The power of six - Pittacus Lore

Wow - ages since I've been on here and I have been doing stacks of reading! Lots to catch up.

The sequel to I am number 4 is as action packed as it's predecessor. The Mogadorians are here on Earth awaiting the arrival of their ultimate leader - ready to destroy Earth and it's inhabitants.

John Smith (Number 4) has joined with Number 6. On the run they realise that the other Numbers are operating somewhere out there and that they need to locate them. However the Mogadorians have the contents of both Four and Six's chests. They need them back in order to utilise their real power.

Two storylines interweave as John and Sam fight to regain control of the Lorien chests and Number 6 searches for the other active survivors.

I wonder how long till the next instalment?

I am number 4 - Pittacus Lore

I am number 4 is one of those books that plays with your head - Pittacus Lore is the author and one of the main characters - but the book is a work of fiction and the characters are alien refugees.....so go figure!

James Smith is a teenage refugee from the planet Lorien - hidden on earth with his protector or guardian, Pittacus Lore. They move often, don't build relationships and stay 'out' of touch with the other refugees - named 1 - 9. But the 9 have a bond that if broken will meab the death of them all and their race.

Action packed, intriguing and very readabale. I haven't seen the movie adaption - but am keen to once the DVD is out.

Check out the fan website - I am number 4 - here

The dead I know - Scot Gardner

Aaron is 17, lives in a caravan park with his 'Mam' who is deteriorating with Alzheimers, and sleep walks. An interesting young man!

When he is offered a part time job in a funeral parlour, life becomes even more interesting! He learns to 'dress' bodies, drive a hearse, be a pall bearer and even a 'collector' of the dead.

But Aaron's troubled dreams lead him into serious trouble. What is the meaning behind the violent visions that he has? Will he discover the truth ? And can he keep 'Mam' safe?

A very interesting read - for more senior readers.

City of fallen angels - Cassandra Clare

The 4th in the series which picks up the story of Simon, Jace and Clary as the fight between good and evil continues!

Simon struggle to comes to term with his newly acquired vampire status takes up the main part of the story. Jace and Clary's relationship is under threat - the secret of Jace's return from the dead has terrible consequences.

If you have been an avid reader of the series then this won't disappoint!

The lost tohunga - David Hair

This is the third book in this series by David Hair - not sure why I haven't posted in the first two - because they were FAB stories.

Set in modern day NZ and a parallel mythical world of Aotearoa, the main character 16 year Matiu (Mat) can cross the path between the two worlds. In this volume Mat is coming trying to come to terms with NCEA and the fact that he has special powers that need to be developed by his mystical guide Aethlyn Jones. In the previous story, The taniwha's tear, the power balance that had existed for generations had been destroyed with the death of the warlock, Purata. However now his allies are willing to do anything to gain control of Purata's power base, Te Iho.

Hair's novels have been branded with a new genre 'Maori gothic'. He has created a world where fantasy and history, technology and the spirit world co exist. This instalment little 'dark' in places and more suited to mature junior readers.

Read more about David Hair's work here

Trash - Andy Mulligan

Raphael , Gardo and Rat live in a community of rubbish dump dwellers. They and their families survive by sifting through the rubbish that others dispose of without a thought. They carry on in the hope that they will some day find something that will change their lives. And one day they do.

A great story of social justice and hope set in a community that seems devoid of hope. Engaging characters and multiple narrative viewpoints help to develop a plot that reveals itself slowly.

The social, political and historical events that underpin the story may be 'fictional' but they will sound very familiar to many of us. Junior readers will not need prior background knowledge to enjoy the adventures of the trio of characters.

Kaitangata Twitch - Margaret Mahy

Very topical after the recent events in Christchurch!

Meredith's family live on a lifestyle block across the bay from Kaitangata - an island which 'punches' itself into the sky. The beauty of the landscape is about to be over run by developers who see a profit in picturesque beauty of the area.

Meredith seems to feel a deep and spiritual connection to the island - she hears voices and dreams of events that have been and that are yet to come. A series of small quakes (or twitches) seem to begin on the island - perhaps signalling the islands disapproval of its' planned future. can Meredith intervene?

An engaging story - desribed as a supernatural thriller - but also a tale of cultural misunderstandings over the value and sacredness of the land.

Suitable for good junior readers.

Lost riders - Elizabeth Laird

A work of fiction based on the collected stories of young (as young as 3) Pakistani boys who are 'saved' from lives of poverty and deprivation. Instead of a life of education and prosperity in their new homes, they were forced in harsh, dangerous and often violent conditions, to train as camel riders who took part in the notoriously wealthy races in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Over 4000 of these young boys were thought to have been 'given' into slavery. Only 1000 were returned home after the practice was 'banned' in recent years.

The story is very readable and I'm sure 'tamed down' for a young audience. Mature junior readers.

The dead - Charlie Higson

The sequel to Higson's The Enemy is actually a prequel! But it does go a long way into explain how the London (and presumably the rest of England) has been infected by a mystery virus.

Ed and Jack lead a band of boys who have survived the initial infection, in an attempt to escape the chaos of the adults who have succumbed to the virus.

