James Adams (CHERUB agents get to chose their own names) is settling in to life as a CHERUB agent. He’s never going to enjoy school, but the subjects are more interesting and he gets more individualised attention. More importantly, he’s about to head out on a four-agent mission, to infiltrate the Keith Moore Gang, a drug empire headed by a slippery man who has corrupt Met officers working on his payroll. Each agent has a designated target within the Moore family, and James finds himself getting close to Junior.
Class A deals with themes that may not be appropriate for younger readers – although my copy isn’t marked, current editions have a warning on the cover of each book in the series to this effect. Rather than portraying drug use and commerce in black and white terms, Muchamore has drawn a more realistic and grey-toned picture of illicit drug use, from under-age alcohol use to the insidiousness of category A (as cocaine, heroin, speed etc are known in the UK) drug use.
In Class A Muchamore also depicts his characters, including James, acting like actual people, often in ways that children are not generally portrayed – James has a problem with anger management, and has to endure the consequences of poor impulse control, including inflicting serious damage on a friend. When another friend tells James that he’s gay, James reacts honestly but not well, and this continues to be an issue for him for a while. I cannot think of another novel, let alone series, that has a juvenile male protagonist dealing with drugs, violence, alcohol and sex (albeit in the abstract for now) like this, let alone in as realistic and layered way.
The action is fast-paced, James is sympathetic – even when he’s homophobic – and relatable, and Muchamore has created a rich world in which to play. I went straight from Class A to the third in the series, and suspect that, if I had them, I’d be reading through to the end without interruption. - Alex
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query "robert muchamore". Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query "robert muchamore". Sort by date Show all posts
Monday, November 3
Wednesday, December 16
Eagle Day - Robert Muchamore
As the Germans invade Paris, British spy Charles Henderson, along with French orphan Marc Kilgour and English siblings Paul and Rosie Clarke, must make a difficult decision - flee to the relative safety of Spain and from there return to London, or infiltrate a Nazi boat yard in the hopes of uncovering and possibly sabotaging the invaders plans to defeat Britain.
I ended my review of The Escape, Muchamore's first part of this series, itself a prequel to the best-selling CHERUBs series, noting that I hoped the whole Henderson Boys series wouldn't be a chain of cliff-hangers. Though less the case here than in the Escape, this series is clearly destined to be less stand alone that the contemporary one. I suppose, given the work the series needs to do in forming a platform for the later, established organisation, this is inevitable and I have resigned myself to it.
This resignation is made easier by the compensations of strong characterisation, vibrant writing, a perfect encompassing of time and place blended with an immediacy born of its historical setting, and a brisk plot.
Muchamore infuses the novel with historical accuracy, footnoting translations for German and French terms rather than substituting their English equivalents, and interspersing sections with a brief update of the bigger picture of the war. The facts are succinct and digestible, and I imagine would be well assimilate by young readers rather than being seen as boring pedagogy.
I do enjoy the original series better, and am quite excited by the prospect of another CHERUB installment in my To Read pile, but making my way through Eagle Day was no hardship and I'll certainly continue on for the time being. - Alex
I ended my review of The Escape, Muchamore's first part of this series, itself a prequel to the best-selling CHERUBs series, noting that I hoped the whole Henderson Boys series wouldn't be a chain of cliff-hangers. Though less the case here than in the Escape, this series is clearly destined to be less stand alone that the contemporary one. I suppose, given the work the series needs to do in forming a platform for the later, established organisation, this is inevitable and I have resigned myself to it.
This resignation is made easier by the compensations of strong characterisation, vibrant writing, a perfect encompassing of time and place blended with an immediacy born of its historical setting, and a brisk plot.
Muchamore infuses the novel with historical accuracy, footnoting translations for German and French terms rather than substituting their English equivalents, and interspersing sections with a brief update of the bigger picture of the war. The facts are succinct and digestible, and I imagine would be well assimilate by young readers rather than being seen as boring pedagogy.
I do enjoy the original series better, and am quite excited by the prospect of another CHERUB installment in my To Read pile, but making my way through Eagle Day was no hardship and I'll certainly continue on for the time being. - Alex
Tuesday, November 4
Maximum Security – Robert Muchamore
In an international cooperative project, James Adams is inserted into an Arizona jail for underage offenders who’ve been sentenced as adults. His mission is to break out the jail, along with Curtis Oxford, the son of one of America’s most wanted, and secretive, criminals. The mission is high risk – the jail itself is predominantly run by the inmates, with factions and weapons rife, and none of the armed staff will know that James is an agent. Part of the plan’s design is to broadcast that a staff member died during the jail break, and none of the police will know that James isn’t a cop killer.
