Let's Hear it for the Boys - The Prey by Tom Isbell

Published: January 20th, 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 416

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

A hot debut trilogy and a riveting story of survival, courage, and romance in a future where creating a master civilization is the only thing prized, no matter the method. After the Omega (the end of the end), 16 year old guys known as LTs discover their overseers are raising them not to be soldiers (lieutenants) as promised, but to be sold as bait because of their Less Than status and hunted for sport. They escape and join forces with a girls’ camp, the Sisters, who have been imprisoned and experimented on for the "good of the Republic," by a government eager to use twins in their dark research. In their plight for freedom, these heroes must find the best in themselves to fight against the worst in their enemies.

Review

This is going to be a difficult one for me to review.  It was one of the ones I finished, but couldn't really find anything about it that stood out for me.  The premise is ok - Kids in camps being trained for, something.  Suspicion that things are not as simple as they seem.  Main characters find out what is really happening and have some rough times trying to get out of camps.

In this case I felt the lack of some back story.  I was never really sure what had happened to get to this point and I never really connected with the characters.  In all honesty other than some rather impetuous moves I don't think there was anything that I truly disliked, but 2 weeks after reading, I'm having trouble remembering any details of the story.

Having said this, I can see the appeal of The Prey for younger readers who are fans of stories of the  'after the apocalypse' type.  I know of a couple of my kids at work who will enjoy the story, so I will be recommending it, but I won't personally be continuing with this series.

Let's Hear it for the Boys - Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga

Published: September 9th, 2014

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 464

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Jazz Dent has been shot and left to die in New York City. His girlfriend Connie is in the clutches of Jazz's serial killer father, Billy. And his best friend Howie is bleeding to death on the floor of Jazz's own home in tiny Lobo's Nod. Somehow, these three must rise above the horrors their lives have become and find a way to come together in pursuit of Billy. But then Jazz crosses a line he's never crossed before, and soon the entire country is wondering: "Like father, like son?" Who is the true monster?
The chase is on, and beyond Billy there lurks something much, much worse. Prepare to meet...the Crow King.

Review

When I read the first book in this series, I Hunt Killers, I thought it would be impossible to improve on it.  Then I read The Game and realised I was wrong, it could get better.  Barry Lyga has done it again.  Blood of my Blood exceeded even my very high expectations and had me hooked from page one.

The story starts off immediately after the close of The Game - this is a trilogy that you have to read in order.  It only took me a couple of pages to remember what had happened before and the tension starts building from the get-go.  Mr Lyga does not pull any punches.  His writing is very gritty and he doesn't skimp on the descriptions of blood and gore.  But don't get me wrong, this is not a horror story.  At least not in the traditional sense.  Mr. Lyga manages to get deep into the psyche of a very nasty serial killer and we see the way he manipulates and deceives people.  My heart was breaking, yet again, for Jazz but what an immensely strong character he is.  Without giving away any plot points, Jazz's final ah ha! moment is riveting.  

Connie and Howie illustrate the compelling bonds of friendship in such a way that I was completely convinced by these characters.  Even the adult characters in this one were well rounded and essential to the overall plot.  I keep trying to think of anything I didn't like about this book, or trilogy even, and I can't come up with anything.  Blood of my blood is an edge of your seat, seat of your pants rollercoaster ride from start to finish. If you enjoy tense, compelling thrillers this one is for you.

A word of caution - there is some very graphic violence in all three of these books, so be warned.

Let's Hear It for the Boys - Department 19: Zero Hour by Will Hill

Published: May 2014

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

Pages: 700

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Department 19 still stands against the darkness. But for how much longer? Book 4 in the epic series from bestselling author, Will HIll.

When Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped by strange creatures, he finds himself dragged into Department 19, the government's most secret agency.

Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who want him dead. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, something even Department 19 can't stand up against

"Zero Hour' is the fourth installment in Will Hill's 'Department 19' series.  I have been following this series from the start (reviews here, Dept 19, The Rising, and Battle Lines.) and I have absolutely loved every book. I was wondering if Mr Hill would be able to keep up the momentum this time around, but I really needn't have worried.   This book is a thrill ride from start to finish.

Following on in the style of previous volumes, this is a monster sized book at 700 pages, but because the action never lets up, it feels like very much less.  This story is incredibly complex, with a large number of multi-layered characters doing exciting and dangerous things, yet the story itself is uniquely compelling.  Friends are separated and at different corners of the world chasing different types of monsters.  Dracula himself is almost back to full strength and the clock is ticking down inexorably.  This leads to a certain sense of impending doom and adds to the frantic pace of the novel.

