Archive 12+ : 2009
Calamity Jack by Shannon & Dean Hale (Graphic Novel)
Jack’s a city boy gone off the rails. With a head full of schemes he unfortunately puts them to use for a life of petty crime and trouble making. So when a daring plot involving a magic beanstalk, a golden egg laying goose and lots of giants goes horribly wrong, it’s time for Jack to hotfoot it out of town. His following adventures have been told in the excellent Rapunzel’s Revenge and this new book picks up where that one left off. Jack and Rapunzel have returned to his old home and he’s intent on making things right, making amends for the damage he caused and to convince his mother that he’s not so bad after all. But when they get there things are terribly wrong and the city has been devastated by a plague of giant ants. The only thing that’s holding back the attackers is an army of giants led by Jack’s old enemy, the giant Blunderboar, who now controls the city. Worst of all Blunderboar has taken Jack’s mother prisoner! There’s only one thing for it, the two heroes must somehow break into the giants impenetrable tower and rescue her. As even more of Blunderboar’s evil plans come to light, one young journalist believes that only the giants competitors fall victim to attacks from the ants, usually resulting in the complete destruction of all they own. Could the invaders and the giants be in cahoots? There’s only one way to find out and it’s going to involve a brilliant plan, plenty of action and knowing Jack, quite a bit of bad luck.
For those who haven’t read Rapunzel’s Revenge don’t worry, this is easily accessible as a stand alone book. Whereas the last adventure focused mainly on Rapunzel, the follow-up features Jack and his quest for redemption. We are witness to his fears, his hopes and a developing romantic feeling for his friend as his character is fleshed out and given life. We learn more about his background and encounter old friends and enemies. Unfortunately for some fans of the series this is to the expense of Rapunzel but Jack is such a great character that I’m sure nobody remains disappointed for long.
Shannon and Dean Hale have really blown new life into the old fairy tales and thanks to their excellent fast paced plotlines and hilarious dialogue, these stories have been made accessible to all. It’s all to easy for modern twists to old tales to go horribly wrong but somehow the authors have not only avoided the pitfalls but have given the stories a new and exciting dimension. There are some fantastic new characters and monsters, the best of which is Freddie, the gadget obsessed journalist, who supplies many of the story’s funny moments with his often clumsy and unsuccessful attempts to help. The book is riddled with hilarious jokes and one liners so be prepared to laugh.
Finally we come to the illustrations. Nathan Hale has done an astounding job with some terrifically eye catching drawings. There is a great deal of attention paid to detail which really makes the world seem lifelike, even the monsters. The pictures are colourful, funny and really add to the story instead of just depicting it. No matter how many times you read this book you’ll always notice something new.
Our thanks to Bloomsbury for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
For those who haven’t read Rapunzel’s Revenge don’t worry, this is easily accessible as a stand alone book. Whereas the last adventure focused mainly on Rapunzel, the follow-up features Jack and his quest for redemption. We are witness to his fears, his hopes and a developing romantic feeling for his friend as his character is fleshed out and given life. We learn more about his background and encounter old friends and enemies. Unfortunately for some fans of the series this is to the expense of Rapunzel but Jack is such a great character that I’m sure nobody remains disappointed for long.
Shannon and Dean Hale have really blown new life into the old fairy tales and thanks to their excellent fast paced plotlines and hilarious dialogue, these stories have been made accessible to all. It’s all to easy for modern twists to old tales to go horribly wrong but somehow the authors have not only avoided the pitfalls but have given the stories a new and exciting dimension. There are some fantastic new characters and monsters, the best of which is Freddie, the gadget obsessed journalist, who supplies many of the story’s funny moments with his often clumsy and unsuccessful attempts to help. The book is riddled with hilarious jokes and one liners so be prepared to laugh.
Finally we come to the illustrations. Nathan Hale has done an astounding job with some terrifically eye catching drawings. There is a great deal of attention paid to detail which really makes the world seem lifelike, even the monsters. The pictures are colourful, funny and really add to the story instead of just depicting it. No matter how many times you read this book you’ll always notice something new.
Our thanks to Bloomsbury for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
The Stone Crown by Malcolm Walker
Emlyn and Maxine are two teenagers who feel very much like outsiders in the Scottish town of Yeaveburgh. Both have had to return to the place they were born after a family disaster. For Emlyn, it’s his father who went insane and is now locked up in a care home. Maxine’s mum died of a drug overdose and she has returned to live with her grandmother. They have one other thing in common. Both are drawn to the ancient site, Sleeper’s Spinney, that houses an old tomb.
What they don’t know is that this is the resting place of the legendary Arthur and his guard. Twenty wooden carvings of horsemen contain the spirits of ancient warriors. These aren’t the Knights of the Round Table but older, darker and more savage beings shrouded in dark magic. If they were to return to the world they would cause only violence and death. For centuries they have been guarded by the McCrossan family who keep them trapped and hidden. When Emlyn and Maxine steal one of the figures they unleash a power they can not understand. They face a struggle on two fronts, on one side they must deal with the malevolent McCrossans and on the other they must somehow hold back the tide of darkness they have unleashed. This is a much different Arthur to the one we all know and a different tale of the King, Merlin and the knights is slowly unveiled.