Once again, Muchamore has created a gripping, compelling and textured novel. The jail scenes are chilling, the sense of danger palpable, and the pace relentless. At the same time the character development progresses, layering not only our understanding of James but of his target, too.
Though not as graphic as its predecessor, Maximum Security would also be distressing for younger readers, predominantly because of the violent lawlessness and injury in the jail scenes and during the escape.
This review is brief only because it's the third Muchamore review I've written in a row, and it's getting hard to think of new and inteesting ways of saying I think this is a killer series. Fortunately there'll be a bit of a break because my CHERUB-series supplier doesn't have book four and so I'm on the library waiting list (eigheenth and waiting), so the next review should be invigorated! - Alex
Once again, Muchamore has created a gripping, compelling and textured novel. The jail scenes are chilling, the sense of danger palpable, and the pace relentless. At the same time the character development progresses, layering not only our understanding of James but of his target, too.
Though not as graphic as its predecessor, Maximum Security would also be distressing for younger readers, predominantly because of the violent lawlessness and injury in the jail scenes and during the escape.
This review is brief only because it's the third Muchamore review I've written in a row, and it's getting hard to think of new and inteesting ways of saying I think this is a killer series. Fortunately there'll be a bit of a break because my CHERUB-series supplier doesn't have book four and so I'm on the library waiting list (eigheenth and waiting), so the next review should be invigorated! - Alex
Sunday, November 2
The Recruit – Robert Muchamore
James Choke is almost twelve, and his life is starting to spiral out of control. After he responds to one of his classmates teasing him about his fat mother he’s suspended, not something Gwen Choke will take well. Although she often seems more interested in her shoplifting empire than him, she takes school seriously. When he finds his mother’s dead body, though, James has bigger worries than school – he’s placed in a home, separated from his half-sister Lauren, and his slide into criminality accelerates.
Until James is recruited by CHERUB, a super-secret organisation of child spies. Aged between ten and seventeen, CHERUB agents are smart, tough and well trained. If James makes it through basic training he’ll go out on missions, infiltrating organizations that adults can’t. In the process, he’ll be drilled in a variety of martial arts, critical thinking, endurance training, espionage tactics, and be expected to maintain a decent grade in regular subjects.
This is the first in a blockbuster series, and Muchamore hits the ground running. James is a strongly drawn, flawed character with believable motivation, and once you grant the underlying premise the novel is convincing. The other characters, particularly the other CHERUB agents, are equally well portrayed and the adults cover a spectrum of personalities. I enjoyed The Recruit so much I went straight to the second in the series, and only regret I’m writing the review so much later I can’t give any specifics about what made it so enjoyable. - Alex
PS If you're wondering what CHERUB is an acronym for, get in line - nobody knows, but Muchamore's very interested in hearing from anyone who has ideas!
Until James is recruited by CHERUB, a super-secret organisation of child spies. Aged between ten and seventeen, CHERUB agents are smart, tough and well trained. If James makes it through basic training he’ll go out on missions, infiltrating organizations that adults can’t. In the process, he’ll be drilled in a variety of martial arts, critical thinking, endurance training, espionage tactics, and be expected to maintain a decent grade in regular subjects.
This is the first in a blockbuster series, and Muchamore hits the ground running. James is a strongly drawn, flawed character with believable motivation, and once you grant the underlying premise the novel is convincing. The other characters, particularly the other CHERUB agents, are equally well portrayed and the adults cover a spectrum of personalities. I enjoyed The Recruit so much I went straight to the second in the series, and only regret I’m writing the review so much later I can’t give any specifics about what made it so enjoyable. - Alex
PS If you're wondering what CHERUB is an acronym for, get in line - nobody knows, but Muchamore's very interested in hearing from anyone who has ideas!
Sunday, October 25
The Escape - Robert Muchamore
Marc Kilgour was abandoned at a railway station as an infant - the only life he's known is at the orphanage, where he and the other children must work for the simple food and barely adequate clothing, along with beatings for every infraction, they receive from the director. Twelve-year old Marc works for a nearby farmer, mucking out the cows sheds of the hundred and twenty litres of urine and loose feces each adult cow produces daily. When Marc tussles with the farmer's attractive daughter Jae, with whom he's slightly in love, she falls in a pit filled with this excrement, and Marc receives the beating of his life. When a German bomber crashes alongside the orphanage that evening Marc seizes inspiration and runs away.