As I've said before, the characters are complex and believable and the story, while it stretches your imagination, is immensely believable. It is definitely bloody and full of gore, but not gratuitously.  There are twists and turns galore, traitors abound and surprises by the dozen.  If you haven't had the pleasure of this series yet, give it a try.  It really is worth the time investment.

Let's Hear it for the Boys - Earthfall by Mark Walden

Published: February 6th, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Pages: 368

Copy: My own

Summary: Goodreads

The battle for mankind is about to begin in this riveting story of Earth’s invasion from the author of the H.I.V.E. series.

Sam awakens to see strange vessels gathered in the skies around London. As he stares up, people stream past, walking silently toward the enormous ships, which emit a persistent noise. Only Sam seems immune to the signal. Six months later, he is absolutely alone.

Or so he thinks. Because after he emerges from his underground bunker and is wounded by a flying drone, a hail of machine-gun fire ultimately reveals two very important truths: One, Sam is not, in fact, alone. And two, the drone injury should have killed him—but it didn’t.

With his home planet feeling alien and the future unstable and unclear, Sam must navigate a new world in this gripping adventure

Has anyone been watching Falling Skies on TV?  well if you have, you'll know what I mean when I say  that Earthfall reminds me of it in some ways.  People walking around in a daze, not knowing what they are doing. A resistance force acting against the nasty aliens.  Alien drones searching for resistance fighters to take them out of the picture & etc.

Mark Walden has managed to produce a tense and frightening look at a possible alien invasion, but this time around it's the kids who are left that are the ones with the possible solution.  Sam has believed for so long that he is on his own, that it takes a huge leap to accept that there are others still alive with him. I liked Sam as character. He was resourceful and clever and was willing to do whatever it takes for the good of others, or earth in this case.

There is a lot going on underneath the surface here, both literally and metaphorically, and it was interesting to see the way things panned out.  I was surprised, which was rather nice. I like it  when story lines don't always follow the expected.  Earthfall was a quick read - I picked it up at the airport on my way home from England and had it finished well before I landed in Toronto - but it kept my interest and I enjoyed it.  A great choice for reluctant male readers.

Let's Hear it for the Boys - V is for Villain by Peter Moore

Published: May 20th, 2014

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 336

Copy: Publisher through Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

 

 

Brad Baron is used to looking lame compared to his older brother, Blake. Though Brad's basically a genius, Blake is a superhero in the elite Justice Force. And Brad doesn't measure up at his high school, either, where powers like super-strength and flying are the norm. So when Brad makes friends who are more into political action than weight lifting, he's happy to join a new crew-especially since it means spending more time with Layla, a girl who may or may not have a totally illegal, totally secret super-power. And with her help, Brad begins to hone a dangerous new power of his own.

But when they're pulled into a web of nefarious criminals, high-stakes battles, and startling family secrets, Brad must choose which side he's on. And once he does, there's no turning back.

Perfect for fans of The Avengers, Ironman, and classic comic books, V is for Villain reveals that it's good to be bad.

I have read several books in the last little while that have had a superhero theme, Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart is the first that comes to mind, and they have all been lots of fun, with the good guys always winning in the end.  What made V is for Villain stand out from the rest was the fact that it is written about the bad guys.  Well about the guys who don't agree with what the good guys are doing.  Not exactly bad - yet anyway, but questioning whether everything the good guys do is actually 'good'

I loved the characters in this book, Brad and Layla especially, mainly because they questioned.  They are both basically genius's and are not willing to take things at face value.  They actually think for themselves and come to the conclusion that bad can be good too.  There are some wonderful twists to this complex and entertaining storyline and there are some really spectacularly twisted bad guys to sink your teeth into. But not everything is exactly as it seems and the kids have to use every bit of their spectacular brain power and superpowers to get them out of harms way.

There should be enough action to keep fans of this type of novel very happy and leave them with a little to think about.  I already have several people I can think of to recommend this to.  Lots of fun.



Let's Hear it for the Boys - Scan by Sara Fine and Walter Jury

Published: May 1st, 2014

Publisher: Putnam Children's

Pages: 336

Copy: Publisher through Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Tate and his father don’t exactly get along. As Tate sees it, his father has unreasonably high expectations for Tate to be the best—at everything. Tate finally learns what he’s being prepared for when he steals one of his dad’s odd tech inventions and mercenaries ambush the school, killing his father in the process and sending Tate on the run from aliens who look just like humans.

All Tate knows--like how to make weapons out of oranges and lighter fluid--may not be enough to save him as he’s plunged into a secret inter-species conflict that’s been going on for centuries. Aided only by his girlfriend and his estranged mother, with powerful enemies closing in on all sides, Tate races to puzzle out the secret behind his father’s invention and why so many are willing to kill for it. A riveting, fast-paced adventure, Scan is a clever alien thriller with muscle and heart.