This is a very interesting take on the Arthur legend. It’s a much darker world than one you might expect, with the Scottish countryside providing the perfect ancient, powerful and brooding backdrop to the tale. Taking this into account, the magic involved is not the flashy wand waving stuff of Harry Potter but more of a mystic sort that draws upon the power of the very earth itself. Runes, chanting rituals and dark forest gods are the basis for power here, with Merlin as the strongest of Druids and very much in tune with nature. Greedy, violent and foolish, the dashing and heroic characters of the legends are nowhere to be seen here as they are manipulated and trapped for eternity.
The main characters of the story however are very different. Emlyn and Maxine are a likable pair both struggling with their own issues. Emlyn is shy and dreamy and easily falls into the mystic world of Arthur, whereas Max is spiky and aggressive, a girl very much of the times. Both show tremendous courage and resourcefulness in the face of adversity and danger and you can’t help but feel pity for them as their sorry home lives are revealed.
If you’re a fan of the Arthur sagas or just like historical fiction then you really might like to give this a try.
Our thanks to Walker for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
What they don’t know is that this is the resting place of the legendary Arthur and his guard. Twenty wooden carvings of horsemen contain the spirits of ancient warriors. These aren’t the Knights of the Round Table but older, darker and more savage beings shrouded in dark magic. If they were to return to the world they would cause only violence and death. For centuries they have been guarded by the McCrossan family who keep them trapped and hidden. When Emlyn and Maxine steal one of the figures they unleash a power they can not understand. They face a struggle on two fronts, on one side they must deal with the malevolent McCrossans and on the other they must somehow hold back the tide of darkness they have unleashed. This is a much different Arthur to the one we all know and a different tale of the King, Merlin and the knights is slowly unveiled.
This is a very interesting take on the Arthur legend. It’s a much darker world than one you might expect, with the Scottish countryside providing the perfect ancient, powerful and brooding backdrop to the tale. Taking this into account, the magic involved is not the flashy wand waving stuff of Harry Potter but more of a mystic sort that draws upon the power of the very earth itself. Runes, chanting rituals and dark forest gods are the basis for power here, with Merlin as the strongest of Druids and very much in tune with nature. Greedy, violent and foolish, the dashing and heroic characters of the legends are nowhere to be seen here as they are manipulated and trapped for eternity.
The main characters of the story however are very different. Emlyn and Maxine are a likable pair both struggling with their own issues. Emlyn is shy and dreamy and easily falls into the mystic world of Arthur, whereas Max is spiky and aggressive, a girl very much of the times. Both show tremendous courage and resourcefulness in the face of adversity and danger and you can’t help but feel pity for them as their sorry home lives are revealed.
If you’re a fan of the Arthur sagas or just like historical fiction then you really might like to give this a try.
Our thanks to Walker for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff.
On the morning of her wedding, Pell leaves her bed before any of her family wakes. She gathers her belongings, lays out her wedding dress and leaves. Taking her horse, Jack and her mute brother Bean, who refuses to be left behind, she abandons the life of misery and servitude that she saw her mother lead after marriage. A few years of hardship and motherhood before an inevitable early death is not her idea of a golden future, so she has decided break free. The trio head for the town of Salisbury and the huge horse fair where Pell hopes to find work. Things don't turn out quite like she planned and before long she's not only penniless but has also lost her brother and horse. What follows is a long and exhausting journey to somehow retrieve them. On her travels she comes across a taciturn poacher called Dogman and before long is living in his cowshed. Romance blooms when he finds her injured after being beaten. But with Bean still lost and more tragedies heading her way, there is little chance of rest for Pell who has a harsh lesson to learn; sometimes your decisions can have unforeseen and terrible consequences.
As usual, Meg Rosoff has crafted a beautifully written story. At times it is so realistic you almost feel like you're standing at Pell's shoulder. You can also expect plenty of twists and turns to the plot with a rather mysterious gypsy woman holding the key to the final conclusion. In fact, the plot is so intertwined that most events are sparked by the same few characters who are all frailly linked together.
There is a beautiful and yet serene love story to The Bride's Farewell. If you're expecting passionate embraces and agonised feelings then you will be disappointed as with all the tragedies that occur in her life, Pell takes everything on the chin. Despite the story being very sad in places, it never falls into bleakness and is more often than not a bittersweet experience.
A strong moral aspect of the book highlights the small mindedness of others as many lead bitter enclosed lives, resenting those who have the courage to make something better of themselves.
