Spark

You know how you feel when you find a book that’s got everything you want as a reader but is still totally different to anything else you’ve read? The feeling might be hard to remember because it rarely happens. But that’s how Spark affected me.

From the very first page the reader experiences absolutely everything Ev (Evangeline) does, not only her emotions, reactions and relationships but every single body zap and zing. It’s a very physical immersion for the reader. Ev’s body is alive with energy. She’s a Shield, the third generation offspring of a defunct DNA project which aimed to create superior military assassins.

She’s not alone. In addition to other Shields, the project also spawned descendants who are Strays and Sparks. The genes have not been distributed evenly. Shields have the “good” genes, driven to protect. Strays have the “bad” genes. Sparks are innocent bystanders in the middle of this conflict. When their DNA sparks the activation of the Stray as a ruthless single –minded killer, they become its target. Shields are also directly connected to Sparks. When the Spark activates a Stray, its Shield is its only protection.

No-one wants a first time Shield. They always fail. They need a few Stray encounters to learn their new skills. Ev is a newly matured Shield. Untrained. Her first Spark isn’t a stranger, the way it usually happens, it’s her best friend.

In addition to a plot that literally rockets along, Spark explores moral dilemmas. What if a Stray was was a “good” person before their DNA made them a killer? What if a Spark isn’t worth risking a life to save? Who says what is “good” and “bad”? Are we more than our DNA or victims of its make-up? Ev has to find the answers if she is to succeed as a Shield.

If you’re a science fiction or fantasy fan, you absolutely need to read Spark. If you like edgy YA, you need to read it too.

Reviewed by Sandy Fussell

Note:  Spark is a trilogy and the next two instalments, Stray and Shield, already have release dates.

Title: Spark

Author: Rachael Craw

Publisher: Walker Books Australia RRP $19.95

Publication Date: July 2014

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781922179623

Type: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Fantasy

Plague

by Michael Grant

Hardie Grant Egmont. Young Adult, Mystery, Science Fiction. Paperback RRP $19.95

Guest Reviewer - Ian Brown

This is the fourth book in the series; Gone, Lies, Hunger and now Plague.

It’s been eight months since all the adults have disappeared, from FAYZ, the Fallout Alley Youth Zone centred on Perdido Beach. You need to have read the previous books, to be up-to-date with what has happened in the FAYZ.

In Plague, fresh water is running out and a fatal flu hits the town, killing many of the children.

The series of books are filled with dark, violent and sometimes gory action. There is a large cast of characters, and multiple storylines to keep the reader in suspense. While Plague does answer many questions, others remain, to keep the reader intrigued. Each new book in the series brings new stories within a complex main story.

If you are a fan of authors like Stephen King and love a good horror story, but have yet to discover this series of books, check them out. As for me I can’t wait for the next instalment, Fear out in 2012.

The Reading Stack reviewed Michael Grant’s Gone in October 2009.

http://www.egmont.co.uk/gone/

http://themichaelgrant.com/  

Gamers’ Challenge

by George Ivanoff

Ford Street Publishing. Australian, Junior, Young Adult, Science Fantasy. Paperback RRP $16.95

Guest Reviewer - Anastasia Gonis

It all started when they broke the Designers’ Rules. They kissed. Then everything changed. Now Tark and Zyra are no longer part of the game. Zyra is now susceptible to every human hurt and habit. Tark is ‘unheard and unseen’ but he feels free from the dependency of Designers’ Paradise where they had lived unchanged and ageless, each one programmed with specified speech patterns.

But a different game starts when Zyra and Tark come into contact with Tee, an Outer, which they too have now become, who has left the game and lives in a community of similar minds. The two are faced with another challenge; another quest. They discover that they have been character constructions, players trapped in a never-ending game that exist in a world of technology that recreates them over and over.

The Outers are being chased by a ball of static known as VI –Viral Interface, comprised of pieces of computer Interface that have escaped into the environment and become lethal. The worst is that the VI becomes larger and more powerful with every kill. It also multiplies as it grows, splitting into additional killers with increasing power and momentum.

