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

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!

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.