There is a real gem hidden here which will grow on you in rather a disquieting way. It works on you in the reading, and it could take a few days before you realise just how much you enjoyed it.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
As usual, Meg Rosoff has crafted a beautifully written story. At times it is so realistic you almost feel like you're standing at Pell's shoulder. You can also expect plenty of twists and turns to the plot with a rather mysterious gypsy woman holding the key to the final conclusion. In fact, the plot is so intertwined that most events are sparked by the same few characters who are all frailly linked together.
There is a beautiful and yet serene love story to The Bride's Farewell. If you're expecting passionate embraces and agonised feelings then you will be disappointed as with all the tragedies that occur in her life, Pell takes everything on the chin. Despite the story being very sad in places, it never falls into bleakness and is more often than not a bittersweet experience.
A strong moral aspect of the book highlights the small mindedness of others as many lead bitter enclosed lives, resenting those who have the courage to make something better of themselves.
There is a real gem hidden here which will grow on you in rather a disquieting way. It works on you in the reading, and it could take a few days before you realise just how much you enjoyed it.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
The Enemy by Charlie Higson
The World has turned upside down. A new plague has spread across the globe, it's origins are unknown but the consequences are all too obvious. Everyone over 14 has been infected and are either dead or dying. Some are infected, but still, in a way, alive. Rotting, mutilated and devoid of intelligence and emotions, they wonder the streets of London in packs looking for food of any kind, food which includes the children desperately trying to survive in this new apocalyptic world. Arran is the leader of the Waitrose kids. Sick and tired of watching those under his charge get picked off one by one, he dreams of leading them away to a better place and maybe getting to know his second in command, Maxie, a bit better. When a kid bringing news of a place of safety is rescued, Arran jumps at the opportunity. Together with the Morrison's crew they set off across the city in the hope of reaching Buckingham Palace. Trouble hits them almost immediately when a huge army of infected adults launch a vicious attack. In the violent battle that follows Arran is killed, leaving Maxie and the Morrisons leader Blue to guide the kids to safety.
When the group arrive at the palace it finally looks like their problems are over as the Palace gang and their chief, David, welcome them with open arms. But Maxie has serious doubts when their smug host tells them of his plan to rule London and to use his new recruits as his army to subdue both adults and rival kids. Has she taken her charges from one hell straight into another?
This is a new series in the post-apocalyptic genre and Charlie Higson does not pull his punches as he describes the horrors on the streets of London. Zombie-like adults preying on anything that moves clash with feral children who are struggling to retain any vestiges of their humanity. The conflict is violent and bloody and is described with plenty of gruesome detail. Higson has added other monstrosities to this world, such as the adult couple who have somehow avoided the infection and yet keep and butcher children like animals for food. Finally there is the struggle between the children themselves that is reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies and is no less bitter than their war against the adults. All this conflict is adrenaline-inducing and gripping.
Among all this gore however lies a brilliant, well paced and intelligent story. The characters, including some strong female ones, are believable and likeable with some very real emotions and feelings. Their struggles with the world and themselves will draw you to them so that you will pay more attention to the interaction between the characters rather than the zombie fuelled action. The children's gallows-humour, along with some almost surreal and memorable moments such a raid on a Selfridges clothes store and some entertaining dialogue, give the book a funny side that neatly lessens some of the tension.
Full of emotion and grief this is not a book for the faint hearted as the kids can and do die, often in horrible ways. Higson has created an intelligent and tense read that will leave you desperate for more as he leaves so many questions and secrets for the next book. The Enemy might even be better than Michael Grant's Gone and I for one cannot wait for the next addition.
Our thanks to Puffin for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
When the group arrive at the palace it finally looks like their problems are over as the Palace gang and their chief, David, welcome them with open arms. But Maxie has serious doubts when their smug host tells them of his plan to rule London and to use his new recruits as his army to subdue both adults and rival kids. Has she taken her charges from one hell straight into another?
This is a new series in the post-apocalyptic genre and Charlie Higson does not pull his punches as he describes the horrors on the streets of London. Zombie-like adults preying on anything that moves clash with feral children who are struggling to retain any vestiges of their humanity. The conflict is violent and bloody and is described with plenty of gruesome detail. Higson has added other monstrosities to this world, such as the adult couple who have somehow avoided the infection and yet keep and butcher children like animals for food. Finally there is the struggle between the children themselves that is reminiscent of The Lord of the Flies and is no less bitter than their war against the adults. All this conflict is adrenaline-inducing and gripping.
Among all this gore however lies a brilliant, well paced and intelligent story. The characters, including some strong female ones, are believable and likeable with some very real emotions and feelings. Their struggles with the world and themselves will draw you to them so that you will pay more attention to the interaction between the characters rather than the zombie fuelled action. The children's gallows-humour, along with some almost surreal and memorable moments such a raid on a Selfridges clothes store and some entertaining dialogue, give the book a funny side that neatly lessens some of the tension.
Full of emotion and grief this is not a book for the faint hearted as the kids can and do die, often in horrible ways. Higson has created an intelligent and tense read that will leave you desperate for more as he leaves so many questions and secrets for the next book. The Enemy might even be better than Michael Grant's Gone and I for one cannot wait for the next addition.
