Rona Books

Men Briefly Explained & Tongues of Ash - Event

2011-10-21T15:37:00.000+13:00

We're fortunate to have the authors of these two books at Rona Gallery on Friday night, and we're all looking forward to the event. We hope you can make it, but if you can't, I'll try to get pictures of the event up as soon as possible. There are some stunning poems including Shetland Ponies, Haast Beach by Tim Jones featured here on the Tuesday Poem blog.

Friday 28th Oct 2011 6 - 8pm

Tim Jones and Keith Westwater present their poetry books,

Men Briefly Explained & Tongues of Ash

151 Muritai Rd Eastbourne

Tim Jones' (winner of the NZSA Janet Frame Memorial Award for Literature in 2010) &

Keith Westwater 2011 IP Picks Best First Book prize. His "Winds and Time" poem

features here at "An Affliction of Poetry."

For more information go to the BOOK EVENT page on our website.

Other venues:

Dunedin: Tuesday, 25 October, Circadian Rhythm Café, 72 St Andrew Street, 8pm
Christchurch: Wednesday, 26 October, CPIT, Madras Street, 5:30pm
Lower Hutt: Friday, 28 October, Rona Gallery/Bookshop, Eastbourne, 6pm
Auckland: Tuesday 1 November, Poetry Live, Thirsty Dog, 469 Karangahape Road, 8pm

Feed by Mira Grant aka Seanan McGuire

2011-10-10T15:04:00.001+13:00

Alright - first off - the book is fantastic, a great light read and more about that later. How dare I publicise an author's real name after they wrote under a pseudonym? Well, apparently it's an open pseudonym specifically for "horror."

Given there's nothing quite like tying up loose ends it's probably worth noting Seanan won the John W Campbell award for best new writer in the Hugo Awards here and Feed has been getting some great press and this is why...

The characters are fun. The premise is amazing. The writing is sharp and to the point, and if the characters aren't up to the hips in danger then there are interesting emotional diversions and the story is making little snide commentaries on the American electoral system (at a level that's not too hard for even foreigners to follow - so long as they've watched maybe a couple of episodes of the Daily Show).

Georgia and her brother Sean grew up with Zombies, their adoptive parents pushing them into the life of the media, not of glitz so much as dangerously living a life as close to that children would have enjoyed before life became too dangerous for people to frivolously risk going outside. A dangerous life. And all for the ratings.

Now the siblings plan to become blogging stars with their own network, Sean as an "Irwin" (yes, that's right obviously a tip of the hat to old Stevo), his job is to keep his followers happy with exciting footage of himself getting into dangerous situations. Georgia on the other hand is a "newsie" and she's only interested in the truth, keeping her readers appraised of what it going on in her part of the world.

To kick-start their career Georgia applied to follow a prominent politician. It was their chance to make the big time. But it wasn't the easy gig they expected. The problem is that while poking zombies with sticks is very very very (etc) dangerous - telling the truth is positively suicidal. Especially where politics is involved...

ok that'll do.

Read it.

And don't worry- a zombie never, ever, ever says "brains". And it's not really what I'd classify as horror either - maybe adventure horror?

Shadowheart by Tad Williams with almost no spoilers

2011-09-25T19:29:00.002+13:00

(If you wish to find out more about books one and two of this series, click this link)

I wasalmost up to FINALLY reading Shadowheart when George RR Martin's latest Game ofThrones came out and I had to put it on the back burner again. It's times like this where you think maybetwo epics in a row is probably going to be too much. But no. Shadowheart is anawesome conclusion to this series by one of the greatest fantasy epic writersof the day. It was like coming home towarm slippers and hot cocoa after being shredded by wolves. The story was fun, the plot ripped, the poetTinwright was such a lot of fun. If Ihad the tiniest, tiniest complaint - Please Tad, don't do the George thing andcall girls manly or whatever because they're in armour. Besides, armour is actually quite femininewith bulging chest-plates and the flairs at the hips...

Still, if you love epic fantasy, Tad Williamsunderstands epic fantasy in a way so many writers don’t - and I'll go as far asto include George in that number (although here's no doubt the guy canwrite). Far from being a let down, the finalto this Shadow war series not only holds its own, but I found it the high pointof the series. Well worth reading. Go and get a copy - it'll keep you quiet forquiet some time. Enjoy!

mini-review by Alicia Ponder

A Dance with Dragons - Game of Thrones by George RR Martin

2011-08-22T11:35:00.002+12:00

What can I say about this epic - that hasn't already been said? It's brutal - it's magnificently epic in its scope - and its back on track. The last couple of books, I admit I was wondering which way it would go - strung out plotlines and the usual epic dithering, or falling back to a tighter framework.

Neither apparently, although, according to George, the next book does see many of our far-flung heroes become a little less far-flung. (At least those that are still alive) For death and dishonour in the game of thrones, is merely part of the game. And nobody is safe or exempt.

The characters are compelling, although everyone has their favourites. For instance I hated Daenerys, in Game of Thrones, still do - fortunately now she has the redeeming feature of dragons. And boy, that is one huge redeeming feature, so of course she is a favourite for many. The Imp - Tyrion, is also many people's favourite - one moment he is insufferable, and the next awesome. What a fantastic character. Oozing with charm and - is insufferability a word? - well you get the idea anyway. I'm not even going to mention my two favourites - because I'm pretty sure one of them is dead. And if you haven't read the book you can't understand how angry that makes me. I'm furious. Spitting tacks, but to continue, because I don't want to give the game away none of the characters are the ciphers that you expect in less well written fantasy, from sellswords, to nobility they run the spectrum from evil to benign - but never weak. Although the child king is, and surely, surely he can't hold the throne for long... Even "ordinary" men and women who live in a this dangerous and unforgiving world are breathed upon with life, as the plot gallops along, running over, past and through anything and anyone that gets in its way.

If you love epic fantasy and you haven't yet read Game of Thrones, the only acceptable excuse is that you are too young. (And even if you're ninety, that could be a good excuse - because some of the content is not extremely AO. A couple of instances in "A Dance with Dragons" were real scrub-your-brain-out-afterwards stuff. -- You'll have some idea if you've been watching the HBO series, Game of Thrones. But if you think the tv series is good with its catchphrase "Winter is Coming" - this is why its good - the writing - and its so much more than you could ever just watch.)

but no. I'm not reading the next book. Never. No. not ever. I'm too upset. At least... not until it comes out...unless, perhaps I can get hold of a reading copy slightly earlier?

Because winter is finally here. And it's hit with a vengeance.

Alicia Ponder

For readers 18 or older

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

2011-07-11T13:15:00.000+12:00

Another post apocalyptic novel by Bacigalupi. He received a nebula for his debut novel, the Windup Girl but to be honest I preferred this one. It seemed more honest, and the simple determination and courage of his characters shines through in a world now almost devoid of oil, and where even small children are put to work breaking up wrecks for the small amounts of metals they contain.

Nailer's days on his job are numbered, almost too big for light crew and the job of crawling through ducts for wires, and too small for heavy crew he faces an uncertain future. His only remaining family a brutal father strung out on drugs, he has created a family of sorts among his crew, but loyalty in this world is a hard thing, bought in blood and broken for money.

When a rich girl washes up with a storm, he is left with the choice to slit her throat, take her wealth and make a better life for himself - or can he justify the risk of keeping her alive?

A gripping book without the technical or scientific bullshit of his previous novel, this was for me the ultimate teen read even if, from what I understand, it is being sold for adult consumption. Great fun!

This and That. Books. And Things. Apologies for being so slow to post.

2011-07-02T23:23:00.000+12:00

There's something about books, going into a bookstore and looking around to see what's new. There's always something exciting, some new author, or an old favourite just waiting to be read. And because I work there, I can be real fussy. If I read a paragraph and don't much like it, I'll try another, somewhere a little further in. That's it. No more chances, unless it's come recommended or I've enjoyed reading the author before. I almost threw down the latest Sanderson book, even though I think he's a great writer, because the characters at the beginning weren't empathetic or compelling enough. Then I made the mistake of saying that to my husband. He looked at me with utter shock. "But you can tell it's going to get good." Yes, but for me it had to get EXTREMELY good to make up for the mucking around. And I still think that first section could have been pretty much edited out with no/little loss of story.

Then I was chatting about books with a friend, and to a certain extent we liked the same sort of thing, but I was shocked that she could love Hyddenworld by William Horwood. Someone had recommended it to me so I stuck at it for the requisite hundred pages, maybe even one or two more. But in my eyes it was unoriginal hack. Nothing new, nothing original, the same old same old... more Tolkien anyone? But for her it was like cuddling up with a favourite blanket, and a warm cup of cocoa. Nice, and warm and friendly. Now I'm busy struggling though Tad Williams latest book, and I love bits of it, and hate others. Shadowrise is I continuation of his Shadow... series. And some of it is exactly the blanket and slippers and cocoa and its fantastic and some of it - I have to wonder what he was thinking. It's just not as succinct as I expect from a writer of his calibre - and it's not that its not succinct because some of the charm of the series is that its epic. And I love epic. Truly properly epic, but I think it's just because its at the stage where Robert Jordan, and even to a certain extent George RR Martin struggled/are struggling with their epics. There's just so much happening, and the characters are so beloved it's hard to focus on the real story and the way it. Now George, well he was earning enough that he could spend the years it takes to knock his behemoth into shape (and hopefully he has - because boy, I haven't looked forward to a book half so much as I've looked forward to his latest - due out July 12 - in America) but Tad Williams undoubtedly lacks that luxury, so he just keeps on keeping on, which is great because for me these books are that cosy blanket, the hot drink, the gluten free muffin, yes, it has many aspects of trite fantasy, the very stuff I railed against in Hyddenworld, but there's a life here, a soul, a little unexpectedness, and an unexplored world - that for me still holds some excitement, and enormous potential. So, yes, it's taking a while but I'm happy to keep reading on, to find out if Briony and Barrick will ever fulfil their early potential, to see if Flint, the orphan boy is really who I think he is, and if Qinnitan will eventually find her freedom, and the King too, and to see if Tad can do what he always seems to have in the past, pull his series together in a surprisingly good ending. And once I've finished this series, there's China Meiville, George RR Martin, and I live in hope, another Frances Hardinger, Robin Hobb... and that's not counting the new authors, the ones where you pick up the book and can't put it down, I found both Frances Hardinger and Emma Clayton that way, and there's always the hope that I'll find another un-put-down-able author - and may be this time they wont be kids books.They'll be the "important sort of biographies that Joanna and Mary like so much, the literature... No, who am I kidding, I like what I like - and as many have said before, there's no accounting for taste and still, that's half the fun.

Yes working in a bookshop is very rewarding, because there's nothing a writer likes better than talking about books. Great Books.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

2011-06-09T18:36:00.000+12:00

In completing Wheel of Time, Brandon Sanderson has shown that he has the right stuff when it comes to epic fantasy. His worlds are as rich as his writing, his characters are troubled, his setting gritty and on a grand scale, but do be warned I found the first hundred or so pages of this book quite hard going - yes, there was action and yes the world showed signs of greatness, but it took along time for the events he set up to be resolved - still because of his previous works I trusted it would be worth the wait - and yes it was - by the end I just could not put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next. It did not matter that it was four o'clock in the morning, my favourite characters were in peril - would they live or would they die?

There is alot of warfare in this book,and a carefully constructed "magic" that seems to be based on rules that are only very slowly being revealed, but nothing safe and easy. The creatures who inhabit the world are quite foreign, including massive chasmfiends that are hunted for sport, and the strange "spren" that seem to be everywhere, and whose place in the universe slowly becomes more apparent. It's as dangerous and deadly as "Game of Thrones" and I so want to give away the end - because it does pull the whole book into perspective and make you ask the only question there is to ask: WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE COMING OUT! Thank goodness Sanderson is such a fast writer, now all we need to do is get him a curmudgeony editor just to make sure that the pacing stays even. Or maybe, I should, like my friends say, learn patience. the only problem is that takes too long.

Overall yes, this is a great book, and lovers of epic fantasy who are still waiting for George RR Martin's colossus to come out could do far worse than read it. And believe it or not given the choice I would probably read the sequel to this first, just because I found the last George R R Martin book a tiny bit disappointing. Maybe it didn't have enough Arya in it, or enough Imp (my favourite characters by far) - but I cannot imagine that the surgeon, and fighter Kaladin will ever be far from the action so long as he is alive.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassabdra Clare

2011-05-10T00:03:00.001+12:00

This is the fourth book of the Mortal Instruments series so long as you don't count the prequel- Clockwork Angel

If you like contemporary urban fantasy with bit of romance and you're not familiar with Mortal Instruments, then why are you still reading this? Go and get City of Bones and sit down and read it right now! Seriously it's a bit like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the guys are pretty good at slaying bad guys too.

