Frozen Heart series. Disney Paper Rocket, 2016. ISBN 9781484730515
(Ages: 9+) Fans of Frozen the Disney movie released in 2013
will recognise a large amount of the similarities to the film's
dialogue included in this new novel written by Elizabeth Rudnick.
There is a definite fan-fiction element to the writing, as the
stories of Anna and Hans are developed instead of Elsa's and
Kristoff's. Each chapter alternates as the characters narrate their
stories. Young Anna is confused and concerned by the imprisonment of
her sister Anna, after the incident when she magically filled the
ballroom with snow. We are introduced to Prince Hans' background; he
is the thirteenth and youngest son of King of the Southern Isles,
bullied by his older brothers. He works his way into being the
king's favourite, with the goal of attending the coronation of
Princess Elsa and marrying her.
When Anna meets Hans at the coronation, there is an instant
attraction and she desperately wants to say yes to his proposal. Of
course, when she asks for her sister's permission, Anna becomes
angry; she creates an everlasting winter in Arendelle and then flees
into the mountains.
Elizabeth Rudnick's action and adventure novel explores the
motivations of Elsa and Hans, what drives them to act in certain
ways. With the themes of love, sacrifice, greed, selfishness and the
fight of good and evil, Frozen Heart is suited to a preteen
audience who grew up with the movie.
Rhyllis Bignell
And I darken by Kiersten White
Penguin, 2016. ISBN 9780552573740
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance,
Action. You become absolutely consumed in the world of Ladislav
(Lada) and Radu Dragwla as you venture with them on their journey
throughout the Ottoman empire. And I Darken, the first book
in a 3 book saga, is a story about Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless
Romanian prince - as a woman. The book also follows the journey of
an alternate personality, her brother, struggling to overcome the
ruthlessness of the 1400's. The book carries the reader through
their early years, birthed as the children of the 'dragon', as they
grow and become young adults.
Lada, becoming victim of the social norms of women at the time,
grows to overcome expectations and rises to conquer. Whereas Radu,
gifted with the tools to achieve an easy life, learns how hard it is
to live up to expectations when he struggles to understand the
brutality of their father. The well crafted story branches from
here, allowing the reader to grasp what it was like in this time, as
they face many challenges and deal with life-rendering experiences.
The book was thoroughly enjoyable. The writing style easy and
understandable, captures the audience with fluent imagery and
enlightenment. Despite the substantial difference in time and
context, the remarkable character development allows the reader to
understand the characters' motivations in order to experience this
journey WITH them. The theme of the book carries a dark tone,
incorporating the reader in the book itself, but also on the
emotional ride of countless ups and downs.
Overall, the riveting tale of Lada and Radu, the two characters at
the core of this story, is an original story and one not to be
overlooked. I am eagerly awaiting for the 2nd book to be released.
Ethan Russell (Student)
My Lady Jane - the not entirely true story by C. Hand, B. Ashton and J. Meadows
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406372021
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Lady Jane Grey was Queen of Tudor
England for only 9 days. That much is true to history. But this Jane
is a very reluctant Queen, married off to Gifford Dudley in the days
leading up to King Edward VI's 'death' in suspicious circumstances.
A collaboration of three authors, the Lady Janies, have created a
humorous alternate version of English history. In addition to
twisting events, the authors add a pinch of magic and frequently
breach the fourth wall. Jane, Edward's heir and favourite cousin, is
a scholar and intrigued rather than disappointed that her new prince
consort is unable to stop turning into a horse each night.
You see, Jane's magical England consists of Verities (regular
people) and shape-shifting people called E∂ians. Not all E∂ians
realize they possess the ability, so the inevitable nudity after
returning to human form is a hoot.
When Edward's mad sister Mary deposes Jane, she immediately decrees
the genocide of all E∂ians. In the pursuit of both love and revenge,
Edward, Jane, Gifford, Bess and their trusted servants problem-solve
their way out of some sticky situations in order to regain the
throne.
This flirtatious fantasy romp through ye olde England is an easy
read not to be dismissed. Hopefully we can look forward to a whole
series penned by the three collaborators: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton
and Jodi Meadows because as Napoleon Bonaparte once proffered, 'What
else is history but a fable agreed upon?'
