests that a 4th installment is on the way!
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