Ok, so we are, you've read books 1-3 and the prequel, so how does this one stack up? Is it worth reading? What about the romance? Who's in it?

Simon, the daylighter Vampire who used to have a crush on Cassie is finding his life is complicated. Bad people want him, and not necessarily alive, and Jace, well dying and coming back to life is more difficult for a Shadowhunter than anyone could have imagined, so much so that now even his dreams are putting him at risk. Can Cassie trust him? And how nasty are things going to get? Well the answer to those questions is - no - and very nasty. Yes you'll love it, the fast pace, the fun, and although the romance is a bit heavy, let me assure the less romantically inclined readers that the bedroom door isn't opened for something that could merely be insinuated behind a closed one.

This is modern teen fantasy that doesn't require a degree in English, nor is it the endless teenage angst of twilight, it's just good fun. Maybe not quite as dazzling as books one to three, mostly because I hate stories that end on a knife edge - there's nothing worse - especially because that means I desperately want to read the next book now!

A J Ponder

The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else

2011-05-10T00:02:00.019+12:00

shhh - this book is magic - don't tell anybody. Don't even say the word m**ic - or "she" might hear you. It's the perfect book for nine to twelve year olds to read for themselves, or if you are younger that's great because mum, dad, grandma or grandpa will love it too.

Jasper, an obviously extraordinary boy, has to escape to sea in the travelling restaurant where he encounters pirates and all sorts of danger in order to rescue his little sister and in fact everyone from a very nasty lady who wants to be Queen. Seriously I'd tell you more, but I don't want to ruin a moment of fun by spoiling any of the surprises.

"a great romp" Richard Ponder
"an edge-of-your-seat tale of treachery courage and magic" official blurb yes, I know but it's true
"One of the most enchanting books I've read for a long time," Kate De Goldi

And me - well, it's the first book where I've seriously wished to go back in time to read it to my young children. A very special book that will touch the hearts of young and old.

Review: Alicia Ponder

Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

2011-04-18T00:54:00.001+12:00

The Blurb

"In a fractured Realm, struggling to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and religious tyranny, a 12-year-old orphan and a homicidal goose become the accidental heroes of a revolution"

This book won the Branford Boase Award in 2006,and was listed in the School Library Journal's Best Books of 2006, it is seriously good. It's well written, fun and most of all a heartening story of... no it's not, it's just fun.

^{The plot}

Mosca Mye breaks out of her virtual imprisonment to free the glib Eponymous Clent -- not because she knows he's innocent, but because she loves his ability with words, something that she has missed since the death of her father. With his ready lies and easy charm, it is amazing just how easy it is for the pair to get into trouble, get mixed up in a rebellion, and generally make a real nuisance of themselves -- helped in no small part by Saracen her deranged goose.

Why it's great

There's not many books where morally dubious characters can rescue themselves by convincing a highwayman that what he really needs is good publicity - and then instead of stooping there, follow the consequences of that action. It's witty, beautiful and dangerous, a beautifully presented mythical 18th Century Middle England, fractured by religious and political upheaval. (The religion part is completely fictional, adding nicely to the tone of the story and to Mosca's difficulties, born as she is under the inauspicious Palpitattle, god of keeping flies off the jam and butter.) The romance (no not THAT sort of romance) and the humour in no way stand in place of plot, but do make the story more than just another adventure, but a true classic.

So this book is for teenagers?

I would argue that the people who will truly love it are good readers around ten and up, especially people who love fantasy or historical fiction. Frances is someone who loves words, and writing, she's an incredibly gifted, as I have already remarked in my reviews of Verdigris Deep and Twilight Robbery. Her use of language is amazing, as one would expect in an English professor - and it is that mastery of language along with remarkable plotting and wonderful characters that make her a must read. Truly remarkable.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

2011-04-14T15:22:00.000+12:00

This is the fourth book of the Mortal Instruments series so long as you don't count the prequel- Clockwork Angel

Who will like this book?
If you've read the other Mortal Instruments books or if you like contemporary urban fantasy with bit of romance - but if you're not familiar with Mortal Instruments, then why are you still reading this? Go and get City of Bones and sit down and read it right now! Seriously it's a bit like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the guys are pretty good at slaying bad guys too.

Ok, so you've read books 1-3 and maybe the prequel, and you want to know how does this one stacks up. Is it worth reading? What about the romance? Who's in it?

The important stuff, hopefully without giving too much away:
Simon, the daylighter Vampire who used to have a crush on Cassie is finding his life is complicated. Bad people want him, and not necessarily alive, and Jace, well dying and coming back to life is more difficult for a Shadowhunter than anyone could have imagined, so much so that now even his dreams are putting him at risk. Can Cassie trust him? And how nasty are things going to get? Well the answer to those questions is - no - and very nasty. Yes you'll love it, the fast pace and the fun, and although the romance is a bit heavy let me assure the less romantically inclined readers that the bedroom door isn't opened for something that could merely be insinuated behind a closed one.

This is modern teen fantasy that doesn't require a degree in English, nor is it the endless teenage angst of twilight, it's just good fun. Maybe not quite as dazzling as books one to three, mostly because it ends on a knife edge, and there's that terrible - but I want to read the next book now! Just as the adventure seemed to be coming to an end.

Alicia Ponder

Genius Suad by Catherine Jinks

2011-03-20T08:35:00.002+13:00

The Official Blurb:
Will Genius Squad be the answer to all Cadel's prayers? Or is he right to question their motives? Deciding what's good and what's bad is more difficult than he could ever have imagined ...

The Book:
I don't remember reading Evil Genius, but the scenario isn't hard to catch onto, Catherine pretty much spells everything she needs to at the beginning of the book. So much so that it felt like I'd read the original - or maybe that was just Artemis Fowl messing with my mind. After all Artemis Fowl is pretty much along the same lines - except Artemis doesn't seem to have quite so many daddy issues.

The Plot:

The absolute best thing about the book is the plot. Just when things can't possibly get any worse, they do. I was on the edge of my seat (well the edge of my sickbed) almost to the very last page.

you want more than that? ok. The once evil genius Cadel is in a foster home, but jumps at the chance of being able to change the life of a friend, by joining Genius Squad where he finds his skills at lying and deception to be most useful. After all he's working for good isn't he? trying to bring down an evil organisation... but is that really what Genius Squad is about, or is there some more sinister purpose?

Everything Else:
hey what else matters in an evil genius story besides a good plot, and in this case a great plot? Not much. But for the record Catherine is a great writer and kids stop reading here, because if you do it will put you off worse than the lame trailer. Yes it's those daddy issues. The whole trust thing. It makes the adults happy that you're being slapped in the face with "good" and "bad" yes you know the difference. And that the bad guys always lose. That's why stories are so great. They can make mistakes you don't have to, but on occasion this book seems to preach - that's not for you, not really that's for all the adults, some of whom are probably wondering why I'm addressing you guys because they didn't figure out "no kids past this point" really meant "kids, listen up."

Anyway it's a good read. Lots of fun. Not too hard on the brain. Enjoy! I'm looking forward to the next one, Genius Wars.

Towers of Midnight, by Brandon Sanderson and Robert Jordan

2011-03-14T12:51:00.000+13:00

The seals to the Dark One's prison are crumbling the pattern is unravelling etc etc...

The Wheel of Time is full of hefty tomes, many of which could quite frankly have done with an edit. A bit of red line through say - a couple of hundred pages and book number thirteen would have been a real page turner. As it is, there is plenty of worry and a modicum of hair pulling (thank goodness), some meetings, afew repetitive wolfy bits, and as per usual the majority of the action is left to the end. Still, if you've made it this far don't give up now because the last book has been set up as a real page turner. I only hope that it lives up to my expectations in a way that this book did not. It's not nearly as good as book twelve, instead the sole purpose of this penultimate book seems to set up the finale due in America some time around March 2012 although I hope it is late and that they use a few weeks -- months even, to sort out the typos and plot loops where the story stagnates, and just stick to the plot, which is very strong when it doesn't get bogged down by all the infinitesimal details of it's own grandeur.

Review by Alicia Ponder.

The Wind Up Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi

2011-02-25T01:01:00.004+13:00

I know many of you are only going to have heard great things about this book. It's why I read it. It's how I managed to struggle to the end despite the gratuitous, unpleasant and degrading sex scenes. And yes - I know there's worse out there, but personally I don't read them. It's a personal preference, but it's not the only reason I hated this book even though I concede it's all bad. In fact it's tipped for a Hugo.

THE STORY

A genetically created person, the windup girl, is dumped in Thailand, after certain almost post apocalyptic events. Around the world a food corporation is calling the shots and countries are being devastated by designer plagues while Thailand struggles to hold out from their influence.

THE WRITING

Yes, this is perfectly good, the plot is ok, I've heard some complaints it doesn't have a proper beginning or end, and that it just kind of stops, but I didn't think those ponts were completely unreasonable. Moreover it's got an interesting feel and a great set-up. At times it really did feel like an alternate world - or a future Thailand.

WHY IT'S SO WRONG

Not only did I feel like I was being preached at about the evils of the modern world by someone who didn't really understand the science behind the problem. The sheer enormity of the mismatch made my teeth itch and slapped me out of the story, whenever I felt I might start to get involved with any of the rather unlikeable characters. Now this is coming from someone who can read fantasy and science fiction, and not worry that our technology and that of the other world don't quite match up, but, for example, when a simple technology like seed sterilization is confused with sterile seeds (usually produced using hybridisation techniques) - then I just want to tear out my hair and go - please if you don't know any science, please avoid the detail, or at least bother asking someone who has a clue.

WHY I AM WRONG TO HATE IT

Basically this book is almost certainly going to get the Hugo. Everybody I know loves it, it's a rollicking story with flawed humans in the wake of enormous disasters, and in particular a heroine (the artificially created Wind Up girl) who feels terribly out of place, but gains strength with adversity.

I know, I shouldn't care about the science. Or the fact that the book makes me feel "icky" and I just wanted to throw it over my shoulder, and kind of wish that I had. Truth is some people like to be upset by their reading material - they think it makes them feel more for the characters. And who am I to disagree?

Except I would like to say that while it's been dubbed "bio-punk," that seems rather a sadly incorrect description, because although the punk element is there, I would like to reassure readers that the bio certainly isn't. Maybe "geopolitical punk" would be more apt? It certainly seems to pull no punches there.

Actually if I'd gone into the book viewing it as geopolitical punk, maybe, just maybe, I'd have liked it.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2010-12-26T23:14:00.001+13:00

Apparently the story behind this book is that the author was flicking between a game show and a war documentary where young people were fighting and dying - and the idea for this book just popped into her head.

And that's really it. Although it's more of an impossible game show popcorn book than my intro might have you believe. Think - "the running man" - with kids in an outdoor setting. Very fast, very pacy and very readable, it's spawned a series of popular books . Mocking Jay, the last book of the series was a must on the Kids Christmas present list - so I'm no sure why it too me so long to read the first one - but I'm pleased I did.

In some ways the whole thing is a bit like Emma Clayton's "The Roar" in that it's almost impossible to put down and it's almost universally liked despite the slight sci fi edge. The pacing is great, there's always something happening and the kids are the only people who can take on the big selfish badies that run the world. No matter how absurd it is, it's impossible not to be carried away and just enjoy this phenomenon.

It's a must for any self respecting officianado of the YA genre.

John Horrocks' Something in the Waters was launched: Sunday 12 December

2010-12-11T15:36:00.002+13:00

The Launch of "Something in the Waters" was a lot of fun, and of course it didn't hurt that the book's original flavour and historical background was so fascinating. John and Robert were great speakers and they kept us all entertained with stories about Rotorua in the old days and some of the remarkable history and pictures around the theme of waters and health that was the basis of the book. Believe me, it's like a fascinating potted history of the time, in clean verse.

THE INVITE:

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

2010-12-06T18:34:00.000+13:00

Just when you think Terry Pratchett is losing his touch, and wonder why you're still bothering to read discworld novels, Terry Pratchett puts out one of his best books for a long time. So much for Alzheimer's, someone's got their eye on the ball.

The wizards at unseen academicals will lose a healthy inheritance/legacy if they don't play a game of football. Only problem is the football played in Ankh Morepork is deadly. With Lord Vetinari somewhat on their side, they have to make a game of it. But there is more resting on the results than anybody originally dreamed.

