THE ACCUSED

By John Grisham   (LWH)

This is the third book in the great new YA fiction 'Theodore Boone' series, by John Grisham. The series is aimed at 8-13 yr olds so its not a super complicated read or plot for those wanting to get into crime thriller novels. Although this book follows on from the other two in the series you can certainly read it as a stand alone novel.

Theo is a bit of a whiz with law, both his parents being lawyers, and he often helps out friends when called upon. However the tables are turned when Theo is accused of a crime of theft and all the evidence leads to him being guilty. He is being set up and must try to find evidence to show the Police he is innocent. Someone is slashing his tyres and breaking into his locker but he has no idea who could be doing this to him or why. There is also another story woven through the book, continued from the previous books, about a man who is on a murder trial but suddenly goes missing. There is lots going on to take your attention. I'm sure teens will love this series and will be greatly anticipating the next book to come.

TIGER'S QUEST

by Colleen Houck   (LWH)

This is the second book in the Tiger Saga series which finds Kelsey settling into life back in Oregon, going to College and trying to forget Ren. This is short lived however, as she soon must return to India and start another quest to save Ren, who has been taken hostage by evil Lokesh, and help Ren's brother, Kishan, who is also under the same curse.

Although I enjoyed the story, it didn't capture me as much as the first book, but that could've been partly due to reading it in several sittings over a few months, rather than in a couple of days. The story is still full of adventure and finding clues to aid her, and Kishan this time, to continue her quest to break the curse on the Princes. Danger is around every corner and Kelsey must use all her faith she can muster to continue along the path. Once again the ending left you up in the air a little so you can't wait to explore book #3. 

GONE

GONE  by Michael Grant    (LWH)

Book blurb:   In the blink of an eye. Everyone 15 yrs and older disappears. GONE.  Not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your 15^th birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

 

The story transpires in a small town of Perdido Beach (Southern California). In a twinkling of an eye everyone over the age of 15 vanishes – poof! Teachers in mid-sentence, drivers in cars, parents… all gone, but where? It is an intriguing start to the novel and at first the children at school seem thrilled as they ransack the school of food and drink, until panic sets in, interestingly thought it’s not until they realize their cell phones and the internet no longer work that they truly become FREAKED! There is at least electricity.

They soon discover the whole town and its environs have been isolated from the world by an egg-shaped force-field. Our reluctant hero, Sam Templeton (an ordinary unassuming guy), and his friends Astrid, Quinn and Edilio assume responsibility for holding anarchy at bay. The smaller children in the community must be sought out and looked after and fed with no parents around and as panic has totally set it by now.  Mary takes charge of the pre-school nursery, Albert  reopens McDonald's, aware that the availability of burgers and fries will keep the 200 odd children fed for the time being. As hunger eventually threatens, new problems arise as bullies rule, a sinister creature lurks and animals are mutating. 

The teens themselves are changing, developing new talent - unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers, that grow stronger by the day that they don’t know how to use or why they have them. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out for those about to turn 15. Before long a convoy of cars from Coates Academy creeps into town. Coates is a residential school for "difficult/weird” children. The leader of the contingent is Caine, a charismatic boy who assumes power. He is, of course, bad, and soon enough a battle between Sam and Caine, Good and Evil, develops.

Interestingly Michael Grant questions "What can we write to lure boys away from their PlayStations and Xboxes?" His answer  "Books that are prose versions of games".

My fav line in book:  Albert goes to the library to research as there is no internet. He found a set of encylopedias - "It's like Wikipedia, but paper and very bulky ... It was exactly like following hyperlinks, but slower, and with more lifting."

MOVIE TRAILERS AND INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ON NEXT PAGE...

