The Inheritance Cycle: Book Four. Doubleday, 2011. ISBN
9780385616492.
(Suited for: 16+) Recommended. Not long ago, Eragon was just a poor
farm boy, unaware of the importance that his future held. Now with
the help of the elves, dwarves and his dragon, Saphira, Eragon is
preparing for the war against Galbatorix. The resistance against the
cruel Galbatorix is building with the Varden's army growing in size
and strength every day. As the war approaches it seems that the
deciding factor will not be won by the armies on the battlefield but
in the fight against his half-brother Murtagh, and his dragon Thor.
And if he is unable to conquer Murtagh, what hope do he and the
people of Alagaesia hope of winning the fight for justice against
Galbatorix.
The book opens with Paolini giving a brief overview of the previous
books in the series. It is used to broaden the audience for the book
to not just those who have read the series but to newcomers. It does
little to achieve this goal and first-timers to the series will find
themselves somewhat bored by the opening. The opening chapters
encompass Paolini's style of writing as the fast-paced story telling
that brought him so much praise for the Inheritance Cycle.
While newcomers to the series will struggle to find themselves
engaged by the story and style of writing, fans of the series will
find it to be a fitting end to the saga. With this as the final book
of the Inheritance Cycle, Paolini will continue to win praise for
the series.
I recommend this book.
Michael Adams
Life : an exploded diagram by Mal Peet
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 8442 8100 8.
Recommended for senior secondary students and adults. This book
begins and ends with a bang. A Spitfire shooting a chimney pot
to pieces in 1945 and the World Trade Centre exploding in 2001.
In between is a thoroughly enjoyable story, largely about Clem, a
working class boy and Frankie, daughter of a wealthy local
landowner. Interspersed with this are the evolving stories of
their families especially Clem's. As well there is as a background
the developing missile crisis in Cuba in 1962.
The relationship that develops between Clem and Frankie is both
touching and hilarious at least to the reader. The author handles
the various components of the book with great skill and melds them
together into a whole that is entertaining, humorous and affirming
all at the same time. The characters are extremely well drawn
and the observations of life in Britain in the period acutely well
done.
I loved this book; it's beautifully written and the author
skillfully weaves everything together to produce an outstanding
reading.
David Rayner
The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe
Orbit Books, 2010. ISBN 9780356500089.
(Ages: 14+) Thirteen-year old Malian, the Heir of Night, is launched
unexpectedly and suddenly into a world of conflict, magic and
divided alliances. While the once powerful fires of the Derai burn
low, the glacial chill of realms lived in form and fantasy arise
like frosty tendrils from the pages; storms whip the embattlements
of the Keep of Winds, and Malian, the young heir apparent, plays
among the corridors and stairwells of the forbidden Old Keep. With
the Swarm's dark power stirring, Malian begins to understand her own
destiny will be lived between dimensions. Kalan, the young novice
priest, and Yorindesarinen, the hero of the Derai, appear to Malian
in the forbidden section and for now, they resist the Dark Swarm.
Ultimately though, the black shadow must be conquered, prompting the
young heiress and her noviciate friend to flee the only home Malian
has known. Through sighing winds and snow, and with the sinister
shadow close upon them, will their combined wit, courage and psychic
powers be enough to overcome the enemy?
Helen Lowe, an award winning author and poet, is based in New
Zealand. The Heir of Night is the first of her four-book
fantasy, chronicling the wars of the Derai and their traditional
enemy The Dark Swarm. Young readers especially will identify with
its main characters, Malian and Kalan. Written in the third person,
it weaves effortlessly between dialogue and imagery, and although
the battle scenes are graphic, they are in keeping with other novels
of this genre. The complex cast and plot are introduced slowly and
carefully. Lowe's effort will be worthwhile as the ensuing books
reveal the remainder of the saga.
The Heir of Night will surely leave fans of the genre eager
for its sequel. This book would be suitable for high school library
bookshelves.
Colleen Tuovinen
Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Wolf Springs Chronicles. Doubleday, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-857-53071-4.
(Age: Mid to older teens) Unleashed is an enchanting novel
that holds and captivates your imagination and mind. Katelyn McBride
is the new girl, a position hated by most of the population, she
moved to Wolf Springs, a small quiet town where everyone knows
everyone, because of the tragic death of her mother, Giselle
Chevalier, world renowned ballet dancer, who died in an earthquake,
leaving Katelyn nowhere to live but her Grandfather's house in
southern, isolated Wolf Springs. Katelyn, homesick and depressed,
gains friendship with one of the mildly bad boys, Trick, young,
handsome and strong, Katelyn finds herself attracted to him before
you can say 'Hill-Billy Central'. Fortunately he is her ride to
school and back, every day, Yes! Her status as the new girl isn't
that bad because everyone treats her like a celebrity because she is
from L.A. She then meets gorgeous ex-cheerleader Cordelia Fenner.
