Young Adult Review: ASSAULT by Brian Falkner

ASSAULT
Author: Brian Falkner
Series: Recon Team Angel (#1)
Publication date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Number of pages: 365
Date read: June 19th, 2014
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Suspense
Source: Borrowed from Library
Format: Paperback
Add on Goodreads



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(Description source: Goodreads)

The first in a high octane sci-fi adventure series by best-selling and award-winning author, Brian Falkner.

It is 2030, and the world is at war with an alien race. The Bzadians. The battleground: Earth. 

Recon Team Angel, made up of teenagers from around the world, has been training for years. They have learned Bzadian languages. Learned how to operate their weapons. How to work, eat, and think like them. 

Now it is time to act. Recon Team Angel must slip behind enemy lines, work their way into the top-secret alien facility under Uluru, and uncover the truth. But what they discover will shock not just them, but all of humanity.

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What drew me to this novel was the name of the series (Recon Team Angel) - it just sounds so cool, and the cover - it's so intriguing.

Set in the year 2030, Earth has been invaded and what is left of humanity is at war with an alien race: the Bzadians - a race of ugly, vomit-coloured beings who have no care for human life, other than the desire to eradicate it.

Recon Team Angel is a group of teenager of multiple nationalities joined together to go undercover, infiltrating the enemy to learn their secrets and report back.

Disguised as their enemies, a team of six "Angels" goes behind enemy lines to learn truths, but their mission is compromised from the get-go: there's a traitor.

Not every Angel is going to make it out alive...

Very interesting introduction, it surprised, but then again I probably should have actually read the blurb before I started reading the actual book...

There is also a glossary that helps you to understand some of the language the characters in the story use.

Chisnall is brave and easy for anyone and everyone to under-estimate. Seargeant Holly Brogan is tough and icey, "Phantom" Price is awesome (one of my favourite characters) - she's fast and determined, Monster likes to talk about "The Monster" in third person which is amusing, Wilton is funny and skilled, and Hunter is a smart-arse.

They all come together to make one hell of a team. The story os told from Chisnall's point of view, with a few scenes evry now and again from the view point of a Bzadian.

The author does reiterates the meaning of words that are included in the glossary at the start of the book, throughout the novel for the first time each of the words is used, which is useful as it means you don't have to keep racking your brain to remember the definitions or keep flipping back to where the glossary is.

There is suspense throughout the novel as you are kept genuinely wondering who the traitor is, I did have a feeling about who it would be but it wasn't even slightly confirmed until about halfway through part two of this book.

The story only reveals small amounts of information pertaining to the plot at a time, and only as they become relevant - this allowed the story to continually hold my interest as I had no idea what was coming next.

Assault sticks to a steady pace and has an incredibly interesting concept.

I thought some of the names/labels in the novel were a little juvenile, but they add some fun to the story, especially when paired with witty and sarcastic banter and general teenage antics.

Intriguing, pacey, funny and action-packed - definitely an enjoyable read.

I don't know how I feel about the epilogue, it seemed not very happy, and a little too final, plus it made me a little sad,  and it made it so I really, really want to read book two: I have to know what happens next, I need to know everything!

....just ordered book two.

I rate ASSAULT Four out of Five!!

THE MARK OF ATHENA by Rick Riordan

Book Three in the Heroes of Olympus series
Publication date: October 2nd 2012
Publisher: Puffin
Number of Pages: 572
Date read: June 13th, 2013
Genre: YA, Mythology, Adventure, Action, Urban Fantasy
Source: Bought




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(Description source: Back cover of book)

ONE FATAL PROPHECY.

SEVEN BRAVE DEMIGODS.

A QUEST TO FINS - AND CLOSE - THE DOORS OF DEATH.

Annabeth and her friends Piper, Jason and Leo have landed at Camp Jupiter with one mission in mind. The time has come for Roman and Greek demigods to unite. With Percy Jackson, Hazel and Frank by their side, they must combine forces to find - and close - the Doors of Death.

But Annabeth is hiding a secret - a command from her mother, the goddess of war and wisdom: 'Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me.' Annabeth is already risking her life... What more does Athena want her daughter to do?

Now the seven demigods must begin their quest across land and sea to Rome, but what will they have to sacrifice this time - what unspeakable horrors await?