The Outers discover the existence of an Ultimate Gamer, with an ultimate exit code that can remove him from the game environment and into the real world. Thus begins the quest to find him and uncover the cheat code. But they are unprepared for what this means. One revelation leads to another inside a labyrinth of options connected with the countless deceptive personas of the Ultimate Gamer. Will Tark and Zyra be able to discern what reality is as they play one last game?

With zombies, knights and dragons, bloody battles, chaos and catastrophe, and magik portals, the reader will view computers, viruses, corrupted files and anti-virus programs with new eyes. Here they become metaphors for danger and destruction in a world where conformity is the ultimate game.

This is the sequel to the charged, Gamers’ Quest. The Reading Stack interviewed George Ivanoff in March 2010.

http://www.gamersquestbook.com/

http://www.georgeivanoff.com.au/

Mole Hunt

The Maximus Black Files: Book 1

by Paul Collins

Ford St Publishing. Australian, Science Fiction, Young Adult. Paperback RRP $19.95

Guest Reviewer - Di Bates

Mole Hunt is the first book in a science fiction series set in the future and in a universe far beyond earth, a place with floating cities where people can regenerate and mankind is out of control, killing and maiming at will. The protagonist – and anti-hero -- is teenager Maximus Black, who works for galactic law enforcement agency, RIM. He is a tightly-drawn, unlikeable psychopath trained to kill – and he does: he also commissions others to do his terrible bidding. Orphaned at the age of six when his parents are murdered, Black is so enraged by their deaths that he seeks to exact revenge: he plans to amass an enormous cache of Old Empire weapons as his way of controlling the galaxy. Black is extremely clever, able to cover his devious tracks as he progresses towards his goals.

There are two narrative points of view in the novel, that of Black and Anneke Longshadow, both of whom are orphans, pitted against one another. Black, a mole who has infiltrated the RIM operation, has no conscience, whereas Longshadow has. Early in the book she sets out to unearth the mole, her quest made more urgent when her adoptive father, her uncle Viktus is murdered. Conflict occurs when, in a world full of spies and secret agents, the Black and Longshadow again and again work out ways to dominate one another.

This fast-paced and bloody tale, tightly-plotted and exciting, is marketed as a young adult novel, but it is really cross-over, also ideal for adult reading. Highly recommended.

The Reading Stack reviewed Paul Collin's picture book The Glasshouse in October 2010.

http://www.paulcollins.com.au/

FEVER

A Dark Touch Novel

by Amy Meredith

Random House Australia. Young Adult, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy. Paperback RRP $17.95

Reviewed by Barbara Brown

Book three of the Dark Touch Novel series starts with a severe heatwave hitting Deepdene. Along with this heatwave is a plague affecting the citizens of the small coastal holiday village for rich New Yorkers. No-one has died from the plague despite the fever, rash and then skin falling off in chunks.

Eve Evergold is the local Deepdene witch and with the help of her best friend Jess and Luke, the boy that seems to have Eve on his mind and he on hers, they set out to try and figure out if the plague, along with the weather, is caused by a demon or is just a virus that is running rampant throughout their small community.

But Eve has sealed the portal that allows demons to easily come and go and it still is secure. Where and what is this new demon?

With more and more friends getting sick, the school being closed and the whole community locked in from the outside world, Eve, Jess and Luke are going to need every bit of brain, strength and knowledge that they can to outwit and get rid of this demon – who is he? Could he be one of them?

A great read for young adults that like a bit of the occult and are sick of vampires but still like to see a girl kick some bad ass butt!

The Reading Stack reviewed book one Shadows, in June 2010. Book two, The Hunt, was released in late 2010 and book four, Betrayal, will be out soon.

The Year of the Flood

by Margaret Atwood

Bloomsbury. Science Fiction, Fantasy. Hardcover RRP $41.95

The Year of the Flood is the story of two women who survive a man-made disaster, obliterating the majority of the human race.

Ren and Toby both are members of a cult called God’s Gardeners at one time or another. Toby is rescued by Adam One and his followers from the hands of a maniac who has used Toby for his enjoyment and is now ready to discard her to the place of no return. Ren is dragged into the Gardeners complex by her mother when she is a child, escaping the boring life of being married to a man who doesn’t really acknowledge Ren and her mother’s existence.

