YOUNG ADULT COMPENDIUM REVIEW: The Time Travelling Caveman - Terry Pratchett

Release Date: 03/09/20

Publisher: Doubleday

SYNOPSIS:

*A brand new collection of short stories from the incredible Sir Terry Pratchett!*

Imagination is an amazing thing.

It can take you to the top of the highest mountain, or down to the bottom of the deepest depths of the sea.

This is where it took Doggins on his Awfully Big Adventure: a quest full of magic and flying machines. (And the world's best joke - trust me, it's hilarious.)

It took three young inventors to the moon (where they may or may not have left a bottle of lemonade) and a caveman on a trip to the dentist.

You can join them on these adventures, and many more, in this incredible collection of stories . . . 

 

REVIEW:

If you're wondering how to introduce your child to the wonderful writing of Terry Pratchett, before you get on to my personal favourite of the Discworld. However whilst there are books for younger readers by the author, I've always found that short stories are the way to go. This recently released title brings his imagination to the fore with a collection of stories originally published (and since polished up by Terry) in his local papers.

Its has a story for every type of reader, is easy to dip into and also accompanied with art that will just fire your child's brain with wonderful images and hopefully, at the end of the day, help the explore their own world and find the wonderment within. Magic.

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: Maximum Ride: Hawk 1: Hawk - James Patterson

Release Date: 23/07/20

Publisher: Arrow (Young)

SYNOPSIS:

Maximum Ride lost her fight to save the world. But from the ashes of the old world, a phoenix has risen… she calls herself Hawk.

Hawk doesn't know her real name. She doesn't know who her parents were, or where they went. The only thing she remembers is that they told to wait on a street corner until they came back for her.

That was ten years ago.

The day that she finally gives up waiting is the moment her life changes for ever. Because the promise becomes reality: someone is coming for her.

But it's not a rescue. It's an execution. 

 

REVIEW:

To be honest I know that James Patterson mentors a lot of writers and releases a lot of books each year, however I do wonder who is there to monitor quality as well as maintaining the good name of an author with this title.

It felt like a rushed job, had no real characters development, lacked any pace and overall sadly left me with dialogue that was more filler than substance. Sadly add to the mix that it felt like a rush job in order to grab some cash and all round I was left feeling very disappointed.

FANTASY REVIEW: Swords and Fire 2: The Defiant Heir - Melissa Caruso

RELEASE DATE:  26/04/18
PUBLISHER:  Orbit
EXCEPT

SYNOPSIS:
Across the border, the Witch Lords are preparing for war. But before an invasion of Raverra can begin, all seventeen Witch Lords must gather to agree a course of action. Lady Amalia Cornaro knows that this conclave might be her only chance to stifle the growing flames of war.
Amalia and her warlock Zaira must go behind enemy lines, using every ounce of wit and cunning they have to avert the coming conflict. If they fail, it will all come down to swords and fire.


REVIEW:
As a reader, I love it when a book takes me on a journey and does something a little different and having read the original book in this series, The Tethered Mage, I was wondering what the author would do with the cast and how the events that were portrayed previously would effect them.  After all with so much having happened, its not like those involved could carry on as they were and the events certainly shaped changes not only in the world but in the characters themselves.

What Melissa did well was carry on with the expansion of her creative world, the magics, the cultures and perhaps best of all, the characters as we got to see how they'd not only changed in thier relationships but personality based on what they'd done.

Back this up with cracking prose, delightfully written plot and of course a pace that gives you chance to breath and think about events as they play out.  Finally throw into the mix, new cast introductions, political intrigue and this YA Fantasy shows that it offers a lot to readers of all ages.  Magic.

YOUNG ADULT FACTUAL REVIEW: So You Think You Know About... Tyranosaurus Rex, Diplidocus, Triceratops - Ben Garrod

RELEASE DATE:   08/03/18

PUBLISHER:  Zephyr


SYNOPSIS:

Biologist and TV scientist Ben Garrod's fun, funny, informative and collectable series about dinosaurs, launching with T. Rex, Diplodocus and Triceratops. Ben Garrod's So You Think You Know About . . . Dinosaurs? is fun, funny and informative. This highly collectable, pocket-size series is the most up-to-date in 66 million years, featuring Tyrannosaurus Rex, Diplodocus, Triceratops, and introduced by Steve Backshall. The series continues with Velociraptor, Stegosaurus and Spinosaurus in September 2018.
Did you know that not all dinosaurs were green and scaly, some were ginger and feathered, or that they didn't all roar, they cooed like pigeons, or that the ultimate prehistoric predator was actually not a dinosaur?
TV scientist, Dr Ben Garrod, is proud to be a geek as he mixes hard science and humour to prove that science is for everyone. All children know their dinosaurs but Ben encourages them to think differently, revealing how new discoveries and breakthroughs occur in science every day. By looking at the evolutionary arms race, prey, predators, place, time, groups and species, Ben reveals new-look dinosaurs. Palaeo art by Scott Hartman and Gabriel Ugueto and cartoon illustration by Ethan Kocak. Also available in audio download, read by the author.

REVIEW:
I have a nephew who is absolutely fascinated by Dinosaurs, he's read books about them, retains facts and figures like no one else I know and loves them so much that he has tons of Dinosaur stuff around his bedroom. 

So having spotted these books by Ben, I knew that someone would probably like them, but I didn't have a clue on how much he would be glued to various titles in the series.  Each book is written in a kid friendly way and whilst some of the chapters might sound the same in each title they're all written differently so that the reader can gain as much knowledge as they want. 

There's weird facts, easy to follow illustrations that explain timelines and sizes and above all else the sheer pleasure and fun that the author has with the subject is brought across for the reader and allows them to geek out as much as they want.