Horribly unfortunate deaths occur, Haley and Becky both die in the
forest, the blame on wild animals, but could it be? Things get
suspicious and exciting when they are put together for a history
project and Katelyn ticks off a long-lost silver mine with a beast
to guard on the possibility list, Cordelia seems to get cold feet
and is constantly in two states of mind about the whole project.
More complications appear when she visits the Fenner residence one
day, Katelyn is assessed by Cordelia's older sisters, Regan and
Arial along with her stunningly sexy cousin Justin, who Katelyn has
to fight to keep her hands off.
Things start to get really weird when Katelyn gets attacked by a
wolf with bright blue eyes and when Cordelia is informed she becomes
very secretive and suspicious. With the deep leg wound healing in
only days, Katelyn starts to freak and begs Cordelia to tell her
everything. This is where things get more interesting and extremely
but enjoyably intense. Unleashed is a brilliant novel to get into and it leaves you
craving for more. I think this book will be better suited to mid to
older teens who like romance, mystery and thrill. I don't always
rate books but if I did this would land a solid 8 out of 10. It was
really enjoyable. I hope there is a sequel and I hope it is just as
enthralling.
Sarah Filkin, Yr 10
The heir chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
Indigo, 2012.
The warrior heir. Book 1. ISBN 9781780620473.
The wizard heir. Book 2. ISBN 9781780620503.
The dragon heir. Book 3. ISBN 9781780620534.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. A reprint of Chima's award winning series
(2008 Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year, 2009 Voya Best SF and Fantasy
Book of the Year) is a treat for fantasy lovers like me. The books
would best be read as a series, starting with book 1, The
warrior heir, where the reader is introduced to 16 year old
Jack, a normal teenager living in a small Ohio town. The only thing
that makes him different is the scar above his heart and the
medicine he has to take daily. One day when he misses his medicine,
he discovers that he is stronger and faster than all his soccer
mates and that he is a member of the Weirlind, a group of magical
people who are facing war. Book 2, The wizard heir, follows
the adventures of Seph, who is an untrained wizard. When sent to a
private school in Maine, he uncovers deadly secrets and becomes
involved in the war between the Red and White Rose factions. The
dragon heir has two main protagonists: Jason, who steals the
Dragonheart, a powerful treasure and Madison Moss who is a danger to
her boyfriend Seph, as she leaks the toxic magic that she absorbed
in the fight against evil.
Chima deserves the accolades she received for these books. After
reading The warrior heir I was thrilled knowing that I had
the next two stories to read straight away rather than having to
wait impatiently for them. Her main male teen characters,
Jack, Seph and Jason are tough, intelligent and courageous. Each
must go through terrible trials but all triumph in different ways.
The girls in the story are brave and smart, play vital roles in the
fight against evil and the romances are very well done.
Her world building is wonderful. The reader is taken off into the
politics of a magical place, where those who have the strongest
warrior wield power. A single warrior from each of the warring sides
is forced to fight to the death in a gladiator style to win the
power to rule. The action is inventive and ranges from Ohio to the
wind swept moors of Cumbria in the United Kingdom. With swordplay,
wizards living hundreds of years and using mind control, intrigue
and strange treasure, I was swept along in Chima's fabulous world.
Each book has an emphasis on a different character. This gives added
appeal as Chima explores different relationships and abilities,
making a much richer series than is often encountered where the same
main characters appear. There is a satisfying conclusion to the
three books (although a look at Chima's website gives information
about two more books to come).
The clever writing, inventive setting and great characters of
this series should appeal to both boys and girls. Fans of these
books will want to go out and immediately find her Seven Realms
series.
Pat Pledger
Beast child by Ben Chandler
Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1 86471 979 6
(Age: 11+) Beast child is the second book in the Voyages of
the Flying Dragon series. In this book Missy Clemens and her twin
brother Lenis continue to explore their abilities against a
background of pursuing the evil mercenary Karasu in an attempt to
retrieve the stones that can unlock the powers of the baby dragon
Suiteki which has bonded with Lewis who is a Bestia keeper and
engineer aboard the airship Hiryu. Missy is the communications
officer and is trying to learn how to use the Quillblack a feather
that turns into a sword of tremendous power, but which needs great
skill to be used effectively and protect the user. The twins are
part of a group trying to prevent the spread of the Wastelands and
the Demons that infest them.