Paul Clarke and his sister Rosie have been going to the English school in Paris because that's what their French mother wanted, and although most families have evacuated their father has waited until the tanks were at the edge of the country to leave. Ostensibly a clerk, Mr Clarke has secret papers that must get to London is the Allies have any hope of winning the war. When he pulls them out of school he seems unprepared for a flight, which results in the deaths of their landlady, a German soldier, and sadly Mr Clarke. Paul and Rosie are alone and surrounded by the population of a city fleeing ahead of an invading force.
This precursor to Muchamore's best selling CHERUB series begins the tale of how Englishman Charles Henderson set up a secret organisation that uses children as spies - it can easily be read by those unfamiliar with the initial series, but can hardly be said to stand alone.
Muchamore has brought the vibrancy of atmosphere, depth of character and rapidity of plot to this new series that the CHERUB books are known for. He conveys a strong sense of France on the brink of invasion in June 1940, from the use of child labour and casual corporal punishment to the looming threat of German occupation and pervasive hope that things won't really change that much. His children are courageous, determined and predominantly moral, though realistically and humanly flawed, and they undergo significant punishment, both physical and emotional.
I was, however, disappointed to find that The Escape, unlike each of the CHERUB novels, is not complete in itself but ends on a cliffhanger that demands the next book be read. Though I had, and have, every intention of doing so anyway, I really resent this approach whenever I come across it, and doing so twice in a month didn't help. I do hope that this won't be the case for the entire series of Henderson's Boys. - Alex
Paul Clarke and his sister Rosie have been going to the English school in Paris because that's what their French mother wanted, and although most families have evacuated their father has waited until the tanks were at the edge of the country to leave. Ostensibly a clerk, Mr Clarke has secret papers that must get to London is the Allies have any hope of winning the war. When he pulls them out of school he seems unprepared for a flight, which results in the deaths of their landlady, a German soldier, and sadly Mr Clarke. Paul and Rosie are alone and surrounded by the population of a city fleeing ahead of an invading force.
This precursor to Muchamore's best selling CHERUB series begins the tale of how Englishman Charles Henderson set up a secret organisation that uses children as spies - it can easily be read by those unfamiliar with the initial series, but can hardly be said to stand alone.
Muchamore has brought the vibrancy of atmosphere, depth of character and rapidity of plot to this new series that the CHERUB books are known for. He conveys a strong sense of France on the brink of invasion in June 1940, from the use of child labour and casual corporal punishment to the looming threat of German occupation and pervasive hope that things won't really change that much. His children are courageous, determined and predominantly moral, though realistically and humanly flawed, and they undergo significant punishment, both physical and emotional.
I was, however, disappointed to find that The Escape, unlike each of the CHERUB novels, is not complete in itself but ends on a cliffhanger that demands the next book be read. Though I had, and have, every intention of doing so anyway, I really resent this approach whenever I come across it, and doing so twice in a month didn't help. I do hope that this won't be the case for the entire series of Henderson's Boys. - Alex
Wednesday, November 25
Brigands MC – Robert Muchamore
After a long absence the Cherubs are back! Eight year old Dante Scott’s father is an official in the South Devon chapter of one of the most feared motorcycle clubs in the world. The Brigands have strong ties to organized crime, drugs and gun running, but to Dante they’re a group of cool adults he’s known all his life. That is until an internal argument ends in a bloodbath – Dante’s parents, older brother and sister are shot and killed, and he and his baby sister are in protective custody. With no family, no ties, and a strong need for unassailable safety, Dante’s a good CHERUB candidate.
Eight years later, Dante returns to the campus after a three year mission in Northern Ireland. The kids he knew have grown up, but he still recognizes his old friend James, and the hotter, older version of the first person he ever met on campus, James’s younger sister Lauren. When the opportunity to infiltrate the South Devon Brigands comes up, Dante leaps at the opportunity. But can he put his grudge against the Führer, the father of his former best friend, the head of the South Devon chapter, and the man who slaughtered his family, to one side in order to carry out his mission?
Up until now the only CHERUB-agents back stories we've heard in detail have been those of James and Lauren - I really enjoyed getting a different perspective, and found Dante a fascinating character. The Muchamore characteristics of well-developed characters, realistic dialogue, fast-paced plotting, danger and intrigue, and realism (once you accept the underlying premise) combine to create another worthwhile addition to this entertaining stable. My only concern is that, following the usual epilogue section, the teaser for the next book is capped "James Adams will be back for one final adventure." I do hope this means he graduates but the series goes on; I fear, however, that it heralds the end of this really well written series. - Alex
Eight years later, Dante returns to the campus after a three year mission in Northern Ireland. The kids he knew have grown up, but he still recognizes his old friend James, and the hotter, older version of the first person he ever met on campus, James’s younger sister Lauren. When the opportunity to infiltrate the South Devon Brigands comes up, Dante leaps at the opportunity. But can he put his grudge against the Führer, the father of his former best friend, the head of the South Devon chapter, and the man who slaughtered his family, to one side in order to carry out his mission?