Tate is a slightly futuristic McGyver-like character* who has been taught by his father to think on his feet and be the best at everything.  Of course, he has no idea why his father has been so hard on him all his life, so when he does what most teens do at some point, and 'borrows' something of his Dad's to show off at school one day and it all hits the fan, he is left confused, angry and on the run.  Enter his mother!  She suddenly turns up out of the blue and 'explains' what was going on and we discover that there has been an alien invasion that only a select few know about, his father being one of them. 

The twist here is that most of these aliens don't even know they are aliens - huh! That was one of the factors that puzzled me a little.  If the aliens don't know what they are, and are so like humans that no-one can tell the difference unless they use equipment that only Tate's father has, just exactly what is all the fuss about?   There was a lot of action - things blowing up and hiding in unusual and dangerous places - and Tate was definitely a very resourceful young man, however,  I do feel that I must point out at this time that he seriously fell short in one area - he could only speak eleven (yes that is correct, only 11) languages!

OK enough sarcasm. As you can see, this book had me not quite suspending disbelief in a few areas, but overall  the story was fun, with shades of 'I am number four' and 'The Host' peeking through every now and then. I can definitely see myself recommending this one to the boys at work, but I'm pretty certain that I will not be following the series to its conclusion myself.

* I am of course assuming here that you all know who McGyver is!  If you don't - have fun finding out.

Let's Hear it for the Boys

 

 

I haven't had a chance to read either of these yet, but they are on my shelf, both from the library, and I thought they fit perfectly for our Let's Hear it for the Boys post.  Both of them look pretty exciting.  I met Mr Walters briefly when he came to my library for an author visit.  He's a fascinating man and his stories are incredibly well researched, so I'm really looking forward to The Rule of Three.  Let us know if you have read either of them and what you thought.

 

 

 

 

Published: November 2012

Publisher: Dial

A lost colony is reborn in this heart-pounding fantasy adventure set in the near future . . .

Sixteen-year-old Thomas has always been an outsider. The first child born without the power of an Element—earth, water, wind or fire—he has little to offer his tiny, remote Outer Banks colony. Or so the Guardians would have him believe.

In the wake of an unforeseen storm, desperate pirates kidnap the Guardians, intent on claiming the island as their own. Caught between the plague-ridden mainland and the advancing pirates, Thomas and his friends fight for survival in the battered remains of a mysterious abandoned settlement. But the secrets they unearth will turn Thomas’ world upside-down, and bring to light not only a treacherous past but also a future more dangerous than he can possibly imagine

 

Published: January 2014

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley’s high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam’s are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon—as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends—he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival, in The Rule of Three by Eric Walters

Let's Hear it for the Boys - Phoenix Island by John Dixon

 

Published: January 7th, 2014

Publisher: Gallery Books

Pages: 320

Copy: Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

The judge told Carl that one day he'd have to decide exactly what kind of person he would become. But on Phoenix Island, the choice will be made for him.

A champion boxer with a sharp hook and a short temper, sixteen-year-old Carl Freeman has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. He can't seem to stay out of trouble, using his fists to defend weaker classmates from bullies. His latest incident sends his opponent to the emergency room, and now the court is sending Carl to the worst place on earth: Phoenix Island.

Classified as a terminal facility, it's the end of the line for delinquents who have no home, no family, and no future. Located somewhere far off the coast of the United States and immune to its laws, the island is a grueling Spartan-style boot camp run by sadistic drill sergeants who show no mercy to their young, orphan trainees. Sentenced to stay until his eighteenth birthday, Carl plans to play by the rules, so he makes friends with his wisecracking bunkmate, Ross, and a mysterious gray-eyed girl named Octavia. But he makes enemies, too, and after a few rough scrapes, he earns himself the nickname "Hollywood" as well as a string of punishments, including a brutal night in the sweatbox. But that's nothing compared to what awaits him in the Chop Shop: a secret government lab where Carl is given something he never dreamed of.

A new life. . . .

A new body. A new brain.

Gifts from the fatherly Old Man, who wants to transform Carl into something he's not sure he wants to become.

For this is no ordinary government project. Phoenix Island is ground zero for the future of combat intelligence.

And for Carl, it's just the beginning.

 Review

Young boxer Carl finds himself on a prison island for orphans, where he is groomed to be the governor's protégé - for the rest of the story, I couldn't say it better than the blurb above.  Phoenix Island is a violent book, illustrating the absolute violence and depravity that is within some people - bullies to the core - and it made me vaguely uncomfortable.  I guess that means it was well written.  I certainly got the fidgets while reading it and several times I was tempted to stop, but I soldiered on - pardon the pun. I think one of the things that disturbed me most was the fact that it was entirely plausible - extremely unlikely, but plausible.  Or maybe I've just been watching too much TV!