Toby gradually works her way up through the ranks of the Gardeners until her closest friend and supporter dies and Toby steps into her shoes and takes up the position as Eve Six and becomes the keeper of bees and administerer of potions.

Ren spends her childhood with the Gardeners learning that their way of life is a good way of life, where animals and humans co-exist and each is treated with respect. When her mother decides to leave the Gardeners and return to her husband and his chemical company, Ren is torn.

When the waterless flood hits the world both Ren and Toby have been locked away from others and find they have been spared from the disease. But what is the new world going to be like? Who else has survived? And what of the new species of animals and humans?

With man continually tinkering with DNA and chemicals, the animals, diseases, drugs and machinery, The Year of the Flood could possibly be a story waiting to happen.

http://www.yearoftheflood.com/

The Demon’s Covenant

by Sarah Rees Brennan

Simon and Schuster. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult. Paperback rrp $16.99

Mae and her brother Jamie have faced magic and demons head on before but now there is a far greater danger and only Mae can save Jamie, and their friends, brothers Nick and Alan.

Jamie is a magician and has been secretly learning his skills with Gerald, the leader of the Obsidian Circle, the same leader that originally marked Jamie as fodder for a demon. Magicians need energy and energy comes from humans that are “marked” to a demon. Slowly the demon will take their soul and the energy is handed to the magician. The more energy the more powerful a magician will become.

Nick and Alan are magician slayers and originally saved Jamie. Now Jamie is being wooed by Gerald, showing him what powers he has and how to use them. With different magician circles fighting for more power, Jamie, Nick, Alan and Mae have to seek the assistance of the magicians they normally want dead. Mae must complete a dangerous dance to call a demon to save her brother and her friends. But do any of them want her help?

The Demon’s Covenant is a sequel to The Demon’s Lexicon but there is no need, if you don’t want to, to read book one. But you would be missing a great story. I’m now eagerly awaiting the third book, well I am hoping for a third book.

The Reading Stack reviewed book one The Demon’s Lexicon in September 2009.

http://www.sarabreesbrennan.com/

Descent:

The Strangers of Paragor Book 2

by Charlotte McConaghy

black dog books. Australian, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy. Paperback rrp $19.99


Reviewed by Barbara Brown

Six friends from Earth jumped through a porthole into another world. The world of Paragor. Each of the six landed separately on different islands. In Descent, Jack and Mia arrive two and a half years after the others. Their four friends, Harry, Luca, Jane and Anna, have already faced numerous battles to save Paragor and have grown older than them.

Harry is now a consort to a queen. Luca has traded his musical skills for something so dark it keeps him away from those he loves. Jane who has been missing has returned with a knowledge of past lives and the love of an Elf prince. Anna, with the cancer that is slowly killing her, has found a soul mate in her dragon. Jack and Mia must help not only save their friends from the evil darkness but also rescue their own relationship as their personas change. Mia finds out she was a queen in a past life and Jack has disappeared to find his true self.

The prophecy said that six strangers, the bright Ones, would come and save Paragor. But with all the six on the world of Paragor, the descent into the darkness begins. Will these six teenagers from earth with no special skills be able to conquer an unseen and unknown enemy?

Dark winged creatures fill the night sky and haunt the people of Paragor in their dreams. When their High King descends into an insanity that will cost the lives of all, the Bright Ones must try to conquer this black evil.

Fans of Book 1, Arrival, will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read Arrival you will easily slip into the story but I don’t recommend this approach. This is a series to be savoured, in order and in entirety. Book 3 is due out in 2011. My only disappointment was turning the last page of Descent and realising I had to wait for the next book

The Reading Stack reviewed Arrival: The Strangers of Paragor Book 1 in April 2009.

http://www.charlottemcconaghy.bounce.com.au/

SHADOWS

A Dark Touch Novel

by Amy Meredith

Random House Australia. Young Adult, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy. Paperback rrp $17.95

Fifteen-year-old Eve Evergold thought she only had one talent – the power to shop! Living in the Hamptons (in the US) where the rich and famous try to hide, it’s no wonder. With a very large credit card limit and a best friend, Jess, who likes shopping just as much as Eve, the only problem these girls have is which of the two new hunks to arrive in Deepdene, will they each date.