This, the first book in the series was a wonderful introduction and having seen the Chris Packham documentary on this fearsome beast, I was wondering how a lot of that information would be translated to the younger reader, it's been done with careful illustrations, humour and of course in such a way that it doesn't feel dumbed down in any way.  All round this is a truly wonderful read, and as the popular "Dinotastic Uncle" who found these books for my nephew, I'm under strict orders to get as many as I can for him. 

RELEASE DATE:   08/03/18

PUBLISHER:  Zephyr


SYNOPSIS: 

Biologist and TV scientist Ben Garrod's fun, funny, informative and collectable series about dinosaurs, launching with T. Rex, Diplodocus and Triceratops. Ben Garrod's So You Think You Know About . . . Dinosaurs? is fun, funny and informative. This highly collectable, pocket-size series is the most up-to-date in 66 million years, featuring Tyrannosaurus Rex, Diplodocus, Triceratops, and introduced by Steve Backshall. The series continues with Velociraptor, Stegosaurus and Spinosaurus in September 2018.
Did you know that not all dinosaurs were green and scaly, some were ginger and feathered, or that they didn't all roar, they cooed like pigeons, or that the ultimate prehistoric predator was actually not a dinosaur?
TV scientist, Dr Ben Garrod, is proud to be a geek as he mixes hard science and humour to prove that science is for everyone. All children know their dinosaurs but Ben encourages them to think differently, revealing how new discoveries and breakthroughs occur in science every day. By looking at the evolutionary arms race, prey, predators, place, time, groups and species, Ben reveals new-look dinosaurs. Palaeo art by Scott Hartman and Gabriel Ugueto and cartoon illustration by Ethan Kocak. Also available in audio download, read by the author.


REVIEW:
The second book in this series and like the first (the one about the T-Rex) its full of fun facts, a witty writing style and anecdotes from the author about his discoveries on the Dino trail.  It celebrates the sheer pleasure of loving a subject and not being afraid of being labeled and of course is full of tons of facts that will keep your young paleontologist glued to the pages and reciting all the info when out and about. 

As with the original, it has easy access chapters, explains things in an easy to understand manner and really helps bring these giant beasts to life.  A truly magical experience.

RELEASE DATE:   08/03/18

PUBLISHER:  Zephyr


SYNOPSIS:

Biologist and TV scientist Ben Garrod's fun, funny, informative and collectable series about dinosaurs, launching with T. Rex, Diplodocus and Triceratops. Ben Garrod's So You Think You Know About . . . Dinosaurs? is fun, funny and informative. This highly collectable, pocket-size series is the most up-to-date in 66 million years, featuring Tyrannosaurus Rex, Diplodocus, Triceratops, and introduced by Steve Backshall. The series continues with Velociraptor, Stegosaurus and Spinosaurus in September 2018.
Did you know that not all dinosaurs were green and scaly, some were ginger and feathered, or that they didn't all roar, they cooed like pigeons, or that the ultimate prehistoric predator was actually not a dinosaur?
TV scientist, Dr Ben Garrod, is proud to be a geek as he mixes hard science and humour to prove that science is for everyone. All children know their dinosaurs but Ben encourages them to think differently, revealing how new discoveries and breakthroughs occur in science every day. By looking at the evolutionary arms race, prey, predators, place, time, groups and species, Ben reveals new-look dinosaurs. Palaeo art by Scott Hartman and Gabriel Ugueto and cartoon illustration by Ethan Kocak. Also available in audio download, read by the author.


REVIEW:
The third and final book in the series for now (although three more are out in September, the Spinosaurus, the Velocorapter and the Stegasaurus) and whilst my nephew was disappointed that he'll have to wait for more, I've found out that he keeps reading them and spouting facts at the dinner table (for which my name is being cursed apparently.) 

As a huge reader myself, finding books that not only entertain but enthuse children to read is a real pleasure and for me, this series is going to be one that is a must buy for anyone wanting to help get their children into books.  The fact that these have wonderful humour, solid illustrations and of course are info packed make them ideal all round.  Finally throw into the mix that we also have the new Jurassic Park film to look forward to this summer as well as other dinosaur attractions (such as Jurassic Kingdom and Dippy the Diplidocus on tour) you know that you can back these up with a real summer of fun. 

YOUNG ADULT REVIEW: The Keeper - Kim Chance

RELEASE DATE:  30/01/18

PUBLISHER:  Flux

SYNOPSIS:
When a 200-year-old witch attacks her, sixteen-year-old bookworm Lainey Styles is determined to find a logical explanation. Even with the impossible staring her in the face, Lainey refuses to believe it—until she finds a photograph linking the witch to her dead mother.

After consulting a psychic, Lainey discovers that she, like her mother, is a Keeper: a witch with the exclusive ability to unlock and wield the Grimoire, a dangerous but powerful spell book. But there’s a problem. The Grimoire has been stolen by a malevolent warlock who is desperate for a spell locked inside it—a spell that would allow him to siphon away the world’s magic.

With the help of her comic-book-loving best friend and an enigmatic but admittedly handsome street fighter, Lainey must leave her life of college prep and studying behind to prepare for the biggest test of all: stealing back the book.


REVIEW:
 A YA title that takes the reader on a journey of discovery as the principle character discovers that there's more to her life than she thought and that some secrets have consequences.  Its well written, the principle player is believable and above all else its a book that has twists and turns that will keep you guessing from the start as to which way the domino's will fall and how the consequences will play out.

Add to this some dialogue that works well, a good use of pace and prose and all round its a cracking book to keep you YA reader going.  As a series opener its solid and I for one can't wait to see what occurs next.