Deborah Robins
Survivors by David Long
Faber and Faber, 2016. ISBN 9780571316014
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Survivors is a gorgeous
hardback book, offering a collection of survival stories. Readers
can read about known characters such as Shackleton and Mawson as
well as less known characters such as Juliane Koepcke who fell from
a plane. Each story averages 8 pages in length and because each
chapter is a stand-alone event, readers can read them in any order
and over any time frame. The stories of Mawson and Shackleton link
well to Year 4 and Year 6 Science and the story of Greg Rasmussen
surviving the Kalahari Desert is also a good link for these year
levels with the study of Africa and harsh environments. The book
would also be great for reading aloud in a classroom. Teachers could
read a story a week, investigate story sequences, created
storyboards, investigate the vocabulary and study the characters and
how they survived. The short stories are great for comparing events
and characters. The language in each chapter is descriptive and easy
to read, making this book ideal for and highly recommended for
readers aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster
Lisette's Paris notebook by Catherine Bateson
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293635
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Paris. Romance. Art. Fashion. When
eighteen year old Lisette hits Paris for the summer holidays before
going to uni in Melbourne, she is aware that she is doing something
her mother always dreamed of doing. Mum has arranged that she stay
with Madame Christophe, a clairvoyant she met online and Lisette
will take French lessons to improve her language skills as well as
gain an appreciation of the arts and fashion, touring art galleries
and haute couture. From the start the reader is aware of some
tension between Lisette and her mother who raised her after her
artist lover abandoned her and fled to Wales.
With misgivings Lisette goes along to French lessons in her vintage
punk and Doc Martins, only to be challenged by much she sees and
hears.
Her great-grandmother was the proud owner of a Chanel jacket and
with a seamstress mother, fashion is part of her makeup.
But she does not reckon with the men she meets and readers will
laugh out loud as I did, when Lisette consents to being a model for
one of the art students at her French class, and then has a worrying
time trying to work out what to wear to disrobe.
But try as she might, this man is not for her and accidentally
meeting an Englishman in the park, begins to fall in love.
This funny, absorbing coming of age novel, full of references to
Paris, fashion, art galleries and food will fascinate teenage girls
yearning like Lisette to try all that Paris offers.
Paris invades every page: its sights and sounds, colours, fashion,
architecture and people are the thread of the novel, making every
reader want to go and capture the essence of the city, while those
who have been will wish to return.
Lisette has some real choices to make, but is always aware of her
return ticket to Australia and the looming departure date. Finding
that her dead father left her money, allows her to make a decision
that had been impossible and in ringing his widow, finds common
ground with the woman she has never met. Middle secondary girls will
love Lisette, seeing Paris through her eyes, looking at her options
as she becomes more involved with Hugo who must return to England.
Bateson has again produced a wonderfully entertaining story of a
young girl in an unfamiliar situation, potent with choices,
impelling the readers to ponder what choice they would make.
Lisette is surrounded by beautifully written characters that will
endear the reader to Lisette and her friends. Hugo is an enigma but
adorable, Madam Christophe magnificent with her tarot cards and
scarves, Fabienne stunning with her stilettos, Anders and Gabi ooze
early warning signals, while the girls Lisette meets give her
courage. All of her experiences encourage her to take her own path,
to find her own way, to be herself. And she does.
Fran Knight
Girl detached by Manuela Salvi
Barrington Stoke, 2016. ISBN 9781911370024
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Sexual content. Fiction. Romance.
Tragedy. Teenage. The book, Girl detached, falls under the
umbrella of romance and tragedy. Aleksandra (Alek) is a teenage girl
with a bad stutter. Living under the roof of her grandmother after
her mother abandoned her at a young age, Alek became a victim of her
Grandmother's strict discipline and protection in order to avoid
making the mistakes her mother made. The book details her story
after her grandmother's sudden death, when Alek is forced to move
yet again, back to where her life started. Living with her mother,
stepfather and half-brother, she struggles to find ground in her
new 'home'.
Although this book employs some very overused themes such as
romance and tragedy, it also stands out on its own. The author's
brave actions bring light to very real and serious themes that exist
for the target audience and is nothing short of commendable.
Although the book is difficult to get into and consists of raw
content, it becomes easier to read throughout the duration of the
book. The writing style is concise and vivid, allowing the reader to
become easily drawn into the reality of each scene. As a result of
this, the themes and the unfolding story resonate on a deeper level.