Unfortunately one of these boys is a demon. Is it mysterious but shy Mal or Luke, the new minister’s son who has a new girl on his arm every day? Soon the women and girls of Deepdene are carted to the local mental hospital babbling about demons and soul sucking.

When Eve starts shooting fire from her finger tips she faces the realisation that she may be the one to continue her family’s tradition, becoming the Deepdene Witch to overthrow the demon. But which boy is the one?

With the shadows growing thicker and trying to grip both Jess’ and Eve’s minds, can a young girl with no skills other than knowing when to get a great price on a pair of Jimmy Choo’s be able to fight and survive the master demon?

Shadows is a novel for girls who like to think there is more to a person than meets the eye and who desire to kick some demon butt while wearing great shoes.

A modern day super hero story with the intrigue of ancient witchcraft. The Hunt is the second Dark Touch novel due out later this year.

Nearly Departed

Welcome to Weirdsville...

by Rook Hastings

Harper Collins. Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery. Paperback rrp $14.99

Five teenagers living in Woodsville with nothing in common except they all attend the same high school and have some classes together. Then one mysteriously draws the other four together when she needs their help. Everything in Woodsville was strange before but now it becomes very weird. Welcome to Weirdsville.

Jay is the nerdy geek who thinks there is a parallel universe. Bethan is the goth chick who doesn’t belong in Woodsville. Hashim is the popular football star but he doesn’t want to tell anyone what he sees. Kelly is the beautiful girl, scared for her life. And then there is Emily. No-one seems to notice her until she appears quietly and meekly in the background.

Emily’s mother is missing and the five band together to try and find answers. But in Woodsville there are strange things happening and nobody will admit to anything. What these teenagers don’t see is much scarier than what they expected.

Nearly Departed is a ghost story that has some wonderful twists that I missed right up to the end. And yes September 2010 will see the release of the sequel. I can’t wait!

BrainJack:

The Next War Starts in Cyberspace


by Brian Falkner

Walker Books. Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $18.95

Guest Reviewer - Jo Burnell

Do you know anyone whose life revolves around computers? This book is for them. The Author’s note states: This is not intended as a manual for hackers. You could have fooled me. I was surfing through the network controller of an international telecommunications company and ducking when security spider tendrils probed too close. Hacking into the White House was really just part of the introduction.

Brian Falkner’s tale reads like a fast-paced movie. I felt the building shake and ducked splintering glass, then things got complicated. Distinguishing between the good and bad guys was a mind-bender in this cyber espionage thriller. Internet access for entire countries was shutdown at the flick of a code, but could wars really be caused (and run) by computers?

Although neuro-headsets are a device of the future, they open the way to enormous power and even greater fear in Brainjack. The idea of working hands-free (no more keyboard or mouse) is one thing, but directly connecting your brain to the internet would have side effects, wouldn’t it?

Brainjack is definitely for computer geeks and gamers, but even without understanding the computer lingo, I couldn’t put it down. Some parts freaked me out, but I still couldn’t stop reading. I bet the end takes you by surprise too.

http://www.brianfalkner.co.nz/

Book of Souls

by Glenn Cooper

Random House. Crime, Mystery, Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $32.95

The Book of Souls is the follow up to Library of the Dead with a third book in the series, Tenth Chamber, due out in March 2010.

What do you think you will be doing on 9 February 2027? According to Glenn Cooper you might be one of the BTH (beyond the horizon) group.

It is October 2010 when a book arrives at a London auction house, sparking the curiosity of a number of people worldwide. The only words on the cover are the year: 1527. Inside is a list of names beside what appears to be birth and death dates. A town’s registry perhaps? But what town in 1527 comprised of people with names from all over the world?

The book is part of a vast ancient library kept hidden underneath the Nevada desert by a US secret agency, Area 51. Will Piper is ex-FBI and once worked at Area 51. Henry Spence was also a member.

Henry wants the book to answer questions about his family and employs Will to collect the book after he has won the auction by phone bidding. Will and Henry soon discover that the book has a sonnet hidden within the bindings. Will travels to London to solve the puzzle, embarking on a journey that could change the history of the world.

The only problem is that both Will and Henry don’t realise the Watchers are keeping a close eye on them. The Watchers will do anything to keep the library’s secret and as Will gets closer to the truth, he and his family could be in danger.

