Obviously the plot is absurd with two super precocious kids but it's a fun adventure story for intermediate/middle school kids. I think this 2.5 Stars
Obviously the plot is absurd with two super precocious kids but it's a fun adventure story for intermediate/middle school kids. I think this will be okay for NZ Y9 as Amy is 14 years old and it would suit someone looking for a quick read. There are lots of near death scenes and dastardly villains. There is an online game component but I am not sure if that is still something that can be played given how old the book is now.
I found the link but don't have the time to explore this game though.
UPDATE 28/07/2023 - This one was a cracker even on second read!
Onions people! ONIONS!
So many layers peeled back in this book. Evan is thrown into emotUPDATE 28/07/2023 - This one was a cracker even on second read!
Onions people! ONIONS!
So many layers peeled back in this book. Evan is thrown into emotional turmoil and we see a completely different side to him. This one was truly brilliant!...more
UPDATE 12/07/23 - Reread and still such an engaging story.
Original Review 3.5 Stars (I decided to round it up to 4 because I really do love Evan!)
SometUPDATE 12/07/23 - Reread and still such an engaging story.
Original Review 3.5 Stars (I decided to round it up to 4 because I really do love Evan!)
Something I noticed in this second book is that the writing is actually very good. I had more time to notice because this story was less engaging than in book one. Don't get me wrong, it was still thoroughly enjoyable but I felt like the 'bad guy' was a little bit cartoonish at times. The action sequences were so brilliant and I will definitely continue on with the series as it is adrenalin filled entertainment.
UPDATE 12/07/23: Reread and loved it more second time around! I think it's because I knew where relationships were heading and how things were going tUPDATE 12/07/23: Reread and loved it more second time around! I think it's because I knew where relationships were heading and how things were going to unfold.
Original Review I'm quite late to the Orphan X party but I'm still gonna throw a few streamers into the air and blow into one of those annoying party kazoo thingys. Story summary: Butt-kicking, gun toting, hot 'bad' guy turns good because of his code of honour to protect the vulnerable and exploited and any damsel in mortal peril and in the meantime baddies attempt to thwart him at every turn while he wrestles with his inner dark demons all while cuddling kittens. Awwww. Cue the flag (country of your choice) fluttering in the background as our muscled, dark glasses wearing hero walks slowly on to the next city and the next person in need of saving. *slow claps* Loved it. Books 2 and 3 on hold....more
CW: (view spoiler)[father dies, lots of deaths during 9/11 some of which are described on page, extremist Taliban ideals on page, war scenes /deaths/iCW: (view spoiler)[father dies, lots of deaths during 9/11 some of which are described on page, extremist Taliban ideals on page, war scenes /deaths/injuries, mother died when MC was younger, sister killed by American bombing (hide spoiler)]
Well that was a surprisingly gritty and difficult read given that the main characters are about 9 years old.
Brandon fights for survival after a plane hits the North tower on 9/11/2001. Meanwhile, in present day Afghanistan, Reshmina is trying to keep her family safe as war rages all around her isolated village. Although it is obvious how the two stories intersect from very early on I still found this to be a compelling read. Alan doesn't shy away from the difficulties and horrors both children witness and experience so I would be clear about that when recommending this book to a middle school student, and full disclosure, I cried at one particular point. Like, sob cried. I think this may be my favourite Alan Gratz book yet....more
Well that was an entertaining action story about some over-powered teens!
I liked the premise and the multi POV. I'd like to h2.5 Stars rounded up to 3
Well that was an entertaining action story about some over-powered teens!
I liked the premise and the multi POV. I'd like to have seen a bit more use of their powers in battle situations but overall it was a satisfying story. What was missing was some much needed world building. We had no context for why there were terrorists and what they hoped to achieve. I will actually follow up with book two at some point however it will be a wee way down the TBR to be honest. ...more
Well that was a brilliant Hanna crossed with JCW: (view spoiler)[sexual content, described murders, kidnapping and torture of children (hide spoiler)]
Well that was a brilliant Hanna crossed with Jason Bourne type action thriller!
