The Cruel Prince

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The fearsome assassin abducts all three girls and brings them to the world of Faerie, where Jude is installed into the royal court. Mocked and tormented for being merely mortal, Jude soon realises that to survive in this treacherous, dangerous, new world, she needs to be a smart, cunning and deceitful as the Fey themselves.
This is the first book in the series 'The Folk of the Air'.
The second book 'The Wicked King' is also available.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Reviewed by Meche` Phillips

This book is really quick to read and very funny. The characters Nick and Norah are unique, believable and easy to relate to.

The authors have used an interesting and unique humour that most teenagers would relate to. If you like, or want to read a great story about bands and musicians this is the book to read.
I highly recommend this book.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars Reviewed by Holly Formosa

Sixteen year old Hazel has terminal cancer. Hazel belongs to a cancer support group where she meets Gus.
Gus understands Hazel and a they form a close relationship.

I thought this book was great and I couldn't stop reading it.
Girls would love this book but boys would also enjoy reading it.

A Long Way Gone by Ismael Beah

A Long Way Gone Reviewed by Meche` Phillips

This is a very inspiring and heart-breaking recount of a boy soldier's life.
The events described in this book and the experiences Ishmael faced showed what a strong person he was.
He had to overcome all of the challenges and the terrifying events a boy soldier goes through.
I would definitely recommend this book.

I am not Esther by Fleur Beale

I am not Esther  Reviewed by Meche` Phillips

I enjoyed reading this novel about a young, Auckland girl who is forced to live in a religious sect with her Uncle and his family after her mother abandons her.
Through out the novel, Kirby has to decide which girl she wants to be. She is given a new name, new clothes and a new set of rules to live by.
She notices she is changing as she becomes influenced by the religious sect and struggles to come to terms with the way her mother left her.
I liked the way the book is written from Kirby's perspective and to understand her point of view as she struggles to piece together her mother's secret.
I would recommend this book to both boys and girls from year 9 to 13.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help Reviewed by Meche` Phillips

I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing style took me a little while to get use to but as the story progressed it was like you could hear the words, it was as if they were speaking directly to me. The characters are easy to  relate to and are likable.
The story is about African-American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississppi, during the early 1960s. The three main voices belong to Eugene "Skeeter" Phelan, Minny Jackson and Aibileen Clark. The chapters are separated by character, each giving a unique point of view.
The help is one of my favourite books and well worth reading.

Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas

Throne of Glass Reviewed by Ilja G. Nielsen

This book is really well written and pulls the reader in.
The plot is thought provoking, but still leaves room for you to develop your own theories and ideas. It leaves you wanting more with every chapter, and definitely makes you feel and identify with the characters.
It has the perfect mix of fantasy, romance, drama and mystery which keeps the book believable but still set in another world.
I couldn't put this book down and would recommend it to all readers. It is a great book to relax with and to be transported into another world.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder Reviewed by Maddie Flavell

Cinder is a brilliantly written book. It is written in the third person which I don't usually enjoy but, while reading this, half the time I didn't even notice it was in the third person because I was too engrossed in the book.
Cinder is a futuristic adaption of the fairy tale Cinderella but has a less passive approach to the main character. In the adaption Cinder is a cyborg mechanic who is evil but cool.
The book follows the plot of Cinderella but is more exciting and hard to put down.
I think Marissa Meyer did an amazing job writing this and I enjoyed her writing style.
The only downside are there some areas that are a bit slow but once you get into it, it is a really great book.

Caster Chronicles by Margaret Stohl and Kani Garcia

Caster Chronicles reviewed by Meche`Phillips.

There are four books in this series: Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness, Beautiful Chaos and Beautiful Redemption.
I really enjoyed reading this series. Each book had it's own rhythm and humour. The characters were funny and easy to relate to. Each book flowed and the plots were easy to follow.
The level of fantasy was believable.
On a less positive note I thought the books were a bit long and were unnecessarily dragged out but
I would highly recommend this series to all lovers of fantasy and to those readers to want something different to read.

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.

Social Media Revolution 2011. Check out this video to see how social media influences our lives.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief revolves around nine year old Liesel who's family were killed during World War Two. At her brothers funeral, Liesal finds a book half buried in the snow called "The Gravediggers Handbook" so she takes it. This is only the first of many books she steals and saves from Nazi book burnings.  After the funeral she is placed with a foster family where she is taught to read the book she stole.
Books become the catalyst to her becoming closer to her new family and forming a friendship with a Jewish man the family kept hidden in the basement from the Nazi's but these are very dangerous times, many people die and disappear. Will Liesal be able to survive and cheat death.
The Book Thief is an amazing book unsettling, thought provoking, tragic and beautifully written. A must read for all students.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is an annual event run  by the Capitol. The story is set in the future where the world is dominated by a ruling tribe who live in luxury in a city called the Capitol. Twelve contestants are selected, one girl and one boy from each of the twelve districts. These teenagers are forced by the government to fight each other to the death in a designated arena for the citizens entertainment.

