Penguin Random House Australia, 2019. ISBN: 9780143794752.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. For a tome (thick book), this
collection of humorous stories set in the fictitious Monvale school
and featuring overlapping characters, is a quick easy read. Four
separate stories combine despite separate narrators. The great thing
about continuity is learning that a minor character floating in the
margins of one story, like Dale the dopey nose picker, can have his
own set of challenges and strengths when it's his turn to tell his
story. Dale plans on a loser's revenge on the popular kid during the
finale of the school play but his conscience gets the better of him.
Ned overcomes the new teacher's incessant praise of his older
siblings. Sean is the new boy desperate to make friends and prove he
is responsible and Ethan learns the fine balance between fitting in
and being true to his inner bookworm.
Whilst Adrian Beck and Andrew Daddo aim for laughs, Will Kostakis
and Oliver Phommavanh, keep pace by serving up unpredictable
situations that cause upheaval, hard choices and growth. Aptly
titled, 'a lot of stuff' is always happening! Of course it's the
kind of stuff that happens to every student - changing schools,
making friends, getting into trouble, school plays, group work,
playground issues etc. These writers remember what it's like to be
boys at school but more importantly the kind of boys who
successfully navigate dilemmas by focusing on character strengths
rather than stereotypical male masking behaviours. It helps that all
four authors master their realistic dialogue and inner monologues.
While a potentially good read-aloud to enjoy and discuss
collectively, this book will have a strong appeal to middle primary
students - enough to warrant extra copies.
Deborah Robins
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Cassidy Blake book 1. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN: 9781407192765.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Ghosts, Paranormal, Edinburgh
(Scotland). Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade and
Children's (2018), 2019 Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2019 Quick
Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. When Cassidy Blake's
parents go to Edinburgh for their TV show about ghosts, Cass and her
best friend Jacob, who really is a ghost, go along too. Arriving
there Cass finds that she is surrounded by ghosts and Lara, a girl
who can also see them, tells her that her mission is to send them
beyond the Veil, the land of ghosts who haven't moved on. This seems
like a good idea when the Red Raven starts haunting her, trying to
take away her life force. City of ghosts has all the ingredients for a thrilling, quick
read: there are ghosts aplenty, the setting is the magical
Edinburgh, and Cass, ably helped by Jacob, is a courageous and
daring girl. Readers will love the tour of Edinburgh, the old Castle
which is haunted by ghosts of soldiers and children, Greyfriars
graveyard where a little dog is buried, and old streets and shops
where ghosts hang out.
The plot is fast paced and the suspense will keep the reader
enthralled as Cass fights for her life in the Scottish graveyard.
Her relationship with Jacob will also intrigue and the reader is
left with questions about the Veil and their role there, and will
want to pick up further books in the series.
Pat Pledger
On the come up by Angie Thomas
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN 9781406372168
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. 'I might have to kill someone
tonight'. This is the startling first line of Thomas's novel, but
the 'killing' isn't what it sounds like. Bri is a high school
student who is finding it hard to sit through school when all she
wants to do is write and perform rap poetry, and she has her sights
set on wiping out her competitors in the rap contest held in the
local Boxing Ring. Her father was the famous rapper Lawless,
murdered outside their home when she was only a four years old. Bri
is all set to continue in his path.
The setting is a black ghetto in the U.S., where gangs roam and the
police target black kids. Bri's mother is a recovered drug addict
who wants her daughter to break free, go to college and make a
better future. But Bri has her heart set on being a rap star, and
maybe her drug-dealing Aunt Pooh or her father's ex-manager,
Supreme, will help her get there.
The novel is written in Bri's voice, and whilst the slang may at
first be unfamiliar and off-putting to a non-American reader, the
reader is gradually drawn into Bri's world and the language becomes
very real and natural. The author, Angie Thomas, is herself a former
teen rapper, and the world she describes sounds authentic, written
from her experience.
Bri's natural talent and determination seem to be leading her to
success, but hand in hand with that comes controversy and danger.
The perils of social media have also to be navigated. Bri finds
herself having to make decisions without anyone to really guide her.
Although the world of gangsters, drugs and rap contests might be
foreign, Bri's struggles to find the right path through it all, and
find her true values, makes a story most teenagers could readily
identify with.