H.I.V.E. ZERO HOUR

H.I.V.E.  ZERO HOUR   by Mark Walden

(HIGHER INSTITUTION OF VILLAINOUS EDUCATION)

(Review by:  Zac Abbott)

This is the sixth book in the H.I.V.E. series. It is a very enjoyable book with a couple of laughts and it is a very involved book with a storyline that takes you around the world. The main character is a boy named Otto Malpense and he was created to be a home for the A.I. Overlord who is evil. The book is based around his adventures with his friends and his mentor Nero.

Book rating:  8/10

Book Blurb: Otto Malpense is in peril. The evil A.I. Overlord has developed the ability to move from body to body, but only Otto can contain him and survive. Overloard will cease at nothing to locate him. Then no one will be able to stop him. Nero must activate Zero Hour, a plan designed to elimate any villian on the brink of global dominatin. Nero also knows that Otto must not be allowed to fall into the Overlord's hands. The stage is set for a final battle.

To find out more about the other books in the HIVE series click here

H.I.V.E.
1. H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education (2006)
2. The Overlord Protocol (2007)
3. Escape Velocity (2008)
4. Dreadnought (2009)
5. Rogue (2010)
6. Zero Hour (2010)
7. Aftershock (2011)

About the author:  After spending ten years as a video games designer and producer Mark has recently left the games industry to write and be a full-time dad to his daughter Megan. He studied at Newcastle University where he received a BA in English Literature and an MA in Twentieth Century Literature, Film and Television. It was here he met his wife, Sarah. H.I.V.E. won the Confident Readers 9+ category in Richard and Judy's Children's Book Club in October 2007.

THE HUNGER GAMES

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins     (LWH)

Wow! I read this on my Kindle and have loved every minute of this fabulous book - the first in a trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I loved it so much I read it in 1 day... just couldn't put it down. I was transported into the future with a story that was a cross between the Truman Show, Gladiators, Surviver and a futuristic war movie all rolled into one. But it did have a lot of blood and guts in this book so if you're squeemish or don't like violence then this book isn't for you.

Katniss Everdeen lives in a world, that's harsh and desolate and must hunt to provide for her family, her mum and little sister, which all live in District 12. All twelve of  the districts are ruled by an evil president living in Capitol. Each year  a boy and girl are chosen from their district to compete in 'The Hunger Games', where they must compete in a game show and kill  their opponents to survive and be the final victor standing. The winner will then be able to return to their district as a hero. Sixteen year old Katniss must use her hunting skills to beat the other contestants in the arena..it's a fight to the death. The story grips you from the first page and takes you on a ride of emotions. Will Katniss survive and return to her family? What must she DO to survive being killed by her oponents? A nail biting ending! I can't wait to download the next books in the series.

CATCHING FIRE (BK 2 - THE HUNGER GAMES) by Suzanne Collins

The story continues as Katniss and her fellow contestant from District 12, Peeta, return to what they think will be a peaceful future. However, their survival in 'The Hunger Games' has embarrased the Captial and caused rebellion within some of the Districts, so now the Capitol are out for revenge. A cruel twist arises when both Katniss and Peeta are forced back into 'The Hunger Games' to compete again, this time with the victors from the past years. They must convince the world that they are still both in love. Can they survive a second time in the arena? This book was equally as exciting as the first and I read it in a day also. I've already downloaded the next edition. Glad I've got the Kindle to get it instantly... I just can't wait for the conclusion!

MOCKINGJAY (BK 3 - THE HUNGER GAMES) by Suzanne Collins



The third book in the trilogy and I haven't been disappointed. Katniss us up against the Capital this time involving not just herself but all the Districts as the rebellion goes on as Katniss must regain her strength and become the 'Mockingjay' they are all pinning their hopes on. Having survived 'The Hunger Games' twice before it is not just a matter of her own survival this time. Can she do it? Who is on her side and who has been betraying her all along?  Another book that I just coudn't put down, I had to keep reading to find out how it ends. So glad they are making it into a movie - I can't wait!

Watch the movie trailer below... can't wait to see the movie - March 2012!

Watch the movie trailer below... can't wait to see the movie - March 2012!