Alex Keller - Haywired - Book Review

It has been some time since I have had the opportunity to read a book published by Mogzilla, so it was great to be able to read this one. Especially as I had had my eye on this book for a little while. The book cover that has been illustrated/designed by Rachel is absolutely fabulous; it starts a guessing game as to what the story is going to be about. The central image is quite bizarre but very intriguing - it certainly catches the eye. In the quiet village of Little Wainesford, Ludwig Von Guggenstein is about to have his unusual existence turned inside out. When he and his father are blamed for a fatal accident during the harvest, a monstrous family secret is revealed. Soon Ludwig will begin to uncover diabolical plans that span countries and generations while ghoulish machines hunt him down. He must fight for survival, in a world gone haywire. Once you start reading this book you immediately find yourself immersed in a steampunk bubble. I personally, love the steampunk genre, so it had a hard act to follow and yet in someways it actually exceeded the precedence already set. The characters in the book are extremely well developed - the author's imaginative creativity really brings them to life. The monstrous creatures, known as HELOT's in this book, are a fine example as to what the future may bring. These machines were invented for war and therefore crush any enemy that gets in their way; making some great murderous and memorable encounters.They have you quaking in your boots.  The book has lots of great twists and turns - the story is cranked up to various levels but threads beautifully together. The fight for survival brings out the darker side of the story, which keeps you on the edge of your robotic pants. Themes of science and superstition run throughout the story adding yet another layer to the story, which worked really well for me. As the book came to an explosive end I was wanting more, in fact it could have done with a little more detail in some places and perhaps a period setting - this may help in appealing to a wider readership as at the moment I feel it is perhaps limiting itself. This is a great start to this adventure series, the next instalment is entitled Rewired. I will be looking forward to it next spring when it it is due to be published. Suggested age range is 11+ Published by http://www.mogzilla.co.uk -  1 September 2010

Eleanor J Cramphorn - The Obsidian Key - Book Review

Mr Ripley's Book Review

This is a great time of the year in which to reflect on books, both past and present, as well as providing an opportunity to look over the bookshelves at forgotten reads. In this particular case this is how I stumbled upon  The Obsidian Key - for some reason this book went un-read . . . . . . until now.  I was transported to a world of colourful characters, strange lands, and dangerous journeys. All of which have been set against a backdrop of a world fearful of the evil intentions of the militaristic land of Wintermark, and its Prince Regent Sigvard. The book is steeped in historical fantasy; transporting the reader to a magical place in the Orient. It is a breathtaking read, perhaps this is due it being incredibly well written. It is exciting, funny and yet still moving. The story follows the quest of a teenage boy, Takeshi or Tackers as he is referred to by some of his friends later on, to avenge the death of his family by the evil Sigvard of Wintermark. Along the way we meet all sorts of interesting characters - my favourite by far being Vincent Di Luna, also known as 'Midnight' (a gentleman by day and thief by night). The book has so many levels to it that I think it would appeal to all ages; there's magic, battles, relationships and much much more. The only downside to this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger, and with no sequel insight! I'm presuming that this is due to it being published by the small, but wonderful, publishing company Pen Press. So the question is, will we see the next book in the sequel to rival this great start and resolve the cliffhanger that I find myself left with? An excellent book by a brilliant new author; I was very surprised to find such an amazing gem. This is one of the best debut books you will read - if you can still track down a copy, you will not be disappointed. For those who particularly loved Liam Hearn's series of books 'Tales of Otori', I think you will enjoy this book.

Book Synopsis
A cruel and powerful prince with ice-blue eyes and the voice of a dagger sheathed in silk - Sigvard of Wintermark will stop at nothing in his quest to find the Key...But to become immortal, unstoppable, unconquerable, he now needs to find the Lock of Animus. A peaceful, idyllic island off Okoku is savagely invaded and only Takeshi Senshi survives - the rest of his family and the island's inhabitants are brutally murdered. Now Takeshi, the boy with the unusual keyhole-shaped eyes, seeks revenge. Swordfights and sorcerers - this is a gripping story of good versus evil, courage and fear, love and hate.

William Hussey - Witchfinder:Dawn of the Demontide - Book Review

Book Review

The smell of the Demontide is upon us (the reader), the anticipation is strong as the writer drags us down to a living hell. The swirl of poisonous frogs and green mist encompass the reader and then toss them back down with a horrifying thud. Witches, Demons and blood sacrifices are themes that are accounted for in this book, which is disturbing and certainly keeps everyone on edge. 

We may have a new master of 'Dark Fiction' for 2010 - the book spooks all our living senses and sets us on a tale of terror but with a fantastic plot intertwined throughout. The book has a slow start but gains momentum as the mysteries of Hobarron and its character's are delved into. I love the feel of this book including the ending.

This series of books will go down well with the evil and darker happenings of other great children's book writers, this will be the genre for 2010 as lots of interesting books are to be published next year. So much more to come, I think.


Book Published by Oxford University Press - March 2010


Book Synopsis
The first in a terrifying trilogy, read on if you dare: Jake could now see the demon fully. Its body was a mass of steely sinew, its arms roped with muscle. Six fingers sprouted from its hands, each ending in lethal talons. The thing did not possess a nose; instead a large hole, bubbling with green mucus, occupied the middle of its face. Mr Pinch's tongue flickered between his teeth and slurped across his fat lips. He was hungry. When a violent storm rages around the little village of Hobarron's Hollow, a young boy is sacrificed 'for the greater good'. His blood is used to seal a mystical doorway and prevent an apocalyptic disaster known only as the Demontide. Twenty-five years later, another boy, Jake Harker, is about to be drawn into the nightmare of the Demontide. Witches and their demon familiars stalk his every move, and his dreams are plagued by visions of a 17th Century figure known only as the Witchfinder. When his father is abducted, Jake must face the terrible secrets kept by those closest to him and a shocking truth that will change his life forever . . .

Jason Bradbury - Dot Robot - Book Review

Mr Ripley's Book Review - (Another great Debut Author for 2009) see other posts.


Jason Bradbury, the UK's best-known face of technology, has been writing for many years.He first became serious about writing, as one half of a comedy double act with David Walliams (Little Britain)and now has progressed into writing his debut children's book entitled Dot Robot.

This fast paced techno-thriller has all the qualities of a great book and is an enjoyable read from cover to cover.It has a quick start and a pacey plot which keeps the reader hooked all the way to the end of the book. A great amount of research has gone into this book which makes it stand out as a vivid cyber world of computers, gadgets and robots. The characters in the book, known as Farley Jackson, Brooke and the Kojimas twins, are of great importance and add adventurous twists to the story. The unexpected end shows a moral dilemma for the characters to respond to.A great read for every one.

Five out of Five and looking forward to the next book in the sequence.........




Synopsis

Congratulations, Jackson. Welcome to MeX.’ Dot.com billionaire Devlin Lear, founder of the top-secret defence force MeX, has been watching Jackson Farley. He knows he has found a digital genius. Along with three other brilliant gamers from different corners of the world, Lear needs Jackson to join him and stop the criminal heist of the century. And all by the power of the most highly advanced, state-of-the-art robots ever invented. Are Jackson and the MeX recruits as good as Lear thinks? And how does Jackson know quite who to trust when they can never meet face-to-face?



Published by Puffin books 5 February 2009