The women are in the kitchen and the men are all playing dressups, so of course there's enough sexism to make anyone's teeth itch. Enough double entedrers as well. Not exactly something that usually shines through in a Discworld novel, but I guess with the fashion angle to match the equally vapid football angle the opportunities do rather overflow. Which accounts for Terry's inimitable humour being back with a vengeance. Probably though, the best thing about the book is the central character, Nutt. He tries so very hard to fit in, to "have worth", but what he actually has is a legacy that is almost impossible to live down.

review by Alicia Ponder

Twilight Robbery (or Fly Trap in America) by Frances Hardinge (sequel to the heavily acclaimed Fly by Night)

2010-11-29T22:03:00.002+13:00

Please note, although I'm sure you can hardly wait Twilight Robbery is not coming out until the 4th of March 2011.

The story:

Trouble follows Mosca wherever she goes, and it doesn't much help that she hangs out with a lying, cheating, fraudster of no account, and a goose best described as homicidal.

Got that? Good. Because now you've got to hold on tight, through kidnapping, half a bizarre country, more gods than I could possibly name, and into a town that is in terrible peril, from itself.

Will Mosca save the day? Will she be able to help more than just herself, but all the people who are relying on her? Hold on tight and get ready for to discover a world of danger and not so much enchantment. It's not magic that has everyone enthralled so much as the brazen daring of Mosca, her companions - and of course the evil forces they are pitted against. Men and women who are too self centred to care about the plight of their fellows.

Twilight Robbery is everything you'd expect from children's book. It's gorgeous, loveable, dangerous, enchanting (without the magic), and there's lots of running both into and out of danger, as well as fast talking, and a fun, loveable and dangerous -- goose. Now while I didn't much care for Gullstruck Island, and Verdigris Deep is so brilliant that I don't think any other fiction will ever compare -- this strikes a happy middle note that makes me wonder why on earth I didn't read Fly by Night earlier. A mistake I will soon be fixing.

My advice is (and I did exactly this) lay your hands on a copy as soon as you can. And if you're a good reader and can cope with intricately wrought writing with big words, read Verdigris Deep and marvel about how it failed to win the awards it deserved. My reveiw is here.

Fly by Night won the Branford Boase Award in 2006,and was listed in the School Library Journal's Best Books of 2006. Review here.

Frances Hardinge's website is here - fair warning though -as of this moment her sequel hasn't been posted yet.

The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe

2010-11-25T12:28:00.000+13:00

"If Night Falls, All Fall"

"A richly told tale of strange magic, dark treachery, and conflicting loyalties, set in a well-realized world"—Robin Hobb

Heir of Night, young Malian is supposed to be kept safe at all times, and still she is out wandering in places she shouldn't go, heedless of the dangers all around her. After all, life in the garrison her family is pledged to uphold seems safe enough - until they are visited by their ancient enemy, the Swarm. And that's when things suddenly get very interesting.

Standard fantasy stuff on one level, a young hero against forces apparently much stronger than herself. Forces that could destroy everything she loves and holds dear - but it is the rich detail that makes this book too intriguing to put down. Not everything is quite as it seems on the outside and Malian's greatest challenge is to recognise where the true danger lies, when treachery lies hidden at every step.

The writing is gorgeous, except for some of the older characters whose dialogue trips the line from old-fashioned to clunky. The characters are great fun, good and evil alike. And unlike the rather gorgeous Thornspell the main characters -- and I wont even say who the other main character is because it might ruin the suspense (although you'll probably guess)-- are dynamic and active, swimming in waters over their heads they still manage to direct the plot as they use all their resources and inner strength to try and survive. Keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end.

The UK/NZ cover above and the US cover below (just because I love the US cover so much, and feel it's slightly more relevant to the story)

Visit The Heir of Night website here. That way you will be able to keep an eye on what's happening and find out when the next book, "Gathering" will be out, because it's certainly not one I would want to miss.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Maximum Ride by James Patterson

2010-11-14T22:45:00.001+13:00

Buy from Rona Gallery

I'm deeply conflicted about this book. It was a fast read, and rather fun. My daughter LOVED it and went on to read the next four in quick succession. So it was good. But on the other hand - what was he thinking about calling the female lead "Maximum Ride?" and the story itself is similarly shallow.

It's like he's writing by numbers, pushing all the buttons of an action packed book with fantasy overtones -- and most especially using the same techniques as the Percy Jackson series in terms of trying to connect with the readers and instil a sense of impending doom and near danger -- it just didn't quite come off . Not for me anyway - but on the other hand I'm an adult and what I want from a book isn't always what a younger reader would want, and someone with a slightly less jaded "palette" would not be quite so sensitive to what seemed to me a certain soulessness that infected the book.

So maybe if this was an ordinary site and we gave out stars I would be tempted to give it only two - but that's not the whole story. And it's not really a fair evaluation because despite it's flaws it is highly readable and perfect for reluctant readers because of all those numbers - or buttons that are covered, kids - all alone, having to survive by their wits alone. There's lots of action, lots of danger, lots of evil scientists and feats of bravery and wit. So who am I to argue with the teens - for whom this book is written and give it any lower score than the four stars.

Review by Alicia Ponder.

The Rona Gallery Top 10 Books for Adults, Teens, and Picture

2010-11-06T15:54:00.001+13:00

This year we're not doing the Late Late awards, but we are celebrating some of our favourite books with our top tens for Adults Fiction, Non fiction, Teens and Picture. Read one today and Enjoy.

RONA GALLERY TOP BOOKS
TOP 10 NOVELS FOR ADULTS (and yes SOMETIMES when it comes to things as important as books - counting isn't quite the skill that is sometimes emphasised in the classroom!)

1) The Distant Hours, by KateMoreton
2) Blossoms and Shadows, by Lian Hearn3) Hand Me Down World, by Lloyd Jones
4) Sex and Stravinsky, by Barbara Trapido
5) Hand Me Down World, by Lloyd Jones
6) Sex and Stravinsky, by Barbara Trapido
7) Inheritance, by Nicholas Shakespeare
8) Started Early, Took My Dog, by Kate Atkinson
9) Great House, by Nicole Krauss
10) Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
11) Widow’s Daughter, by Nicholas Edlin
12) Villa Pacifica, by Kapka Kassabova

TOP 10 ADULT NON FICTION

1) Shortest History of Europe, by John Hirst
2) QI: The General Book of Ignorance (Bk2) by John Lloyd & John Murchison
3) The Fry Chronicles, by Stephen Fry
4) Katherine Mansfield -The Story Teller, by Kathleen Jones
5) All Blacks Don’t Cry by John Kirwin
6) Blue Smoke: The Lost Dawn of N.Z.Popular Music 1918-1964, by Chris Bourke
7) It’s Easier Than You Think, by Jo Seagar
8) Who’s Cooking Tonight, by Claire Gourley
9) Caught on Canvas, by Richard Ponder
10) Just my Type: A Book about Fonts, by Simon Garfield

TEENAGE BOOKS

1) Trash, by Andy Mulligan
2) Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins 3) Banquo’s Son & Bloodlines, by T.K.Roxborogh
4) The Moorehawke Trilogy, by Celine Kiernan
5) The Bone Tiki, by David Hair
6) Shadow, by Michael Morpugo
7) Fierce, September, by Fleur Black
8) The Guiness World Book of Records
9) Warriors, by Erin Hunter
10) Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare

PICTURE BOOKS

1) The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate, by Joy Cowley
2) It’s a Book, by Lane Smith 3) Legend of the Golden Snail, by Grahame Base
4) Ten Little Fingers, by Mem Fox and Helen Oxbury
5) Wind up Racing Cars, by Paul Nicholls
6) The First Christmas, by Jan Pienkowski
7) Christmas Journey, by Brian Wildsmith
8) Tabby McTat, by Julia Donaldson
9) Eyes, Nose, Fingers & Toes, by Judy Hindley
10) Klutz Educational Games and Toys - always worth looking at, with great ideas for activities and instructional manuals to go with it.

Visit us at our website here

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova, notes by Joanna

2010-09-29T11:36:00.001+13:00

An enchanting story and a deeply human experience

Mary F. Burns, Historical Novel Society

Kostova wrote the "Historian" an excellent book. Swan Thieves is equally as good. Psychiatrist Marlow has a disturbed artist as a patient who has been incarcerated. The story unfolds as Marlow begins to unravel Robert Olner's story through contact with the woman in his life, and letters held by him from painters in the 1870's

This book is highly recommended reading, simply stunning.

Available from Rona Gallery for only NZ$35 until October 10

The Young Sherlock Holmes, Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

2010-09-20T16:36:00.001+12:00

Great Concept -

"Two Dead Bodies
One Unforgettable Hero
The Beginning of a Legend"

This is an "authorised" sequel - and it's pretty good. Lots of excitement, chases, escapes, daring sequences and clever deducing (although I don't believe the word deducing is ever used) I think kids will love it for the most part - but there are one or two pacing issues. For me there were a couple of points in the story where it really slowed down. Possibly part of the problem was I'd just read the original Sherlock Holmes. Very short stories, very clipped and almost modern in their style, although maybe it's not fair (as Watson has not yet entered Sherlock's life) to expect such precision and effortless economy.

Fun aeroplane read for readers around 11-12+

Review by
Alicia Ponder

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, by M. T. Anderson

2010-09-17T11:06:00.000+12:00

Joanna's quick notes on:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing

Book 1 Pox Party

Book 2 Traitor to the Nation

Truly Astonishing!!! An amazing story - told in the style of 18^th Century Journal writing. Story in first book revolves around Octavian and his mother. Octavian, a studied child from birth, given a classical education. Philosophers are ascertaining "the intelligence of the black races" The nature of this study changes when the slave owners begin to fund it.

The second book focuses on the War of Independence.

A must read.

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

2010-09-11T23:17:00.006+12:00

Eoin Colfer's sense of humour is becoming more finely developed and this really shines through when Artemis Fowl finally manages to turn good. Personally I think the book is worth reading for that alone, but there is just one complaint - in a book that is really good - it's not quite as great as the others in the series - and for one reason. Editor. Yes, it would have been better if it had been shorter.

I love this series and was really looking forward to this book, everything about it is fantastic, the code to solve, the sense of humour, Artimis himself, the fantastic writing, the sense of adventure, it's just a shame that it got a little wordier than the previous books.

Review: Alicia Ponder
Buy Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex for NZ $23

PS - and I didn't know this before the author's name is pronounced "Owen" because it says so on his website. http://eoincolfer.com/books/ There's all sorts of crazy stuff here, but I think it's for people a little younger than me.

Disclaimer: This book review is ~~supposedly~~ of fiction, and as such is subject to the "Artimis Fowl II" clause. Artimis Fowl is at liberty to deny everything. Expecially fairies. And also of having a mental illness. It never happened. There is no such thing as Atlantis complex anyway. I am not being forced to write this by his bodyguard! And Artimis Fowl does not, most certainly and never would have a "Wicked world" at www.artemisfowl.co.uk

Inheritance, by Nicholas Shakespeare

2010-09-07T07:28:00.000+12:00

A young, struggling editor inadvertently turns up at the wrong funeral - the story unfolds as the protagonist unravels the biography of the deceased multimillionaire.

Highly Recommended

Review by Joanna

This and that & "MockingJay" the fiinal hunger games book.

2010-09-01T14:09:00.000+12:00

While I've been busy reading, "Sherlock Holmes" an old favourite from Penguin's "classics" section and deciding that anyone who knows anything about science and scientists really shouldn't read "Solar" by Ian McEwan. The writing fine, but the characterisation of the scientist is downright wrong. On so many levels. Anyway I know lots of our young readers loved the Hunger Game series and unlike the end of many trilogies, this book, from all accounts, is something special.

"Katniss, a teen, despite her limited point of view and adults expecting her to play a predetermined role, has agency. She has the power to change things in a world where adults are blind to their own patterns. Which is why the Hunger Games trilogy makes perfect YA." Quote concluding a well written review about the book by Faye Bi (link below)

http://www.tor.com/blogs/2010/08/suzanne-collinss-mockingjay

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

2010-08-18T13:21:00.002+12:00

The creator of the very popular Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief branches away from Greek gods and into Egyptian mythology.

What's not to love in this book - the Egyptian mythology, the fast paced plot, the bickering brother and sister all make for a lot of fun. It's pretty mindless fun, an aeroplane read for kids and young adults, with a plot so fast they just wont want to put it down. I know mine didn't. And they love the little touches of "authenticity" through the book, the hieroglyphics and the arguing and the overall arch of the story.

As an adult though I found something a little missing. Yes, I love all the elements - the god of chaos being released, the animals - at least most of them, the plot etc. But the "chosen ones" underpinning jarred. Then this book wasn't written for jaded adults, it was written for teens and I think he's hit that demographic really well. Most especially teens that love mythology and animals and the idea that they could be caught in an epic struggle of good versus evil.

