The youngest Templar

January 7th, 2012 by

The youngest TemplarWhen 14 year old Tristan is offered the opportunity to trade his life at the monastery, mucking out stables, for a life as squire to a lord who is fighting in the Crusades, he can hardly believe his good fortune.  Sir Thomas, his lord, is a member of the Knights Templar, the soldiers of God.  Tristan immediately finds himself thrust into a life of extraordinary travels and adventures.  Whilst in the midst of a bloody seige in the Holy Land, Sir Thomas entrusts to him the legendary treasure known as the Holy Grail, and instructs him to escape and return the Grail to Scotland, where it will be safe.  Along with Robard Hode, the best archer in the King’s army and the mysterious assassin Maryam, Tristan escapes, barely one step ahead of his enemies, who will stop at nothing to claim the Grail for themselves.  This is the first book in a series of four.

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Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

December 27th, 2011 by

Ship breakerWe are introduced to a world where oil is scarce, and fortunes are made and lost scavenging on the giant hulks of old beached oil tankers.  Nailer, our main character, finds out the hard way that no one is to be trusted in the cut throat world of scavenging. He is becoming too big for his work – stripping copper wired from old oil tankers.   Stuck in a cabin on the beach, with no food, no money and no way to earn his keep, he dreams of a lucky strike – his one big chance to find his fortune.  In the aftermath of a hurricane, aboard a shipwrecked clipper,  his opportunity comes, and with it, more danger than he can imagine.  What Nailer finds aboard the clipper will change his life forever!Uncategorized | | | Comments Off

Kit’s wilderness by David Almond

April 26th, 2011 by

When Kit goes with his family to live in Stoneygate, he discovers that his family history there goes much deeper than he suspects. His family have returned to take care of his aging grandfather, with whom Kit has a strong link. However, his expeditions with new friends, particularly the mysterious and unpleasant Askew, into the wilderness to the ancient coal pit soon introduce him to a new and seemingly deadly game. Kit is awakened to the fact that he is able to “see” children who met with their death in that barren place, many years before, including the elusive “Silky”, who is also known to Grandad. When Askew goes missing, it is Kit who reaches out to his dysfunctional parents, bringing them hope that he will return safely. Only after a bizarre meeting with Askew is Kit able to win his friendship and bring him home to his parents. This story is a senior read, written by David Almond, whose well known book Skellig won the Whitbread Award.

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Deep fried by Bernard Beckett and Clare Knighton

April 3rd, 2011 by

Pete doesn’t mean to start anything. One irresponsible act in a fast food store brings him notoriety and publicity. It also gets him expelled. What he doesn’t expect is that it also attracts an online stalker. When he and his new online acquaintance delve into the private files of the mighty PB company, neither of them expect that their small act of defiance will bring about such dire consequences. This novel is a true senior read, combining a tangled Internet friendship with the revenge of a powerful corporation. The result is an adrenaline fuelled thriller for the twenty first century.

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Spud by John van de Ruit

April 2nd, 2011 by

Spud, written by John van de Ruit, follows in diary form, the riotous experiences of a South African boy as he embarks on his education in an elite boys’ school. It’s a great read and guarantees laughs throughout. It”s easy to read as it’s written in the form of a diary, which documents the characters, events and tribulations of a teenage boy making his way in a new school. The story is set around the time of Nelson Mandela’s release and the emergence of a new South Africa is very much the back drop. This is a read for years 10, 11 and 12 and will resonate with anyone who has experienced life in an all boy’s school or in a boarding situation. Guaranteed laughs! There are currently three books following the fortunes of Spud, with a fourth coming out soon.
To watch the movie trailer, click here

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The Chronicles of Rosie Black

January 23rd, 2011 by

Five hundred years into the future, the world is a different place. The Melt has sunk most of the coastal cities and Newperth is divided into the haves, the “Centrals”; the have-nots, the “Bankers”; and the fringe dwellers, the “Ferals”. Rosie Black is a Banker. When Rosie finds an unusual box, she has no idea of the grave consequences of her discovery. A mysterious organisation wants it – and they’ll kill to get it. Forced to rely on two strangers, Rosie is on the run. But who can she trust? Pip, the too attractive Feral, or the secretive man he calls boss? From Earth to Mars, Rosie must learn the secrets of the box. Before it’s too late. This fast paced futuristic novel is a must read for anyone who likes science fiction and adventure. It’s written by Lara Morgan

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Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

July 7th, 2010 by

This holidays I have enjoyed getting into this, the first book in Philip Reeve’s 5 part series. Set in the future, where towns and cities move across and above the desolate wastelands upon which they were once established, preying upon and devouring one another, salvaging anything of use, in particular, highly prized “Old tech”. Apprentice historian, Tom Natsworthy finds himself enmeshed in the adventure of his life when he is cruelly shoved from the bowels of London by Thaddeus Valentine, his hero. From here, Tom’s one aim is to return to London to find out why his one time hero has tried to kill him and what secrets link him with the mysterious Hester Shaw, the terrifying Shrike and the fate of the city of London. This is a definite page turner, almost impossible to put down. Take a look at the following link which outlines the five books in the series.

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Conspiracy 365

June 1st, 2010 by

Nothing to say other than check out this website - a great series and a must read. Enjoy!

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The billionaire’s curse

June 1st, 2010 by

Billionaire_B-format8cI’m currently enjoying this first in the series book by Richard Newsome, who is a Brisbane author. James Moloney recommends this book on the back cover. Its the story of a Gerald, a boy like any other, who has to miss a skiing trip with his friends to attend his great aunt’s funeral. Little does he know that his great aunt was enormously wealthy and that he is the one she has left her fortune to – totally unexpected. However, his new wealth comes with new danger, and in the days after the funeral, he discovers through a letter from his deceased great aunt that her life had been threatened. Indeed she suspects that she will be murdered and that he also will become a target when he inherits her money. This first book is about Gerald’s new wealthy life, a couple of new friends and a mystery to solve. It flows along well and is easy to read.

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Magic or Madness trilogy by Justine Larbalestier

January 10th, 2010 by

Magic or madnessI became interested in Australian young adult author Justine Larbalestier and decided to read her Magic or Madness trilogy over the holidays. This Australian author set these three novels in both Sydney and New York. 15 year old Reason Cansino has lived most of her life travelling with her mother, Sarafina. They’re on the run from Esmeralda, Sarafina’s mother, who possesses magical abilities and uses them for wicked purposes. When Sarafina becomes ill, Reason is forced to live with Esmeralda, and comes to questions everything she’s ever been told about her. She meets new friends and is beginning to enjoy her new life, but when she walks through Esmeralda’s back door and finds herself in freezing New York, she realises that magic is real, that she is magic and that life is about to become very interesting! Reason, with her friends Tom and Jay-Tee, becomes caught in a desperate world where magic power can be stolen and used by others. As Reason faces dangerous challenges to keep herself and her friends and family alive, she also begins to unravel the secret to using her talents wisely and for the good of others. If you like fantasy, this series is definitely worth a read.

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