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“Naturally, Coach Hedge went ballistic; but Percy found it hard to take the satyr seriously since he was barely five feet tall.

"Never in my life!" Coach bellowed, waving his bat and knocking over a plate of apples. "Against the rules! Irresponsible!"

"Coach," Annabeth said, "it was an accident. We were talking, and we fell asleep."

"Besides," Percy said, "you're starting to sound like Terminus."

Hedge narrowed his eyes. "Is that an insult, Jackson? 'Cause I'll—I'll terminus you, buddy!” 

There are just no words to describe how I am feeling right now, I only just, literally seconds ago, finished reading The Mark of Athena. Suffice to say, I am a MESS! I am hyper-actively bouncing up and down while on the verge of tears. That book! It is amazing, beyond amazing, it is awesome-sauce on a colossal scale! I was so excited to read this book and now I half can't believe I put off reading it for so long, while at the same time I knew subconsciously that if I finished this novel, the wait for The House of Hades would be even more excruciating and I was right, still I am SO glad I finally finished reading this novel!

The Mark of Athena starts off with Annabeth, Piper, Leo and Jason arriving at Camp Jupiter. Percy and Annabeth's reunion was better than I imagined (judo-flips for the win) and the story was got continuously better from there, I mean, it is not possible for Rick Riordan to write a boring scene, it's just an impossibility. Things at Camp Jupiter go awry and there are ever more schemes and meddling afoot. The seven set course for Rome, for more reasons than one and Annabeth has a dangerous mission given to her by her mother, Athena. With so much happening, the heroes barely have any chance to rest, especially since the situations they find themselves landing in just keep getting worse...

As always, the characters, each and every one of them, has a perfectly developed personality with quirks and flaws. Percy and Jason, both natural leaders, find themselves clashing and needing to prove their abilities. There is also some tension that develops between Leo and Frank...

Hazel and Piper are slightly more calm compared to the rest of the group, while Annabeth is at her butt-kicking best - especially with Percy by her side!

My favourite characters are definitely Percy and Annabeth, they are so, so, so incredible and readers will ache and grieve for some of the decisions they are forced to make! Nevertheless, it is impossible not to love Percy and Annabeth in The Mark of Athena.

Now, the plot of this installment in the Heroes of Olympus series reaches new heights - I'm not even sure if Zeus could reach that high. There is action galore, the most insanely fantastic new weapons and ridiculously hilarious and action-packed fight sequences ever seen (think giants and drama)! The Mark of Athena also has to be the most (personally) devastating novel in this series yet, but do Not let that stop you from picking it up!!!

This novel is one that if you do not pick it up and devour it, you have not lived! I recommend it a thousand, million times over: READ IT NOW :) It is PURE genius!!!

**On a side note, I may just go rock in a corner until the 8th of October when I can finally read The House of Hades!

'You had to break,' she scolded it.

The ankle did not reply.

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'The ghost thing won't work,' Otis said. 'Our focus groups say it won't pull ratings.'
'Doubters!'

I rate The Mark of Athena FIVE out of Five!!!

THE SON OF SOBEK by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Olympian/Kane Chronicles crossover
Publication date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Puffin
Number of Pages: 40
Date read: June 13th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Mythology, Action, Adventure, Urban Fantasy
Source: Bought
Ebook


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(Description source: Goodreads)

Carter Kane is investigating rumored sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn't exactly friendly. . .

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A giant fist the size of a dishwasher shimmered into existence and slammed Camper Boy into the next county.

I mean I literally punched him out of his shoes.

Rick Riordan is a genius! In this short story, he brings together two of his series - The Kane Chronicle and Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Carter Kane is searching around Long Island for something that has been causing magical disturbances, but so has Percy Jackson. Percy and Carter  clash from the start, due to misunderstandings and male egos. 

This short story is hilarious, there are knock out punches, giant crocodiles and water fights. 

This crossover is amazing in the way it handles two mythologies, two leading characters and so much action, as well as what the implications of such a meeting as that between Carter and Percy could mean.

The Son of Sobek is told from Carter's point of view and will help tide over any readers waiting for the next Rick Riordan novel. You do not necessarily have to have read The Kane Chronicles or Percy Jackson and the Olympians to understand what goes on in this story, but it is best to at least have read one of the series to properly understand the context.