Our thanks to Puffin for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
Battleground by Chris Ryan
Ben Tracy is on a school trip to Pakistan with his classmates and his environmental activist mother. While he is busy absorbing the culture and lifestyle of his new surroundings his mum will be crossing the border into Afghanistan, where she will be busy instructing tribespeople in modern farming. On his first day things go very wrong for Ben when he and a girl called Aarya are kidnapped by the Taliban after they witness the transportation of a secret weapon. Trussed up and thrown in the back of a van, the two are carried into war torn Afghanistan where their captors will use a nuclear bomb to destroy a huge dam, aiming to kill thousands. The SAS are already out searching for the Taliban after hearing of a secret plan. When Ben escapes he must tell them all he knows if they will have any chance of saving all those people in time as well as Aarya, who is still held prisoner. It's a race against time as Ben and four crack troops hurry to find one lone terrorist before it is too late. To make matters worse Ben receives word that his mum is trapped inside an army base under siege with no way of getting out and all reinforcements directed towards the nuclear threat.
This is an interesting novel as it focuses on the war in Afghanistan and will give young readers a view into the harsh realities of warfare and the problems faced not only by the soldiers on the front line but also by the local population. There is a particular emphasis on the lives led by women under the Taliban regime as Aarya tells of the hardships her aunt has suffered. Letting young people know of the difficulties outside the borders of our own relatively safe country is very much worthwhile, especially with so many seeing friends and family leave to fight in Afghanistan. The army receives a glowing tribute with individual bravery particularly highlighted. There is also mention of many of the problems faced by the troops such a the lack of equipment, especially helicopters.
All these things however do not make up for the story itself. Strangely it is not the nuclear bomb threat that makes the plot unbelievable, but Ben's involvement in the action. He is not a character you can find any affection for and his big mouth and arrogance not only land him in trouble in the first place but also sink him ever deeper. Despite this he still makes a series of badly judged escape attempts while constantly striving to outsmart his opponents. He isn't resourceful and clever like Alex Rider or as suave and dangerous as the young James Bond. He is barely involved in any action and his main method of investigation is to trick the main evil villain into bragging about his plans. This works over and over and over again. Another problem is that the Taliban are portrayed as incredibly stupid, two dimensional enemies, capable of being outwitted by a mere fourteen year old boy with no skills, brains or the usual high tech gadgets! It's not until the involvement of the SAS that things begin to get a bit more exciting as they ruthlessly eliminate the enemy to hunt down the bomb. Cue a terrifying drive through a mine field and a last second race to diffuse the nuke.
Chris Ryan obviously has a wealth of knowledge of warfare which he uses to good effect. Grisly fight scenes, detailed weapon descriptions and army slang help to create a believable world where boys little older than the target age range for this book are immersed in a fight for their lives. It's just a shame that awful characters and a weak plot stops the reader suspending their disbelief and diving into a promising story.
Our thanks to Random House for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
This is an interesting novel as it focuses on the war in Afghanistan and will give young readers a view into the harsh realities of warfare and the problems faced not only by the soldiers on the front line but also by the local population. There is a particular emphasis on the lives led by women under the Taliban regime as Aarya tells of the hardships her aunt has suffered. Letting young people know of the difficulties outside the borders of our own relatively safe country is very much worthwhile, especially with so many seeing friends and family leave to fight in Afghanistan. The army receives a glowing tribute with individual bravery particularly highlighted. There is also mention of many of the problems faced by the troops such a the lack of equipment, especially helicopters.
All these things however do not make up for the story itself. Strangely it is not the nuclear bomb threat that makes the plot unbelievable, but Ben's involvement in the action. He is not a character you can find any affection for and his big mouth and arrogance not only land him in trouble in the first place but also sink him ever deeper. Despite this he still makes a series of badly judged escape attempts while constantly striving to outsmart his opponents. He isn't resourceful and clever like Alex Rider or as suave and dangerous as the young James Bond. He is barely involved in any action and his main method of investigation is to trick the main evil villain into bragging about his plans. This works over and over and over again. Another problem is that the Taliban are portrayed as incredibly stupid, two dimensional enemies, capable of being outwitted by a mere fourteen year old boy with no skills, brains or the usual high tech gadgets! It's not until the involvement of the SAS that things begin to get a bit more exciting as they ruthlessly eliminate the enemy to hunt down the bomb. Cue a terrifying drive through a mine field and a last second race to diffuse the nuke.
Chris Ryan obviously has a wealth of knowledge of warfare which he uses to good effect. Grisly fight scenes, detailed weapon descriptions and army slang help to create a believable world where boys little older than the target age range for this book are immersed in a fight for their lives. It's just a shame that awful characters and a weak plot stops the reader suspending their disbelief and diving into a promising story.