If you think the Da Vinci Code raised disconcerting questions, then the Book of Souls will throw you in even deeper. I loved it. I raved about it to anyone who would listen. I wondered if there actually is a Library somewhere and would I be BTH. In the mean time I will just have to wait for the next instalment.

http://www.glenncooperbooks.com/

Gone

by Michael Grant

Hardie Grant Egmont. Young Adult, Mystery, Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $19.95

I originally started to read Gone but I then had to ask my 17 year old to take it as I got scared. I didn’t like thinking of the possibilities and consequences of the story outcome. It reminded me of the book and the movie, Lord of the Flies. And anyway, I reasoned, it’s young adult title. Much better to have a review from a teenager.

My son took it into his room and … it has never seen the light of day since. Gone! (If you will pardon the pun…) My question as to if he had read it came with the reply “oh yeah.” “And?” “It was good. Really liked it.” “Can you write a few lines about it?” “Maybe.”

And there you have it.

The story is about children who, one moment are sitting in a small town classroom then, in a blink of an eye, everyone over the age of 15 has disappeared. Even the teacher. After that, chaos ensues. Some kids automatically become leaders, others followers and some just want to cause havoc.

I was too scared to read on and that’s a review in itself. An excellent book for readers who like a story guaranteed to make them shiver and one my own teenager wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Another three books in the series, Hunger, Lies and Plague, are scheduled to follow.
http://www.egmont.co.uk/gone/

Beyond the Knock-Knock Door

by Scott Monk

Random House Australia. Australian, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Junior. Paperback rrp $16.95

Here is a book that will keep a child’s imagination captive from the beginning to the end.

The 12-year-old Bowman triplets discover a door that takes them to another world. Here there are no birds but there wouldn’t be any room in the sky because the fish swim in there! Duck when a flying whale and shark gets too close! Lands “hover” around the atmosphere and some have metal seeking bases.

And the people are strange too – some with facial scarring and others with jewels encrusted into their cheeks. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who is old.

When Michael, Luke and Samantha enter this other world their fancy dress costumes become real and Michael is mistaken for The Gold Knight from the Hall of Heroes, Luke a space man and Samantha a pirate.

The triplets set out to save Pacifico, a floating nation, from a fearful monster. Even though people go missing, the politicians and the Royal Marines refuse to believe the monster is real. But what is real and what is not is where everything goes belly up!

This is an excellent mystery, science fiction story for readers who don’t like predictable endings. Good fun and definitely very, very unusual.

The Demon’s Lexicon

by Sarah Rees Brennan

Simon & Schuster Pty Limited. Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult. Paperback rrp $16.99

I didn’t know what age category to put The Demon’s Lexicon in. As an adult, I loved it and was the story’s captive from the first page. Teenagers who like gothic stories with black humour will also gravitate to it!

Nick and Alan are brothers. Nick is dark, has no compassion, is four years younger than Alan and continually battles to hold back his anger. He only trusts one person – his brother Alan. Alan, on the other hand, is light haired, blue eyed and would give his life to save another – especially if it is Nick.

Nick is a teenager with a lot of angst. Fighting demons your whole life, losing your father when you were young, and every day facing his mothers accusing eyes - what is a boy meant to do?

The boys’ mother, Olivia, stole a powerful amulet from a great magician and now the family is constantly on the run. They try to stay in one place but the magicians and demons always find them. They kill a few. And then they have to move again. Nick sometimes wonders about just giving back what was taken so they could stop running and live a normal life.

When Jamie, a boy from Nick’s school, is marked by a demon, he comes with his sister to Nick and Alan for assistance. Nick wants to abandon them but Alan agrees to help. In helping Jamie, Alan is inadvertently marked by a demon. Once a human is marked it isn’t long before the demons work their way into their body and take over. Nick can’t let his brother die and Alan won’t let Jamie die.

The only way to save both Alan and Jamie is to kill a magician. But it has to be the right one. What Nick doesn’t know is that maybe the ones you trust are the ones who will hurt you the most.