I found it to be an engrossing story and I came away with a new
appreciation of the complexity of improvised rap poetry. This book,
set in the U.S., would make an interesting comparison with Limelight
by Solli Raphael (2018), which describes an Australian teenage slam
poet, and his messages of social equality and self-empowerment.
Helen Eddy
The case of the peculiar pink fan by Nancy Springer
An Enola Holmes mystery book 4. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN
9781760637408.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Detectives. Mysteries. 19th century
England. Brothers and sisters. Fourteen-year-old Enola Holmes lives
in Victorian London, following in her famous brother Sherlock's
footsteps as a detective. Her mother has gone away to live with the
Romani people, leaving her daughter in the care of her oldest
brother Mycroft Holmes. Helped by funds secreted throughout the city
by her mother, she is able to finance her independent life, rent
several flats, purchase a variety of disguises and develop her
abilities and skills to deal with all classes of Victorian society.
There is a poignancy and sadness at times, as Enola (alone
backwards) desperately tries to stay in touch with her mother via
messages in one of the London papers.
In The case of the peculiar pink fan Enola is resting in the
new public building, the ladies' lavatory, hiding from her eldest
brother and guardian Mycroft Holmes who wants to send her to
boarding school. She encounters an old friend the Honourable Cecily
Alistair, whose companions are keeping her under unusually tight
reins. Enola's disguised in a scholarly outfit, but Cecily
recognises her and she communicates a message using the secret
language of fans. Cecily leaves behind this pink paper fan when
roughly escorted away by her captors.
Enola's nearly seen by Mycroft as she leaves the ladies' lavatory
and she finds herself on a difficult path, rushing about London,
meeting an eccentric cast of characters and searching for poor
Cecily who is being forced into an unwilling arrangement. Cecily's
mother provides many helpful clues, as Enola dressed as a reporter,
views her pink afternoon tea setting with its fans, special crockery
and festive decorations. Fleet of foot, able to climb fences and
trees, escape quickly and blend in at an orphanage are skills Enola
engages in, in this fourth novel in the series. She even assists her
brother Sherlock in escaping from the villains, as he too has been
asked to find the missing heiress.
Nancy Springer's detective novels are exciting; there are extremely
dangerous investigations, plenty of mysteries to solve and an array
of villainous characters. She shares insights into the lifestyles of
both rich and poor, into Victorian architecture, food and clothing.
The Enola Holmes mystery stories are captivating and exciting to
read and have been re-released as movie tie-ins.
Rhyllis Bignell
The case of the bizarre bouquets by Nancy Springer
An Enola Holmes mystery book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN
9781760637415.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Detectives. Mysteries. 19th century
England. Brothers and sisters. Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes
mysteries blend personalities from Arthur Conan Doyle's detective
novels, with wonderful new characters, intriguing settings and
thrilling plots. Enola Holmes is a feisty, independent teenager
whose sharp observations, ability to think quickly and act in a
manner suited to different social situations, makes her the perfect
person to take on these missing person cases.
In The case of the bizarre bouquets Enola reads the news
that Doctor John Watson, Sherlock's assistant, is missing. Enola's
brothers have observed her previous disguises, so she decides to
beautify herself with a blonde wig and frilly dress. Her beauty
regime and cumbersome clothing prove challenging when chasing
Watson's foes.
To gather insight into the disappearance, she calls upon Dr Watson's
wife, pretending to be a former patient. Here she observes a strange
bouquet made with poppies, asparagus, hawthorn and bindweed
(convolvulus). Enola is skilled in understanding the language of
flowers, their special meanings and also has a broad botanical
knowledge. With this knowledge she discovers a message connected to
the doctor's disappearance. Throughout this increasingly dangerous
investigation, Enola is forced to flee over London rooftops,
confront a fierce watchdog and help her brother Sherlock escape. She
even risks her life by entering the insane asylum as a patient to
find where Watson is being held.
Nancy Springer's Enola Holmes mystery series carry the
reader into Victorian life, exploring the changing roles of women in
society, how the upper classes live and the poor live a hand to
mouth existence in the roughest areas of the city. A thoroughly
enjoyable read for fans of Sherlock Holmes, historical fiction and
detective novels.
Rhyllis Bignell
Lola Dutch, when I grow up by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN 9781681195544.
