Book: Secret Army
Author: Robert Muchamore
Rating: 6/10
Recommended Age: 12+
The third book of Robert Muchamore's Henderson boys series and this book focuses on the challenges that Espionage Research Unit faces as the teenagers under Henderson's Command need to over come the trials involved in their training.
As new recruits join and groups are created they undergo a rigorous training regime designed to make them perfect for undercover work. from combat training to radio operating to a assault course thing they are slowly getting better and better.
But when one of the senior officials takes a bad view on their operational ability, they must all work together to pass a review of operations.
Then all that's left is the small matter of learning how to parachute, going undercover in Britain and steeling a gun turret. And with the threat of closure still looming. Henderson's Boys have their work cut out f they are going to succeed.
This book is ok. It's kind of a book that introduces the unit and characters before they do anything major. It focuses more on the training and running of operatives in Britain and I think is valuable despite it not being as adventurous and action packed as the first 2. However it gives you a good idea of what's happening which leads nicely into the fourth book. A worthwhile read but not as gripping as the first two.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
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Monday, 23 May 2011
Sunday, 22 May 2011
BOOK REVIEW: The Wee Free Men(Terry Pratchett)
Book: Wee Free Men
Author: Terry Pratchett
Rating: 5-6/10- due to the fact that it's a good lighthearted adventure story but i think aimed at people younger than me.
Recommended Age: 10-14
Tiffany Aching come from a long line of Aching who have lived and farmed on the chalk land for generations.She's looked at the world in her own way and has clearly got first sight and second thoughts. So when the nightmares come from the hills she already has the skills to stop them, she can be a witch of the chalk.
Having no clue what to do she meets her first monster attack armed only with a frying pan. Then she meets the Nac Mac Feegles(WeeFreeMen). A group of rowdy pictsies who got thrown out of fairyland for being drunk and disorderly and rebelling against the queen. Dim-witted but brave they are interested in 3 things:
Stealing,Drinking and Fighting.
These small people have a comedy value with their actions and speech and makes the story fun the whole way through
Then the Queen of fairyland ( which isn't anything like it sounds) steals Tiffany's brother. Armed with a frying pan and the Wee Free Men she sets off into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A world filled with nightmare creatures and dream traps, a world where nothing is real.
Caught in drone dreams time and time again Tiffinay and the Nac Mac Feegles are in for a tough challenge.
Finding the long lost son of the baron, confronting the queen and being chased by bumble women and nightmares they must escape with her brother and avoid the traps and terrors the queen sends after them,
Tiffinay the new chalk witch, inexperienced and with no help from other witches apart from some advice and a toad. Is up against it. But will she succeed?
This book is very good with it's humorous qualities and adventure mixed in with unconventional thoughts(sometimes up to 3 different ones form one brain) and a series of characters and events that are strange but enjoyable.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
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Author: Terry Pratchett
Rating: 5-6/10- due to the fact that it's a good lighthearted adventure story but i think aimed at people younger than me.
Recommended Age: 10-14
Tiffany Aching come from a long line of Aching who have lived and farmed on the chalk land for generations.She's looked at the world in her own way and has clearly got first sight and second thoughts. So when the nightmares come from the hills she already has the skills to stop them, she can be a witch of the chalk.
Having no clue what to do she meets her first monster attack armed only with a frying pan. Then she meets the Nac Mac Feegles(WeeFreeMen). A group of rowdy pictsies who got thrown out of fairyland for being drunk and disorderly and rebelling against the queen. Dim-witted but brave they are interested in 3 things:
Stealing,Drinking and Fighting.
These small people have a comedy value with their actions and speech and makes the story fun the whole way through
Then the Queen of fairyland ( which isn't anything like it sounds) steals Tiffany's brother. Armed with a frying pan and the Wee Free Men she sets off into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A world filled with nightmare creatures and dream traps, a world where nothing is real.
Caught in drone dreams time and time again Tiffinay and the Nac Mac Feegles are in for a tough challenge.
Finding the long lost son of the baron, confronting the queen and being chased by bumble women and nightmares they must escape with her brother and avoid the traps and terrors the queen sends after them,
Tiffinay the new chalk witch, inexperienced and with no help from other witches apart from some advice and a toad. Is up against it. But will she succeed?
This book is very good with it's humorous qualities and adventure mixed in with unconventional thoughts(sometimes up to 3 different ones form one brain) and a series of characters and events that are strange but enjoyable.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
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USA:
Germany:
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Skulduggery Pleasant ( Derek Landy)
Book: Skulduggery Pleasant
Author: Derek Landy
Rating: 7.5/10
Recommended Age: 10 +
Gordon Edgely was a renowned writer, A collector of rare items and literature and the rich uncle of Stephanie Edgely, and his death came as quite a shock to everyone.
But Gordon's death is only part of the story and its' his funeral that Stephanie saw the man in the tan overcoat
Stephanie was alot like her uncle and amid as rather weird and crazy family this made her stand out, strong-willed and intelligent, that's the words she uses to describe Gordon, and those are the words he uses to describe her. Her father is abit forgetful and her other uncle Fergus married someone thoroughly despicable, a sharp unkind women called Beryl who has 2 horrible twins who are older than Stephanie and refuses to think she's wrong about anything. So it's the funeral that introduces these character, and the man in the tan overcoat.