Up until now the only CHERUB-agents back stories we've heard in detail have been those of James and Lauren - I really enjoyed getting a different perspective, and found Dante a fascinating character. The Muchamore characteristics of well-developed characters, realistic dialogue, fast-paced plotting, danger and intrigue, and realism (once you accept the underlying premise) combine to create another worthwhile addition to this entertaining stable. My only concern is that, following the usual epilogue section, the teaser for the next book is capped "James Adams will be back for one final adventure." I do hope this means he graduates but the series goes on; I fear, however, that it heralds the end of this really well written series. - Alex
Tuesday, December 2
Divine Madness - Robert Muchamore
An Australian-based cult has been linked with the ec-terrorist group Help Earth (an organisation already linked to to over 200 deaths since it emerged in 2003). CHERUB has been selected to participate in a joint operation with the Australian Secret Intelligent Service (ASIS) to infiltrate the paranoid organisation. Highly dangerous, the mission involves allowing a team of one adult and three children to be recruited into The Survivors, with the aim of having the child agents selected for the cult's elite education program - a school in the remote outback. In addition to the problems of distance, the cult are expert in brain washing techniques, and there are internal power struggles in the lead up to the imminent death of the cult's elderly leader. James, along with his younger sister Lauren, and Aussie cherub Dana Smith are posing as the children of a recently widowed, and apparently wealthy woman (Abigail, an ASIS agent).
Divine Madness has all the elements that made the first three books in the CHERUB series so good - strong characterisation, a fast-paced plot, realistic action (along with actual injury), and attention to detail. The Australian aspect is interesting, primarily from a geographic perspective, and Muchamore has managed to avoid the usual clichés.
I ripped through Divine Madness and eagerly await the fifth in this compelling series. - Alex
Divine Madness has all the elements that made the first three books in the CHERUB series so good - strong characterisation, a fast-paced plot, realistic action (along with actual injury), and attention to detail. The Australian aspect is interesting, primarily from a geographic perspective, and Muchamore has managed to avoid the usual clichés.
I ripped through Divine Madness and eagerly await the fifth in this compelling series. - Alex
Saturday, February 7
The General - Robert Muchamore
Just outside Las Vegas lies the world's biggest armed forces training camp and, for the first time, the US Army wants to include the CHERUB unit as part of the enemy combatant force, mixing with paid students and members of the public. What the US Army don't know is that the Cherubs (lead by an anti-US Ukrainian instructor) don't play by the rules...
Unfortunately I've only just realised that I started but didn't finish this review, and it's now a couple of months since I read The General so all I can say is that I enjoyed the plot and charachterisation but remember very little about specific details.
Up next for Muchamore is a 40's era novel about the formation of CHERUB, which I think will be both interesting in its own right and also a diverting change of pace. Wathc this spot - Alex
Unfortunately I've only just realised that I started but didn't finish this review, and it's now a couple of months since I read The General so all I can say is that I enjoyed the plot and charachterisation but remember very little about specific details.
Up next for Muchamore is a 40's era novel about the formation of CHERUB, which I think will be both interesting in its own right and also a diverting change of pace. Wathc this spot - Alex
Saturday, November 22
The Killing – Robert Muchamore
Small time crook Leon Tarasov, a Russian immigrant, has had a low profile since he and brother Nikola entered Britain in the fifties. Always a little shady, they benefited from a riot in their neighbourhood in 1981 that enabled them to buy a pub that soon became a notorious hangout for petty criminals. After a collapse following the death of his brother, Leon fell into heavy debt but somehow pulled himself back together – he not only paid all his outstanding debts but bought a second pub.
Two CHERUB agents are going to move into an apartment on the estate and try to get close to Leon’s children and his nephew and niece. Because of their similarity in appearance, James and older agent Dave have been selected for the mission.
James is overjoyed to be involved – always short-tempered, all his friends are shunning him because of an outburst of anger in the aftermath of being dumped by his girlfriend. James smacked and shoved Andy, a new, already traumatised eleven-year-old recruit and it’s not just his friends who are taking action – Andy’s being guarded by a couple of huge sixteen-year-olds, admin are punishing him and compelling anger management classes, and Lauren’s only allowed to speak to him because she’s his sister.
It’s this aspect that sets the CHERUB series above most rank and file YA series – not only is the protagonist flawed but he is seriously flawed (in a way that is understandable to readers), and is called on it, and the seeds for this were sown from the beginning of the series. As Lauren tells James, unless he learns to handle his temper he’ll have no friends and he’ll “end up battering [his] wife and children some day,” an accusation that shocks James but which is an accurate prediction.