A great way to spend a short amount of time, something you will not regret and that does give avid readers hope about potential future stories.

Camper Boy was sitting nearby in waist-deep water, looking dejected. My magic rope had wrapped round his sword arm,then lashed his hand to the side of his head.

I rate The Son of Sobek Five out of Five!!!

LEGEND by Marie Lu

Book One in the Legend trilogy
Publication date: November 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Number of pages: 305
Date read: May 18th, 2013
Genre: Dystopia, YA, Romance, Adventure, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Bought




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(Description source: Goodreads)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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“You should have taken me with you," I whisper to him. Then I lean my head against his and begin to cry. In my mind, I make a silent promise to my brother's killer.

I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Search every street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine.” 

Legend is phenomenal! It has to be the best dystopia novel that I've read so far this year. The story line is beyond words and the characters are exceptional, each and every one of them.

Day has to be one of the most beautiful characters I have ever read. Day is gorgeous, brave, rebellious, kind, loyal and protective.

The descriptive style and the amount of detail add so much to the story, taking it above and beyond any expectations I had going into this novel. One of the amazing aspects of the story is the way Marie Lu depicts the horror of what blind obedience can lead to. Legend will make you feel like more things should be questioned.

Legend is full of deception, secrets, lies, and betrayal and romance, and it is absolutely action-packed. Add to that the fact that it is also so heart-wrenching and bittersweet and this novel has the ability to appeal to anyone and everyone on some level.

A truly gripping read that left me stunned, obsessed and dying for more, I swear I am so ready to just run out the door to go order Prodigy (the sequel) RIGHT NOW! An unforgettable read that draws you in and will make it so that you are the one who won't be able to let go of it.

“Tess," I say. "I'm going to head down to the water.I'll be back in a minute."
"You sure you can make it by yourself?" she asks.
"I'll be fine." I smile. "If you see me floating unconscious out to sea,though-by all means,come and get me.” 

I rate Legend Five out of Five!!!

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (books 1-5) by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Date read: March 15th 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal, Childrens
Source: Bought (re-read)

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(Description source: Goodreads)

They chronicle the adventures of the Grace children, twins Simon and Jared and their older sister Mallory, after they move into Spiderwick Estate and discover a world of faeries that they never knew existed.

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The Spiderwick Chronicles are quite difficult to review seperately from each other but to me are worth reading just for some light-hearted entertainment.

The Field Guide introduces us to the three Grace siblings, Mallory, Jared and Simon and their mother at a time when life is anything but easy.

With their parents divorce they are forced to move into their old Aunt Lucinda's house which is full of dust and creaks to give a generally spooky atmosphere.

When they discover a secret library which contains pictures and secret information about mystical cretaures titled "Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You", which Jared immediately takes a great interest in.

 

Once disturbing the forgotten room and removing what looks to be a rats nest from inside a wall, things start to go horribly wrong. After closly reading the Field Guide, Jared has an idea about what the problem is and they go about fixing their mistakes.

Not long after a close ally is revealled to them they also discover that the world of the Field Guide may not be as ficticious as they had initially thought.

 

During the following four books the relationship between the siblings and the unseen world around them continues to blossom, as they discover and interact with creatures they only dreamed of before.

The Grace siblings are dragged further into a world that is not only dark but that has consumed many others, including their Uncle Arthur.

They meet Goblins, Hobgoblins, Dwarves, Dragons and many other creatures that most people have only ever heard of.

 

 

I re-read these books because when I first read them (many years ago) I loved them and was instantly entranced in the world alongside Malory, Jared and Simon. This time is was not much different, it is aimed at younger teens but I still found them to be an enjoyable and fun read.

The imagination shown in the depth of places and ideas is superb and the imagery in the way places are described is simply magic!

 

The worlds do not seem to clash, which I find irritating in some novels, and it seemed quite realistic and possible to me that a world could exist like this one that we are unaware of.

It really encourages the reader to be imaginative and makes it very easy so slip into the story alongside the characters.

 

It is quite a slow plot progression, the first book is basically just introducing the concepts and characters, and it it understandable to have it this way due to the target readers.

