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This is the
third book in a trilogy (the previous titles are Juno of Taris, and Fierce
September), and I wish I had been able to read the three titles one after
the other, rather than with big gaps of time in between. To spend so long in Juno’s world would be a
fascinating and absorbing read. I’m pleased to see that the publishers weren’t
too coy to include plot summaries of the first two books – for people like me
whose memories are getting creaky...In this final instalment, Juno and her family and friends are beginning to settle in Aotearoa, but then little sister Hera comes out with one of her prophecies – an announcement that she will be going away soon. Panic-stricken, Juno’s family move to another settlement where they hope she will be safer. Juno starts to make friends, including a handsome young man who takes a romantic interest in her. But before Juno can sort out her complicated feelings for Ivor, Hera is kidnapped. Instead of denying her own extra-sensory abilities, Juno must now open her mind and use her instincts to track down her sister. An exciting chase and confrontation result, and Juno finally realises how strong her powers are. Further developments help her understand that she and Hera are not freaks – they have been created by their genetic heritages.
An excellent
read for teenagers, especially girls – how about buying the whole trilogy for
your daughter or grand-daughter for Christmas?
ISBN 978 1
86979 543 6 RRP $19.99
Reviewed by
Lorraine Orman
Battle of the Birds by Lee Murray, Taramea Publishing
Annie is
eleven years old, and currently stuck in Wisconsin. She’s homesick for New
Zealand, and her mind is full of images of home as she sprawls out on the top
of an eagle-shaped effigy mound. Amazingly, a real eagle arises from the dirt
and Annie is still sitting, stunned, on its back as it flies into the sky. The
eagle flies to New Zealand, but a time-slip has happened – she has gone back
1000 years in time. The eagle delivers Annie close to a Maori tribe, and she
soon meets up with Moana, a girl of her own age, along with Moana’s tribe.
Eventually Annie realises that she has a special power that enables her to talk
to birds, and that she must play a part in protecting the native flightless
birds against the murderous intentions of Te Hokioi, a huge Haast eagle. There
is plenty of action and suspense as Annie fights against the evil bird and his
minions.
This
first-time author worked with an experienced mentor to write this story, so it
avoids many of the pitfalls of a book published by a small press (as opposed to
a big commercial publisher). The cover is attractive, the layout is pleasing,
and the style is very fluent and suitable for the age group (intermediate
level). A bonus is that Teachers’ Notes are available at http://taramea.maori.nz/html/teachersnotes.html.
As a writer
myself, I was a bit uneasy with some of the authorial decisions eg. writing in
the present tense, and giving a mythological American eagle the language of a
21st-century American teenager – but young readers probably won’t be
so picky. I imagine they’ll simply get swept along in the non-stop action.
ISBN 978 0
473 18928 0 RRP $19.99
Reviewed by
Lorraine Orman
Nest of Lies by Heather McQuillan, Scholastic NZ
Books with
dystopian settings are all the rage at the moment. It would be interesting to
explore why so many authors for young people seem to believe that our
civilization is destined for self-destruction. Heather McQuillan’s book is set
in a world where most of society has been destroyed by a plague (blamed on
birds). The remnants of the human race live in distinct groups – such as the
oppressive and wicked regime of the Citadel; and the Outsiders roaming the
countryside (trying to preserve the environment); and the Eggheads (scientists)
who live on a cruise liner and are determined to restore the beneficial aspects
of human technology.
Ashlee is a
14-year-old Cinderella-type heroine who is treated as a slave by her wicked
father and vicious step-family. She misses her brother, who disappeared in
suspicious circumstances. Her hopes are raised by a mysterious message from him
that is delivered by a bird. Ashley finds the courage to run away to look for
Felix – and gets involved in all sorts of adventures and battles involving the
various groups of people.
It’s an easy
and engaging read, and there’s plenty of action and suspense to draw the reader
on, especially girls who like a brave heroine. My only qualm focuses on a possible mismatch between the straightforward,
plot-focused style of the story (which indicates a readership of around
intermediate age), and other indicators that point to a teenage readership ie.
the age of the heroine, the dystopian setting, and the escalation of
violence, bloodshed and chemical warfare at the climax of the story. I’m not
quite sure what age group the book would suit, but Scholastic says 11+.
ISBN 978 1
77543 025 4 RRP $18.50
Lorraine Orman
I read the book too and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the book targeted 11-13 year olds (Intermediate aged) girls.
Maria Gill
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