The book is an intriguing blend of folklore and fantasy, largely
based on Japanese heroism, anime and manga.
There is plenty of action and adventure to appeal to those who like
fantasy but given the complexity involved it may be more suitable
for upper primary and above students. The third book Ebb and
Flow will follow on.
David Rayner
Savannah dreams by Lolla Stewart
Ill. by Elaine Russell. Little Hare Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781921714030
(Age: Junior Primary - Lower Primary) Highly recommended. 'From
Sunday to Saturday, Savannah and her family go looking for bush
tucker. While Savannah's family find fabulous food, Savannah
finds only junk. But Savannah sees the world through different
eyes, and her imagination helps her to make the greatest catch of
all.'
Along the way to discovering some traditional bush tucker, readers
will wonder at the items Savannah collects and imagine, as she does,
the great barramundi she sees.
The title conveys images similar to African tales, but this is a
true Australian story. A wonderful insight into a traditional
lifestyle and the innocence and wonder of a child's
imagination. The illustrations remind me of the fabulous work
by Bronwyn Bancroft, they are full of colour and life with a
uniquely indigenous feel.
A vibrantly illustrated, charming story of an indigenous family and
their search for food.
Zana Thiele
The ghost at the wedding; a true story by Shirley Walker
Penguin, 2010. ISBN 9780143203292. Louis Braille Audio Book read by
Kate Hood.
With an intriguing title, The Ghost at the wedding, sets out to tell
a personal story of love and family, during the tumultuous period
from 1914 to 1945. It considers both the men who went to war and the
women who coped with everything life threw at them. The narrative
joins a current flock of fictionalised accounts of real people's
lives, attributing to actions and emotions which can be surmised
rather than known. This new tradition of biography allows authors to
blend historical detail, anecdote and personal memories into a
narrative which is not only accessible to a wide readership but also
creates a deep understanding of personal experiences of a specific
time in history.
This fascinating story illuminates pioneer life in the cane fields
of northern New South Wales, the battlefields of Gallipoli, the
trenches of France and the struggles of the Kokoda Track. She
poignantly describes a series of lives torn apart and melded through
the struggles of war. At times, the narrator slips into historian
during the narrative, which does jar with the reader but it also
lends an unique authenticity to the historical claims of the text.
Shirley Walker is telling her family story, but the vast amount of
research she has done and the documents she has been able to unearth
will leave other genealogists green with envy. She has been able to
paint an authentic picture of all the periods and places she
describes.
While the title, The ghost at the wedding, describes a particular
period in the family's life, in a sense it could also be seen as the
proverbial 'elephant in the room' which underpins the whole story -
namely, war and its effects on individuals and family. Such
difficult topics could be harrowing and while Shirley Walker does
not shy from them, neither does she revel in gory details. Each
person's story and situation is treated remarkably sensitively, as
one might expect from a personal history rather than a racy
blockbuster. Shirley Walker is able to bring many skills from her
long career in Australian literature to bear in this important piece
of social history.
In the tradition of the excellence for which Louis Braille books
have come to be known, Kate Hood reads this narrative with clarity
and sensitivity. She brings warmth and honesty to this remarkable
story.
Diana Warwick
The Cat and the Fiddle: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Jackie Morris
Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1845079871.
(Age: 0+) Highly recommended. Jackie Morris has carefully chosen 40
well-known and less well-known nursery rhymes and illustrated them
in her outstanding style. Included are family favourites such as Baa
black sheep, Ride a cock-horse and Hickory dickory
dock and unfamiliar ones like The hart and the hare
and Jumping Joan.
Most of the rhymes take up a double page spread of beautiful,
eye-catching illustrations done in watercolours. The details are so
gorgeous that it becomes a book to pore over and revisit time and
again. I especially loved All the pretty little horses where
mother and baby are pulled along in a tented coach by six
magnificent white horses and escorted by 'pretty little horses.
Black and bay and dappled and grey'. Another thing that really
caught my attention was the size of the animals in relation to the
people. Baa baa black sheep for example, has a sheep as
large as a camel, carrying skeins of wool in a pack on its back. A
touch of humour is added with the sheep dog carrying a ball of wool
for its mistress who is knitting as she strides along. Each
illustration will stimulate the imagination and leave the reader to
dream about beautiful women with long flowing hair, impish boys, and
fabulous animals and flowers.
This is book that I believe is very likely to become a classic and
highly collectable like the books of the illustrator, Errol le Cain.
Most importantly, though, it is a book that is sure to enchant
everyone who chants the rhymes and delights in the glorious
illustrations.
Pat Pledger
Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Penguin, 2012. ISBN 9780143566113.