Later in the reading of the will, everyone is in for a shock. Gordon Edgely was a rather rich man from his writing success and owned a huge mansion,a french villa, boats and all sorts. surprisingly he has left Stephanie something as well so they are all there waiting with Fergus to see who gets what, and once again there is the man in a tan overcoat.
Fergus gets the car,the boat and a brooch, which beryl is none to happy about.Stephanie's parents get the villa. The man in the tan overcoat,who now is revealed as a Mr Skulduggery Pleasant gets some advice. Then the shock. Gordon has left his mansion,his money and his royalties all to Stephanie. This is very unexpected,which is just what Gordon would of thought was great about it.
Now the story properly starts. Stephanie has been left alone in the mansion overnight due to unforeseen circumstances and that's when things change. A strange man appears wanting to come in and threatening to kill her. This is when Skulduggery burst through the door and starts fighting the mysterious intruder, and then starts throwing Fireballs! The man flees and when skulduggery turns round come the biggest surprise of them all.
He's a skeleton.
Stephanie is introduced to a secret world, a world of magic, a world with all new mysteries and adventure, a world with a skeleton detective.
Drawn into it due to the fact that a unknown evil believes she holds the key to releasing dark gods Stephanie soon becomes a partner to Skulduggery and tries to learn all magic has to offer.
They believe the people behind the attack and her uncle's Murder is Nefarian Serpine, and that when a evil wizard rose up hundreds of years ago Serpine was one of his most trusted allies.. he seeks to finish what mevolent started with his war and bring back their Gods: The Faceless Ones. To do this he believes he needs the scepter of the Ancients the very tool they sent the faceless ones from this world. A weapon Gordon Edgely was in possession of.
It becomes a fast paced magic adventure with fights, allies,enemies and treachery and will keep anyone drawn in until the end. And all centered around a 12 year old girl, a Skeleton and religious maniacs.
This book Is a great book combining action,adventure and mystery/detective books together. It's a great read and once you get past the intro will keep you gripped until the very end.
I thoroughly recommend it.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
UK :
USA:
Germany:
Author: Derek Landy
Rating: 7.5/10
Recommended Age: 10 +
Gordon Edgely was a renowned writer, A collector of rare items and literature and the rich uncle of Stephanie Edgely, and his death came as quite a shock to everyone.
But Gordon's death is only part of the story and its' his funeral that Stephanie saw the man in the tan overcoat
Stephanie was alot like her uncle and amid as rather weird and crazy family this made her stand out, strong-willed and intelligent, that's the words she uses to describe Gordon, and those are the words he uses to describe her. Her father is abit forgetful and her other uncle Fergus married someone thoroughly despicable, a sharp unkind women called Beryl who has 2 horrible twins who are older than Stephanie and refuses to think she's wrong about anything. So it's the funeral that introduces these character, and the man in the tan overcoat.
Later in the reading of the will, everyone is in for a shock. Gordon Edgely was a rather rich man from his writing success and owned a huge mansion,a french villa, boats and all sorts. surprisingly he has left Stephanie something as well so they are all there waiting with Fergus to see who gets what, and once again there is the man in a tan overcoat.
Fergus gets the car,the boat and a brooch, which beryl is none to happy about.Stephanie's parents get the villa. The man in the tan overcoat,who now is revealed as a Mr Skulduggery Pleasant gets some advice. Then the shock. Gordon has left his mansion,his money and his royalties all to Stephanie. This is very unexpected,which is just what Gordon would of thought was great about it.
Now the story properly starts. Stephanie has been left alone in the mansion overnight due to unforeseen circumstances and that's when things change. A strange man appears wanting to come in and threatening to kill her. This is when Skulduggery burst through the door and starts fighting the mysterious intruder, and then starts throwing Fireballs! The man flees and when skulduggery turns round come the biggest surprise of them all.
He's a skeleton.
Stephanie is introduced to a secret world, a world of magic, a world with all new mysteries and adventure, a world with a skeleton detective.
Drawn into it due to the fact that a unknown evil believes she holds the key to releasing dark gods Stephanie soon becomes a partner to Skulduggery and tries to learn all magic has to offer.
They believe the people behind the attack and her uncle's Murder is Nefarian Serpine, and that when a evil wizard rose up hundreds of years ago Serpine was one of his most trusted allies.. he seeks to finish what mevolent started with his war and bring back their Gods: The Faceless Ones. To do this he believes he needs the scepter of the Ancients the very tool they sent the faceless ones from this world. A weapon Gordon Edgely was in possession of.
It becomes a fast paced magic adventure with fights, allies,enemies and treachery and will keep anyone drawn in until the end. And all centered around a 12 year old girl, a Skeleton and religious maniacs.
This book Is a great book combining action,adventure and mystery/detective books together. It's a great read and once you get past the intro will keep you gripped until the very end.
I thoroughly recommend it.
Hope you found this review helpful,
The Devonian Book Reviewer
UK :
USA:
Germany:
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