Title: Violets are blue
Author: Patterson, James
Reviewed by: Dwayne Ganesh, Year 9
The last story in the Alex Cross series. In this last book Alex Cross investigates modern day vampire killings. It is full of thrilling action scenes and horrific killing scenes. Alex will do whatever it takes to bring these killers to justice, but the real criminal calls himself "The Mastermind" - a psycho who has been haunting Alex for two books. Violets are Blue is definitely the best of the series. As he ends the story, what better way to do it than to finally find out who the mastermind really is? Alex Cross will be betrayed in this last book. I would recommend this book for those over 14 yrs. You won't be disappointed.
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Title: The Hunt for Red October
Author: Clancy, Tom
Reviewed by: Daniel Johns, Year 9
The title can only hint at the depth of this book. Embedded in a thrilling story of lies and deceit set in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, far from the hustle and bustle of modern western life, an unorthodox string of events leads to a confrontation between the worlds' two physical powers which puts moral questions to the test and the threat of an all out war on the cards.
The book starts in the setting of a Russian harbour. A very special Russian harbour for amongst the bitterly cold conditions and laying upon the black, oil-strewn waters is Russia's newest nuclear powered submarine, The Red October. Lying in wait to spread its incredible story to the world. Tom Clancy very quickly draws up a stereotype of the Russian Navy with social status determining rank and harsh conditions for the inexperienced layman forced to work in the engine rooms. Suspicion is rampant and each man has another man continually watching him so that the imperialistic enemy will have his work cut out to mislead a good citizen from the motherland! It is hard to know the truth about many of these statements and being printed in America it gives a one sided view of the situation but the contrast between the two civilisations is all too apparent and the choice between the two becomes the centre of the battle as the Russian sailors are faced with choosing their own personal destiny. A choice made even more difficult by the discreet, enticing maoeuvres made by both sides.
The captain of the Red October is a man who has lost much to the Motherland. The son of a Russian hero, he inwardly revolts against communism at an early age while maintaining a face that gets him into the position of one of the top Russian submarine commanders. After the loss of his wife due to a mistake in the political system, the captain Comrade Ramius moves his officers around and begins psychological manoeuvring.
Once they have put to sea, the political officer is disposed of and Ramius takes the lead of his officers in an effort to convert to Americanism in his own personal style, with a bang.
The story shows in graphic detail the contrasts in lifestyle and beliefs between the two sides. Both parties however mislead their officers and soldiers and this turns into the greatest hindrance for those caught in the middle as they struggle to compare the two cultures. This tension comes to an impressive climax as the Russians are introduced to the American life and feelings run high for those left behind.
This was a wonderful book to read and it brings up points that are all too relevant in everyday life as we struggle with choices, trying not only to do the best by ourselves but the best by our country.
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Title: Only the heart
Author: Caswell, Brian and Phu An Chiem, David
Reviewed by: Tim Chiang, Year 9
This is a story of a journey to strive for and achieve a dream, of courage and bravery, of family and love. It covers the period from 1977 - 1996, about a Vietnamese family who are refugees. The Vo family help each other and even sacrifice themselves for one another. There are two main persons through whom the story of is told: Toon, the youngest son and Linh, Toon's cousin and adopted sister (after her mother Mai sacrificed her life for her). The last person creates a real overview of what has happened and the deepest thoughts and feelings of these two people, as they escape their country as refugees to Malaysia and then Australia. Also, the jumping around of dates in the novel expresses how the characters were somewhat confused. I particularly liked the type of writing used by the writer, the way it talks to you. I also liked the use of poetry at the beginning and the end.
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Title: My name is Asher Lev
Author: Potok, Chaim
Reviewed by: Andrew Currie, Year 9
This is a profound novel, exploring religion, art, love and loss. It tells the poignant and moving story of Asher Lev, a New York born orthodox Jew.
Lev discovers he has a gift at a young age - that of art. But he must deal with seemingly distinct worlds: modern art, Christianity and Judaism. His people see no place for modern art in their culture, yet Lev sees it as an essential forum to express himself. He goes further, however, when he uses Christian symbolism to express his torment and suffering. He shocks his father, his community and the world, and Lev's life is forever changed. This tragic novel reaches a stunning and emotional climax: one unexpected yet inevitable.
My Name is Asher Lev explores not only the tension between the Christian and Jewish worlds, but also the fundamental tension between father and son, one that we can all associate with at some point in our lives. This is nothing short of a literary masterpiece.
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Title: Stormbreaker
Author: Horowitz, Anthony
Reviewed by: Jack Davis, Year 9
Alex Rider is a normal English schoolboy without parents. He lives with his uncle, Ian Rider, until he is killed in a car accident. Alex knew about his uncle's job or life until he died. Ian Rider worked for the English spy agency MI6, and the company wants Alex to work undercover for them. They believe something is suspicious about the new 'Stormbreaker' computers due to be released to each English school out of generosity. But is it really out of generosity? Alex Rider is sent to Herald Sayle Enterprises under the name of Felix, a boy who won a competition allowing him to test out the new computers. Alex is sent to the enterprises for a few days with James Bond-like gadgets, and has to meet a strict deadline or his country may be in jeopardy. He snoops around the enterprises very professionally and cheats death multiple times. The ending is exhilerating and I rate this novel highly. This book is a great for anybody who likes a bit of action.