(Ages: 15+) Recommended. In the sequel to Jessica's Guide to
Dating on the Dark Side, Jessica and Lucius are married (read
about the wedding here)
and living in his castle in Romania. But life is not necessarily
'happily ever after'. Now known as Princess Antanasia, Jessica is
bewildered by the language, customs and expectations of her new
family and is increasingly worried that she will not be able to
fulfil her role as princess and future queen of the vampire clans.
After all she is still a teenager, raised by her vegetarian, animal
loving adoptive parents in Pennsylvania, that finds herself the
co-ruler of a traditional, feudal and very conservative society.
When Lucius is arrested and imprisoned for his alleged role in the
murder of his uncle, it is up to Jessica to clear his name.
Increasingly plagued and debilitated by vivid hallucinations and
dreams, and not knowing whom to trust, she enlists the aid of her
American best friend Mindy and Lucius's Italian, peace-loving surfie
cousin, Raniero, to help find the real culprit.
The story is told in alternating chapters with Jessica, Lucius,
Raniero and Mindy sharing the narrative. I particularly enjoyed
Lucius and Raniero's droll correspondence, and the intrepid Mindy
with her trusty suitcase full of styling products. The atmosphere is
supplied by huge castles, secret tunnels, forbidding pine forests,
cemeteries at midnight and the warring vampire families strident
calls for revenge. Jessica's Guide to dating on the dark side is a very popular
book amongst our students, and I must admit I enjoyed that book very
much - a fresh twist on the vampire/romance genre. This new book
does not disappoint and is a very satisfying sequel. Whilst there
are secrets to expose and a murder mystery to unravel, this is
really a story about the importance of love and friendship,
believing in yourself and learning to appreciate people for whom
they are; all while trying to prevent the fragile peace between two
vampire families descending into a literal blood bath!
A very enjoyable read with darkness, danger and a sly sense of
humour that also hits all the right romance buttons.
Great fun for teenage girls.
Alicia Papp
Lola and the boy next door by Stephanie Perkins
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780143566267.
(Ages 14+) Highly recommended. Lola Nolan is a budding designer. She
doesn't believe in fashion, she believes in costumes and the more
expressive the better. But beneath her outrageous style she is a
devoted friend and daughter who loves her gay parents and wants do
the right thing for them but also want them to approve of her
boyfriend. She has big plans for her future and everything is
perfect in her life until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket,
return to the house next door. Calliope is a talented figure skater,
who has won silver in two world cups and hopes to compete in the
Olympics this year, and Cricket is a talented inventor and always
has been. When Cricket steps back into Lola's life, she finds
herself torn between her boyfriend and the boy she has always loved.
This book is amazing. It felt like the characters were actually real
people. I would highly recommend this book especially to people who
like to read romances.
Tahlia Kennewell (student)
Doubleday, 2011. ISBN 9780385619264.
(Ages: 14+) Highly recommended. Sir Samuel Vimes, Commander of the
City Watch, Duke of Ankh-Morpork and Blackboard Monitor, is on an
enforced holiday, with his adored wife and son, in the peaceful
countryside. It is his idea of hell, and he finds trees, livestock
and wildlife slightly disturbing, not to mention his young son's
obsession with all things 'poo'. However, his supposedly quiet
retreat is interrupted by a murder. The fact that it is a goblin
that is murdered, and that most people consider them non-sentient
beings and no better than animals, doesn't deter Vimes from
investigating. He uncovers systematic corruption, vice and slavery
and has to deal with the local aristocracy who believe the law
doesn't apply to them. These poor fools have no idea what they are
in for, and while Vimes is a cynical sceptic, he holds on to the law
for dear life. To him, no one is above or beneath the law.
I am a self confessed Terry Pratchett fan, and I am always excited
when a new book is released (this is the 39th Discworld book). I
especially enjoy the City Watch books and have watched Sam Vimes
evolve as a character over the series. It is always amusing and
uplifting to see him overcome his prejudices against non-humans (and
humans!) ie. vampires, trolls, golems, orcs, zombies, and now
goblins. He has learnt to give anyone the benefit of the doubt, and
judges them by what they do, not what they are.
Terry Pratchett is a wonderful, witty and wise story-teller. His
books are social commentary, interspersed with humour, farce and
extremely funny footnotes. One day he has Sam giving a gentle
dressing down to a bunch of fluttering Jane Austenesque young
ladies, the next he is chasing a killer on a steamboat on a raging
river. He does rollicking adventure and crime mysteries extremely
well. His stories are rich and multilayered, with a large cast of
characters and locations. Whilst he is never strident, he pokes mild
fun at people's frailties and foibles, but is happy to take a bigger
stick to hypocrisy, discrimination and cruelty.
