Unwind - Neal Shusterman

The recent re-discovery of 'dystopian' literature by teens, makes this a good choice for classroom study. Set in the near future, Unwind is set in a society where until the age of 16, you can be 'unwound' and your parts recycled.

Teenagers who question, challenge or are just not up to the grade, can have this 'punishment'.

Connor, Risa and Lev, challenge the system and survive - to help lead a struggle to change society...

Check out the book trailer here

Justice and utu - David Hair

The 4th book in the series, Justice and utu suggests that David Hair is onto a winning concept.

Set in modern day NZ and the mythical Aoteroa of the past, Matiu continues his battle against the dark forces of the tohunga and his servants.

As riveting and fast paced as it's predecessors, this is a book that many teens will enjoy.

Read more about this author and what inspires his writing here

BZRK - Michael Grant

A war is being fought - and the future of mankind is at stake. But this is no ordinary war - it is a war being fought at a 'nano' level - organic controlled organisms that can travel into our very being, build our memories and desires, controlling everything we do.

Two groups are waging this war - and to be honest I wasn't sure which side is the right side to win.

A complicated and action packed tale. You can check out Michael Grant's website here BZRK

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

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 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'.

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

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!

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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.

Invisible City - M G Harris

Joshua Garcia is in trouble - his archaeologist father has died in a suspicious plane crash in South America, his mother is in denial and he is searching for the truth. The fluorescent cover of this book matches the fast paced action inside the pages. Science fiction, adventure with a touch of history rolled into one. I'm sure you'll love this iif you enjoyed the Alex Rider and Artemis Fowl series.




Link to the author's blogsite here - M G Harris ...

Maximum Ride - The Final Warning- James Patterson

Any of you who have read the first two in this series, will know all about Max and her flock of human/bird mutants. In the Final Warning they have the task of not just surviving against the Uber-director and his mutant army, but they must also help stop global warming. A greta read - action, science fiction and thriller rolled into one.

To read more about the author click here - James Patterson....