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

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!

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.

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 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 ....

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.