Alicia Papp
Book of blood and shadow by Robin Wasserman
Atom, 2012. ISBN 9871907411441.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. With her thriller in the genre of The Da
Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Wasserman takes the reader on a
roller coaster ride with Nora after she finds her best friend Chris
murdered, his girlfriend Adriane in a catatonic state and her
beloved Max not to be found. Nora believes that Max is innocent of
the murder and is determined to find him. Following clues found in
ancient letters, she sets out on a trail of blood and adventure with
the enigmatic Eli closely following her.
This is a hefty read at 432 pages and is littered with letters and
poetry written in Latin, which had to be translated by Nora,
allusions to historical figures in the Renaissance like Kepler, a
German astronomer, and codes and ciphers that needed to be worked
out. It is not a book that I could read in one sitting, rather it is
one that I had to ponder about before the mysteries and characters
called me back to continue reading the next section.
A complex trail of letters and poetry brings to life Elizabeth Jane
Weston and her life in Prague, in a time when astronomers and
scientists believed in alchemy and where she laboured to bring to
life the Lumen Deii, a strange machine that would connect man with
God. As Nora translates her letters, she becomes increasingly
entwined in what happened to Elizabeth and it is this connection
that keeps the reader involved in the complicated plot.
The relationships in the book are also engrossing. I enjoyed reading
about teenagers who are highly intelligent and capable of being
research assistants to a History professor. Although Nora is naive
about the relationships in her life, she is loyal to her friends
even when she is not sure whom she can trust. She is the one who
cracks the codes and finds the clues and directs the search for Max.
It is a relief to read a book where the love interest is not the
most important aspect but rather fits in with the action and needs
of the characters.
There is also action galore in this book, as Nora travels to Prague
where she and her companions become the target of religious sects
who are determined to gain hold of the Lumen Dei.
Wasserman very skilfully weaves the action, relationships and a
fabulous setting to make a wonderful thriller.
Pat Pledger
The future of us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Simon and Schuster, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-85707-607-6. The Future of us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler is a
brilliantly put together novel that is set in 1995, with hardly any
of the modern technology we have today. The storyline centres on
Josh and Emma, the main characters. These two have been friends and
neighbours since they were little but their friendship suddenly
withered in the teen years when Josh misinterprets Emma's body
language; they then find it quite awkward to be close friends and
drift apart. One day Josh brings around an AOL CD that he has
received in the mail. He decides to give it to Emma because his
parents don't agree with the internet. They try out the mysterious
disk on Emma's brand new computer when it connects to Facebook, a
social networking site, fifteen years in the future! They then
discover that what they change in their everyday lives affects them
big time in their future. Emma becomes super distressed about her
future, recklessly changing things every day, which in doing so
changed a countless amount off people's futures too, ending up in a
very moral ending for the readers and the characters alike.
This novel is great for teens and almost anyone. The first person
chapter switching, differing between the two main characters'
personal thoughts and feelings is brilliant, giving both Josh and
Emma's view on the pressing matters. It is a fantastic novel with
many twists and turns throughout the story, great for light and
quick reading or even an English assignment at school, it's just
that good.
Sarah Filkin (Student, Yr 10)
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles Bk 1. Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141340135.
(Ages 14+) Highly recommended. Cinder, written by Marissa
Meyer, is the first book of the Lunar Chronicles. There are themes
presented within the text but one stands out in particular: Romance
thriller. I know at the moment we are surrounded by millions of
novels about forbidden love and vampires killing one another, but
Cinder is worth every minute of the time you spend swooning over the
prince and/or killer vampire in other novels. Cinder is based on the original Cinderella story. You know
the one, her ugly step sisters take away Cinderella's pretty dresses
and force her to wear rags and become their servant.
Cinder is a gifted mechanic in New Beijing; she is also a cyborg who
lives with her step mother and stepsisters. But when her stepsister
suddenly falls ill to the deadly plague Cinder is in a race against
time to find a cure, but falling in love with Prince Kai was not
part of the plan and she is caught between her duty to save her
sister and the freedom she has always longed for. Throughout her
violent struggles and desires Cinder must uncover the mysteries that
surround her past in order to protect the Earth's future.
I thoroughly enjoyed Marissa's writing techniques and her astounding
plot that kept you on edge the entire time. I was gripped from the
very first sentence and spent every free minute reading it. I
encourage many other teenage girls to read Cinder and fall
in love with the plot and characters as I did. Happy reading!
Justine Harrison (student)