Review by Alicia

Follow the author on his blog

buy now

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith

2010-08-02T12:34:00.002+12:00

Just when I thought I wasn't ever going to get wildly excited by another book. This crazy little number comes out. And it's quite wonderfully done. The author states -

"I wanted as much real history in the book — as much of Lincoln’s real life — as possible."

And I really did feel like Lincoln's voice was coming out of the page, it was quite amazing. And so was Lincoln's life, from a harsh life on the fringes of American settlement, to his term his term as president, he was an amazing figure, still revered by American's today and you can easily see why.

But I think what really sold the book for me was the heart of it. The abhorrence of slavery, and the equating of slavers with vampires just rings true; slavers were people who fed off humanity, and because of that, the fantastical element of vampires somehow doesn't feel like it is going too far, but is used skilfully as a device to highlight man's inhumanity to man. I can't recommend it highly enough.

interested in finding out more

Video (this video is laugh out loud fun, and makes me wonder if they do make the movie, can it live up to this little trailer?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X58RPS665V0&feature=player_embedded

Buy the book from Rona Gallery & read the official blurb
http://www.art-gallery-newzealand.com/shop/BOOKSHOP/Fiction/Historical+Fiction/Abraham+Lincoln+Vampire+Hunter.html

Game ap (I don't give money for such things but apparently if you want to kill Booth, the guy who killed Lincoln this is your chance - BUT you must be 17 years old to download the app)

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter/id357630076?mt=8

NZ POETRY BOOKS – 30% plus off for National Poetry Day

2010-07-30T17:34:00.000+12:00

30% off poetry books for poetry day - and one week after take advantage of this offer at RONA gallery or contact us through our website art-gallery-newzealand.com

Friday July 30 2010 and applies for a week following.

The discounted price is stated.

Selected Poems of James K Baxter, ed. Paul Millar, $28

$20 books

Fast Talking Pi, Selina Tusitala Marsh [with CD]

Painted Poems – One artist: 20 poets, Eion Stevens

Footfall, Brian Turner [HB]

Shards of Silver, Paul Thompson/NZ poets

The Victims of Lightning, Bill Manhire

Playing God, Glenn Colquhoun

$17.50 NEW & RECENT RELEASES

The Tram Conductor’s Blue Cap, Michael Harlow

Just This, Brian Turner

The Lustre Jug, Bernadette Hall

Dear Sweet Harry, Lynn Jenner

The Moonmen, Anna Livesey

Good Business, Ian Wedde

The Worm in the Tequila, Geoff Cochrane

The Mirror of Simple Annihilated Souls, Kate Camp

The Blind Singer, Chris Price

$16.00 Books

Echolocation, Angela Andrews

Lifted, Bill Manhire

The Pop-up Book of Invasions, Fiona Farrell

After the Dance, Michele Amas

The Propaganda Poster Girl, Amy Brown

Mirabile Dictu, Michele Leggott

How to Survive the Morning, Kevin Ireland

Pocket Edition, Geoff Cochrane

The World’s Fastest Flower, Charlotte Simmonds

In Continents, Richard Reeve

Blame Vermeer, Vincent O’Sullivan

The Lakes of Mars, Chris Orsman

Dream Fish Floating, Karlo Mila

Incognito, Jessica le Bas

The End of Atlantic City, David Beach

Aloe, Diana Bridge

Making Lists for Frances Hodgkins, Paula Green

Walls to Kick and Hills to Sing From, Murray Edmond

How to Live beside the Sea, Lynn Davidson

Beauty Sleep, Kate Camp

When the Sun and Moon Collide, Briar Grace-Smith

Mr Maui’s Dialogues, Peter Bland

The Passage by Justin Cronin

2010-07-11T17:11:00.002+12:00

The book everyone is talking about.
An experiment involving Death-Row inmates goes terribly wrong. An epic disaster of John Wyndham scale hits the world. And then....

Richard read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it, comparing the first half favourably to the Day of the Triffords and one of his favourite authors, John Wyndham. The second half is an extension of the disaster plot, answering the question John Wyndham never did, "What happened next," in true action-adventure style.

Right now Rona Gallery is selling this book for $29.90 - that's ten dollars off. So get your copy now and see what all the fuss is about.

The Passage by Justin Cronin at Rona Gallery
RRP $39.99 now $29.90

Hyddenworld, Spring

2010-07-08T14:08:00.000+12:00

Despite twisting fantasy with reality, despite all the hype, I eventually gave up on ever making my way through this piece of very unevenly plotted fantasy.

It's beautifully presented. The mythology isn't all completely borrowed. There is a plot, half of which is not too bad. But I've read too many similar books to be blown away by any supposed originality here and I suspect despite that despite the fact that this is a "fantasy" book, it's not so much for fantasy readers. Especially not sophisticated ones who dislike an entire chapter on the set-up of a city.

I'm happy for anyone to contradict me. Comment moderation has only been turned on because of the sheer quantity of spam this site has been generating, and I also apologise for the few blogs lately - blame it all on www.richardponder.com
Get great books for great prices
Great specials
Only 1$ postage
Tell us if you want a book and we don't have it on the web yet. For example. I didn't like this book so it's not going up.

Life is short, read good books

Our Birthday Celebrations

2010-06-14T13:16:00.003+12:00

Rona Gallery's 10th Birthday kicked off with an exhibition, then there were Peter Rabbit and Spot the Dog with a great story time pantomime just after lunch, and finally a readers and writers evening featuring Dame Fiona Kidman and twelve other poets -- hosted by Mary McCallum enjoyed by over seventy Eastbourne writers and readers.

Some Photos
Enjoy

Seeing Further, the Story of the Science of the Royal Society -- edited by Bill Bryson

2010-06-11T08:41:00.001+12:00

The Royal Society was founded by curious scientists able to "see further" to change the world around them. Today it illuminates the vast achievements of modern science and continues to push back the frontiers of knowledge.

Sir David Attenborough

From it's humble beginnings in 1660 where a dozen men came to hear a lecture on astronomy from the young Christopher Wren, it became the most prestigious scientific institution on the world. Wherever you lived, whatever language you spoke, if you loved science this was where you wanted to be.

From the crazy, to the improbable to the downright they looked at everything, were fascinated by everything. Taking nothing for granted. Refusing to be bowed by external politics or wars. Recognising science and not just wealth - a big step in the 1600's - the royal society epitomises scientific thought and discovery.

This book has essays spanning not just the giants of Newton and Darwin, but the birth of modern science, and how this impacted on everything from "pure" maths, to bridge construction, from evolution to the Mars mission. The fascination and the passion and the much fought over methodology. Even the idea of the mad scientist is explored as a reaction to the almost magical way in which science not only changes the landscape, but changes the very perspective from which we see it.

22 authors provide 22 windows into this remarkable institution, from the dusty basements filled with 350 years worth of scientific discovery to the lofty individuals that strode through science turning the world in their wake.

Buy now NZ $49.90 Free postage in NZ

At the Gates of Darkness by Raymond E. Feist

2010-06-02T22:12:00.000+12:00

There's a nasty demon thing trying to break through into Midkemia, and the intrepid characters are trying to stop it.

With Magician, Raymond E Feist created a stunning world rife with potential, but the latest instalment, "At the Gates of Darkness", takes about half a book just to get everyone up to date with all his characters. As a reader I don't need character arcs that are completely unrelated to the plot -- however cool they were the first time round.

Of course if you've read many, most or all of the previous books, this is a great re-union, and on the plus side it does star demon-fighting good guys with shady pasts. The elf brothers sneaking through demon country were great -- and if only Raymond had focussed more on them, and less on Pug and that cast of "old favourites", it would have been a better story. One of the reasons his collaboration "Daughter of the Empire" series with Janny Wurts worked so well, was that although some of Raymond's characters popped up on occasion, but they didn't get in the way of the plot, stomp all over it and.... no, I wont give away the ending, but you can probably guess.

It's also a shame that like many other long-running series, some of the simple charm struggling to break through the story is overwhelmed by the huge and unbelievable forces arrayed against the protagonists -- and the huge and unbelievable resources they have to fight back with.

Review by Alicia Ponder

NZ Post Children's Book Awards

2010-05-20T18:02:00.001+12:00

Congratulations to all the winners.
Of the short listed books my favourites were E3 Call Home,(non fiction) Banquo's Son and The Crossing.(young adult fiction) I would have been hard pressed to choose between the two young adult books if I had been a judge so as only one could win I was happy with the judges decision.

The Crossing by Mandy Hager is set in an apocalyptic world where the elite set up a cult that systematically abuses the followers. Not for the faint-hearted, definitely a fourteen plus read.
However if you enjoy a novel with an historical theme then try TK Roxborough's Banquo's Son.

E3 Call Home, by Janet Hunt ticks all the boxes for a non--fiction picture book. It tells a true story about two bar-tailed godwits, with beautiful photography, diagrams and accessible text.

As a minority of one I did not like "The Wonky Donkey," based as it was on an old drinking song, and a poor handicapped donkey that everyone can laugh at. Unfortunately this did win children's choice, so check it out, you might love it! Just like Richard and Rhyna and not Alicia.

The overall winner Old Huhu is a beautifully presented book with charming pictures (except for the huhu beetles eyes) and was a popular choice. Click on http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-book-awards To check out all the awards and runners up.

Review by Joanna Ponder

The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - Happy Birthday 40 years strong

2010-05-12T09:41:00.002+12:00

You might wonder why I'm reviewing a book that's forty years old. Mostly it's because, (for some reason probably the rather ho hum cover,) the Trumpet of the Swan has never received the recognition it deserved.

Sam Beaver discovers a swan's nest and has the opportunity to protect it from predators. The swans trust him, and he gets to see the eggs hatching. The last cygnet, Louie is born without a voice. This lack is sorely felt by his parents, but he goes to school with Sam to learn how to read and write. This seems to work very well until Louie realizes it hasn't worked at all because unfortunately all the other swans don't know how to read and write...

The swamplands are well gorgeous, the school scenes are just delightful and so are the characters. The book, with its sense of wilderness and wonder is a must for any child who loves nature, or any child you want to cultivate a love of nature in. And as with, "Charlotte's Web" and "Stewart Little," E.B. White's almost laconic style is a pleasure to read aloud.

I would mention some of the delightful touches of humour, but I wouldn't do them justice. It's just brilliant. My children and I believe this to be his best children's book, saving his best for last. So all you E.B. White fans out there, now that you know this book exists it's time to make your collection complete.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

2010-04-28T11:35:00.001+12:00

For all you romantics out there this is a beautifully written tale of an impossible love.

Young, beautiful, and abused scribe Caitrin is running from her past. She finds both work and shelter with the chief of a village. But this is no ordinary home, it is plagued by the past, a past she must delve into if she is to help the tortured chieftain, broken, crippled and horribly alone -- even while her own past is but a footstep behind.

Inspired, but not constrained by Beauty and the Beast, this gorgeous book was well worth the read. Having not a romantic bone in my body, I still enjoyed it for the gorgeous writing and the wonderful sense of presence this writer has. I can't wait to read Wildwood dancing!

And it's not jsut me that thinks she's well worth reading, Juliet Marillier has won quite a few awards for her historical fantasy novels:
Winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2006)
Winner of the Beehive Book Award for Young Adult Fiction, sponsored by the Children's Literature Association of Utah and decided by popular vote (2009)
Best Children's Books of the Year, published by the Bank Street College of Education (2007)
A YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Best Book for Young Adults (2007)
A US Board of Books for Young People and Children’s Book Council Outstanding International Book (2008)

Review by Alicia Ponder of Rona Gallery and Bookshop, 151 Muritai Rd, Eastbourne, NZ.

The Phoenix Files:Contact by Chris Morphew

2010-04-02T18:21:00.004+13:00

With only 88 days until the end of the world, our three friends from "Arrival" must get the news out to the rest of the world -- or everybody outside of Phoenix will die. But the phones are down, the roads are closed and it's miles to anywhere. Somehow they must find a way -- but when they do, the three friends know they are walking into unbelievable danger that threatens not only themselves, but everyone they care about.

The story was another good fast paced read from an accomplished writer (Author of some of the Zac Power series). Unfortunately though, I didn't like the change of the point of view character from Luke to Peter. Mostly because for me Luke was a more empathetic character. So while I was slightly, very very slightly dissapointed with "Contact" I'm looking forward to the sequel even more because "Contact" felt like it was building up for something big, without really being satisfying in and of itself. Moreover it's going to be written from Jordan's point of viewm and she is the character I like the best and the one I most want to read about so I'm looking forward to the next book in the series "mutation," is coming out in August 2010 in Australia. Hopefully it will be here not long after. I will be on the edge of my seat and there will be 70 days until the end of the world.