It was hard to like any of the characters, Although Carl has a good heart, I couldn't help thinking that he never considered any options but his fists.  He was trying to solve problems by doing the wrong thing for the right reasons.  But, then I've never been a fan of fighting to solve problems. I've always preferred using words, which is perhaps why I'm not entirely sure that I liked this book.  Octavia seemed a little like a token love interest to me, but she did serve to bring Carl's protective instincts to the fore.

While not a huge hit with me personally it is definitely a great book for boys and those who enjoy combat games.  It's full of boxing terms and macho bragging teen boys, so I'm not sure about its appeal for girls, but I will be recommending it to several of the young men who visit the library.

I did hear that the TV show Intelligence is based on this book, but I have to add it is very loosely based on it, so if you've watched the show and are expecting more of the same, you will be sadly disappointed. I also just found out that my feelings of plausibility are not so far off the mark - check out this interview with John Dixon. where he talks about his inspiration for the book.

Let's Hear It for the Boys - The Assault by Brian Falkner

 

Published: September 2012

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Pages: 304

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

 

 

It's 2030, and humanity is losing the war against alien invaders. A Band of Brothers meets Ender's Game in this sci-fi military thriller.

A team of six has been chosen . . .

. . . to infiltrate the enemy's headquarters in the heart of the Australian Outback. The six teens have been modified to look like aliens. They have spent years mastering alien culture so that they can talk, act—even think—like their enemies. But from the start, the recon mission goes terribly wrong. It's only when they are close to discovering the shocking truth of the aliens' plans that the team is forced to ask:

Who among them is a traitor?

Brian Falkner, author of The Project, Brain Jack, and The Tomorrow Code, delivers a page-turning military thriller with his signature heart-pounding action and unique sci-fi twists.

I have been reading The Assault exclusively at work in small doses in my lunch hour.  It stood up well to that type of reading.  I didn't get  bored and had no problems at all keeping up with the story and the characters, which was great. 

One of the things I loved was the easy camaraderie amongst the characters.  They really sounded as if they had lived and trained together and felt authentic.  There was a nice level of tension that kept up throughout the story which kept it interesting and there were enough explosions and gun battles to keep even the most avid gamer happy.  It was very easy to forget that the characters were just a bunch of 17 year old kids out on their first mission. 

 Librarians out there, remember this one for your reluctant male readers, or those who like playing military video games. It was an exciting and thrilling read.

Let's Hear It For the Boys - The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

Published: Oct 2013

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 323

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

An all-new, edge-of-your seat adventure from James Dashner, the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, The Eye of Mindsis the first book in The Mortality Doctrine, a series set in a world of hyperadvanced technology, cyberterrorists, and gaming beyond your wildest dreams . . . and your worst nightmares.

Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker.
And they’ve been watching Michael. They want him on their team.
But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

Review:

James Dashner is one of my favourite go-to authors for guy reads.  The Maze Runner was a great series packed with a thrilling plot, lots of action and plenty to interest those who tend not to be interested in reading.  The plot of the Mortality Doctrine is off to a great start in captivating the gamer genre in a virtual world filled with just as many twists and turns as The Maze Runner.  

Mr. Dashner does an excellent job of creating worlds where regular every day kids are transported and have to accept the challenges of most adults.  His characters always seem tested for their survival abilities and quick thinking to escape horrific situations.  Although this title may appeal to gamers, please be forewarned that there are some graphic scenarios that are quite brutal and may not be appropriate for a younger audience.  Mind you, if your kids are playing older rated games, the scenarios are probably similar.  

Like I mentioned before, I am a fan of James Dashner and his writing.  To be honest though, I had a hard time finishing this novel.  I am not a gamer so I had it hard to identify with parts of the story and conceptualize the scenes.  HOWEVER, in saying that, I also did like the way it ended and would recommend this title to our upcoming techie generation.  Although I would classify it more as a "guy's read", it certainly would not be lost on girls who also enjoy gaming.

Let's Hear if for the Boys - Fire and Ash by Jonathan Maberry

 

Published: August 2013

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books

Pages: 537

Copy: My own

Summary: Goodreads

Benny Imura and his friends have made it to Sanctuary, they've found the jet and they've discovered that civilization is struggling to regain its foothold in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Scientists are on the verge of finding a cure for the zombie plague. It should be time for celebration, but it's not. Benny's best friend, Chong, has been infected by an arrow dipped in the flesh of a zombie and he hovers between life and death and Dr McReady, a researcher who may have the critical formula for a cure, has gone missing. So Benny convinces Captain Ledger to mount a search and rescue mission to find the doctor and help Chong. But with the Reapers still pursuing their plan to turn all zombies into super-fast shock troops even if they can save Chong, can they save themselves? In the fourth book of the thrilling and emotionally charged Rot & Ruin series, the battle to end all battles is about to begin...