A great book and I can’t wait to see this on the big screen. I’ll be in the front row gripping the chair!

http://www.sarabreesbrennan.com/

Daniel X: Watch the Skies

by James Patterson and Ned Rust

Random House Australia. Junior, Young Adult, Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $29.95

Guest Reviewer – Ian Brown

Kids who like the Men in Black movies will love the Daniel X Series of books.

In Watch the Skies aliens land in a small American town with plans to take over the planet. But Daniel, teenage alien hunter, has other plans.

It’s worth checking out the other books in this series to read how Daniel fights the aliens and returns for new adventures. Lots of excitement all round. Highly recommended for children who are love science fiction and alien action.

http://www.jamespatterson.com/

The Phoenix Files: arrival

by Chris Morphew


Hardie Grant Egmont. Australian, Junior, Young Adult, Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $16.95

Not many books leave me totally frustrated at the end but The Phoenix Files: arrival did just that! Frustration plus! It has the best cliff hanger ending I have read in a long time and I am itching to get the next instalment.

After his parents split up, Luke Hunter and his mother move to Phoenix. It’s a small Australian town, somewhere out in the middle of nowhere – well so Luke thinks. His mum has been given a really great new job and his she thinks that it could be good for Luke too after the recent family problems. Luke is 15 years of age and just wants to be a teenager. He also still wants to see his father, or at least speak with him.

Phoenix isn’t an ordinary town. First, everything is new – the buildings, the school, the shops. Then there are no cars – everyone rides bicycles. And if that isn’t strange enough - no television, no telephones (that work) and no internet (but there is an intranet). There is also no police force, just a private security detail.

Luke quickly meets new friends, Peter and Jordan. Peter was one of the first students to arrive at Phoenix school. Jordan is not happy about being in Phoenix and she is the second last student to arrive. Just before Luke.

At the end of Luke’s first day, Luke and Jordan receive half each of a coded message from a mysterious source. When Peter finally decodes the message the three friends realise the true sinister purpose of Phoenix and Shackleton Cooperative, the company that built the town from the ground up less than a year before.

Luke, Peter and Jordan have only 100 days to try and solve the puzzle to help civilisation survive. But who can they trust?

The Phoenix Files: arrival is the first 12 days and there are five more books to be released over the next few months. Be prepared for a great story, a great plot with heaps of twists and as I said before, a nail-biting cliff hanger of an ending! Hurry up Mr Morphew, I only have 88 days to go but I don’t like waiting…

http://www.thephoenixfiles.info/phoenix_flashsite.html

http://chrismorphew.blogspot.com/

Arrival. The Strangers of Paragor Book One

by Charlotte McConaghy

black dog books. Australian, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy. Paperback. rrp $19.99

When I first read the publicity blurb I thought – “I’ve go to read this one.” There are shelves and shelves of science fiction/fantasy books everywhere I go but very few are written by a young author for a young adult audience. And McConaghy started writing Arrival when she was fourteen years of age.

Arrival is brilliant! McConaghy has created a magical world where ancient beasts (sabre-tooths), mythical creatures (elves, dragons, unicorns and Gods) mix with humans in the world of Paragor. It is a place reminiscent of the early 17th Century - jousting, bows and arrows, heavy armour, kings and queens and knights. This fantastic story kept me reading oblivious to life around me. I only looked up when I came to the last page.

The prophecy states when six “strangers” or “Bright Ones” arrive from Earth through a portal, the world of Paragor will be saved. The problem is when the six 21st century teenagers jump through they have no idea how to save anything.

Jane, Anna, Mia, Harry, Luca and Jack are best friends on Earth. They have each been having the same dream about an angel and Gods. They decide to follow Harry’s wild idea that at the top of a small mountain just over the cliff there is a portal. When the six decide to jump through the portal they do so together, but when they awaken on the other side they are all separated and in strange places.

Arrival is the first book of what promises to be a mesmerising series. Arrival is the story of Jane, Anna, Harry and Luca as these four help the ruling Kings of Paragor and the Gods, to overcome Leostrial, the self-imposed King of Lapis Matyr. Mia and Jack, the other two “Bright Ones” story is not yet told – Book two, I am hoping, will tell us more.

So now, dear readers, we must await for McConaghy to bring out book two of the Strangers of Paragor. I only hope the wait is not too long.

