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.

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.

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!!!