Our thanks to Random House for sending us a copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
Wolf Cry by Julia Golding
After a Viking raid on her father's home Freydis is left for dead and her brother Toki is taken prisoner. Their father vows to avenge his family and sets out to find and save his son, taking his now crippled daughter with him. She is given a slave to care for her, Enno, a proud African warrior who despises all Vikings and refuses to accept his condition as slave. As the chase takes them to foreign lands they are drawn together by loneliness and love but also by a prophecy which announces that only they can save the lives of an entire tribe.
Wolf Cry should be a popular book to those children who enjoy historical fiction. It is rich in historical detail and weaves its tale around real facts such as the battle between Harald Fairhair and rival Jarls, which made him the first king of Norway. Different cultures are well portrayed and give the story a realistic feeling that is essential to good historic fiction. In fact cultural identity is one of the main themes as the young African slave struggles to adapt to this cold and harsh world where he is seen as nothing but a possession and all the things he once held dear are ridiculed.
There is plenty of excitement in this story as Toki and Freydis are involved in chases and battles and the tale even includes a fighting bear. Despite these episodes the story is really about the feelings that blossom between Freydis and Enno, a love that will require the ultimate sacrifice.
A downside that became more obvious as the story progressed however was the feeling that the women portrayed by the book could have been more involved. Instead, they constantly take a backseat role as they waited helplessly for the men to protect them. Freydis' injury seems to serve no purpose other than to make her vulnerable, there is no real struggle to adjust to her situation just a rapid acceptance of her need to be cared for. Even previously feisty and strong female characters allow themselves to be convinced to stay in safety while the men folk go to war. All in all there is a real lack of character development which makes it very hard to become attached to any of them. We feel that this would appeal to children who enjoy historical fiction or would like an easy, fictional ease into the world of the Vikings, but the poor character development will stop this book from becoming a firm favourite.
Our thanks to OUP for our review copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
Wolf Cry should be a popular book to those children who enjoy historical fiction. It is rich in historical detail and weaves its tale around real facts such as the battle between Harald Fairhair and rival Jarls, which made him the first king of Norway. Different cultures are well portrayed and give the story a realistic feeling that is essential to good historic fiction. In fact cultural identity is one of the main themes as the young African slave struggles to adapt to this cold and harsh world where he is seen as nothing but a possession and all the things he once held dear are ridiculed.
There is plenty of excitement in this story as Toki and Freydis are involved in chases and battles and the tale even includes a fighting bear. Despite these episodes the story is really about the feelings that blossom between Freydis and Enno, a love that will require the ultimate sacrifice.
A downside that became more obvious as the story progressed however was the feeling that the women portrayed by the book could have been more involved. Instead, they constantly take a backseat role as they waited helplessly for the men to protect them. Freydis' injury seems to serve no purpose other than to make her vulnerable, there is no real struggle to adjust to her situation just a rapid acceptance of her need to be cared for. Even previously feisty and strong female characters allow themselves to be convinced to stay in safety while the men folk go to war. All in all there is a real lack of character development which makes it very hard to become attached to any of them. We feel that this would appeal to children who enjoy historical fiction or would like an easy, fictional ease into the world of the Vikings, but the poor character development will stop this book from becoming a firm favourite.
Our thanks to OUP for our review copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Nobody Owens' story starts with the murder of his parents and older sister. A man named Jack creeps in one night with the intention of killing the entire family. Only the toddler survives, trotting up a hill to the nearby cemetery where he is taken in by the most unlikely of carers, an entire community of ghosts and his new guardian Silas. Granted the Freedom of the Graveyard, Nobody, or Bod for short, grows up there amongst life's dear departed, learning skills only the dead possess. Life is by no means boring for the child as he encounters a witch, ghouls and other creatures both strange and frightening. Bod cannot remain confined forever but danger still exists from the murderer of his family, hunting for the child that once escaped him. The day will soon arrive when their paths will cross again.
Influenced by Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, Bod's tale is a series of episodes from the life of a growing boy. Each of these could almost be read as a stand alone story but are all drawn together masterfully by Gaiman towards the end of the story. The book’s atmosphere is tenebrous and gloomy which befits its sombre setting but there is also a fantastic feeling of wonder and enchantment about The Graveyard Book. Neil Gaiman deftly weaves a tale that is surprisingly gentle and tender but at the same time full of optimistic adventure and excitement. Life and death are thinly separated here and more than once you will be left saddened by events as the young boy must mature and learn the harsh realities of life outside the safety of his home and yet there is a sense of optimism as Bod makes his rite of passage from his childhood home to a new life.
Our thanks to Bloomsbury for our review copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
Influenced by Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, Bod's tale is a series of episodes from the life of a growing boy. Each of these could almost be read as a stand alone story but are all drawn together masterfully by Gaiman towards the end of the story. The book’s atmosphere is tenebrous and gloomy which befits its sombre setting but there is also a fantastic feeling of wonder and enchantment about The Graveyard Book. Neil Gaiman deftly weaves a tale that is surprisingly gentle and tender but at the same time full of optimistic adventure and excitement. Life and death are thinly separated here and more than once you will be left saddened by events as the young boy must mature and learn the harsh realities of life outside the safety of his home and yet there is a sense of optimism as Bod makes his rite of passage from his childhood home to a new life.