I loved the main characters and the story was so engaging. This would make an excellent movie or TV mini series. Seriously, I kept finding my husband and telling him how entertaining this was and what was happening at various points. Just an exciting cat and mouse thriller with kick-arse assassins and a shadowy organisation. Fun times! ...more
CW: (view spoiler)[death of loved one, drug overdose, abuse, neglect, child homelessness, assault (hide spoiler)]
Well that w3.5 Stars rounded up to 4.
CW: (view spoiler)[death of loved one, drug overdose, abuse, neglect, child homelessness, assault (hide spoiler)]
Well that was gritty and gripping!
I was thrilled to discover this tense survival story with a male protagonist as they are currently under represented in YA fiction. It followed two different timelines as we follow Sparrow surviving after a boating accident, and surviving as a homeless child before the accident. I love that Sparrow found kind people who watched out for him and offered him the support he needed. It's wonderful to have such an engaging book to add to my booktalks.
I normally hide content warnings but this one is not a plot spoiler and think needs to be mentioned. There are a couple of quite stomach churning animal deaths in this survival novel so proceed with caution. ...more
Well this was an interesting and dark take on the legend of Robin Hood.
I thought Tim tried to weave in too many elements and the novel is pretty lengWell this was an interesting and dark take on the legend of Robin Hood.
I thought Tim tried to weave in too many elements and the novel is pretty lengthy as a result. I often comment on some YA books needing to be edited in order to make them more engaging and therefore have less opportunities for Readers to lose interest, and this is another case of that. I think this book will appeal to teens however, I believe that many will be put off by the length. I know this based on years of working in a high school library. I am not talking about experienced Readers in this instance by the way, I talking about those teens new to reading, or pressed for time, or those for whom reading is a challenge. Size matters. So when I see a relatively engaging story bogged down by extraneous subplots then I do think it's a bit of a shame because it reduces the potential audience.
Gripes about length aside, it was a good book. No tights in sight here but instead a dark and deeply disturbed Robin lurks in the Winter forest waiting to exact revenge upon those who wronged him. Our Maid Marion is headstrong, intelligent and prepared to take down the corrupt Sheriff. I didn't like the weird forest nymph thing subplot at all. That could have been axed. I think this has an audience at my school and I look forward to booktalking it....more
CW: It's pretty violent in parts (view spoiler)[son believes father committed suicide so there are a few references to that throughout, cannibalism (rCW: It's pretty violent in parts (view spoiler)[son believes father committed suicide so there are a few references to that throughout, cannibalism (ref only) (hide spoiler)]
Well that was relentless action with some major Mad Max vibes, yet something was missing.
I can't quite pinpoint why this ended up 'good' as opposed to 'great', but I suspect it's because for most of the story the 'good guys' felt a little bit flat. It was maybe in the last quarter that I actually felt any kind of hope that they might make it out of the many...like numerous...fight for survival situations. It's a pretty grim future that David has created but I don't think I got enough of a feel for the world as the fast pace meant interesting elements were mentioned, but never fully developed. I do think this will have a lot of appeal so am happy to add it to my booktalk shelves....more
Well this was a good entry level YA scifi-dystopia.
By entry level I mean perfect for a young adult who is a less experienced reader and in particular of dystopian novels. It was predictable, there was a lot of explaining of the world and the science, and the characters and tropes were stereotypical for this genre. The story was engaging with some good twists and turns. It reminded me a bit of the exceptional Hugo and Nebula Winning Novella Beggars in Spain, with it's exploration and discussion of genetically engineering babies to create perfect humans. I will definitely be ordering a copy for the library....more
CW:(view spoiler)[abduction and drugging of children, horrific cult-like murders of young children, some sexual references (hide spoiler)]
Wel4.5 Stars
CW:(view spoiler)[abduction and drugging of children, horrific cult-like murders of young children, some sexual references (hide spoiler)]
Well the truth is definitely out there that I have always been a huge fan of all things X-Files!