Review by Alicia Ponder

New Titles Arriving in Rona Gallery Every Day

2010-03-26T16:35:00.001+13:00

There have been some great books by very popular authors coming out over the last week or so, Nicky Pelligrino is a particular favourite using such earthy inspirations as food and family to create wonderful enriching fiction. -- Ariana couldn't wait to read this book after having truly enjoyed other Nicky Pelligrino stories, the writing is beautiful and the story catchy, but don't expect this story to be wildly different to the others, Nicky Pelligrino writes intimately about food and Italy and embracing the wonderful little moments in life -- Other favourite authors include the award winning "Small island's" -Andrea Levy's "The Long Song," Jenny Patrick's "Inheritance," and Ian McEwan's "Solar." To celebrate we're offering 15% off any of these books until the end of March - just mention this blog

We'll have some more reviews for you soon!

Alicia

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

2010-03-11T10:50:00.000+13:00

A romance develops between the retired Major and the village shop owner that is to die for... This book is about our humanity, our foibles, predjudices, struggles and the things we take delight in - Wendy Pharyzyn

A war of words is raging in Rona Gallery, or to be more accurate a war of books. Wendy loves this book, she thinks it's far superior to Richard's favourite, Mr Rosenblum's List.

I wouldn't like to argue. They are both fantastic books, filled with love and dreams and humanity.

Dragon Haven, by Robin Hobb

2010-03-03T12:36:00.001+13:00

The dragons of the Rainwild are stunted pitiable things, huge and misshapen that are nothing more than a burden to the fragile Rainwild settlement. They are sent up the river to die, along with their handlers, people like Thymara, children barely crossing into adulthood, scaled and deformed and reviled. But the dragons have a dream, a city where dragons and humans lived together and some of their human companions are willing to face death to find this city -- others are only driven by greed, intending to slaughter the dragons and anyone who stands in their way.

This is the second book of "The Rain Wild Chronicles," so I can only really say that if you liked book one of this series you'll probably like book two. In some ways the story is about as subtle as a sword, and as gentle as an ogre stomping on butterflies. But then I like such things and I also enjoyed this -- in a slightly annoyed, my goodness the publisher could have taken a minute to edit this, frame of mind. The odd spelling mistake I can live with -- the excess repetition not so much. Still, I read the book in about two days, in a please-don't-make-me-put-this-down haze.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Mr Rosenblum's List by Natasha Solomons

2010-02-26T16:35:00.001+13:00

This is such a great book - I got a reading copy about a month ago and I couldn't put it down. Best read for two years! So I was really excited to see it come into the shop yesterday.

Eight years after WWII Mr Rosenblum still feels like a stranger in a strange land, so he determines he will become an English gentleman at all costs.
There's some sad bits, and some unexpected turns in the plot. It's charming and funny and I thought it was brilliant. Did I mention best read in two years!

Review by Richard Ponder

The Horrible Books I've Read Lately

2010-02-13T02:50:00.000+13:00

This is a bit like my personal raspberry awards for 2009/2010. I've just had a run of books I"ve absolutely hated - here are a few of them.

And the winner for Unreadably Awful Prose is Andy McNab's, "DropZone". Of course nobody reads his stuff for the prose, they read them because he was a SAS covert ops commander, and I presume because he can come up with a decent plot. I really couldn't get that far.

And the winner for - Don't Ask Me Why but I just HATED it, goes to Michael, C. Thorpes', "Ben Brown's Adventure Beyond the Universe, the Return of the Nephilim." Old fashioned sci fi that feels like it might have come from a WWII bunker - but possibly on the wrong side. I was probably just in completely the wrong space, I know other people who have just loved this book, but I found it distasteful - maybe I just couldn't get past those wheat fields. It didn't help that a UFO crashed in one, killed a whole lot of cows- presumably from fire damage, but the wheatfield didn't go up . After that I was just looking for trouble.

The winner for, Used Someone Else's Idea for a Story and it Really Didn't Work goes to Ben H. Winters', "Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters". Seriously, "Pride, Prejudice and Zombies" was entertaining on more than one level. I might have hated the characters and been crossing my fingers for the to die, but with this particular "conversion" I hardly know who any of the cahracters are -- and I certainly don't care. Adding fish guts and grossness might amuse a few adolescent boys, but it's just dumped in every few pages whether it fits in with the plot or not. So the story ends up - oh- they cooked something gross for dinner - so what? Someone falls into the water for no real reason...

Alicia Ponder

There may be more yet to come -- but I hope not!

Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel

2010-01-23T12:05:00.000+13:00

Starclimber, sequel to "Skybreaker," the Times Children's book of the year, seems to be an attempt at an old fashioned sci fi adventure. The plot starts with a big bang, and then Matt Cruse, the intrepid hero, has to undergo gruelling training and disappointment before being picked to be part of Starclimber's crew alongside his photographer girlfriend. They turn out to be right about all sorts of bizarre things, and end up in an awful lot of danger.

I found the characterisation shallow, the plot telegraphic, and much of the sci fi element old and tired . Don't get me wrong, some of it was great, and there were even moments where I thought, gosh if this author can sort himself out he's got real potential. But the end result was disappointment. Maybe my expectations were too high.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Brainjack: the next war starts in cyberspace, by Brian Falkner

2010-01-12T21:26:00.002+13:00

Sam Wilson, brilliant teenage hacker, is looking for trouble. And trouble is looking for him. He's trying to get into the most carefuly controlled pieces of cyberspace there is - but he has no idea of the danger that he's getting himself into, it's not just that the police might be after him, he's being chased by an agency he can't even comprehend.
Ok, I'm a science fiction buff, so nothing in this book was particularly new, but it didn't seem to matter, it was a great roller-coaster. Lots of fun, lots of danger, and some really nice touches -- it makes me want to read his other book - the tomorrow code - to see if it's half as good as this one.

About the author: I'm slow on the uptake (my excuse is that the book was published in Aus): Brian is actually an NZ author - born and raised in Auckland - which I wont hold against him, and is the author of several aother books besides this and the Tomorrow code (shortlisted for the 2009 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children - Young Adults and the Esther Glen Award at the LIANZA Awards). The Flea Thing (shortlisted for the LIANZA Esther Glen Award, 2004), The Real Thing, and The Super Freak (shortlisted, New Zealand Post Book Awards, 2006).

Darke Academy - Secret Lives by Gabriella Poole

2010-01-01T22:57:00.001+13:00

What can I say? Darke Academy is a bit of a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight. If you liked those, you'll almost certainly love this - it was fun, and I've not met anybody yet who didn't love it. Even those completely jaded after Twilight.

Ordinary girl from a tough background wins a scholarship to a school so magnificent she can hardly believe it. All the guys are handsome, all the girls are beautiful and very rich, but the Darke academy has a dark secret, (of course it does,) it's a haven for the chosen "Few" who seem to be able to do whatever they like.

But who are these "Few?" and what will it take to join them? Well, of course you know they're vampires, but Cassie doesn't... and she's the one in danger.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar

2009-12-27T19:39:00.001+13:00

Depressive werewolf girl is hunted by her own family. She has nowhere to go, and no life until she is rescued by two extraordinary humans who find themselves caught in the middle of two power struggles: one centred on a rather crazy clothing-obsessed elemental; and the other, a bid for the werewolf leadership -- a struggle in which the Werewolf girl's dead body would be a very powerful bargaining chip.

I'm so deeply divided about this book. The prose is stultifying, it's almost like eating baby food that's been chopped down until it's so soft all the texture is missing. But even so, and this is where the deeply divided comes in -- this baby food has kick. There's wit and charm, and the odd glimpse of three dimensions in amongst the cut-out two dimensional characters. Even better, against the odds, the apparently rambling plot of feud and counter-feud comes together to a relatively satisfying conclusion, so in the end all I can say is people like this book. They do. My copy went flying across the floor more than once, but I still made it to the end, which is more than I can say about quite a few books lately.
It's the sort of story that can make a so-so author into a name, not because it's brilliant, but because it has the things that teenagers are looking for in a story, sex, drugs, depression, rock and roll, and originality. It's not preachy. It doesn't glamorise, it just gets on with the plot as two -- no three -- very different worlds collide. I'll never love this book, for me it was twilight all over again, maybe edgier, more exciting, and far less sentimental, but still pulp -- a fact proudly proclaimed by the cover as it declares the author has invented a new genre; "pulp fantasy noir."

Review: Alicia Ponder

The Phoenix Files -- Arrival by Chris Morphew

2009-12-18T09:08:00.000+13:00

Review by Alicia Ponder

There are one hundred days until the end of the world...

A crazy man, three friends thrown together in a strange town in the middle of nowhere, and a deadline -- this book is adventure through and through. It's an easy read that's fun, fast paced, and very up to date on modern families, school and adventure -- and of course if you like it there's a whole series.

(From one of the authors of Zac Powers -- Volcanic Panic and apparently eleven others, this is a couple of steps up in terms of age and difficulty, but the author's experience shines out in this story in terms of pace and action.)

The Gathering Storm, Book 12 in the Robert Jordan Wheel of Time series by Brandon Sanderson

2009-11-26T13:38:00.001+13:00

Death is merely an inconvenience for Robert Jordan, as his long running series The Wheel of Time continues to turn.

It is in fact (thankfully) turning a little faster now. Under the hands of Robert Jordan, the Wheel of Time was becoming little more than a cash cow. Nothing happened, and then still less happened, while the most powerful women tugged at braids like nine-year olds - and had nothing better to do than sit through endless meetings and choose which clothes to wear. NO MORE.

Brandon Sanderson has injected new life into the characters, sped up the plot, and rekindled the flame of the first few books of this series. The threads are now finally coming together as the different factions battle it out for supremacy while a still greater evil threatens to wipe them all out of existence - forever. So yes, this book is worth reading - the only thing that's vaguely frustrating is this is BOOK 12 - and I can't help but think, are we there yet?

Two more to go.

I can't wait.

LINKS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time (useful for abridged plots)
http://www.brandonsanderson.com/

Nightlight, by The Harvard Lampoon

2009-11-23T22:42:00.004+13:00

Reviewed by Amelia Sirvid

Nightlight is a hilarious take on the first book in the Twilight saga, Twilight.

It's about Belle Goose, a teenage girl who moves from Phoenix to Switchblade, Origin -- a tiny town not on most maps. There she meets Edwart Mullen, a hot (in her opinion) computer nerd, with no interest in girls.

This book is recommended to anyone who has read Twilight

8 ½ /10

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/10/06/nightlight-twilight-parody-harvard-lampoon-meyer/

We have some of the best prices in town, and check out these discounts!

2009-11-11T14:11:00.000+13:00

Come on in and visit us at 151 Muritai Rd, Eastbourne, NZ, & ronagallery@paradise.net.nz

"And Another Thing..." by Eoin Colfer from the Douglas Adam's Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy -- universe

2009-11-04T23:09:00.004+13:00

Part 6 of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy is one of the more controversial books to come out this year - all the hard-core Douglas Adams fans were out asking the hard questions before it was even released, like; "is it as good as the original?" "Is it funny?" But most of all, "how dare this upstart take the place of our beloved demigod and creator of the answer to the question of life, the universe and everything?"

Fortunately the answers to the fan's questions don’t require a computer the size of a planet. In terms of readability "And another Thing" is somewhere between the good hitchhiker's books and the crappy hitchhiker's books, with a smattering of fantasy, and good eye to adventure -- which admittedly takes a while coming but is well worth the wait.

In some ways "And another thing" is fresher with more of a story feel, and I liked that a lot, but I thought the humour was also cruder and less godlike and so I liked it less.

And finally, I'm not exactly sure how Eion Colfer had the balls to take on this project knowing full well that he'd be caught in the crossfire of the purists and all the infidel who remain blissfully ignorant of the significance of the number 42. Was it money? Probably. The fun of playing with gods? Well he certainly took that opportunity in both hands. Maybe we do need a computer the size of a planet to answer that question after all.

In the end though, the only real question worth asking is -- is this new instalment of the Hitchhikers guide worth reading, and, yes, I think it is, so don't be shy -- give it a burl -- even if it's only so you can complain about how Eion Colfer should have done everything differently, which is admittedly, rather fun.

Buy Books to get Free Coffee - for a limited time only

2009-11-02T16:28:00.000+13:00

Twilight Review - Reviewed by Cassie Brown , Australia

2009-10-30T15:50:00.002+13:00

Genre: Romance , Fantasy

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Twilight is a romantic story about a high school romance….but different. This book is a sure hit with female teens and even some adults.