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Title: The Fellowship of the Ring (Lord of the Rings - Book 1)
Author: Tolkien, J.R.R
Reviewed by: Shane Ng, Year 9
Frodo and his companions are on a journey to destroy forever the Ruling Ring. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered all the Rings of Power, except for the ring that has fallen into the hands of Frodo. If he retrieves this ring he will be able to rule the entire world. The ring can not be destroyed by fire, but can be destroyed across the realms of the Middle Earth to the Crack of Doom. This steaming, red hot lava volcano is protected by evil Orcs surrounding it. I recommend this book to lovers of fantasy books. This book gets off to a slow start but gradually gets better.
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Title: Isle Witch
Author: Brooks, Terry
Series: The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara
Reviewed by: Matthew Sonza, Year 9
This is the first book in Terry Brooks new fantasy series "The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara". The Jerle Shannara is an airship, a type of sailing ship that uses the sun to fly above the ground. The story sets the base for for a quest to find out what happened to an elven prince, Kael Elessedil, who disappeared thirty years ago in the search for a magic more powerful than any other.
The author uses lots of descriptive language to create vivid images of the places in the story. The adventures of the party in their quest for the lost magic are gripping and keep you reading on. The story as a whole is very exciting. So much so that I could hardly put it down. The story is however a little slow at the start and this could cause less dedicated readers to stop reading, but on the whole it is a very good book.
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Title: Area 7
Author: Riley, Matthew
Reviewed by: Tom Sutton, Year 8
Captain Shane Schofield is a US Marine on Air Force One, with the President of the United States. They visit a remote base, named Area 7, in the middle of the Utah desert. Suddenly the Air Force men at the base turn on the President and try to kill him. There is a complex plot involving a transmitter on the President's heart. If his heart stops beating, 14 nuclear warheads go off across the United States. It's Schofield, call-sign Scarecrow, and his marines against three times as many Air Force commandos. The battle starts badly with 3/4ths of the President's detail killed straight away. Schofield uses numerous tactics such as: flying planes and driving trucks inside the hangar and flooding the elevator shaft. This is a great book with never a dull moment. I'd recommend it to anyone over the age of 12.
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Title: Marlfox
Author: Jacques, Brian
Series title: Redwall
Reviewed by: Evan Vlassopoulos, Year 8
This is the eleventh book in the series. Marlfoxes (magic foxes that can disappear and reappear elsewhere) have attacked Redwall Abbey. Some of the marlfoxes stole the great Redwall tapestry from the abbey, as a battle was raging with the other marlfoxes outside. The 3 people guarding the tapestry felt responsible for losing it and so have gone after it on a brilliant adventure down river to the distant castle Marl (home to the marlfoxes). On their journey, they meet many new faces, fight battles, escape from a tribe through rapids on the river and more. While they are away, the abbey is attacked by marlfoxes, because one of them was slain when the tapestry was stolen. And so begins a tale of deceit, treachery and betrayal. I have come to like the fact that the characters are animals that behave like humans, but others may dislike it.
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Title: Holes
Author: Sachar, Louis
Reviewed by: Nick Kings, Year 8
Holes is a book which keeps your attention through to the bitter end. It somehow turns what would be a boring detention camp in real life into a thrilling novel. It is set in a dried up lake in Texas. The main character's name is Stanley Yelnats. He is sent to the camp after a judge finds him guilty of stealing a pair of shoes. Each day at the camp he is required to dig a hole five feet wide and five feet deep. The story is developed with a series of flashbacks which tells the story of the dark past of the dried up lake. Holes is the type of book that you can't put down until you finish. With a good set of characters and a good story line to match, Holes is a book you must read.
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Title: Witch Bank
Author: Jinks, Catherine
Reviewed by : Luke Nicholls, Year 8
The title of this story is a pun on "Which bank" - the Commonwealth Bank, this story is about a coven of witches who work at a bank in Sydney. I first read this book several years ago, and have been enticed to return to it several times since. Written by the award winning Australian author of the "Pagan" books, Witch Bank has managed to entrall me so many times with a mixture of a good plot, fast moving tale and Jinks' flowing style. This is a book set in the modern day and with a surprise in every page.
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Title: Blood Work
Author: Connelly, Michael
Reviewed by: Duncan Lee, Year 8
A book which keeps you in suspense and a trance until you finish reading the book. This book is all about patience and the art of collecting important evidence - including minor things as these can become very powerful. Blood Work, a mystery and adventure this book is, but has many more exciting features.
Former FBI agent Terry McCaleb is now enjoying a peaceful retirment after a heart transplant that saved his life. On the calm and pleasant Los Angeles harbour, McCaleb's life is like the still and wavy sea but gradually, the waves become choppier and so does McCaleb's life.
He finds out the terrible truth when a beautiful woman comes visiting his dock. He was in love with this woman's sister. But worst of all is that her sister was not killed in an accident - it was murder. Knowing this McCaleb feels guilty which drives him forward to find the murderer.
Scene by scene, step by step, McCaleb follows traces of the murderer. Shred by shred he picks up evidence in a search that will eventually lead him to the killer as dangerous as he can be. It would be a crime more terrifying and horrific than any other crime McCaleb has encountered.
Michael Connelly has written many other heart-beating stories such as 'The Black Echo", "The Black Tie", "The Concrete Blonde" and others, all of which are spectacular and entertaining stories that not surprisingly will intrigue you and make sure you turn the page after every single word on the current page has been read.
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