The book is a cautionary tale for members of the 'love is blind'
club. The morally questionable and often wrongfully considered
actions of the characters, highlights what happens as a result of
certain privileges being granted to young adults.
Overall, the raw components and educational value of the book is
what won it for me. The consistent character development and the
brutal ending also tied this book up perfectly.
Ethan Russell (Student)
The complete adventures of Figaro and Rumba by Anna Fienberg
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Allen & Unwin, 2017. ISBN
9781760292997
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Early chapter book. Humour. Friendship.
Adventure. With two Figaro and Rumba stories in one book, newly
independent readers will thrill to the adventures of these two
friends.
In the first story, 'Figaro and Rumba and the crocodile cafe',
good friends Figaro the dog and Rumba the cat plan to catch the Very
Fast Train to the beach. But their friend, Rat, has lost his friend,
Nate, and so an adventure begins.
King's wry illustrations set the scene perfectly, adding a level of
humour and anticipation which readers will adore.
This six chapter book will enthrall and delight as they read of this
wonderful pair of characters and their friends. Chapter four sees
them on the train at long last, but in the carriage of a very shady
character, a crocodile. With his easy charm and wonderful waistcoat,
he invites them to his cafe, redolent of Cuba where Rumba was born.
Figaro, with some suspicion of the crocodile decides not to stay,
but goes off to explore. He finds cats locked in a small shed and
ringing the police, learns that the crocodile is a cat-napper, ready
to add Rumba to his captives.
A lovely story, neatly resolved, it is full of things to take note
of: invitations from strangers, friendship, holidays with friends on
a train, learning to swim and taking risks for a friend while
learning a little about Cuba and the Spanish language. But the main
thing is the story of friends helping each other, and along with the
lively illustrations, will be sought after.
The second story, 'Figaro and Rumba and the cool cats' sees
Figaro singing along with the Cool Cats at their rehearsal. The cats
are those rescued from the crocodile's cages in the first of the two
stories. The lead singer cannot cope with Fig's howling and barking,
even if he does so very quietly. Rolando the cleaner, a small sloth
also found in the cage, listens halfheartedly to Fig's complaints.
But another friend has the keys to the singers' Catmobile, and with
Fig convinced he has seen a monster in the car, they go off on
another adventure.
Both stories have a wide appeal to readers newly attempting chapter
books for themselves and with stories like these, will be most
satisfied.
Fran Knight
Diary of a 6th grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson
Allen and Unwin, 2017 ISBN 9781760295554
(Age: 9+) Recommended. School. Martial arts. Chase talks directly to
the reader, enfolding them into his world of being a Ninja. Eleven
year old Chase has an unromantic view of himself, scrawny,
unpopular, not good at sports, a reader, but when his parents move
into a slightly bigger house, he must go to a new school, Buchanan,
and here things change. The only person he knows is his cousin, Zoe,
but he is unsure about how he will fit in. She takes him under her
wing, showing him around and introducing him to her friends, but
when he sees something flash by his eyes in the woods near the
school, she fends him off. But he is intrigued and going into the
woods finds a Ninja clan, willing to allow him into their fold after
he has passed the test. Zoe joins him, but when they are asked to do
one more test, Zoe balks, walking away. Brayden warns Chase about
joining the group but Chase is unconcerned, even if it means lying.
But when the group gives him Zoe's backpack to return to the school,
and he finds it full of money, the cash missing form the school
money drive, he is torn thinking about what to do.
Friendship and loyalty drive this story as Chase must work out just
who his friends are, and whether lying and stealing to be with the
Ninjas is worth it.
The story about choices will appeal to the target audience. Easy to
read, with chapters of three or four pages, and some illustrations
to break up the print, the series of ten books will be sought after.
Fran Knight
Stone cold by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
Ill. by Orion Zangara. The Stoneman mysteries bk 1. Graphic
Universe, 2016. ISBN 9781512411553
Graphic Novel. Murder mystery. Dark fantasy. Set in
Edinburgh in the 1930s this very dark graphic tale begins with a
murder and suicide rescue, and a talking Gargoyle on a local church,
and some priests who seem to have issues with one another. The young
lad whose life is saved goes on to join the investigative work of
the gargoyle - a beast trapped in stone. With frightening
progression, murder becomes common and involves evil influences in
the oppressive and gloomy streets. The young lad's work is to
collect information in order to solve the mystery of who is
responsible for the loss of life. But is he being dragged into the
evil net of the dark forces?