Our thanks to Bloomsbury for our review copy.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
These days, vampires conjure the images of glamour, romance and danger. According to Nina and her friends in the Vampire Support Group the reality is surprisingly different. Their world is a unpleasant place full of illness, boredom and guinea pigs. Nina has been a vampire for over twenty years and hated every minute of it, especially spending her evenings at St Mary's Church with the group learning self affirmation and positive thinking. Things change very quickly when one of their group is killed by an unknown vampire slayer. Nina and her fellow vampires set out to hunt down the killer before he can pick them off one by one, running into a lot more trouble than they had ever imagined.
With the huge rise in popularity of vampire novels recently it's great to have a fresh new approach and humorous take on their myth. As frail and fragile invalids, with many of them collecting illnesses like badges, these vampires are nothing like those that inhabit Stephanie Meyers phenomenal Twilight series. Like Meyer's vampires, these are also vegetarians but there is no hunting for big game here; Nina subsists on guinea pigs and hides in the dark to avoid nose bleeds. We imagined this would slow the story a little, but were pleased to find ourselves proven wrong. The vampire's foibles make the story so much more enjoyable, the characters are quirky and slightly pathetic and yet they still manage to exhibit their own form of bravery. The characters in the Support Group are not as evident as we would have liked, which is a drawback but when they appear they do not fail to entertain. The Vampire Support Group is a good murder mystery with the most unlikely set of detectives and this book has carved out a niche for itself in the growing world of vampire literature. Its quirky characters and unusual take will undoubtedly win it an army of fans.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
With the huge rise in popularity of vampire novels recently it's great to have a fresh new approach and humorous take on their myth. As frail and fragile invalids, with many of them collecting illnesses like badges, these vampires are nothing like those that inhabit Stephanie Meyers phenomenal Twilight series. Like Meyer's vampires, these are also vegetarians but there is no hunting for big game here; Nina subsists on guinea pigs and hides in the dark to avoid nose bleeds. We imagined this would slow the story a little, but were pleased to find ourselves proven wrong. The vampire's foibles make the story so much more enjoyable, the characters are quirky and slightly pathetic and yet they still manage to exhibit their own form of bravery. The characters in the Support Group are not as evident as we would have liked, which is a drawback but when they appear they do not fail to entertain. The Vampire Support Group is a good murder mystery with the most unlikely set of detectives and this book has carved out a niche for itself in the growing world of vampire literature. Its quirky characters and unusual take will undoubtedly win it an army of fans.
Review by James@KidsCompass.
Gone by Michael Grant
At 10:14am, every person over the age of 15 disappears. Vanishes. Gone. Children are left to fend for themselves as best they can until help arrives, the help that Sam is sure will come. Scared and alone, the children spread out to fend for themselves, finding sweets and soda, seeking comfort amongst company. They look to Sam for leadership, Sam who had steered the school bus to safety after the driver's heart attack just years before. However, Sam is not at all certain that he wants lead, especially as he is covering up a secret, a secret that may be related to the disappearance of the adults.
From Coates Academy, the prestigious cliff top school for bright but difficult children, comes a parade of black SUV's driving ominously into town. Out steps Caine, a charismatic, charming boy who quickly presents his plan to run the town in the absence of the adults. He is reasoned and calm and smoothly takes power. Once in place, it becomes painfully clear that Caine is a bully and under his rule, the bullies will have the power. The problem is, since the adults disappeared and an impenetrable dome appeared over the town, kids have been developing special abilities. Sam can do special things, but so can Caine, and so can Caine's group of henchmen.
Its up to Sam and Astrid to fight off Caine and his cronies in time to discover the answers to the impossible events that have happened around them. Time is ticking away quickly, for in just over a week Sam will turn 15 and if he has not found a solution, he will disappear from the world forever. This book is a great modern tale on the question of just how would you cope if your world was turned upside down. Absolutely fascinating, this book is a great choice for young adults and we here at Kid's Compass are on the edge of our seats waiting for the next instalment!
Gone is the first in a new six part series. Due to some scenes, we would suggest that this book is not for readers under 13. We would like to thank Egmont for our review copy.
Reviewed by Joanna@Kidscompass
From Coates Academy, the prestigious cliff top school for bright but difficult children, comes a parade of black SUV's driving ominously into town. Out steps Caine, a charismatic, charming boy who quickly presents his plan to run the town in the absence of the adults. He is reasoned and calm and smoothly takes power. Once in place, it becomes painfully clear that Caine is a bully and under his rule, the bullies will have the power. The problem is, since the adults disappeared and an impenetrable dome appeared over the town, kids have been developing special abilities. Sam can do special things, but so can Caine, and so can Caine's group of henchmen.