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Themes: Girls. Imagination. Careers.
Animals. Lola Dutch is an energetic, imaginative, tutu wearing young
girl whose life is one big adventure. Her best friend Bear is always
there for her, supporting all her new ideas. Gator, Crane and Pig
willingly assist with Lola's creative schemes. In Lola Dutch,
when I grow up she is a tour de force, a whirlwind focussed on
her future careers, pondering her potential vocations. Marching into
this delightful story, she leads the parade in a cow-girl outfit,
followed by a postie-swan, doctor pig and a gator king.
What will Lola be when she grows up? Lola declares this conundrum to
be an emergency, so all her friends gather in Bear's book-lined den.
Here a special volume catches her eye 'Opera through the ages',
yes, she wants to be an opera singer destined for the stage.
Everyone helps, building the stage, writing the music and designing
an exquisite costume for Lola's first and only performance. Once
she's achieved her first goal, she quickly moves on to the next
career, as an inspirational inventor working through the stages
from research through trial and error to building a wondrous flying
machine. Not satisfied with this achievement, Lola's creativity
blossoms as she plants a beautiful garden with Bear, Gator, Pig and
Crane. Will that be enough for this inspired miss?
Sarah Jane Wright's whimsical gouache and watercolour paintings add
stylishness; they burst boldly and energetically across the pages.
Working collaboratively with her husband Kenneth, they have created
a beautifully descriptive, inspirational story that will raise
wonder and joy in the young reader. Paper dolls are included on the
jacket reminiscent of the times past. Lola Dutch, when I grow up is a wonderful read aloud providing
opportunities and stepping stones for Science, Technology and Art.
Rhyllis Bignell
Spiderman: into the Spider-verse: the official guide by Shari Last
Marvel, 2018. ISBN 9780241347843.
(Age: 7-10) Themes: Movies. Spiderman. Heroes. Shari Last's guide to
Marvel's movie Spiderman: into the Spider-verse is a
comprehensive coverage of the characters, actions, powers, settings,
even past Spidermen. Pitched at a younger audience, each spread
includes bright bold illustrations with easy-to-read explanations,
questions and things you need to know.
Teenager Miles Morales is a smart guy who enjoys making his friends
laugh, but he has difficulty focussing at school. His world changes
after he's bitten by an unusual looking spider. His new powers
include wall-crawling, invisibility, stickiness, agility and a
special Spider-sense. We are shown Miles' academic world, Brooklyn
Vision's Academy, his room-mate, awkward interactions in the
hallways and his top classes and great teachers.
Whilst Miles' mother is supportive and loving, his father, an
old-style Brooklyn cop, finds it hard to relate to his son. His
parents are good role models; however, his uncle Aaron Davis lives
on the edge, taking his nephew out spray-painting abandoned
buildings.
Learn about Spiderman's enemies and their evil plans, supervillain
Green Goblin, Kingpin leader of New York's underworld and Prowler
the dangerous city stalker. 'Did you know?' informative stars pop up
throughout, catching the reader's eye. Dark moody graphics, up close
faces, bold fonts, bullet point lists and a quiz to determine your
spider power add pizzazz. Shari Last's Spiderman: into the
Spider-verse: the official guide is an exciting movie tie-in
for fans.
Rhyllis Bignell
Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables on the lookout by Tim Harris
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143793144.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Silly it may be, but children are growing to
love the sublime Mr Bambuckle series as much as their great
grandparents loved Mary Poppins. The omniscient teacher is more
lackadaisical than was the famous magical nanny. Incredible events
are made less so by Mr Bambuckle's discovery learning style with the
freedoms allowed resulting in student self-discovery.
By comparison, Ms Frost and Principal Sternblast (as their names
suggest) are less progressive educators and insecure, thus their
need for control. When Ms Frost delights that Mr Bambuckle has lost
a student at camp and will be sacked, he points out that the
responsibility lies with the highest ranking officer. Reluctantly,
she agrees to grant the whole class three days to find Vex Vron, who
has run away, before she reports it to the Principal.
Mr Bambuckle sends his students off in pairs to explore clues and
report back several times a day. Steady progress is made in the
investigation alongside concurrent plots involving the arrival of
the new twins Gabby and Grace Wu and Myra Kumar's enterprising
schemes to raise funds to finance the search for Vex.