This is no light-hearted comic book! Rather it is a dark and ominous
fantasy that involves evil spiritual influences, but tangles this
with traditional faith contexts. Not something to recommend to a
young vulnerable reader. The black and white illustrations in
graphic novel panels are atmospheric, but it isn't always easy to
recognise or identify the characters speaking. Although the graphic
novel genre does cater for the dark story-lines of Noir fantasy,
this didn't appeal to me.
Carolyn Hull
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Ill. by Jon Klassen. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008124090
(Age: 11 - adult) Highly recommended. War, peace, Animals, Foxes.
When his gruff and distant father leaves to fight in the war,
motherless Peter is forced to stay with his grandfather and made to
abandon his pet, a fox called Pax.
At his grandfather's he learns of the dog his father once owned and
cared for. They were inseparable. Duty and responsibility overwhelms
Peter. He feels abject guilt at leaving his pet behind and decides
he should be with Pax. He packs his rucksack, takes some water and
food, and sets off, back to the place where he abandoned the fox,
and in alternate chapters we learn of what Pax is doing to get back
to his human.
After he falls and breaks a bone in his foot Peter meets Vola a one
legged recluse living in the woods. Through her he comes to
understand the effect of war, as he is maneuvered to use her
marionettes to tell the story of Sinbad. She killed a man in a
previous war and finding a tattered copy of the Voyages of
Sinbad in his coat pocket, carved the puppets as a memorial to
him, but now she needs to see it performed. Peter is forced to stay
with her until his foot has healed enough for him to move on, but he
is anxious to leave and she is just as anxious that he is able to
survive alone. The two rub against each other just as Pax is finding
it difficult surviving with the other foxes he meets, learning the
skills he missed as a kit,
An involving story of survival, the author is able to get inside the
fox's head to portray its survival with assured realism. She
beautifully contrasts the development of all three characters as
they adapt to the changes in their world, while Klassen's brittle,
black and white illustrations form a majestic backdrop to the
events.
Beautifully written, Pax can be read by children and adults
alike. The image of war is ever present, from the father going off
to war, the woman, Vola and her wooden leg and her mission to see
the Sinbad story performed, and the threat of encroaching war.
Peter eventually leaves to find the fox, and a heart stopping
conclusion brings the reader to rethink the idea of friendship and
challenge the concept of war and its effects on the people involved.
Allusions to Sheherazade, the tale of the phoenix, the stories of
Sinbad, the roc, and so on are throughout the book, impelling the
reader to look further into the tale. The stories behind Vola's life
too are captivating as she becomes the teacher she wanted to be,
rather than the soldier she was.
This wonderful book held me to the end.
Fran Knight
Barefoot on the wind by Zoe Marriott
The Moonlit Lands series, bk 2. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN
9781406333374
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Fantasy. This beautifully written retelling
of Beauty and the beast is a companion novel to Shadows
on the Moon, and takes the reader back to the Moonlit
Lands in a Japan like setting. Hana is a young woman, who is
confined to a remote village surrounded by a forest. The trees
whisper to her saying 'There is a monster in the forest' which Hana
knows for a fact, as many of the villagers have disappeared, never
to be seen again - one of them her beloved brother. When Hana's
father is taken, she is the only one in her village who is prepared
to try and find him. She is successful, but is determined to kill
the beast and goes off again in search of it, encountering much that
is magical and more dangerous than she could have imagined.
At the beginning of the book Marriott has written about her idea for
the book and her wish to write it from 'a feminist perspective,
asking 'What if Beauty went after the Beast of her own free will?
And how could the Beast redeem himself in order to truly deserve her
forgiveness . . . and her love?' The author is very successfully in
achieving her aim. Hana is a resourceful and clever person, who has
the strength of character to pursue what she knows is right. In
doing so she is able to forgive not only the Beast and her father
for their mistakes but she is able to come to terms with her own
actions when her brother went missing. This has a ripple effect on
the magic in the forest.
The strong imagery in the book provides an atmospheric background to
Hana's adventures. It is easy to imagine the shadowy woods, the
dense thorn hedge, the frozen lake and the evil creations that
inhabit the forest. The petty mindedness of the villagers and the
isolation of Hana also adds to the dark and brooding atmosphere.
This is a really good retelling of the fairy tale and while it is
suitable for younger readers, teens will also enjoy it for its
unusual setting and wonderful characters.
