10+: Behemoth - Scott Westerfeld

Release Date: 01/10/10

BOOK BLURB:

The Leviathan arrives in Constantinople, a city where Clanker culture and Darwinst principles intersect in the most intriguing ways. Dr Barlow and Deryn deliver their precious cargo to the Sultan, but their peace-keeping mission goes unexpectedly - and disastrously - awry. Now the only way to save themselves in this hostile, politically-charged city is for Dr Barlow to offer up the thing that matters most: the air ship. Alek escapes from his prison camp and goes on the run with his men and the loris while Count Volger stays behind to fend-off the pursuit, forcing Alek to take on new responsibilities. Meanwhile a secret mission lands Deryn in serious danger...and leads both teens to re-evaluate their precarious situations in the world.


REVIEW:

The second novel in Westerfeld’s Steampunk series and one that proves that he is a master storyteller. Beautifully constructed, this alternate world is one that readers will love to inhabit, there are machines, monsters, action and plenty of adventure as out heroes continue their fight to survive against the odds.

Add to the mix a great blend of dialogue, solid world construction and a plot that just doesn’t let up and you know that you have one hell of a story on your hands. Seriously good fun and with beautiful artwork that accentuates the tale you know that it’s something special. Definitely a series that I’m recommending as Christmas gifts as the silence you will have whilst your young reader devours this will be worth its weight in gold which will also fuel their own imagination.

Teen: Midnighters: The Secret Hour - Scott Westerfeld

BOOK BLURB:

As the new girl at Bixby High School, Jessica Day expected some unwelcome attention. What she didn't expect was to feel an instant connection to a stranger in the corridor ...Who is this boy dressed in black? And why can she feel his eyes following her wherever she goes? The answers will have to wait until the sun goes down, for here in Bixby, midnight is the time for secrets; secrets that Jessica is going to find out, whether she wants to or not.


REVIEW:

Whilst this offering has been about for a bit, Atom have repacked this classic Young Adult offering and not only done a bang up job of it but made sure that the next generation of Young Adult readers has a real series that will not only blow their mind, but generate something really unique and special. Whilst this is the first part of the Midnighters series, the concept is pretty unique, the characters fully formed and backed up with a pretty good pace that very few will be able to equal. If you want something that really will blow your young adult readers mind, generate something pretty damn special in their imagination and help them fall in love with reading again, then you absolutely have to buy this series.