I often find myself hesitating to read the last book in a series because I'm worried it won't live up to my expectations.  Thankfully Fire and Ash was not one of them and it not only lived up to, but exceeded my expectations.  I have enjoyed this series from the get-go.  A lot of people question my comment about it being a marvellous coming-of-age story - 'Isn't it about zombies?' they ask.  Yes it is about zombies, but, as I've said before, it is about so much more.

Mr. Maberry has given us a fantastic horror series, but at it's heart, is the growing up of its main characters.  Benny, Chong, Nix and Lilah change and grow through each successive book, with Fire and Ash showing us what they will become as adults.  The characters learn from situations and mistakes.  They are willing to accept advice. They listen to, but also question authority - they do not follow blindly.  This growth is never forced or clichéd. I found myself constantly going back to reread paragraphs, just because I like the way the words and the message are written. 

      ' "I promise," he said
     As he held her, Benny looked into that promise.  It was a simple enough thing to say in the heat of heartbreak and tears. But he knew as he said it that this was going to mean more to him than anything else.  Something shifted inside his head and his heart, like a switch being thrown on some machinery that had been carefully built but never turned on.  He wasn't sure, then or ever, what powered that machinery.  Maybe love, maybe hate, maybe a moral outrage so hot that it caused gears to turn and motors to combust.
      There are such moments in a life.  Solitary seconds on which the reality of what life means pivots and turns from a dead end toward a road of untrodden grass that stretches on forever.  It was a moment in which the words he said aloud and the whispers of his inner voice spoke in perfect harmony.  And Benny knew thereafter that he would never hear that inner voice as a thing separate from himself.  It was as if he had caught up to the idealized version of himself that had always walked a pace or two ahead.
     I promise, was what he said.
     I will, was what he meant.' (p281)

Another of the things I loved about Fire and Ash was it's underlying message of hope.  As bad as things get, Benny and the others never really give up.  They get right to the edge sometimes, but are always willing to try just one more thing - especially when they are told not to. 

     ' |For luck," he said.
     "I know," she replied, smiling.  "But we won't need it.  We're going to get Chong, find Riot and Eve, and get out of here."
     It was a strangely positive thing for her to say, but Benny saw no doubt in her eyes.  She believed it.' (p381)

Captain Ledger is one of the many adult characters that can be found in the story and he too undergoes some 'aha' moments, which was nice.  He also occasionally provides some humour

       ' "Should we split up?" asked Lilah. "I can-"
       "Not a chance said Joe. "This isn't a bad horror movie.  We stay together and we watch each other's backs.  No one goes into the basement in a negligee to investigate a strange noise."
       Lilah looked at him as if he was deranged. "What?"
       "Nothing.  Old pop-culture reference whose expiration date has apparently passed. Sad." '(p314)

I could go on and on quoting from this book, I think I had about 15 passages marked when I was finished, but the best thing you can do is go out and read it for yourself. Get past the covers, which I know have put some people off, and just enjoy the words.  It\s a great story for boys - lots of violence and mayhem - but it as also a great story for anyone. It's exciting, frightening, violent, horrifying and out and out heart wrenching and I loved every minute of it's 2000 or so pages. This series has claimed top spot on my favourites list and I suspect it will be there for a while.  Thank you Mr Mayberry for such an enjoyable reading experience.

In case you're interested check out my reviews on the previous three - Rot and Ruin, Dust and Decay and Flesh and Bone

Let's Hear It For The Boys - Project Cain by Geoffrey Girard

 

Published: September 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

 

 

Fifteen-year-old Jeff Jacobson had never heard of Jeffrey Dahmer, the infamous serial killer who brutally murdered seventeen people more than twenty years ago. But Jeff’s life changes forever when the man he’d thought was his father hands him a government file telling him he was constructed in a laboratory only seven years ago, part of a top-secret government cloning experiment called ‘Project CAIN’.

There, he was created entirely from Jeffrey Dahmer’s DNA. There are others like Jeff—those genetically engineered directly from the most notorious murderers of all time: The Son of Sam, The Boston Strangler, Ted Bundy . . . even other Jeffrey Dahmer clones. Some raised, like Jeff, in caring family environments; others within homes that mimicked the horrific early lives of the men they were created from.

When the most dangerous boys are set free by the geneticist who created them, the summer of killing begins. Worse, these same teens now hold a secret weapon even more dangerous than the terrible evil they carry within. Only Jeff can help track the clones down before it’s too late. But will he catch the ‘monsters’ before becoming one himself?

