The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager

Ash McCarthy is a typical teenager enjoying the freedom of his first year at University. A visit by two policemen turn Ash's life upside down.
Ash does not only have to deal with the death of his father who is the victim of a terrorist attack but is now the solely responsible for Mikey, his brother who has Down's Syndrome.
On his return home Ash is dragged into the world of political intrigue, corruption, terrorism and lies.
The country is thrown into chaos as two super powers play their deadly games.
While trying to look after his brother and protect two strangers and his fight to uncover the truth of his fathers death and find his estranged mother's disappearance the a race to save their lives becomes deadly.
I could not put this book down. It is set in not too distant future New Zealand. It deals with topical issues like 'home-grown' terrorism, sale of state owned assets, resources shortages, foreign ownership of farms and prejudice against the disabled.
The characters are strong, believable and endearing. I highly recommend this book for boys and girls.

Marked by Denis Martin

Marked is written by a New Zealand writer Denis Martin who specializes in thrillers for  teenagers.
Cully has shifted to the Coromandel with his father who is a writer. While waiting for the ferry Cully notices a beautiful girl on the wharf, her name is Kat.
Kat is a mystery and does not seem the least bit interested in Cully but he keeps trying talk to her.
Kat is been watched and followed by some very tough looking men in a black Pajero. What is Kat mixed up in? What does a court case in Sydney have to do with Kat? Will Cully survive when he tries to help Kat?
I loved this novel it is full of mystery, action, adventure and intrigue. The story moves very quickly so once you start to read it is very hard to put it down. The novel is suitable for boys and girls.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither is a novel about how Genetic Engineering has turned all new born babies into genetic ticking time bombs. Males live to the age of twenty five and females to the age of twenty.

Young girls are kidnapped from their homes and off the street by 'The Gatherers' and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.
Rhine Ellery is one of these girls, she becomes the wife of Linden along with two other girls and joins the world of wealth and privilege, while at the same time losing her freedom.  Her husband Linden has a genuine love for her but Rhines's only purpose is to escape and go back to her home and her twin brother.

There is a mad scientist who will stop at nothing to find an antidote to the genetic virus which is killing his only son Linden and cutting short the lives of the people they love.

Rhine faces many challenges in the house but with help from Gabriel, a servant she has become close to, she attempts to escape.

The story is slow at the beginning but soon heats up with a very exciting ending.

The characters are strong and interesting, it will be good to see how they develop through the trilogy. If you like dystopian novels you will love this one. The second in the trilogy 'Fever' will be arriving soon.

There is love, tragedy and mystery in this novel and will be enjoyed by boys and girls.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

“I didn’t mean for anyone to die”

Valerie and her boyfriend Nick compiled a “Hate List” of all the students that bullied them, they where considered outsiders by their classmates.

One morning Nick and Valerie walked into the commons at school and Nick pulled out a gun and started shooting the students on the “Hate List’. Valerie was in total shock, as she did not know Nick had planned to shoot the students. While trying to save many students Nick shot Valerie.

Valerie was implicated in the shootings due to her knowledge of the hate list and her relationship with Nick. Some blamed her some called her a hero.

After several months recuperating from her injuries it was time for Valerie to go back and finish her senior year at school. Val had to confront her guilt, the students and her memories of Nick.

The book flashes back to Val and Nicks relationship and the shootings to good effect.

I found the book powerful and thought provoking. It showed how situations can very easily get out of control with devastating consequences.

This book would be enjoyed by girls and boys.