Pat Pledger
Royal rabbits of London by Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore
Ill. by Kate Hindley. Simon and Schuster, 2016. ISBN 9781471157868
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. The Royal Rabbits of London is
a richly rewarding adventure story for newly confident chapter book
readers to enjoy. Shylo Tawny-Tail lives with his family in a deep
burrow in the countryside. As the runt of the litter he suffers
teasing and bullying from his three older brothers and sisters; they
constantly make fun of his eye-patch and play tricks on him. Shylo's
only escape is the secret meetings with his friend, Horatio an old
grizzled rabbit who lives at the edge of the forest. He shares
stories of the Royal Rabbits of London; a secret society of agent
rabbits living under Buckingham Palace, whose job is to protect the
Royal Family. Horatio is a true friend, who encourages his young
friend praising his fearlessness and courage for traversing the
dangerous forest and visiting the scarred old rabbit, banished from
his former home and family.
One morning, when Shylo hides in a fallen oak tree to escape from
his bully brother Maximilian, he overhears three evil rats plotting
to embarrass the Queen. The Ratzi's purpose in life is to hunt the
Royal Family down, take, and publish embarrassing photos of them.
Suddenly Shylo has a mission, a purpose for his life, and old
Horatio instructs him to travel to London and warn the protectors of
the queen, the mysterious and hidden Royal Rabbits. Their skills are
needed to foil the Ratzi's plan and make them aware of the impending
plot.
Horatio sends young Shylo off to London with clear instructions and
this encouragement. 'Life is an adventure. Anything in the world is
possible - by will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet nose and
a slice of mad courage!' The pace picks up when Shylo encounters the
frenetic pace of life in London, with growling dogs and busy
traffic; he leaves the safety of the farmer's cart loaded with
spring cabbages and sets out to find the Weeping Willow entrance to
a secret tunnel. The London Royal Rabbits are elegant and their
personalities unique, their world is rich in structure and
tradition, their warrens stylish and their lives quite a contrast to
Shylo's world.
The difficult journey under Buckingham Palace, the dramatic scenes
fighting with the Ratzis, and the escape from the Pack of the
Queen's dogs, is fraught with danger and some scenes are graphically
told. Shylo is a hero; he overcomes his fears, grows in
self-confidence with his physical limitations and is even
instrumental in a family reunion.
From the gold embossed jacket to the beautifully meticulous
illustrations and the rabbit paw prints that hop across the page
corners, this is a quality children's story. Kate Hindley's detailed
line drawings are intricate and emotive, they show Shylo's
vulnerability, Horatio's kindness, Belle de Paw's elegant style and
the frenetic action in the Royal Kennel.
Santa and Simon Montefiore's descriptive story is perfect for a
class novel for years 2-4, as an English text to discuss character
depiction and development and the well-paced narrative arc. In
Health and Wellbeing, this is an excellent forum to discuss the
implications of bullying and to encourage building healthy
self-esteem with an 'I can do it' attitude.
Rhyllis Bignell
Last Descendants by Matthew J. Kirby
An Assassin's Creed series. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN
9781743811788
(Age: 12+) 15 year old Owen's life has not been the same since his
father was imprisoned for a murder Owen is sure he didn't commit and
then died in prison. His mum has to work long hours and they live
with his grandparents who take every opportunity to disparage his
father and pry into his life in case he is turning out like him.
Owen has drifted away from his best friend Javier but he seeks him
out for support in his quest to clear his father's name. Monroe, an
IT worker at his school has offered Owen the chance to try the
Animus simulation developed by Abstergo Corporation which takes
samples of your DNA and allows you to access genetic memories,
entering into the lives of your ancestors. Owen asks Javier to go
with him for support but finds out that the simulation can't help
his quest as his father's DNA can only be expressed in him up to the
time he was born. They both go ahead with a joint simulation anyway
and find themselves as a conquistador and a Tlaxcaltec warrior. When
they meet with Cortez and feel him wield a powerful influence on
them Monroe abruptly ends the simulation and anxiously hurries them
away. It turns out that the powerful influence came from an object
of power that the secret societies, the Templars, who believe that
powerful people can impose order on chaos, and the Brotherhood of
Assassins, who believe in preserving the free will of the people but
who demand absolute loyalty and obedience in their members, have
been searching for and that Owen and Javier are now being hunted
down for their genetic memories. In a bid to find the object first
Monroe whisks them away to a warehouse where they meet a group of
kids their age who all have either Templar of Assassin in their DNA.