I don't think I'm going to have time to read this one any time soon, but it sounds as if it will be perfect for fans of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers series.  Let me know what you think if you've read it already.

Let's Hear it For the Boys - Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas

July 10th, 2012

Publisher: Egmont, USA

Pages: 416

Copy: From Publisher

Summary: Goodreads

“As original as The Hunger Games, set within the walls of a high school exactly like yours.” – Kami Garcia, New York Times best-selling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures novels

It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning.

A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school.

In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive.

"Take Michael Grant's Gone and Veronica Roth's Divergent, rattle them in a cage until they're ready to fight to the death, and you'll have something like this nightmarish debut...Thomas' whirlwind pace, painful details, simmering sexual content, and moments of truly shocking ultra-violence thrust this movie-ready high school thriller to the head of the class." - Booklist (starred review)

I started Quarantine: The Loners because I had been asked to review Quarantine: The Saints, and you can't read the second without knowing what comes before, right?  I hadn't heard anything about it, which was a little odd - it's been out for almost a year - so I wasn't too sure what I was getting into.  It didn't take me more than about 20 pages though to realise that this is a hidden gem.  Loners starts of with a huge bang, literally, and then slides provocatively into chaos and mayhem.

We meet all the characters fairly quickly, but it is the slow reveal of their true selves that I found most fascinating.  The relationship between brothers David and Will was amazing.  Seeing that relationship from both sides highlighted just how much of what we see is personal perception - not necessarily the truth.  Add in the fact that Will is epileptic and they are both crushing on the same girl and it's instant fireworks. Two other characters that intrigued and appalled me were Sam and Hillary - what a pair.  Sam is a little stereotypical at the beginning, but by the end - wow, he is such a nasty piece of work.

Mr. Thomas takes the natural arena of cliques in high school and turns it on its head.  I think if you take the best parts of The Hunger Games, Gone, Maze Runner and then throw in a bit of Lord of the Flies you might just begin to get an inkling of what it is like at McKinley.( Don't forget Divergent as well, as Booklist suggests!)  The pace of the story is frenetic and it truly illustrates the clichés 'survival of the fittest' and 'dog eat dog'.  But in the end, I was just saying 'yeah for the little guys!'

This story grew on me with every page I read, and when I got to the end I was smiling, not because of what had happened, but because the last line is just so typically Sam I couldn't help myself.  I'm off now to start on Quarantine: The Saints, and I suspect it's going to be a whole different set of problems for everyone.  I can't wait.

Note:  Quarantine: The Saints is out today, July 9th.  and there is a special promotion on Quarantine: The Loners - it's available as an e-book for just $1.99 until July 2nd.  Trust me, it's worth buying.

Let's Hear it For the Boys



While I haven't managed to read either of these this month, they both look really good.  Eoin Colfer is always good - Artemis Fowl anyone?  Barry Lyga wrote the astounding and creepy I Hunt Killers and Game is the follow-up.  If it's even half as good it will be well worth reading.  I have my copies from the library and I'm looking forward to reading them both.  Let me know what you thought if you've already read them.

 

 

 

 

Published May 7th, 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Riley, a teen orphan boy living in Victorian London, has had the misfortune of being apprenticed to Albert Garrick, an illusionist who has fallen on difficult times and now uses his unique conjuring skills to gain access to victims' dwellings. On one such escapade, Garrick brings his reluctant apprentice along and urges him to commit his first killing. Riley is saved from having to commit the grisly act when the intended victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, part of the FBI's Witness Anonymous Relocation Program (WARP) Riley is unwittingly transported via wormhole to modern day London, followed closely by Garrick.

In modern London, Riley is helped by Chevron Savano, a seventeen-year-old FBI agent sent to London as punishment after a disastrous undercover, anti-terrorist operation in Los Angeles. Together Riley and Chevie must evade Garrick, who has been fundamentally altered by his trip through the wormhole. Garrick is now not only evil, but he also possesses all of the scientist's knowledge. He is determined to track Riley down and use the timekey in Chevie's possession to make his way back to Victorian London where he can literally change the world

 

Published: April 16th, 2013

Publisher: Little Brown, Young Readers

 

 

I Hunt Killers introduced the world to Jasper (Jazz) Dent, the son of the world's most infamous serial killer.

When a desperate New York City detective comes knocking on Jazz's door asking for help with a new case, Jazz can't say no. The Hat-Dog Killer has the Big Apple--and its police force running scared with no leads. So Jazz and his girlfriend Connie hop on a plane to the big city and get swept up in a killer's murderous game.

Meanwhile, Jazz's dad Billy is watching...and waiting.