Illustrator, James Hart, uses many genres to create interest and
make the story less fantastic - character trading cards, letters,
notes, text messages compliment the usual strategically placed
illustrations. Author Tim Harris pays tribute to great teachers by
having Vex's actions motivated by a desire to be exactly like Mr
Bambuckle. While the Principal remains an anachronism, the
transformation in the Deputy Principal's worldview is admirable. A
thoroughly enjoyable school based adventure.
Deborah Robins
Saving you by Charlotte Nash
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733636479.
(Age: 16 - Adult) Recommended. Themes: Road trips, United States,
Child custody, Ageing, Romance. What a page turner - I couldn't put
this down and devoured in one very late night sitting, laughing and
crying as three pensioners, and one single mother helped out by a
bikie, make their make across the United States, each with their own
reason for making the road trip.
Mallory Cook and Harry, her five year old son, live in a tiny
cottage. Mallory works at the local aged care home and making ends
meets is a constant struggle since her husband Duncan left for New
York to set up his business. Mallory still hopes that they will be
together but when Duncan fails to send Harry home after a visit she
is determined to get him back and sets off to bring him home.
Meanwhile Zadie, Ernie and Jock have escaped from their care home
and are planning a trip down memory lane. Abandoned by their trip
advisor at the airport, they turn to Mallory to drive them, and left
with no money when her husband freezes their account, she agrees to
take them to Nashville. On the way they meet the mysterious biker
AJ, who lends a helping hand when needed. All will learn about
themselves and what motivates them to take the trip, while all help
to save themselves and each other. Saving you is a heart-warming, emotional story that will
resonate with readers who will be familiar with many of the themes
in the book. It is easy to empathise with Mallory as she gradually
comes to terms with the fact that although she has supported her
husband through all the years when he was developing his business,
he has now taken their child and abandoned her. Readers will applaud
her devotion to her son and the people she cares for in the aged
care facility and laugh and cry as her strength and determination
shine through her journey. And the character and motivations of the
pensioners, Zadie, Ernie and Jock are very touching.
A compelling and satisfying read.
Pat Pledger
Bat vs poss by Alexa Moses
Ill. by Anil Tortop. Lothian Children's Books, 2018. ISBN:
9780734418395.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Australian animals, Possums, Bats, Competition,
Humour, Problem solving. In rhyming verse, Moses tells young
children the story of a possum, Meek, her siblings and friends, all
living an idyllic life in a large sprawling paperbark tree. But a
hiccup comes along in the form of a bat. Not just any bat, but a
cantankerous, noisy and squabbly bat who hangs upside down from the
tree's top limb.
The bat spits, poos and tells the others crossly that they must
move. Meek and her sisters move to the lower branches where they
cannot sleep, because they are watchful away from the safety of the
higher branches. In the morning some of the birds ask Meek to do
something about the bat, and she comes up with a clever idea of how
to move him on.
Richly illustrated with Australian flora and fauna, readers will
delight picking out the details of the animals they spy in the
branches, picking up some facts about their habits. I love the use
of the wheelie bins, seen in such abundance in Australian cities and
towns, and the lights of the big city, and the terrace houses near
the beautiful paperbark tree.
The story of the bat reminds readers of the problem many of them are
now causing in big cities where colonies move in and take over large
areas of native trees. Recently in Adelaide a colony moved into the
Moreton Bay Fig trees in the Botanic Gardens and caused considerable
damage.
The urban sprawl imposing upon animals' habitats is a clear theme
which children can think about and discuss after reading this book.
Fran Knight
Gandhi by Dianne Bailey
DK Life Stories. Dorling Kindersley, 2019. ISBN:
9780241356333.
(Age: 8-13) Recommended. Themes: Gandhi; India; Civil resistance.
The life story of Gandhi is well documented, but this book will
introduce the younger generation to his life and work. Insights into
the life of Gandhi are explained in this book, and his non-violent
approach to creating political change have been an encouragement to
many other lives and continue to be an inspiration to the world.
Bailey has written a very basic explanation and overview of the life
and peaceful journey of this humble man whose desire to make a
difference for those who had experienced discrimination. He also
worked for the independence of his home country, India, to release
the country from colonial rule by British authorities.