They enter into a group simulation which takes place during the 1863
New York Draft Riots to find Cortez's dagger, a powerful Piece
of Eden which they believe was taken to the Aztec Club
headquarters in the Astor Hotel.
As a phenomenally successful video game Assassin's Creed has
spawned books, games, and the recently released movie. This new book
joins eight previous successful series and is sure to find an avid
readership in the middle school age group. As a new reader I found
enough fundamental information to follow the story though there were
too many characters to really engage with them. No doubt they will
come into play in subsequent books in this series. It was good to
see some powerful female figures but this is still essentially a
book for boys.
Sue Speck
Little People, Big dreams series
Frances Lincoln, 2016. Amelia Earhart by Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Ill. by Maria
Diamantes. ISBN 9781847808851 Maya Angelou by Lisbeth Kaiser. Ill. by Leire Salaberria.
ISBN 9781847808905
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Frances Lincoln Children's Books have
published a new series Little People, Big Dreams, which
celebrates the lives of exceptional women activists, designers,
scientists, artists and authors. These simple biographies suited to
preschool and junior primary classes, are centred on a little girl
with a dream and their life journey, the struggles, hardships and
sheer determination needed to attain their goals. Each story
concludes with timeline, photographs, biographical information,
websites to visit and additional books to read.
Amelia Earheart's dream was to fly like a bird, and in her young
imagination she sees her arms stretch like wings ready to take
flight. In her early twenties, her dreams become a reality and she
learns to fly, soon she is crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
in her tiny plane. She is an inspiration to other women and
encourages them to dream big as well. Her final flight when her
plane disappears is carefully worded for the young audience. Maria
Diamantes' colourful graphic illustrations use space, light and
shade, simple backgrounds and layering to complement the narrative.
Take time to engage with each spread, especially the Atlantic Ocean
with the mid-turquoise sea, huge whale shadow and small red bi-plane
flying bravely above.
Maya Angelou's complex and confronting life story is carefully and
succinctly written. She experienced a traumatic incident as a young
girl and became mute for five years. Maya grew up in Missouri where
she faced the extreme difficulties of racial prejudice. With the
encouragement of a family friend, Maya learned to love reading and
began her writing journey. As an adult, she became a singer, an
actor, civil rights campaigner and a famous author and poet. Leire
Salaberria's illustrations support the story; she celebrates the
triumphs of Maya's life, her classroom, the graduation, her overseas
travels and many careers.
This series supports the social justice curriculum and Health
education, linking to personal wellbeing in the kindergarten and the
early years of schooling. In English and History lessons, students
can write their own biographies, discuss their plans for the future,
and engage in additional research as well.
Rhyllis Bignell
Shield by Rachael Craw
Walker Books Australia, 2016, ISBN 9781922179647
(Age: Secondary) Recommended. Science fiction. Future. Dystopian
fiction. 'Love, freedom and future, in a final attempt to right the
wrongs of the Affinity Project and save her family' (New Zealand
author, Rachael Craw's elevator pitch for Shield says it
all) as the third volume in the Spark trilogy continues the
story of Evie (Evangeline Everton) who begins to develop powers
beyond her imagination. She finds that she is part of a genetic
experiment called the Affinity Project, where a synthetic gene has
been implanted to produce the perfect soldier, but she rebels. In
the second book, Stray, the Affinity Project wants to take
Evie back to control her, forcing her to do the work she had been
genetically manipulated to do, even if innocent people must die.
Evie is forced to take sides in a struggle with the Affinity Project
which ends with her being held in a psych ward, and the third, Shield,
has Evie sent back to the Affinity Project for retraining. Here she
is resented after what happened in book two, and is forced to take
sides once again to survive. But she has secrets and after
Counsellor Knox takes a blood sample she knows it will not be long
before he works out what she is. Knox is wrestling for power within
the Affinity Project, using Evie as a tool to undermine those who
would bring him down. She eventually finds a group trying to
initiate change but she is forced to make some decisions in the face
of fierce opposition.
The series is a heart stopping sci-fi thriller. Set in a complex
dystopian society with a little romance and sympathetic characters,
this fast paced tale will appeal to many teens.
Fran Knight