Let's Hear It for the Boys - Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis

Published: February 5th, 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 348

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

One Boy

Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he’s going to die.

One Mission

Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him.

One Problem

The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven’t been seen in thousands of years.

Seven Wonders

Because they’re hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

I picked up The Colossus Rises when I was tidying the shelves at work yesterday because I had forgotten to take my Ipad to work and I didn't have anything to read.  It's aimed at a little younger readers than we normally review for, but it was fun to read and I finished it at work today. 

This was a really fun adventure story, full of young teenagers coming into their previously unknown powers.  There's Jack, who doesn't actually think he has any power, but in fact he's a bit of a genius at making crazy gadgets - a la McGyver style for those who remember that far back.  Then there's Marco, who's very strong and athletic; Aly who is the computer whiz - there has to be at least one, hasn't there - and then Cass, who is a bit of a wimp really, but he has an absolutely prodigious memory. 

The four kids are really under the guard of Torquin, whom I loved.  He's really the comic relief - a huge man with a long beard and who likes to run around with bare feet.  I loved him.   Then there is the father figure, Professor Bhegad - I think he's a good guy, but there are a few weird things about him.  The kids of course have to end up working together  to defeat the Great Gryphon and find the first of the 7 stones they need to bring back Atlantis. 

Of course, there are all sorts of obstacles and adventures to overcome with several very convenient co-incidents, but really the book was just great fun to read and should be a sure-fire hit for fans of Percy Jackson and the like.  A perfect fit for younger teens, particularly the boys, but girls should enjoy it too. 

Let's Hear It for the Boys - Shadow on the Sun by David Macinnis Gill

 

Publisher

Durango has always relied on Mimi--once his tough-as-nails squad leader, she is now the bitingly sarcastic artificial intelligence flash-cloned to his brain. Mimi is the only reason he is alive.

Durango has always looked out for his devastatingly beautiful and brave second-in-command, Vienne--now wounded, crushed, missing. Vienne is the only reason he wants to live.

Durango hasn't always despised his father. But he does now. Lyme wants Durango to be the Prince of Mars, and he'll stop at nothing to realize that dream. He'll sacrifice anything and anyone in the name of domination. Even Mimi. Especially Vienne.

Lyme forgot one thing. You don't want to mess with Durango.

Review

I want to hand it to Mr. MacInnis Gill.  He has managed to write a marvellously thrilling SF adventure that is full of mystery, tension and a frisson of romance, but the main characters are separated for the majority of the book.

After the explosive events of Invisible Sun, (my review here), Durango and Vienne are separated and trying in their own unique ways to find each other again.  Of course, Durango's father, Lyme, has a different path in mind for him and Durango's biggest problem is how to foil his devious plans.  As has been established in Invisible Sun and Black Hole Sun, this is not Mars as we have come to expect it and pretty much anything can and does happen.

There are more mercenaries this time around and I couldn't help but laugh at the Brothers Koumanov.   Mimi, the artificial intelligence that is attached to Durango's brain stem, plays an even larger part this time around and I absolutely adore her sarcastic sense of humour.  She so keeps Durango grounded. There is more character development also and we catch more than a glimpse of the real Vienne  and Durango. They are so not your typical romantic figures, but this is definitely a story about finding true love.  It just happens to include a lot of fighting, treachery, explosions and  all the other fun and frolics we've come to expect. This is romance for guys - no mushy stuff.

If you haven't tried this trilogy yet, now is the time, when you don't have to wait for the next one to come out. 

Let's Hear It for the Boys

As a Junior Press Officer for the British government, Jake is sent to cover a "non-story"—a demonstration against the construction of a laboratory on the supposed site of an ancient fairy ring. But what Jake sees there is shocking and terrifying and leads him to investigate a clandestine organization—the Order of Malichea. And then sinister things start happening: Jake is "accidentally" pushed, almost falling under a tube train; Lauren, Jake’s girlfriend, has all her notes on the Order stolen; and then Jake returns home to find a dead body in his flat and is accused of murder. Who is trying to scare Jake? Is it the British government? Or other, more sinister agencies? Either way, Jake and Lauren must fight for their lives . . .

Set during the final 24 hours before the armistice at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, the story follows a German storm trooper, an American airman and a British Tommy. Their destinies converge during the death throes of the first ever conflict to spread across the globe. War becomes incredibly personal as nationality and geography cease to matter to each of these teenagers on the Western Front, and friendship becomes the defining aspect of their encounter. But who will live and who will die before the end of the day?