Its up to Sam and Astrid to fight off Caine and his cronies in time to discover the answers to the impossible events that have happened around them. Time is ticking away quickly, for in just over a week Sam will turn 15 and if he has not found a solution, he will disappear from the world forever. This book is a great modern tale on the question of just how would you cope if your world was turned upside down. Absolutely fascinating, this book is a great choice for young adults and we here at Kid's Compass are on the edge of our seats waiting for the next instalment!
Gone is the first in a new six part series. Due to some scenes, we would suggest that this book is not for readers under 13. We would like to thank Egmont for our review copy.
Reviewed by Joanna@Kidscompass
Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
Eighteen year old Fergus lives in Ireland in 1981 at the peak of the Troubles consuming his country. Digging for contraband peat early one morning with his Uncle Tally he uncovers the body of a young girl buried in the mud. Dating back to the Iron Age, the body has a noose around its neck and seems to have been the victim of brutal execution. Fergus, however, has his own problems. His brother is on hunger strike in prison, a man he believes to work for a terrorist cell is attempting to recruit him, he's falling in love with Cora the archaeologist's daughter and on top of all that the voice of the dead girl, Mel, is talking to him in his dreams.
A Carnegie Award winner, the posthumously published Bog Child is a work of genius. Beautifully written, there are no jarring notes to this tale as it seamlessly balances the harshness of the situation with the strong emotions running through the story. Fergus is an intelligent and likeable character destined for better things and does not fit into this world of conflict and hate dominated by the violence between the IRA and the British army. His story and Mel's intermingle as the tale nears its climax, both characters confronted by mindless and vicious political issues that will require great personal sacrifice on their part. Personal heroism, political conflict and love are just some of the themes dealt with by the writer in a book that resonates with a real passion for life, reinforcing just what a loss Siobhan Dowd is to the world of teenage fiction.
Reviewed by James@Kid's Compass
Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan
In light of the upcoming release of the Cirque de Freak film in October we thought we would review the first of the series in preparation. A Living Nightmare is the beginning of the macabre tale by Darren Shan, an ordinary school boy until his life is turned upside down when he and his best friend Steve receive an invitation to see the illegal performance of the freak show, Cirque du Freak. There they witness a show like no other, filled with the weird and the frightening. A vicious Wolf Man, a bearded lady, one of the deadliest spiders in the world doing tricks and what appears to be a vampire. After some deft thievery by Darren, Steve’s life is in danger and it is up to his friend to save him. Darren must strike a bargain with the one person who can save him and this person is a creature who only deals in blood.
Darren Shan’s “true story” gives you the feeling of being let into a dark and secret world. Stylishly written, it keeps you turning the pages as the tension mounts. It’s chilling and twisted plot draws you in so that many will feel the need to finish this relatively short book in one sitting. Shan’s life promises to be a strange and thrilling one as the readers of the later stories will know and the first book really started the series off with a bang. The popularity of the saga and the very fact that it is to be made into a film demonstrates just how much the world of the Cirque du Freak series draws readers in. If for some reason you’ve missed out on this book we recommend you read it now before the film makes its appearance!
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
Darren Shan’s “true story” gives you the feeling of being let into a dark and secret world. Stylishly written, it keeps you turning the pages as the tension mounts. It’s chilling and twisted plot draws you in so that many will feel the need to finish this relatively short book in one sitting. Shan’s life promises to be a strange and thrilling one as the readers of the later stories will know and the first book really started the series off with a bang. The popularity of the saga and the very fact that it is to be made into a film demonstrates just how much the world of the Cirque du Freak series draws readers in. If for some reason you’ve missed out on this book we recommend you read it now before the film makes its appearance!
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Attempting to escape from the relentless army from Prentisstown, Todd has carried the injured Viola to the town of Haven and right into the waiting arms of Mayor Prentiss, who has now declared himself president. Immediately separated from her, Todd is imprisoned and forced to learn the often disturbing and violent ways of the President’s new order. Viola, meanwhile, is taken to a hospital of female healers and is quickly swept up by the “Answer” a guerrilla movement of women dedicated to removing the President from power. As the two groups fight to gain control before the new settlers land, Todd and Viola struggle to survive and to make contact with each other once again yet all the while a new danger looms on the horizon.
The Ask and the Answer is an incredible sequel to the first book of the Chaos Walking series, The Knife of Never Letting Go. The story continues where it left off and at no point is the tension eased as the pace of the plot increases. At times bleak and violent, it delves into the topics of ethnic cleansing, female emancipation and terrorism and asks difficult questions about complacency in the face of adversity. The characters are faced with a long string of difficult choices and by no means always take the right route as desperation and despair sets in. This atmosphere is created and enhanced by the truly terrifying presence of the manipulative President. This is a fantastically written novel, and while we must admit we thought The Knife of Never Letting Go could not be bettered, we must also admit that The Ask and the Answer defied our expectations.
