Dan Smith Boy X - Book Review (Chicken House Ltd)

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• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Chicken House Ltd (4 Feb. 2016)
• ISBN-10: 1909489042
• Age: 10+

Kidnapped and drugged, Ash wakes up on a remote tropical island. His mum - a genetic scientist - has been imprisoned and infected with a deadly virus. Where is he, and what's he doing there? He sets out to cross the jungle to find out and rescue his mother. Soon he realises he's quicker and sharper than before. But there's something else ...why are the animals watching him, and how can he use the jungle to his advantage?

I'm a big fan of Dan Smith's previous books, so my expectations of Boy X (his new book) was very high. Especially as his previous book, Big Game, was an absolute smasher. I found a lot of similarities between the two books, which made me very excited as I turned the pages. I was not let down in anyway, as it had everything that I wanted in a story and more. This is another classic read that will stop time as you hurtle through the pages - all 287 of them. 

No sooner will you start reading and you will be asking questions about what is happening. Ash McCarthy wakes up in a small and unfamiliar white walled room, with fluorescent light bulbs flashing in his eyes. He has no idea how he got there. He hears a voice inside his head. What could be happening? As you follow him through the door, you will find a gigantic mystery that will keep you on your toes.  As you walk along the corridor, this will lead you on a deadly path of friendship, gunfire and mayhem. 

You are cleverly placed inside an action packed bubble that does not let up one ounce of a Howler monkey's toe. You'll follow an explosive mission impossible that will rock you to the jungle core and, believe you me, this jungle is crazy beyond believe. It really makes the story come alive; breathing wild danger and  battling strange creatures. The excitement is palpable as Ash and his new found friend, Isabel, scrape danger in pursuing a deadly virus that could wipe out the human race in a blink of a boar's eye. 

The story provides just enough detail to rattle the imagination. Ash and Isabel are great characters, in my opinion. Ash is a normal twelve/thirteen year old or he thought he was, but he develops some unknown skills that suddenly come in useful and add to the mystery. Isabel is my favourite character; she is jungle savvy, very feisty and courageous. She also is a crack shot with a rifle - I really did rally behind her, hoping that she would survive.  

This is a great adventure with a race against time that boys and girls will equally love. There is a splash of terror, untold dangers and a

mysterious black research facility. All of which take place in a mega jungle wonderland, on an even stranger island.  

As your heartbeat thumps wildly, you'll try and second guess what is going to happen and especially the end of the book. However, you'll find this difficult as it throws up some unexpected twists and turns. There is a totally unexpected cliffhanger of an ending which could easily lead to a follow up book. At least that is what I am hoping as it would be a very welcomed sequel to read. 

C T Furlong Killer Strangelets:An Arctic6 Adventure - Review

I was recently introduced to this debut title by the up-and-coming publisher, Inside Pocket. Their first book release will be 'The Adventures of Titch & Mitch' by Garth Edwards, which has some great illustrations by Max Stasyuk. The next book to be published, after the Titch & Mitch books, will be 'Killer Strangelets:An Arctic6 Adventure' by C T Furlong, due to be published in June 2010. After a childhood love of adventure stories, the author was inspired to write her own books - for us all to enjoy. This will be her first published book in the 'Arctic6 Adventure' series - with the next book 'Killer Genes' to follow in September 2010. At the start of the book, I did actually get a little lost, as I struggled with understanding the different character relationships and how these fitted into the story. I felt they weren't made too clear at the start and this held me back a little, but when I did get my bearings the book was immensely enjoyable. The plot was fast paced and full of adventure and mysteries. The tech-stuff and science part was particular engrossing and worked really well - you could tell that the author has a really good understanding of the subject. This was used to great effect within the book.   The book follows the exploits of the fifteen year old Iago, his cousins, Cam, Tara and Renny, and his younger sister, Aretha. Joined by their friend, the bewitching Charlie, they embark on a mission to save Iago's father who has been accidentally kidnapped - by perhaps the maddest of all possible mad scientists. Firstly all the characters have to work together to establish and solve the problem. Then they need to act to save Iago's father, and save the world from destruction. The book is action packed and a race right until the very final page. There are an array of original ideas packed into this book, some of these are written through phone conversations which give it an extra dimension. The book ends with a bang, as all the storylines are brought together, leaving you to finally catch your breath. This is a great debut start to the series, I am already looking forward to the next planned adventure, which will not come soon enough for me. The book cover is particularly enticing; it will have you wanting to pick it up and to read it as soon as you see it in the shops. I hope you think about putting this book on your summer reading list . . . . I would have!

Di Toft - Wolven Book Review

Mr Ripley's Book Review

The first thing you notice about this book, is the fantastic cover that looks great. The holographic image just works so well, it will be a hit with the book buyers. A great credit to Steve Wells, who did the design for the book, as it's in keeping with the story. This is another good quality debut book with a fresh outlook to story writing.
The book starts off when Nat Carver, a young boy, ventures to a farm searching for a dog to be his pet. But he soon finds himself looking at a very strange animal, whose origins sway more to that of Dr Frankenstein than Mr Darwin. The book develops into a really enjoyable read with lots of good story ideas. The horror side to the book was very subtle and will make it more appealing to a younger audience. It encompasses both a humorous and serious side which gives it more depth. All the characters in the book worked well and the depiction of the strange village, Temple Gurney, just gave the story more credence.
It really shows what talented up and coming writers are out there.
The ending delivers a Disney-good feel factor in a magical ending, setting a great adventure for books two and three. This book will go down well with readers who enjoyed Steve Feasey's book "Changeling". I give this book four out of five; I feel the best is to come as the author explores her full potential in the next installment. I am already looking forward to reading this in the near future. A story for the barking mad.


Book synopsis

WOLVEN is a fantasy firmly rooted in the mysterious present. A boy and his eccentric grandparents live near a strange wood - apparently cursed. He longs for a dog - but the dirty ungainly farm creature finally found by his grandfather hardly fits his image of the perfect pet. And it howls in the night. But it's only when his dog starts to grow human ears that he realises that something is seriously wrong. The truth is stranger than his wildest dreams -the boy who appears, alarmingly unpredictably, is a kind of special werewolf in reverse. A noble, almost heraldic breed of WOLVEN - the kings own werewolves from ancient times, who have been in hiding until rediscovered by evil government scientists who are trying to breed werewolves as weapons.

Book Published by Chicken House 3 Aug 2009