Twilight is about a girl named Bella Swan, when her Mother has to go away with her stepfather, she has to move in with her father in a small town named Forks. When Bella moves to Forks she meets old friends, and makes new ones. But she is completely mystified with one person… Edward Cullen, she cant keep her eyes off him, but soon she realises that he has a secret…..

I love Twilight and its series. They just keep you captivated so you just want to keep turning every page to see what happens next! I loved it so much I read it every night just waiting until I could read new moon (the next volume in the series) to see what happens! It’s like the most unlikely fairy tale! The clumsy awkward girl falls for the bad guy!!!

I recommended Twilight for young female teens an onwards. Although I recommended twilight for girls some boys may also enjoy this book too.

Thanks Cassie for your great review!

Older readers might also enjoy the Host by Stephanie Meyers
http://ronagallerybooks.blogspot.com/2008/05/stephanie-meyer-author-of-immensely.html#links

The Battle of the Sun by Jeanette Winterson

2009-10-12T22:26:00.007+13:00

Jack is the chosen one, only with his help can the city of London be turned to gold -- so Jack is kidnapped by an alchemist determined to do just that.

There's kind of off the wall charm and a simplicity that gives this book a fairy tale feel - not to mention all the crazy fantastical beings, a dragon, a knight in shining armour, several orphans, and of course the heroine of Tanglewreck brought back in time especially. All of which makes this a must read for all those who enjoyed Tanglewreck - for although it's not really a sequel it does feel like one.

"'there is a battle,' he said, 'a battle for the sun..."

And there is...

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

2009-10-12T14:58:00.018+13:00

"A must read" - Richard Ponder

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's nest is a bloody good aeroplane read, it's got suspense, drama, great characters, it's well written and can be read by literary as well as crime buffs. A great final book for the series that started so well with "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo."

2009-10-07T13:11:00.011+13:00

Photo's from the Fifi Coulston's workshop.

Everyone had a blast creating characters from a picture of a skull, and adding everything from noses to names to secrets.

Beside the Dark Pool by Dame Fiona Kidman

2009-09-20T03:20:00.009+12:00

Review by Alicia Ponder.

Yes, I know, I usually leave these reviews to the people who know something about "serious" genres. But Fiona is such an icon, and as I have rather enjoyed her latest offerings I thought, why not? I mean I rather intended to get around to it some time ago, but sometimes life gets in the way and books get piled behind other books - but now I've finally done it and I'm pleased I did.

Then, because I know so little, I peeked at the other reviews. And I agreed with them, yes she's a fantastic author, and yes it's a very long list of books, yes it was a great historical encapsulation of the springbok tour and of writing events in the last twenty years, and finally yes it was written with clarity, humility and style.

But what I took away from it, as an ex-NaeNae College student was completely different. Forget the overbearing honesty, it's overrated, I agreed with Fiona's sentiment that fiction can be more can be more truthful than non-fiction -- what I saw was her caring, and her willingness to stand up for other people, especially writers, but this was made to seem inconsequential (although I'm sure it was not) compared to her husband Ian. Fiona shows that Ian is not just any man, he is a man who is prepared to give his time, and even put his body on the line for other people. His tough and almost lawless childhood is well worth reading about - and then at the last gasp he decides to educate himself, and takes himself on the path that would lead him to NaeNae College and refugees and the clash with police during the infamous Springbok Tour.

Yes, everyone who is interested in New Zealand writing, or Fiona Kidman will want to read this book, and I certainly count myself in that category, but I think a few ex-NaeNae College students will also want a read, maybe flicking through all the writery bits and getting to the bits starring Ian, just to see what he was up to as well.

Raven: Blood Eye by Gile Kristian

2009-09-20T02:54:00.008+12:00

Review by Alicia Ponder

A boy with a blood eye is taken by a band of Vikings...

A typical Viking adventure (not for children) where swords rule and mischeif and mayhem abound. There's plenty of action. Lots of plundering and looting, rapine (nothing graphic), murder.... You know that kind of thing. Yes on many levels its improbable and absurd but the readership doesn't care, it's adventure, treachery, and Norse heroism all the way.

Toby Alone by Timothee de Fombelle

2009-09-20T02:29:00.007+12:00

Review by Alicia Ponder

Toby at 1.5 mm Tall, is certainly the smallest little person I've met since the Who's of Whoville, and that being the case the story has an originaility about it. Desperate to save his parents, Toby must escape from the people who are now running his home, or what he sees as the whole world -- the tree on which he lives. Throughout the book we find out that the meanies who are chasing him are also destroying the tree and want an invention that Toby's father so that they can destroy it faster. On the journey of discovery there are chases and escapes, treachery, a little holding hands, and plenty of opportunity to find out about the dangerous creatures of Toby's world.
*
The natural tendency with a fantasy story about "little people" is to think that it is for a quite young readership, as in the borrowers, but although this story's language isn't overly complicated, the timeline does jump around somewhat, and the content at times is also for maybe ten, eleven plus. The story has won awards - but not that I'm aware of in the English language version and that seems fair enough, it is however a fun and challenging read with an environmental message that never becomes overbearing.

Dark Fire by Chris D'Lacey

2009-09-07T16:33:00.010+12:00

Review by Alicia Ponder

David Rain is back, the dragons are stirring, but with hope also comes risk, the risk of a darkling. Lucy finds herself trying to save a dragon, and simply stay alive

Unfortunately somewhere in the journey from that enchanting instant classic, "the Fire within," Chris D'Lacey seems to have lost the easy charm and magical wonder that so characterises his first book. Fortunately though, buried in this book are inklings of what series could have been, before it was hopelessly overblown. I certainly enjoyed it far more than a couple of the previous installments, less mucking around with polar bears, and more action invlovling the main characters, although I still want the simple charm back, perhaps that is because I haven't grown up in the same way that much of the readership of this series has, with the constant expectation of more excitement and more dragons, Chris d'Lacey certainly doesn't disappoint there.

Lavinia by Ursula Le Guin

2009-08-21T23:46:00.004+12:00

Lavinia, a nobody character in the Aeneid takes centre stage as the heroine. A love story. A story of passion and death. This is a poetic romance with the format of a novel, a serenade of the poet Vigil and a celebration of the strength of the female spirit.

Never mind that I found my usual easy-going suspension of disbelief to be impossible; it is hard to keep up such fakeries when the truth is woven into the story itself, as implacable and inescapable as the prophecies of the poet himself. For Livinia knows -- as do her readers -- that the man she is waiting for will die, that she will spark a bitter war, and that if she does not follow this destiny then her life, and the life of her people will be for nothing.

An intriguingly subtle interweaving of Ursula Le Guin's skill both as a fantasist and as a literary writer.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Hollow Tree by Jacob G. Rosenberg

2009-08-05T17:03:00.005+12:00

Set in Nazi Germany, a scholar and his family refuse to see that their life is about to be torn apart...

A heartbreaking story of intolerance and love, of bravery and brutality. The simple prose and clean writing are almost as heartbreaking as the story of lovers parted.

A pleasure to read.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Dragons of Ordinary Farm by Deborah Beale and Tad Williams

2009-08-05T16:31:00.012+12:00

Ordinary farm is about as far away from ordinary as you can get. There are no hay rides, no fluffy lambs, no signs of farming at all - even the people are strange. It's much more fun than the Tyler and his sister ever expected when their mother insisted they go - and far more dangerous. Will they get out of it alive? And if they do - will their uncle ever allow them to come back again?

The biggest fault with "The Dragons of Ordinary Farm" is that it seemed to try too hard. There's so much crazy packed into the pages so that I found myself being sidetracked. Still it's written with such a good understanding of mothers, children, and modern life - and of course, adventure - that it's easy to recommend this book as a great read and fully deserving of its current five star Amazon rating

Review by Alicia Ponder

Johannes Cabal - The Necromancer, by Jonathan L. Howard

2009-07-20T14:19:00.004+12:00

Necromancer, Johannes Cabal, needs his soul back. Problem is, he's dealing with the devil, and the devil wont be satisfied without at least a hundred more souls to take its place. Armed with a carnival, and a conscience that he could do without, Johannes has to collect the deeds to those hundred souls -- and beat the devil at his own game.

This book is being widely recommended on the coat-tails of Tim Burton and Terry Pratchett, and stylistically this is pretty much on the button. The story does however contain more adult content, and so is more appropriate for the older teen/adult crossover market. Otherwise anyone who enjoys a good story with plenty of off-beat humour will love this book - I did, so did others in my family -- it's already being farmed out to more people. So why don't you hop on a wagon and see where the Johannes Cabal's carnival is headed - just be careful not to sign up.

The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard

2009-07-11T22:59:00.002+12:00

"Luca Campelli's wish to die surrounded by his beloved books came true..."

After Luca Campelli's untimely death, his bookshop is inherited by his estranged son, Jon. Jon is a top notch lawyer with the gift of the gab, and hardly knows what to do with his inheritance -- he isn't even sure he wants it -- until he's pressured to sell it. That's when Jon finds out that the friendly little bookshop is no safe refuge, indeed it has it's own shadowy secrets...

I did enjoy this book on the whole, but I do have one warning, and that is that although the first chapter is unforgettably brilliant, it takes a while for the rest of the book to live up to that promise. Indeed, it was only as I was about to give it up, that the plot coalesced, and the story emerged into an absorbing (if far-fetched) adventure revolving around those most revered and mysterious objects -- books.

Review by Alicia Ponder

2009-06-22T16:24:00.003+12:00

Saturdays exhibition opening with Fiona Kidman was lovely. I know I'll treasure my signed copy of this fantastic book.

Please check out the link if you wish to see a review for this second part of her celebrated memoir.

http://mary-mccallum.blogspot.com/2009/06/congratulations-dame-sir-fiona.html

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith

2009-06-12T00:19:00.007+12:00

Review by Alicia Ponder

There's something wrong about this book. There's no denying the idea's a little sick, but then every Zombie story ever written is a little sick. Nor is there much denying that the book struggles to have a plot, but that never stopped the original from being a classic. So the thing that's screamingly, horribly wrong is only that somebody dared put the two together. It's just wrong on a gut level -- and that's the exact reason I had to read it, and probably why I kind of enjoyed it -- but I wouldn't rave.

Yes, there are moments of brilliance, but there are also moments of drear drudgery. Whole sections where a stray Zombie or two -- just to put one or two of the characters out of their misery (and consequently out of our own) would have been heaven-sent. Whatever point Jane Austin may have been trying to prove about how shallow it is to be only interested in men and fripperies, did she have to make it so well that even the zombies Seth Grahame-Smith injected into the script, seemed more full of character than the majority of the heroine's family?

So is it worth reading? Yes, in the end, why not? It is a bit of culture -- and there's the added bonus that the character you dislike the most may yet succumb to those dreadful zombies..

Nina of the Dark by Ken Catran

2009-05-27T23:45:00.003+12:00

Children's Fantasy approx 9-12

Nina is raised as a slave, but her special abilities mean that she is the only person capable of saving the world.

Yes, as you can probably tell by the opening paragraph -- this book is full of thinly disguised cliché fantasy stereotypes, so if that's what you're after, you'll probably love it. I didn't, and unusually it wasn't the writing that put me off -- it was the characters. Not only were they shallow, but they acted like puppets to be directed by nothing more than the plot, and often heavily directed by author devices like "the balance of the world," and the completely new "thumb hurting."

The action is episodic, a little bit like a random Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Now, that's not entirely a bad thing, and the action was mostly fun, except when, for no reason at all, important fight scenes are skipped and then revisited in retrospect. And the reason for this seemed to be that the book wasn't written around the action, so much as things being explained to Nina. Those one-way dialogues are the big turning points of the story. This having stuff explained, and having objects and events fall into Nina's lap in my view are plot flaws, and trumpeting them undermines her character, the decisions she makes, and how she fights for them. If only more emphasis had been put on those moments, instead of the jiggery-pokery behind the scenes stuff, the story might have worked.

My overall impression was simply that the author did not have respect for his audience, and if that is the case, I suggest he turns his very able pen toward the adult market.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Very Very Late Rona Gallery Awards for 2008

2009-05-17T15:32:00.017+12:00

Children's Awards

Best Children's Book:

Verdigris Deep by Francis Hardinge - Macmillan Children's Books

Simply the most satisfying, well written book I think I've ever read.

The children's children award for best children's adventure: The Roar by Emma Clayton - The Chicken House

The Roar is nothing more than an aeroplane read for children nevertheless it was the fastest devoured children's book I know of - with five readers finishing the book in as many days.