While the first book was maybe more enticing to male readers the follow up is more open to both boys and girls as the split narrative between the two main characters gives you a perspective from both Todd and Viola. Ness’s surprising and intuitive style of writing that gave such a breath of originality to his first novel in the series gives a similar lift to this one, and goes a great way to helping readers get into the minds of Todd and Viola. As the themes are a little more openly adult we would recommend this to readers aged thirteen or over.
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
The Ask and the Answer is an incredible sequel to the first book of the Chaos Walking series, The Knife of Never Letting Go. The story continues where it left off and at no point is the tension eased as the pace of the plot increases. At times bleak and violent, it delves into the topics of ethnic cleansing, female emancipation and terrorism and asks difficult questions about complacency in the face of adversity. The characters are faced with a long string of difficult choices and by no means always take the right route as desperation and despair sets in. This atmosphere is created and enhanced by the truly terrifying presence of the manipulative President. This is a fantastically written novel, and while we must admit we thought The Knife of Never Letting Go could not be bettered, we must also admit that The Ask and the Answer defied our expectations.
While the first book was maybe more enticing to male readers the follow up is more open to both boys and girls as the split narrative between the two main characters gives you a perspective from both Todd and Viola. Ness’s surprising and intuitive style of writing that gave such a breath of originality to his first novel in the series gives a similar lift to this one, and goes a great way to helping readers get into the minds of Todd and Viola. As the themes are a little more openly adult we would recommend this to readers aged thirteen or over.
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
This is our first review here at Kid's Compass and we thought that choosing our first book would be a difficult task. It is, after all, a momentous occasion for us! It was a surprise then when the first book we thought of instantly seemed right for the job, because The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness is more than up to the task.
Todd Hewitt is twelve, the last boy in Prentisstown, a town of only men. He lives in a world full of "noise" in which the private thoughts of every man and animal are audible. In one month he will be thirteen and a man. But the town is keeping secrets from him, secrets that will force him to go on the run from the mayor and the men of Prentisstown along with his dog and the first girl he has ever met.
This is quite frankly an astounding novel, quite deserving of the awards Ness has won. It is furiously paced with terrifying, exhilarating and heartbreaking moments, with fantastic cliff-hangers interspersed with philosophical pauses. It is one of those gems that are sometimes found in children's literature; a genuinely original novel that is also well written, grabs hold of the imagination and will not allow you to put it down. You will find yourself growing more and more attached to Todd and Viola as the story and their friendship progresses, and feel genuine affection for Todd's dog and sidekick, Manchee, whose behaviour is both hilarious and heart-warming. At its core it is a story about a boy forced to grow up fast in a world crumbling into madness and armed only with his conviction to do right to help him take on the desperate fight to survive.
The book is aimed at young teenagers, and we would recommend it for readers aged 13 and upwards, but it will also appeal very strongly to adults. I can not rate this highly enough. If the well thought out plot line, characters that lift from the page and the genuinely original idea at the core of the book wasn't enough, Ness's dialogue and style of writing would be enough to recommend this book. If you want to read a truly great piece of children's fiction then this is the one for you.
What the Carnegie Award Judges said:
"A bleak and unflinching novel with fascinating characters and extraordinary dialogue which creates a fully-realised world that the reader realy buys into. The dog Manchee is an inspired creation! Ness conveys a real sense of terror and the ending is devastating. A novel that really stands out."
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
Todd Hewitt is twelve, the last boy in Prentisstown, a town of only men. He lives in a world full of "noise" in which the private thoughts of every man and animal are audible. In one month he will be thirteen and a man. But the town is keeping secrets from him, secrets that will force him to go on the run from the mayor and the men of Prentisstown along with his dog and the first girl he has ever met.
This is quite frankly an astounding novel, quite deserving of the awards Ness has won. It is furiously paced with terrifying, exhilarating and heartbreaking moments, with fantastic cliff-hangers interspersed with philosophical pauses. It is one of those gems that are sometimes found in children's literature; a genuinely original novel that is also well written, grabs hold of the imagination and will not allow you to put it down. You will find yourself growing more and more attached to Todd and Viola as the story and their friendship progresses, and feel genuine affection for Todd's dog and sidekick, Manchee, whose behaviour is both hilarious and heart-warming. At its core it is a story about a boy forced to grow up fast in a world crumbling into madness and armed only with his conviction to do right to help him take on the desperate fight to survive.
The book is aimed at young teenagers, and we would recommend it for readers aged 13 and upwards, but it will also appeal very strongly to adults. I can not rate this highly enough. If the well thought out plot line, characters that lift from the page and the genuinely original idea at the core of the book wasn't enough, Ness's dialogue and style of writing would be enough to recommend this book. If you want to read a truly great piece of children's fiction then this is the one for you.
What the Carnegie Award Judges said:
"A bleak and unflinching novel with fascinating characters and extraordinary dialogue which creates a fully-realised world that the reader realy buys into. The dog Manchee is an inspired creation! Ness conveys a real sense of terror and the ending is devastating. A novel that really stands out."
Reviewed by James@KidsCompass