The Gene Thieves

by Maria Quinn

Harper Collins. Australian, Science Fiction, Crime, Mystery. Paperback rrp $24.99

On the back cover of the The Gene Thieves it says science fiction. But don’t let that discourage you if you don’t like the genre. Here is a story that is set in Sydney sometime in the future – but it could just as likely be tomorrow. Hybrid cars, tall buildings powered by hydrogen converted from sky-farm and conjugal contracts, not marriages are all futuristic but don’t sound too far removed from today.

Peter Tebrett, Dancer to his friends, is a lawyer who is approached by brilliant scientist, Piggy Brown, to help him with the contracts to allow him to have a child using embryos and sperm of his choosing. When he was a young boy, Piggy Brown was given his name by local bullies, because of his pale skin, thick white-blonde lashes and short nose with wide nostrils.

One of the bullies was Dancer. But Piggy doesn’t remember this, or if he does, he has chosen to ignore it.

Dancer feels obligated to help. Piggy, thanks to his discovery of the blue-eyed gene, is very rich. Rich to the point where he will never need to look at the price of anything again. But what he truly wants is to have the child he feels he should have been. A normal child with no defects – perfect.

The Nest is the official centre for surrogates and was created by Dancer’s recently deceased mother. Her business partner is now ready to retire but before she does she recommends to Dancer and Piggy a surrogate who will carry Piggy’s child without asking too many questions. Angela, the surrogate, is artificially impregnated and with her existing child Molly, moves into Piggy’s large home and his life.

For the first time, Piggy experiences the bond of love and trust through Angela’s young daughter. As a child, Molly only sees Piggy for the gentle and loving man that he is. She is not bothered by his physical deformities. When Dancer withholds new information about Angela, he hopes to protect Piggy but for the consequences could place Piggy’s unborn child in grave danger.

When the scientific community learns that Piggy is close to finishing his latest discovery, there is even more at stake. What has Piggy discovered that people will kill for? Will Angela, the unborn child and Molly be safe?

Genetics, science and love are major elements in the drama and mystery of The Gene Thieves. The future is out there and, after reading this book, I believe scientists have a lot to answer for. The ramifications of current trends in scientific research are examined and held to account in this book. It is a great story too.

www.storyworldonline.com

BLOOD TIES

by Sophie McKenzie

Simon & Schuster Australia. Young Adult, Crime, Mystery, Science Fiction. Paperback rrp $18.95

Here is a story of two English 15-year-olds who seem to have typical teenage lives. When Theo discovers his father may still be alive, his actions catapult both himself and Rachel on a life-and-death race around England and America. This is a plotline so “out there” that one day it could become non-fiction.

Theo’s life is a little unusual. Although his mother struggles to afford the basics, he goes to an exclusive private school and he has a bodyguard, Roy, with him at all times - 24/7. Theo isn’t allowed to go to the movies or to friends’ places without Roy. He doesn’t even have a mobile phone.

Rachel’s life is very normal. She is a bit chubby, not popular and her parents are a lot older than most. Her mother constantly reminds Rachel of how beautiful, smart and talented her sister, Rebecca was. But Rachel doesn’t want to know because Rebecca died before Rachel was born and every day the number of times her mother compares her to Rebecca is the number of times Rachel is reminded of how fat, ugly, dumb and stupid she is!

Theo constantly tries to give Roy the slip and Rachel constantly tries to forget about Rebecca. Through searching the internet Theo locates a man who may know where his supposedly dead father is. The man is Rachel’s father. When Theo locates Rachel and then meets her father, strange and dangerous things start to happen. Theo and Rachel are attacked by men from RAGE (the Righteous Army against Genetic Engineering). The next thing Theo and Rachel are on the run – a race to escape the men from RAGE and to save their own lives. All the questions and answers seem to lead back to Theo’s father. But where is he? And how will they find him?

What Theo and Rachel discover is so startling that neither can believe it. And what happens to their lives will change forever their beliefs in the present, the future AND the past!

Blood Ties is a fast-paced, big-screen story. Even though it is recommended for 12+, any adult who likes a great psychological thriller will enjoy it. The issue of human cloning is a very real scientific occurrence and it has been used in this book to further the debate – good or evil. Brilliant! The only question now is when is the movie coming out?

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