Crossover Book Awards

Best Adult Teen Crossover: The Nostradamus Prophecy by Theresa Breslin --Doubleday

Best Book for Adults Disguised as a Book for Children: The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World by E L. Koningsburg - Ginee Seo Books

Adult's Book Awards

And the winner is...
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - The Dial Press

I can't count the number of people who raved about this book. Absolutely delightful, you'll wish it would never end.

Best Produced book : CK Stead Collected Poems - Auckland University Press

Best Non fiction - Outliers: the story of success
by Malcom Gladwell -Penguin.

Best Aeroplane Read, sheer fast-paced, leave your brain at the door fun:
A Prisoner of Birth by Jefrey Archer - St. Martin's Press

The Reformed Vampire's Support Club by Catherine Jinks

2009-05-17T14:17:00.008+12:00

The perfect antidote to Twilight, funny, undeniably original, and there's a plot!

So you think being a Vampire is cool? Think again. Nina has been cooped up in her room, barely able to go out -- except to her vampire support group.
When one of her fellow vampires is killed they are all terrified a mis-informed vampire-killer is on the loose. Something has to be done - but it means risking everything. And it's dangerous, just think about it, for a vampire sunlight is deadly!

Catherine Jinks is always a great read, so there were a few arguments about who would read this book first -- and second -- and third...

Review by Alicia Ponder

Nation by Terry Pratchett

2009-04-26T00:56:00.005+12:00

What? not Discworld??

Surely we cant be in the real world? It's too funny, but what exactly am I reading?

According to the author, Nation is set in -- "a world that's remarkably similar to earth." But not Earth. At least not Earth as we know it. Must be some parallel universe where there are pirates and pistols and parrots. A universe where the world is funny and fresh and dangerous. A universe where the sweetness isn't Hollywood and the lessons-- or more accurately -- the really cool stuff, isn't preached, but folds its way into the story like chocolate chips into cookies.

It's just a shame that it takes so long for the plot to really get kicking. Apart from a tsunami and the culture clash of Mau and Ermintrude (Daphne), all the real action seems to kick off about half way through, when the "Nation" our characters have built must stand or fall, not only on their actions, but on their wits.

A great story, in many places this is being touted as his best yet.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Dead People's music by Sarah Laing

2009-04-23T16:46:00.005+12:00

One of our picks for 2009

City Of Glass - Cassandra Claire

2009-04-16T10:23:00.002+12:00

City of Glass is the third instalment from the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series. The two prequels City of Bones and City of Ashes build up to a dramatic finish in the third book.
Clary, the stubborn redhead is determined to make her way to Alicante, the City of Glass, believing the answers to all her problems lie there. But when Jace sneaks behind her back in an attempt to protect her, Simon, the new vampire, is dragged unwillingly into the melee. Using her new found powers Clary makes her way to the far outskirts of the City of Glass, but at a price.
Clary, Jace and Simon struggle with their feelings for another and with themselves, is everything really as it seems?
As more of the Shadowhunter history is uncovered, the closer they become to destroying Valentine, but will they really do it?
A full-on fast paced book from modern fantasy writer Cassandra Clare, City of Glass leaves you breathless, twisting and turning through the streets of Alicante. Dangerous new characters, thrilling new powers, and a scandalous history; City of Glass is an exceptional addition to the Mortal Instruments series.

(It is recommended to read the first two books first)

The list of books nominated so far....

2009-04-14T15:07:00.019+12:00

We're still making our final decisions, and wondering if we've forgotten something -- so feel free to e-mail us if you feel we've forgotten about your favourite book!

NOMINATIONS SO FAR

Best Produced book :

CK Stead Collected Poems -- Auckland University Press (2008)

Best Book Non fiction - Encyclopaedia of Bob Dylan (2006 - not eligible) Continuum

Outliers: the story of success by Malcom Gladwell. Penguin.

A Writer's Tale - Dr Who (2008) BBC books

Children's

The Roar , Emma Clayton (2008) The Chicken House

Verdigris Deep pub - Macmillan Children's Books (May 4, 2007)

Juno of Taris - Fleur Beale 1/7/08 Random House

The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman - Sept 30 2008 Harpercollins

Best Adults Book Disguised as a Book for Children

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World - E L. Koningsburg - Ginee Seo Books (September 25, 2007)

The 10 Pm Question by Kate De Goldi , Longacre Press 09/08

Then - Gleisman

A small free kiss in the dark - Glenda Millard

Best Adult Teen Crossover

The Nostradamus Prophecy by Theresa Breslin -- Doubleday (1 May 2008)

Best Adult -- The Other Hand by Chris Cleave - Sceptre (7 Aug 2008)
The Guernsey Potato pie society - The Dial Press (July 29, 2008)

Rona Gallery Book Awards Coming Soon

2009-04-04T12:15:00.003+13:00

Any day now

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2009 Newberry Award Winner)

2009-04-02T01:16:00.008+13:00

This book grabbed me with the very first sentence -- "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife..." and after that it just didn't let go.

The macabre setting made the perfect backdrop for Neil Gaiman's subtle humour and agreeably offbeat characterisation. And unlike many popular authors this is not a by the numbers book, there is real heart to the story -- unsurprising in a work that has twenty-two years to fully realize. Moreover this is only one of many glowing reviews. Still I would warn you not to read them, for fear of spoiling any of the twists and turns along the way. So I in turn will choose my words very carefully, and say only that -- A killer comes in the night for a young boy, and the events of that one night shape the life of all the souls in the graveyard for some time to come.

Go, on, open the first page and see if you can put it down.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Thornspell, by Helen Lowe

2009-03-19T14:26:00.004+13:00

A loving recreation of the Sleeping Beauty tale, Thornspell is not without it's flaws. It's beautiful and sweet and captures the romanticism of the original, and yet, it did not hold my attention until some way through the book. I found the plot thin, and every time the hero acted someone thwarted him or pulled him out of trouble, and then there would be explanations -- or as many people call them, "infodumps." Not that they were terrible, but I like things to become apparent as a story unravels -- characters shouldn't have to explain things so that the reader can catch on.

On the other hand...

Sigismund, the young prince is a delightfully earnest character, determined to do his best and make the right decisions, even as everybody in his life seems just as determined to keep him out of trouble. (And bore us with explanations.) Only when we get to the half-way mark do the antagonists in this story really begin to make their mark and there are swords and dragons and danger aplenty. Even better, it is Sigismund's connections to the people around him that make him realize what is important so that he can forge a path through good and evil, and fight his way through to the princess.

Review by Alicia Ponder

More reviews available at
http://www.thornspell.info/reviews.html

Ink Exchange, Melissa Marr

2009-02-07T16:34:00.004+13:00

The stunning sequel to bestelling Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange leaves you wishing it were real.

Leslie is drowning in her own world of lies, unable to tell the truth of her awful family life, she feels the only way to restore her pride is by claiming a one time tattoo, something to call her own. Tattoo artist Rabbit warns her that this tattoo will change her, but without revealing the link it will create, but Leslie is sure. This is what she wants.
Despite the protection of the Summer Court, Leslie is tangled and trapped in the world of Faery war and rivalry, caught bewteen the love of a summer faery and the irresitible pull of the tattoo that binds her to Irial, King of the Dark Court.
As capturing as it's predecessor, Ink Exchange leads you away from reality into the complex world of the Immortals, leaving you hanging on for the next chapter, and dying for the next dose of Marr.

Praise for Wicked Lovely “Riveting and dark: I love this tale of a smart, tough girl who walks the razor’s edge between an ancient fairy curse and her future!”-- Tamora Pierce, bestselling author

Hit http://www.melissa-marr.com/ for more awesome reviews and upcoming info

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

2009-02-07T15:07:00.005+13:00

The world was on the verge of destruction, before it was tamed. Set in the shining city of Panem, built on the ruins of what was once North America, surrounded by twelve districts each unique from the other and each represented by 2 Tributes aged between 12 and 18 who must participate in The Hunger Games, a glamorous fight to the death designed to remind the Districts who holds the authority, and televised 24/7.

Our heroine Katniss comes from the poorest of the disctricts, 12, nicknamed the Seam, she must hunt illegally with best/almost friend Gale (a smoldering boy of course) in the nearby woods and sell it for what she can to support herself, younger sister Prim and an emotionally unstable mother. That is before she volunteers to take her sisters place as this years Tribute, of course the viewers love this, not to mention the fake romance between her and tribute partner, the sweet Peeta Mellark, Katniss can only hope she'll have enough sponsors to keep lying until the twisted end.

But fighting for her own survival in this confusing web of deceit, truth and love and that of the few friends she finds, whilst also taking down the other tributes is more than difficult, there is no option, and there can only be one winner.

Brilliantly written, utterly addictive, full of humour and quirky, loveable characters this futuristic gladiator book is suitable for anyone from age 12 up ( as long as you don't a mind a bit of blood).

For information on the sequel (because it WILL leave you drooling for more) visit http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

City of Bones, Cassandra Clare

2009-02-07T14:41:00.005+13:00

A riveting book for all teen readers! Set in modern day New York, Clare drags out every one of New Yorks secrets, from Shadow Hunter hating Downworlders including everyone's favourite vampires and werewolves to the creepy Silent Brothers and hard partying Warlock who knows more than he's letting on.

Clary thoguht she was just a slightly geeky 15 yr old girl, but when her mother goes missing and Clary returns to a demented croccodile demon stalking her destroyed house, Clary is forced into taking things into her own hands. In this fast paced teen novel Clary faces sexy tattoed boys, jealous girls, and dangerous weapons in the quest to find her imprisioned mother, while still keeping her friendships intact.

"Cassie's writing makes my toes curl with envy. She is the rare writer who can write fast-paced dramatic fantasy with gorgeous language and memorable characters that you grow to love and worry about, as well as really funny bits that will make you honestly laugh and remember them and repeat them to your friends. It is rare to find someone who can do any one of those things well; to find someone who can do them all is just dangerous."
- Holly Black, author of Tithe and Valiant

For information on the next installment City of Ashes visit http://www.mortalinstruments.com/

Outliers - The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

2009-01-25T21:58:00.003+13:00

We all know the myths, that people make it big because they're so awesome, that they are in some way- a genius.

Outliers dispels those myths with a vengeance, in a way that's not ony informative but highly entertaining. Now you can pick and mix and just choose to read what interests you, murder planecrashes, success -- but you almost certainly wont because Outliers draws you in to find out more about yourself and how you work, how we all learn and why, and the ways in which society completely totally and uterly throws away so much raw potential.

The theories within are as liberating as they are constricting, as sensible as they are irreverant, as Malcolm Gladwell shines a spotlight on how success really works.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Roar by Emma Clayton

2009-01-09T07:50:00.007+13:00

Science Fiction meets the 21st century. It's the sort of book that can distract children from television, now how often do you see that!

Ellie is chased across New London in a fighter, her pet capuchin monkey eating popcorn. Somewhere below, her twin brother has been told that she's dead, but he doesn't believe it, and he's determined to find her.

There's lies, animals, outrage, adults being so stupid only children could believe it, and this rollercoaster of a book doesn't let up until - the end - and not even then - we're all expecting a sequel.

So my advice is, strap yourself into your fighter cockpit, make sure your most trusted dog, mouse, parakeet is by your side -- and escape!

Review by Alicia Ponder

PS. becasue I've been asked so many times I believe the release date for "The Whisper" in NZ is February 2012. Cross your fingers. :)

Gool by Maurice Gee

2008-12-28T00:05:00.006+13:00

OK I admit I haven't read Salt, and so perhaps I shouldn't even be reviewing Gool, but here goes. I found the beginning was strained, but that's often the case with book number two and most particularly, I found it difficult to get into because of the language. It was too simplistic, almost as if Maurice Gee was too scared to write words of more than two syllables and I found that stultifying. Of course, once underway, the plot was great and the ideas were of the callibre that they stayed with you, developing slowly into larger ideas -- that would be completely ruined if I telegraphed them in this review.

So instead of posting a review right away I talked to other people about their reaction to this book, given that mine wasn't exactly what I had expected, because you see, I LOVED Maurice Gee's Half Men of O series, and I know this man can write -- not just, ah that's nice, he's a New Zealander and the writing's ok., but Fiona Kidman -- this is a national treasure -- can write.

And the big thing that they all agreed on was that the writing for Gool and Salt was very simplistic - which is absolutely great if you want to be able to make sure a whole class will be able to read the book, but for the upper end of the market, for those children who read widely and are sensitive to style there's a certain something lacking. In fact in some ways this is true fantasy science fiction of the traditional kind where the plot is terribly important and the writing is merely a scaffold for the ideas --ideas that seem greater than the sum of their parts.

