ja_mageia

Liam O'Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029. Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, 'Take my hand ...' But Liam, Maddy and Sal aren't rescued. They are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose - to fix broken history. Because time travel is here, and there are those who would go back in time and change the past. That's why the TimeRiders exist: to protect us. To stop time travel from destroying the world...

I came across a copy of one of Alex Scarrow’s adult books, A Thousand Suns, in a remainder book shop a few summers ago.  I spent a lot of the holiday, as always, with my head inside the book and thoroughly enjoyed the read. A few months ago I discovered why the book was in a remainder book shop. The books story was about a lone aircraft in WW2 that was to deliver a nuclear bomb onto New York in a last gasp attempt by Germany to win the war. The book came out in the worst week possible, the attack on the twin towers in New York. Somehow the appetite for such a book seemed to disappear even with really good reviews.

That day must be etched into the mind of Alex so much that his first book for Young Adults uses the day a central reference. The story is based around three teenagers who are plucked from various point in time just before they are about to die.  They are recruited to a time agency who are responsible for ensuring that time travellers don’t interfere with History. Therefore they constantly go out on that fateful morning in September 2001 to check if time has been altered even subtlety.

One morning they go out to find New York covered in swastikas. Obviously in this world the Germans won the war. Using the internet they find all history has been deleted before 1956 when the Germans took charge of the US. The young teenagers must find out quick what happened because events are about to get worst… much worse.

I really enjoyed the alternative histories that Alex has woven into his stories. Its my type of fiction. Its skilfully written and although aimed at Young Adults has a quality that makes it a decent read for everyone. It’s developing into a series, the next part is out in August. I hope it keeps its style as the series progresses. As a first work in YA fiction I’d highly recommend this book, indeed its quite brilliant.

Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of the town toward Berwick Waters. Later that day only two of them came back. Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago — though it’s still hard for her to believe it’s real. The images, sounds and aftermath are imprinted on her memory. She’s made a new life for herself, but her past is dangerous and violent and sad — and it’s about to rip her new life apart.

A gripping and emotionally searing novel from a talented author, Looking for JJ explores the circumstances and motives behind the murder of a child - by her friend. Six years later, JJ has now been released, and has a new identity. But is there any way that she can lead a "normal" life?

A fantastic read which quite rightly was on most award list when it was published. This is a book that will probably challenge the way you think about children who kill children. Its a very imotive topic and one thats expertly dealt with by one of the best YA writers around at this moment.

Sarah and Robert are sure their number is up when their aeroplane crashes over the Australian desert. But this is no ordinary air disaster. A meteorite strike has impacted Earth, bringing with it a deadly alien disease. Thousands fall victim to the virus, falling into a deep coma. Luckily, Robert and Sarah appear to be unaffected - until they begin to exhibit some extraordinary psychic side-effects. This quickly makes them a target for HIDRA, a rogue international agency determined to experiment on them like lab rats in an attempt to control their superpowers. Before long, the children are captured in HIDRA's secret desert HQ, a prison for superhuman kids who can control fire, create storms and tear steel with their minds. This new generation of superheroes must join forces if they are to escape HIDRA. But what kind of world awaits them outside?

This is great action/adventure book form a upcoming Australian writer. Well worth the read if you're into conspiracy theories.

The amazing manga retelling of Darren Shan's international best-selling vampire saga, with illustrations by Japanese artist Takahiro Arai.  Darren Shan is just an ordinary schoolboy -- until he gets an invitation to visit the Cirque du Freak! until he meets Madame Octa! until he comes face-to-face with a creature of the night!  Soon Darren is caught up in a web of terror from which he cannot escape, with his best friend's life hanging by the finest of threads. Darren must make a bargain to save Steve, but the only one that can help is not human and only deals in blood!  The stunning illustrations and manga format give a new dimension to this ever-popular vampire saga, available for the first time in translation in the UK. This will be a must-have for Shan fans and manga aficionados alike.

Now we all like the great books from the Cirque du Freak series don't we? Well this is the manga version of the series. So if you've read the originals, seen the film (good wasn't it if a bit too american?), bought the t-shirt then these are the books for you.