They come under the 'protection' of Greg, a bus driver, who has collected a number of survivors on his tour bus.

Fast paced and action packed - the boys fight there way through to London - in the hope of finding other survivors, more food and a safe refuge. Pretty gruesome in places - mature teen reader material.

If you enjoyed The Enemy then this is a must. Book number three is due out this year - check out Higson's website here

Virals - Kathy Reichs

Kathry Reichs unleashes her forensic sleuthing style on a teen audience with the start of a new series, featuring teen sleuth Tory Brennan. Tory has a famous Aunt, the forensic scientist Temperance Brennan - and she models herself on her style. Virals is a mixture of sci-fi adventure and crime fiction. Not 100% sure that this works. A slow start, but action becomes more fast paced in the second half of the book. The characters are likeable, if not overly believable. Good junior readers will cope with the content and the scientific 'jargon'.

Jonty and Choc - Vince Ford

On the surface a simple tale of childhood friends whose paths deviate when they leave the safety of primary school, for the scary world of the local Intermediate.

However underneath this lies the spritiual connection that the boys both have to an ancient piece of ambergris - 'a substance steeped in mystery for centuries' .

The ambergris seems to have a powerful hold over both of the boys - allowing Choc to connnect with past owners and past tragedies. Jonty's desire for the mystery lump drives the friends even further apart.

Not a difficult read - so accessible for most junior readers.

The lost art - Simon Morden

I had read a couple of reviews of Morden's first novel, and was looking forward to reading it. There are not many books that I just don't get into - but unfortunately this was one!

I found the plot overly complicated and it just took too long to actually work out what was going on and for the two threads of the plot to weave together.

I'm a fan of dystopic, post apocalyptic fiction - but the lost world of the 'Users' didn't capture my imagination very well at all. I think the average teen reader would find it a very challenging read.

The fall - Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Hot on the heels of The Strain is the sequel The fall. The 'virus' has virtually taken hold of the city and The Master's plan is almost fully implemented - the strigoi's hold of the international power network has not been prevented, signalling an end for mankind.

As Eph attempts to protect his family, he has to place his in others - Abraham Setrakian and Vas the exterminator. His ex-wife Kelly has 'turned' and is determined to gain control of their son - something Eph must prevent at any cost.

A cliffhanger ending - what hope do the 'ancients' hold for the survival of man?

Guess we'll have to wait for instalment #3.

Check out the scary website here ..

Infernal devices (Clockwork Angel) - Cassandra Clare

Clare is obviously onto another winning series here!

Infernal devices is the prequel series to the very successful trilogy Mortal Instruments.

Set in the Victorian era (1800s), the magical world of 'shadowhunters' and 'downworlders' co-exist, but only just.

The main character, Tessa, has yet to realise that she is not just an ordinary young woman looking for her brother, but that she has magical powers unmatched by any other inhabitants of this 'other world'.

If you enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series you will be equally enthralled by this new one.

Check out the website here - it is fantastic!!

The double life of Cassiel Roadnight - Jenny Valentine

Chap is 14 and living on the streets - existing day to day. An encounter at hostel for the homeless leads him into to a family who think he is their missing son and brother. What would you do ? Live the lie or try to discover the truth? Why does he look so much like the missing Cassiel Roadnight? Why does his newly found brother seem so sinister? What exactly is the truth behind Cassiel's disappearance?

Interspersed with flashbacks of Chap's life growing up alone with Grandad, the novel is a sensitive approach to the issues of family and identity, dealing with loss and isolation.

If you enjoyed Finding Violet Park, I'm sure you will enjoy this.

Kill Shakespeare

A great slant on the old favourites - all of your favourite Shakespearean bad guys are here - and on the same team - trying to kill the 'evil god-like' Shakespeare.

The opposing forces, led by Lady Juliet, Othello and Falstaff (in Episode 1) are trying top overthrow the wicked King Richard who has joined forces with a newly 'widowed' Lady Macbeth.

Not quite sure where Iago and Hamlet stand at the moment - all to be revealed.

FAB graphics! Great story line! Fun humour...

Check it out here

The project - Brian Falkner

I am a great fan of Falkner's writing - I loved Brain Jack and the Tomorrow Code , however
The Project takes a look back in time as opposed to taking us into the future!

When Tommy and Luke are set a challenge of reading the 'most boring book in the world' they do not realise the adventure is about to begin. The story takes them into the scientific world of Leonardo da Vinci and a book that could change the world forever. Luckily only one copy of this book was ever published - but there are people who will stop at nothing to get it!

Fast paced action blended with a little historical knowledge and Falkner's science fiction trademark slant!

You can check out what Brian Falkner himself has to say here

Room - Emma Donaghue

A 5yr old child, Jack, narrates the story of his life locked away with his mother in 'the room'. In his limited world, every object is a 'friend' personified and valued - room, door, floor and so on..

Through his narrative we 'build' the picture of how and why he and his mother are where they are. Her prison is his world and she makes it so in order for him to survive.

But can they escape from the only world Jack has ever known?

Suspenseful, thought provoking reading - I had to read in one go - which wasn't difficult to do.