Despite this I would also rather have the small books compiled into one larger book but it does then open up 5 different, interesting ideas for cover art.

 

I don't find any of the characters to have any overly negative aspects that would not otherwise be present in real life, again another positive aspect of these book.

I really only have one small gripe about The Spiderwick Chronicles and that is that while their father is briefly mentioned, it would have been nice to include him a little more and have some kind of resolution between him and Jared.

The little pictures and arkworks throught The Spiderwick Chronicles are really a stroke of genius! The images make the books easier to relate to and lets face it, theyre gorgeous and extremely well drawn.
Tony DiTerlizzi has certainly done a wonderful job on them and they aren't to frequent throughout the books so that instead of being excited to see them it becomes like a picture book. The images enhance the plot line and characters in a subtle and clever way.

 

For those of you who have already seen the film adaptation of these novels I will simply say that quite a lot has been changed and left out from the books.

I adored the film, with all its magic and adventure, and the books reflect a lot of that but despite that I found the film to be paced quite a bit faster which was a good alteration.

I didn't enjoy some of the changes that they made but see for yourself and read them, they're a nice read anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I rate The Spiderwick Chronicles Three out of Five!

FINN FINNEGAN by Darby Karchut

Book One in the Adventures of Finn MacCullen series
Publication date: March 12th, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 184
Date read: January 3rd, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Action
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC from Spencer Hill Press



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(Description source: Back of Book Cover)

Finn (not bleedin' Finnegan) MacCullen is eager to begin his apprenticeship. He soon discovers the ups and downs of hunting monsters in a suburban neighborhood under the demanding tutelage of the Knight, Gideon Lir. Both master and apprentice are descendents of the Tuatha De Danaan, a magical race of warriors from Ireland. Scattered long ago to the four corners of the world, the De Danaan wage a two thousand year old clandestine battle with their ancient enemy, the Amandán, a breed of goblin-like creatures.

Now with the beasts concentrating their attacks on Finn, he and his master must race to locate the lost Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan, the only weapon that can destroy the Amandán, all the while hiding his true identity from his new friends, Rafe and Savannah, twins whose South African roots may hold a key to Finn's survival. Armed with a bronze dagger, some ancient Celtic magic, and a hair-trigger temper, Finn is about to show his enemies the true meaning of "fighting Irish."

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“I dinna write the rules. It clearly states in the ‘How to Train Yer Apprentice’ manual that the apprentice does the laundry.”

The fact that Finn Finnegan is an immensely enjoyable read was obvious simply from reading the first few chapters. One of my favourite things about this novel is the easy-going banter between master and apprentice.

Finn Finnegan decides to take it upon himself to start his apprenticeship slightly early and when Knight Gideon Lir agrees to take him on despite unforeseen circumstances, he has no idea exactly what he's getting himself into. With a temper to match Gideon's, Finn is seriously lacking in manners and restraint.
Training to fight the Amandan, ancient goblin-like foe of the Tuatha De Denaan, Finn is learning new things everyday and trying to make friendships too, but it soon becomes abundantly clear that the Amandan are high in number and becoming an evermore deadly threat. 

This book is genuinely surprising in the best way possible. The characters were really compelling in their stubbornness and tempers and their witty dialogue.

Set in modern day, Finn Finnegan is a mix of following ancient traditions while using modern day technology. There are such realistic everyday life things as well as 

awesome action-packed fighting sequences. Well rounded characters who each brings piecces of their own story and draw you in to the novel, make this book so incredibly enjoyable.

The plot is so well thought out, there is never a single lulling moment or any kind of hole in the plot, with surprising twists it is so difficult to attempt to guess the ending. This is by no means a difficult read but the story line challenges you to figure out what exactly is going on, you begin to need to know, to need to keep reading till the end!

Purely and simply a fantastic read, I can't wait for book two in The Adventures of Finn MacCullen series!

“Now, the most important thing to remember when battling an Amandan with a blade is to…” He paused, eyebrows raised as he waited for Finn to answer. “Stick it with the sharp end?” The knight blinked. He scratched the back of his neck with the tip of the weapon and tried again. “The second most important thing to remember when battling an Amandan with a blade is to…”

I rate Finn Finnegan Five out of Five!