Genius Suad by Catherine Jinks

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

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

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

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

 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

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)

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

"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

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

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

 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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith

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




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

Rona Gallery Books can be bought at http://www.ronagallery.co.nz/shop/books

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

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 www.ronagalery.co.nz

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

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