I thought these two sounded like good choices for the boys this month.  Let us know in the comments if you've read them or heard about them. - Curlypow

Let's Hear it for the Boys - The Vindico by Wesley King

Published: June 14th, 2012

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 272

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

The Vindico are a group of supervillains who have been fighting the League of Heroes for as long as anyone can remember. Realizing they’re not as young as they used to be, they devise a plan to kidnap a group of teenagers to take over for them when they retire—after all, how hard can it be to teach a bunch of angsty teens to be evil?

Held captive in a remote mansion, five teens train with their mentors and receive superpowers beyond their wildest dreams. Struggling to uncover the motives of the Vindico, the teens have to trust each other to plot their escape. But they quickly learn that the differences between good and evil are not as black and white as they seem, and they are left wondering whose side they should be fighting on after all . . .

With fast-paced action, punchy dialogue, and sarcastic humor, this high-stakes adventure from a talented new YA voice pulls you in from the first page.

The Vindico is an irreverant look at an alternate universe where superheroes are real and the villains are recruiting to enlarge their ranks.  Of course in typical antihero fashion, the villains decide to kidnap the proteges and that's when the fun starts.

James, Emily, Lana, Sam and Hayden are actually having fun while learning the ins and outs of the evil villain trade and I found their voices to be  both real and amusing.  Let's face it - how many teenagers would pass up the opportunity to gain super strength, or mind powers if given the chance.  I wouldn't have. 

What I found refreshing about The Vindico is that it is written from the bad guys' perspective.  We get a glimpse into the minds of the villains and we see how they become twisted and yet convinced that they are in the right.  Mr King has written a book that can easily be read and enjoyed by both younger and older teens.  It reads a little bit like a movie plot and I can easily see this on screen - in the same vein as Sky High (remember that one?), or perhaps Zoom.  It looks like there is a follow-up to come in July next year called The Feros and I look forward to reading it.

On a side note,  Mr King is practically a neighbour of mine, he's from the next town over - way to go Wesley! I love it when local authors get published.

Let's Hear It For The Boys - The Culling by Steven dos Santos

 

Published: March 8th, 2013

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 421

Copy: Publisher through Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

 

Who would you choose?

Lucian "Lucky" Spark has been recruited for training by the totalitarian government known as the Establishment. According to Establishment rules, if a recruit fails any level of the violent training competitions, a family member is brutally killed . . . and the recruit has to choose which one.

As the five recruits form uneasy alliances in the hellish wasteland that is the training ground, an undeniable attraction develops between Lucky and the rebellious Digory Tycho. But the rules of the training ensure that only one will survive--the strongest recruits receive accolades, wealth, and power while the weakest receive death. With Cole--Lucky's four-year-old brother--being held as "incentive," Lucky must marshal all his skills and use his wits to keep himself alive, no matter what the cost.

I am sure that The Culling will end up with many comparisons to The Hunger Games, and while some of them are merited  - being 'chosen' in a lottery and having to fight to the last man standing - I think that The Culling is riveting enough to stand squarely on its own two feet.  But be warned, The Culling is violent, very violent and extremely disturbing on many occasions. 

Having said that, the story is extremely compelling and will catch your attention early on. Lucky, Digory, Gideon, Ophelia and Cypress are all very different and their reactions to the situations they find themselves in are intriguing and insightful.  I wasnt' all that surprised at what these kids were prepared to do to save the lives of their 'incentives.  The 'bad' guy is Cassius, who is an old friend of Lucky's and he was the only character that I didn't feel completely at ease with.  His reactions seemed just a little contrived and convenient, and I was never quite sure exactly what his relationship had been with Lucky.  The  GLBT romance in the story is incredibly bittersweet and almost had me in tears on a couple of occasions.

Over all, an interesting if very violent dystopian world that should please fans of the genre.  Put this one on your list.

Let's Hear It for the Boys

Published: October 2nd, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 350

Summary: Goodreads

Benson Fisher escaped from Maxfield Academy’s deadly rules and brutal gangs.

Or so he thought.

But now Benson is trapped in a different kind of prison: a town filled with hauntingly familiar faces. People from Maxfield he saw die. Friends he was afraid he had killed.

They are all pawns in the school’s twisted experiment, held captive and controlled by an unseen force. As he searches for answers, Benson discovers that Maxfield Academy’s plans are more sinister than anything he imagined—and they may be impossible to stop.

Variant blew readers away with its breakneck pacing, flawless plotting, and impossibly high stakes. It earned starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and VOYA, which described it as “an exciting, edge-of-your-seat read that combines psychological themes from works like Lord of the Flies, The Hunger Games, and Ender’s Game in a truly unique way.”

In Feedback, Robison Wells delivers all the answers you’ve been craving—with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the very last page.

I have to be honest, I haven't managed to find the time to read this follow-up to The Variant, (see my review here,) but if it is anything like as good as the first, it will be well worth reading.  Let me know what you thought of it.