The plot is simple with strong characters and a fast paced plot. Katniss is the chosen female long with Peeta who is the chosen male both are from Districrt 12.

The story is told through the eyes of Katniss her struggle to survive, her hatred of the Capitol and her dislike of killing but also her desire stay alive. Added to all this is her relationship with Peeta, can she trust him or is he playing his own game?

The winner of the games gets to live in luxury for the rest of their lives.

I loved this book, it is fast paced and full of action and intrigue which leaves you hanging out for the next title in the trilogy which is 'Catching Fire' with he final book in the trilogy Mockingjay.

Before We Say Goodbye by Gabriella Ambrosio

I could not put this book down until I had finished it.

I think Vere Cohen-Barzilay, Director of Communications and Publications, Amnesty International Israel sums this book up very well she says:

" Before We Say Goodbys gives us a rare look and a wonderful opportunity to get to know reality from the birds-eye view, with all its complexity and many faces. It does not embellish it. It does not blame or judge, nor does it get tangled in political accusations of who is better off or who is hurting more. It mourns, it despairs and it hurts, but it is brutally honest. And that is where the importance lies. That is where it magic lies."

I found this book tragic, powerful and an insight into the world of a girl who has accepted her destiny to be a suicide bomber.

A must read.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Reviewed by Te Paerewa King

This novel originated from an idea by Siohban Dowd who passed away from Cancer.
Picture a hybrid between Black Swan, My Sisters Keeper, and Bridge to Terabitha and your only half way there.
A monster calls is written beautifully by Patrick Ness and created from a mind now passed, award winning, writer Sioban Dowd comes a story of Connor O'Mally who is tormented by a monster who says he only wants the truth. But is this the monster in his nightmares or is something more sinister out there waiting to consume him.
This novel by far is the best book I've read. I finished in one reading and came out of the book completely astounded and speechless. It questions everything you know and thought you knew by telling you, through the main character, who you are and how we as humans work. Wonderfully paced, over boiling plot, heart breaking and enlightening, this lyrical, powerful tale will have you dwelling in the world of Connor O'Mally long after you've finished, haunting you in the night.
A truly phenomenal book. Transcendent but beautiful in all ways. I wish I had written it. Amazing.

Skullduggery Pleasant Playing with Fire by Derek Landy

Reviewed by Conor Head-McCarthy
Playing with Fire is the second book in the series. Skullduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain embark on a new adventure and encounter a new enemy.
It seems a really evil guy, Baron Vengeous, has escaped from jail. Skullduggery and Valkyrie set off to stop him, with help from Tanith Low a sorcerer. It appears Baron Vengeous wants to bring back some Gods and has the help of a Vampire called Dusk and Billy-Ray Sanguine a guy who travels through walls. The trio foil the Baron's plans with the baron and Dusk been killed but Billy-Ray escapes. Billy-Ray's survival has a bit of a mystery attached it it, who was he really working for?
The book ends in a mystery, a perfect lead up to the next book Skullduggery Pleasant the Faceless Ones.
This is an excellent book. It is well written, has enough action and pace to keep you interested. The way the characters are portrayed is excellent and you can visualise very character and scene.
I would advise anyone who likes fantasy, action, magic or even horror books to read it.
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When I was Joe by Keren David

Ty is a fourteen year boy who witnessed a fight, where a boy is stabbed to death. Ty does the right thing and reports it to the Police who question him to make sure he was not involved. What Ty and his mum Nicki don't know, was their lives where about to change forever.
The Police tell Ty that the criminals involved in the stabbing are very dangerous and his life maybe in danger.
After a petrol bomb attack on their flat Ty and his mum are put into Witness Protection.
They are given new identities and must remain isolated from their family and friends.
Ty now becomes Joe. He not only has to get use to his new name, change his look and not contact his friends but he also has to enroll in a new school.
Ty/Joe is a very strong likable character, who is popular at his new school, but rebels against his new identity and his new life, which leads himself and his mum into danger.
This story would be enjoyed by boys and girls with plenty of suspense and action.
When I was Joe has a sequel which has just arrived in the library called "Almost True".