I loved the TV show and of course David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson ARE Mulder and Scully. This Mulder origin story was, in my opinion, spot on in terms of Mulder's personality. The case itself was grimly gripping and the murder mystery element was incredibly well done. It is quite dark and fast paced so it will have a lot of appeal in a high school. As it is an origin story it won't matter that today's teens may not have watched the X-Files as no prior knowledge is necessary to understand the novel. Loved it! ...more
This fast paced thriller, whilst unrealistic, was incredibly engaging and I think it will be popular in the high school library I work at. I would have to say this is absolutely my favourite YA book by Alan Gratz. I look forward to recommending this in my booktalks....more
Well this is the longest it has ever taken me to finish a book.
There were so many positive aspects to this novel but the pacing was off for me and itWell this is the longest it has ever taken me to finish a book.
There were so many positive aspects to this novel but the pacing was off for me and it was quite a hectic plot. New characters kept popping up and disappearing with random creature attacks throughout the book to add a bit of action, and lots of old men telling stories where we find out about other things that are going on elsewhere or in the past, and then suddenly we are back in another crazy fight for survival. Phew! The result was a story that felt disjointed with too much going on for readers to really settle in the story. I kept picking it up and putting it down. I got there in the end but it won't make it to my booktalk shelves. ...more
Well this was surprisingly gory with heaps of bloody deaths!
I actually really liked the concept and enjoyed the story, however, Jamie isn't a3.5 Stars
Well this was surprisingly gory with heaps of bloody deaths!
I actually really liked the concept and enjoyed the story, however, Jamie isn't a particularly likeable character with his tantrum type outbursts. The situation is quite stressful with his mum kidnapped and the vampire blood baths happening in front of him so emotions are absolutely running high. I am interested to see what happens so will eventually continue on to book two but it won't be at the top of my TBR. ...more
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this as I am on a mission to find engaging books with high sch3.5 Stars
Well that was a great action fantasy novel!
I am thrilled to have stumbled upon this as I am on a mission to find engaging books with high school aged male protagonists. These seem to be few and far apart. There are a bunch of well known and well loved ones, but not too many beyond that list. The main character is 13 so this is suitable for NZ Y7 - Y9.
The story is not new, however, it feels quite a bit darker than the likes of Harry Potter. There is a great balance between action and character development and some 'edge of seat' type tension in some places. Excellent addition to our library!...more
CW: (view spoiler)[Medical experiments, torture, loss of loved ones, attempted sexual assault, women treated as property (hide spoiler)]
Well sadly thiCW: (view spoiler)[Medical experiments, torture, loss of loved ones, attempted sexual assault, women treated as property (hide spoiler)]
Well sadly this was not as engaging as book one. The romance storyline felt forced, fast and, quite frankly, awkward. The menacing characters were also a bit overcooked. The conclusion was satisfying in terms of tying up the duology but in the end, this fell flat for me....see what I did there?...more
Well I am thrilled to have read one of the 'granddaddies' of alien invasion books.
It was amazing to read the book that inspired other science fictionWell I am thrilled to have read one of the 'granddaddies' of alien invasion books.
It was amazing to read the book that inspired other science fiction writers and movie makers and I was literally naming books and movies that I could see may have been inspired by this great novel. I did a little bit of reading about the novel and the time period it was written in, and it was fascinating to see that the invasion storyline was possibly due to feelings of unease in a time of British imperialism, and may have reflected fears that someone could do to Britain what they were doing to other nations. So many themes and ideas to contemplate in this novel. Interesting stuff!...more
Well that was actually pretty entertaining and quite engrossing!
Now I am in the awful position where I really want to read bo3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
Well that was actually pretty entertaining and quite engrossing!
Now I am in the awful position where I really want to read book three, however, it doesn't exist yet with no news of whether the author intends to continue with this series.
Hey there S.E. Smith,
Great work on the Dust series. Any word on book three?
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