Anyway, if you liked Salt, you'll probably like Gool, some of the locations and characters are obviously revisited and there's nothing like going back and revisiting a world you love and finding hidden depths and dangers -- and the human spirit to confront them.

Review by Alicia Ponder

The Gone-Away World - Nick Harkaway

2008-12-24T15:40:00.006+13:00

Interesting book, the brilliant writing dragged me along even though at first I wasn't that engaged by the story. Something was missing. Something was wrong, and I couldn't figure out what it was until about half way through, when suddenly it clicked. This isn't fantasy, or science fiction it's political in the same way that Animal Farm is a rubbish Fantasy/Science fiction story, but a brilliant political commentary. Ok, I dare say if you liked Animal farm you'll hate this because in every other way they are completely different, but if you're going to get the best out of this book, that's the way to read it!

Have fun reading

And a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

from Alicia Ponder and everyone at Rona Gallery

Celebrate - A Calender of Cakes for Special Dates - By Annabel Langbein Illustrated by Annie Hayward

2008-12-07T14:45:00.011+13:00

A book to be treasured, "this beautiful book will become a compact treasury of your favourite cake recipes and the most important dates in the lives of family and friends - An heirloom to be passed down through generations."

The Illustrator, Annie Hayward will be exhibiting "Twelve New Myth Paintings" originals from the book in Rona Gallery between the twelth and twentyfourth of December.

Francis Hardinger, Gullstruck Island

2008-12-01T22:42:00.005+13:00

Yes, the next Francis Hardinger book is coming soon. It should be here sometime January and I have to say - I couldn't wait. I had to read the preview. And for just a moment I thought I was going to be disappointed. Partly because the first ten pages seemed a little slow, but mostly because the wonderfully dense prose has lightened to something easier to read and I missed that sinfully dense experience.

First impressions are often deceptive and I admit I was deceived. Francis Hardinger has done what few authors can, re-invented her prose to best suit the story she is telling. With treachery and danger all around Hathin must convince others her sister has special powers, although she has only ever showed signs of being vegetative.

Treachery, murder, escape and revenge lurk within the pages. These must all be faced along with the concomitant forces of greed, envy and distrust by adversaries both outrageous and fantastical and there is a quiet cleverness that is reserved for the main character, quiet as dust, strong as hurricane, determined to right the terrible things that are happening to her people. Can she do all this, keep her sister alive and not become a soulless killer who lives only for revenge? Read on, adventure awaits.

2008-11-17T21:11:00.002+13:00

Congratulations to Peter Friend for pulling off a win in the Jack Lazenby competition.

http://www.the-wcba.blogspot.com/

Peter Friend is a contributing poet in Richard Ponder's Caught on Canvas and I feel it is only time before he becomes far better known as a master of the short story, despite his style being somewhat different from traditional NZ writing.

2008-11-03T21:50:00.002+13:00

It is always compelling when an author takes the real world and twists it into something frought with otherwordly danger. Cassandra Claire has done exactly this, a world every bit as rich as the one Harry Potter inhabits, and just like that world it is highly derivative of many similar stories that have been before, building layer upon layer of the familiar into a rich tapestry that is as comforting and familiar as it is exciting.

This is a teenage book of angst as much as it is of vampires and werewolves and otherwordly creatures, that has many people comparing it to Buffy. And on the surface this would be right, a girl gets caught in a world where people are trying to destroy bad supernatural creatures. To me though it was far more reminiscent of Stephenie Meyer's first book in the amount of teenage angst it manages to dredge up.

Did I enjoy it - well, yes I did, and certainly more than Stephenie Meyer, but not nearly so much as my niece who is perfectly situated in the demographic this book was designed for - thirteen to eighteen year olds.

2008-10-26T12:14:00.001+13:00

Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

While Faerie Wars is not the perfect book, it's a great read. And there is something for everyone, real life, fantasy, adventure, kittens in danger, a prince who rescues animals, and a terrible threat to the faerie kingdom.

It begins with Henry for a chapter. He's just an ordinary boy, with an annoying little sister, and he earns money tidying the house of an eccentric pensioner . Then for a long time Henry is abandoned while we follow the exploits of the faerie, Pyrus, as he goes about getting himself into trouble. Just as Henry is almost forgotten the two collide and Henry and the eccentric pensioner have to help Pyrus return to his Faeire kingdom so they can unravel the plot to wrest the throne off the Purple Emperor. It's fun, it's fast, and while it does not have the lyrical beauty of an award winning book it's one of those novels that has children sitting up under the covers and reading through the night.

Overall very absorbing, fast, and perfect for ten plus.

Review by Alicia Ponder

Y Fiction

2008-10-26T11:29:00.004+13:00

Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

Finally someone who knows how to spell faerie properly -- Faeire wars is a most charming and absorbing book. Review coming soon.

Appologies for few reviews at the moment from me as I'm very busy, I should be able to get back to at least a review a week very soon. Hopefully others will also be filling in over this time.

Alicia Ponder

Fantasy

2008-10-04T22:24:00.007+13:00

Shadowmarch & Shadowplay - by Tad Williams

Every so often I take a deep breath and immerse myself in what can only be described as Epic Fantasy -- with capital letters.

Yes, the cover does not lie, this is such a book, and yes it has fairies and gods and strange races with odd names that might as well be called dwarves and selkies and borrowers. Yes borrowers, bless him. I loved the borrowers growing up, and these truly perfect little people remind me of their vigeur, sans the overly cutesy angle.

The story begins with the threat of the fairy shadowline moving near the kingdom of Southmarch. The king has been kidnapped, and the world they had been a small part of is now threatened, not only by an evil ruler who believes he is a god, but by an incursion of fairies. Not the nice, sweet ones many people grew up with, but big, nasty, dangerous ones.

A fiesty princess -- yes of course there's a fiesty princess otherwise why would any girl ever pick up such a book? -- is kept pretty busy even as her twin brother is beset by nightmares and unsurprisingly eventually finds himself on the wrong side of the fairy "Shadowline." Notice the Capitals. High Fantasy, after all seems to demand them.

Anyway, I'd love to make this a complete book review with an ending, but it's impossible. The series isn't finished -- and wont be for some time by the look of it -- so I can't help but wonder if I've started this series a little too early, on the positive side Tad Williams is relatively young, so he's unlikely to die before writing the last book -- unlike David Gemmel and Robert Jordan, on the negative side this could turn into another of those, "walking, walking, walking," epics where nothing heappens as the publisher and author take all the money they can. There was a small section in the middle of Shadowplay where I was terrified this was about to happen, enough to make me think it didn't quite get the stronghanded edit it deserved, especially as I was thrown out of the story too often by typographical errors.

Still, I can't help but feel the gandness of this is Tad Williams at his best, at his peak of writing, and he's never been a slouch, the plot so far is strong, always keeping me reading from one chapter to the next. In the end I can only surmise the weaknesses are only those that can be expected in this strange genre where writers aren't thinking in hundred pages, but in thousands. And the strengths are those that can possibly only be appreciated by people who aren't immediately put off fiction because there might be fairies and gods and ... doesn't Shakespeare have such things? --

Anyway if you love fantasy, and just can't get enough, or you want your fantasy-loving teenager to be invisible for several days, this is the series you're looking for. Plenty of blood and gore and violence for the boys - without straying too far into graphic realism, but most of all there is a cast of definite characters, a sense of adventure, and of our protagonists rising to enormous challenges to cope with events that, despite their best efforts, keep spiralling out of control.

Review by Alicia Ponder

YA Fiction

2008-09-27T12:54:00.006+12:00

Juno of Taris, review by Joanna Ponder

I fell in love with Juno. The story of a twelve year old girl who tries to fit into the utopian society of Taris. Taris was established after a major upheaval in the outside world. Here there are many rules the inhabitants are expected to live by, but Juno can't help herself asking - why?

Juno is a carefully crafted novel, it moves along at a steady pace, and kept me entertained me every step of the way.

Richard really enjoyed it, and the declared it was a girls' book, and he is probably right, but obviously it has a wider appeal than just girls.

RECYCLE AT RONA GALLERY

2008-09-26T12:41:00.004+12:00

Congratulations to Jazz Kane, winner of the $20 gift voucher for September's plastic bag recycling draw.

Sci Fi

2008-09-17T12:32:00.004+12:00

Peace and War by Joe Haldeman

I could not help but notice this in the bargain bin section of Rona Gallery. Peace and War is one of the most celebrated Science fiction classics ever - originally published as "Forever War" "Forever Free," and "Forever Peace."

These books have haunted me since I read them almost ten years ago. I would recommend them to anyone who wants to understand what those veterans went through, or just to someone who loves science fiction that makes not only a social commentary but uses the known laws of physics as part of the underlying metaphore. And the basic premise is that people encounter aliens. Nobody is sure how the shooting started, but it has started, and the world goes to war to destroy the threat.

Only it's not that simple fighting bugs out in space, because this is one of the few Science fiction stories I've read where Einstein's relativity is a factor, and each time the soldiers return, not only are they coming home damaged by their experiences but the world is so changed they feel like they are not coming home at all...

Joe Haldeman was a Vietnam Vet and his storytelling isn't as polished as some, but the drama, and the plot, and the theme - and the sheer guts of this story, more than make up for a lack of fancy prose. Indeed it would seem out of place. There's a lot in this book, a lot of disturbing ideas about how wars are fought, and Joe Haldeman does not deny any connections with the Vietnam war, in fact when he was in New Zealand he described it as his therapy when he came back, his way of making sense of what happened to him, and I think that is why the books are so powerful and why they have been re-published again and again over the years.

Review by Alicia Ponder

YA Fiction

2008-09-10T16:21:00.008+12:00

The Alchemist by Michael Stott

The Alchemyst, Nicholas Flamel is still alive, his tomb lies empty -- and ready to exploit this is Michael Stott, author of -- well, The Alchemyst.

He does it well.

Josh works in Nick Flemming - sorry Nicholas Flamel's bookstore, his sister Sophie works across the road. It's something they only discover when John Dee, another character out of the past comes to steal the book that contains the secret of eternal life.

It's fast paced fantasy, and once started the story rolls onward with a breathlessness that doesn't stop. No seriously it doesn't stop - it just leaves you on a cliff-hanger so you can't wait to read the next book.

It's not the best book in the world, and doesn't hold a candle to "The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World" or "Verdigris Deep" at least not in terms of stylish writing, but in plot and knowing his market Michael Stott has done a superb job.

I found it fun, and so did Richard, once he got past the information about the famous historical figures and got into the plot. Recommended for about 12-13+

Event

2008-09-04T16:43:00.005+12:00

This Sunday at Rona Gallery

Bernard Beckett talks about his new novel Acid Song, the internationally acclaimed Genesis.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Alicia

Adult Fiction

2008-09-01T00:21:00.005+12:00

Acid Song by Bernard Beckett.

Every so often I take a deep breath, focus really hard and attack the writing of a New Zealand author. Such exertions often bring mixed results, mostly because they are so mainstream oriented and I'm not. But I went there again, because Bernard Beckett is ostensibly a perfect science fiction writer because he's an ideas man, and I was pretty impressed with his award winning children's book. Anyway, Acid Song is quite a departure for Bernard Beckett, being his first adult novel.

The beginning of Acid Song stumbled around with a deliberate incoherency, enhancing the theme of a frayed, but intertwined destiny, with all the characters bathed in a social acidity that has them so disconnected from their feelings and their relationships. This theme was enhanced by the characters themselves being quite male-centric, as though the only purpose for females was to in some way define the men and provide them with something to ogle. Well, I like to think that this was a deliberate comment on society, and that the ambitious female documentary host on her big break was demonstrating a kind of modern shallowness -- that she was not simply a cardboard character. Easily enough she could be both, I suppose, even as she was also the glue, or more accurately the hinge around which all the bigger, "more interesting" characters took their cue.

In the end, the interesting part of the book wasn't the characters, however enjoyable, and insightful they were. The interesting part about the book was an idea. The idea of a fraying society busily trying to hide socially unacceptable facts, even as the loose knot of characters and their lives fray around the edges and are left indelibly etched by the lack of support and respect that truth and honesty fail to gain. Not just generally in society, but most particularly in the educational and academic worlds.

A must read for everyone in education, and not just for the wonderfully sad-funny resignation letter that is never posted. Well written, well paced, and of course most interesting for anyone who wishes to understand how science and society sometimes clash, and how most important and influential ideas are often released against the tide of the status quo.

RECYCLE AT RONA GALLERY

2008-08-29T17:31:00.003+12:00

Congratulations to Pam Cassells, winner of the $20 gift voucher for August's plastic bag recycling draw.