This non-fiction book is easily read, using uncomplicated language
and will be a good addition to school libraries. The presentation of
the information includes quotes, sidebars to explain terms, and
photographs and cartoon-style illustrations. A time-line and
glossary are also included at the end of the book.
Recommended for readers aged 8-13.
Carolyn Hull
Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan
Rangers Apprentice: The Royal Ranger Book 3. Random House,
2018. ISBN: 9780143785927.
(Age: 11-15) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure; Battle; Royalty;
Heroism. As the third book in the Royal Ranger series it is
apparent that much has gone before, leading to the incredibly
capable Princess Cassandra having to defend her injured father, King
Duncan, and the remnant of soldiers in the Castle, while trapped
high within the fortified south tower. Her husband, Sir Horace and
the Ranger Commandant, Gilan, are similarly trapped in an old hill
fort, but far away, and unable to provide the rescue the Princess
will need to remain in power. The orchestration of this two-pronged
attack on the ruling authority of Araluen is down to Dimon, and it
looks like he has the upper hand. His engineers have also devised a
rather interesting device to launch an assault. If nothing else he
just needs to wait until all food and water is used up within the
Castle and the other fortress and he can take control of Araluen on
his own. But, he has no idea that he will be brought undone because
of a young female apprentice Ranger (Princess Cassandra and Sir
Horace's daughter, Maddie) and the Brotherband of Skandians who,
with their intense fighting skills, will be a formidable and
surprise force to be reckoned with.
John Flanagan knows how to write an exciting and dramatic adventure,
and even though I have not read all of his books, those I have read
I have not been able to put down. (Younger readers devour every book
in each series!) There is fighting, tension, incredible 'warrior'
strategy and some odd moments of humour from the interesting
characters. It would be unusual for anyone to dislike this book in
the spin-off series from the standard Rangers Apprentice
series. (Note: Book one in the Royal Ranger series was
originally published as Book 12 in the Rangers Apprentice
series. The Brotherband series is a stand-alone series, but
the two become linked at various points.)
The delight of this book is the heroine Maddie rising to reveal her
training as a Ranger has not been in vain, and her ability to lead
and strategise to solve problems in conflict is only matched by her
skills to evade detection.
Highly recommended for readers aged 11-15. (Both male and female
readers will love the action and adventure.)
Carolyn Hull
Lucky and Spike by Norma MacDonald
Magabala Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781921248177.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Aboriginal themes, Animals, Feral
cats, Environment. Another story about Lucky the spinifex hopping
mouse will enchant readers, absorbing another story about this
animal, first introduced in Spinifex Mouse (2013). He and his
brother, Spike, peer out from their burrows as night falls, going
out to search for food. First they must watch out for other feeding
animals, particularly those that like to feed on them. The coast
clear, they hop off to the people camp where they know women are
grinding spinifex seeds into flour, dropping a few seeds on
the ground that they can eat.
But a feral cat is on the prowl and spots them, chasing them into
the crowd of dancers. A camp dog joins in and chases the cat up a
tree. Here a barking owl sits watching for small prey and swoops
down to the spinifex where Lucky and Spike are hiding. But the cat
sees the owl and pounces. The owl is too quick and flies back to its
tree, while the cat cuts itself on the spinifex and races off into
the night, leaving the two mice to retreat, thinking themselves very
lucky indeed.
This tale not only teaches children to be careful when out by
themselves, but also teaches about Aboriginal people who live in the
spinifex areas, giving small details about life for desert animals
and information about the feral animals that prey on the native
animals. This book would make a wonderful teaching tool, a
springboard for many discussions about life in Australia for people
and animals, the introduced species and the devastation they cause.
Children will be able to recognise flora and fauna that live in the
desert, and locate the area where the tale is set. The soft
illustrations by MacDonald give an air of authenticity to the tale,
and her use of flowing text full of movement, with highlighted words
increases the interest to the eye.
Information at the end of the book tells about the feral cats and
the damage they cause, and relates a potted biography of MacDonald
and her painting.
