Review:
Ford St.
2007.
(13+) FoxS3 holds his wounded commander, BC, and surveys Melbourne in 1901 through his rifle's target laser. Arriving from the future, the totally alien smell of rotting vegetables assails him as he tries to come to grips with their mission. They must prevent the opening of Parliament being wrecked from a bomb in the Exhibition Buildings and save the world from devastating wars in the future.
An intriguing blend of science fiction and history, the fast-paced action, with some unexpected twists and turns, pulls the reader along on an adventure to rescue the beginnings of Federation. The sights, voices and smells of this important time in Australian history seem to rise from the page.
McMullan has portrayed some interesting characters. The interaction between the two young space cadets with middle class teenagers, Emily and Daniel and streetwise Barry the Bag, is fascinating. Emily is a wonderfully strong character and girls would identify with her attempts to break down the barriers of being a female in 1901. Emily and the reader learn an important lesson about stereotypes. As BC says:
'We are all trapped in cages, yet all of us carry the keys. Finding the courage to use the keys, that is the hard part.'
Fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett should love the humour (which includes some references to naughty French postcards) and could well be tempted to read McMullen's adult books. Recommended for secondary readers.
Pat Pledger
Home
Before the storm by Sean McMullen
Ford St.
2007. (13+) FoxS3 holds his wounded commander, BC, and surveys Melbourne in 1901 through his rifle's target laser. Arriving from the future, the totally alien smell of rotting vegetables assails him as he tries to come to grips with their mission. They must prevent the opening of Parliament being wrecked from a bomb in the Exhibition Buildings and save the world from devastating wars in the future.
An intriguing blend of science fiction and history, the fast-paced action, with some unexpected twists and turns, pulls the reader along on an adventure to rescue the beginnings of Federation. The sights, voices and smells of this important time in Australian history seem to rise from the page.
McMullan has portrayed some interesting characters. The interaction between the two young space cadets with middle class teenagers, Emily and Daniel and streetwise Barry the Bag, is fascinating. Emily is a wonderfully strong character and girls would identify with her attempts to break down the barriers of being a female in 1901. Emily and the reader learn an important lesson about stereotypes. As BC says:
'We are all trapped in cages, yet all of us carry the keys. Finding the courage to use the keys, that is the hard part.'
Fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett should love the humour (which includes some references to naughty French postcards) and could well be tempted to read McMullen's adult books. Recommended for secondary readers.
Pat Pledger
Home
© Pledger
Consulting, 2007