Fran Knight
The croc who rocked by Laura Casella
Starfish Publishing, 2018. ISBN: 9781760360528.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Crocodiles, Humour, Acceptance, Friendship,
Difference. A clutch of crocodile eggs, deep in the jungle, hatch
and each little crocodile goes its own way, scampering off into the
bushes. But one little crocodile loves to bop. Happy, he snaps his
jaws and sings loudly, the noise echoing around though quiet jungle.
The other animals are not happy, and tell him to be quiet. As he
grows so his snaps becomes much louder, but still no one is
impressed, so he slides into the water and goes away. Two little
birds land on his tail looking for some big teeth to clean, and in
talking to the sad and lonely crocodile decide to teach him how to
tweet so that the other animals are not upset. The others accept him
happily, joining in with his new sounds, making tweets through the
jungle. Croc is so happy that he forgets his new sound and reverts
to his old snappy sound, and once again, the other animals reject
him.
Singing sadly to himself, other crocodiles come around him,
impressed with the sounds he is making, and wanting to know where he
learnt them. Croc is happy again, with his new friends, singing
along with them, and teaching them his sounds. He has found a group
of friends who accept him for who he is.
A neatly resolved tale of acceptance and finding your place, this
book with its striking cut out illustrations will entice eager
readers to try the techniques for themselves, with paper, scissors,
paint and sponges. I love the repetition of the crocodile on the
endpapers, which will fascinate the younger readers as well as the
sprinkling of a few facts about crocodiles.
Fran Knight
Henry VIII and the men who made him by Tracy Borman
Hodder and Stoughton, 2018. ISBN 9781473649897.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Tracey Borman has
created a powerful story of the life and times of Henry VIII, King
of England from 1509 to 1547, reflecting the value of both the
historical authenticity and the collection of writings, legal and
other documents, from which Borman draws her historical narrative.
Supported throughout by numerous references, this novel describes
Henry's interactions with the men, and to a lesser extent the women
(who were really considered to be tools to producing the necessary
male heir), using historical records, and photographs of paintings
of Henry and other people important to the narrative. Additionally,
we are able to grasp the significance of the works of the writers
who have studied and documented Henry's life, particularly in the
references to the effects of the religious upheaval at that time. As
would be expected, the story is based deeply on the times and
revolutionary ideas of the Reformation in England and Borman has
created a strong sense of that period: the political, social and
religious events that brought about such great religious and social
change during Henry's lifetime.
We read how Henry was always determined to have his way, but when
thwarted, would exact violent punishment as his revenge, most often
almost immediately accomplished by killing the perpetrator, or
incarcerating those who displeased him. Reading this book in the
modern world, and knowing that so many had been 'removed' when they
upset Henry, or interfered with his plans, it seems to be remarkable
that anyone was prepared to work for him, and certainly that anyone
was prepared to challenge him. While Borman details how some of the
damned would plead their innocence, or implore forgiveness, even up
to the day of, or preceding, their 'removal', we gather that there
was almost never any chance of remission. For the men who did not do
as he demanded, or his wives, who were removed because they failed
to produce the male heir he wanted, or he had grown tired of them,
he found no reason why they should not be punished with death.
Indeed, Henry's cold and dispassionate slaughtering of those who did
not do, or produce, what he wanted, is the most abiding theme
throughout this magnificently researched tome.
Plunged into Borman's vibrant world of political intrigue, we see
the rivalry of the men who surrounded Henry, the reactions to and
change in beliefs of the new religion, and the growing antipathy, in
England, to the unsettling events of the rejection of the previously
dominant European-based Roman Catholic Church. Interestingly, it is
difficult to keep in mind that this narrative is based on truth, its
accuracy detailed in Borman's extensive bibliography, her
references, notes and index, all of which take up over sixty pages.
Captivating, commanding and beautifully written, this novel will
leave the reader with a sense of horror that this man could see
himself as above all human codes of decency in his ruling of a
country by birthright, and in his pursuit of an heir. Borman's portrayal
appears to interpret his responses, choices, actions and
interactions with others as driven by his determination to wield his
power, as he becomes the man who destroys those who displease or
disobey him. In fact, men whom he liked seem to have suffered the
same fate of needing to be killed when their actions displeased him
or when they failed to do what he demanded, even though he appeared
to be slightly saddened by this fact. This novel would be a fine
study for senior English history students and a compelling read for
anyone who is interested in this era.
Elizabeth Bondar