Of course, this aspect is woven into the broader plot of The Killing rather than being its focus, and getting to the bottom of what happened, including the death thirteen months earlier of a young drug addict, is complex and satisfying. Muchamore continues to deliver strong plots, realistic action (in both training exercises and on the ground), and strongly developed characters. Though more satisfying if read in order, enough of the framework is included that a neophyte would also enjoy reading The Killing as a stand-alone novel. It’s a good thing the series is in such high demand that I have to reserve them in advance or I’d be hard pressed not to finish them all in one sitting. - Alex
Two CHERUB agents are going to move into an apartment on the estate and try to get close to Leon’s children and his nephew and niece. Because of their similarity in appearance, James and older agent Dave have been selected for the mission.
James is overjoyed to be involved – always short-tempered, all his friends are shunning him because of an outburst of anger in the aftermath of being dumped by his girlfriend. James smacked and shoved Andy, a new, already traumatised eleven-year-old recruit and it’s not just his friends who are taking action – Andy’s being guarded by a couple of huge sixteen-year-olds, admin are punishing him and compelling anger management classes, and Lauren’s only allowed to speak to him because she’s his sister.
It’s this aspect that sets the CHERUB series above most rank and file YA series – not only is the protagonist flawed but he is seriously flawed (in a way that is understandable to readers), and is called on it, and the seeds for this were sown from the beginning of the series. As Lauren tells James, unless he learns to handle his temper he’ll have no friends and he’ll “end up battering [his] wife and children some day,” an accusation that shocks James but which is an accurate prediction.
Of course, this aspect is woven into the broader plot of The Killing rather than being its focus, and getting to the bottom of what happened, including the death thirteen months earlier of a young drug addict, is complex and satisfying. Muchamore continues to deliver strong plots, realistic action (in both training exercises and on the ground), and strongly developed characters. Though more satisfying if read in order, enough of the framework is included that a neophyte would also enjoy reading The Killing as a stand-alone novel. It’s a good thing the series is in such high demand that I have to reserve them in advance or I’d be hard pressed not to finish them all in one sitting. - Alex
Sunday, December 14
Man vs Beast – Robert Muchamore
Cherub agents James and Lauren Adams are on a mission together – along with close friend Kyle Blueman and controller Zara Asker, James and Lauren will be posing as the children of a woman convicted animal rights activist Ryan Quinn was fallen for. Quinn headed up a peaceful but effective animal liberation organization, Zebra 84, which was responsible for shutting down a number of fur farms and labs. Their technique combined persistent harassment of the site itself with tactics designed to make life too difficult for their suppliers to remain involved. In 2001, while attempting to shut down their most ambitious target yet, a multinational animal experimentation organization, Zebra 84 combined with a number of other animal rights groups to form Zebra Alliance. Before they made any progress Quinn was charged with attempted arson and jailed for six years. While Quinn was inside his group was taken over by a more radical group – the Animal Freedom Militia. The Home Office fears a devastating attack from this security-conscious group, and infiltration by Cherub agents may be the only way to get any information.
As with the rest of this series, Man vs Beast contains elements that are inappropriate for younger readers, in this case including sexual themes (both underage and gay, though nothing graphic), multiple scenes of violence, one of torture, and fairly confronting (though factual) information about non-criminal animal abuse in both food production and experimentation.
This use of adult themes is consistent with the way the characters are portrayed – the antithesis of how children are usually depicted, Muchamore’s creations are flawed, imperfect and complex. Lauren blackmails her brother to help her do something against the rules, James is more ruled by hormones than fidelity to his girlfriend, and he is also homophobic and short-tempered (though this last is improving). They are all nonetheless likeable, and there are real life consequences for inappropriate behaviour, another aspect that grounds the series.
As with the five preceding novels, the fast-paced plot is involving and compelling. Man vs Beast continues at theme evident in the last couple of Cherub novels – at what point does a just cause or good idea go too far? For readers old enough to reflect on grey areas, this is a fantastic addition to a strong and recommended YA series. - Alex
As with the rest of this series, Man vs Beast contains elements that are inappropriate for younger readers, in this case including sexual themes (both underage and gay, though nothing graphic), multiple scenes of violence, one of torture, and fairly confronting (though factual) information about non-criminal animal abuse in both food production and experimentation.
This use of adult themes is consistent with the way the characters are portrayed – the antithesis of how children are usually depicted, Muchamore’s creations are flawed, imperfect and complex. Lauren blackmails her brother to help her do something against the rules, James is more ruled by hormones than fidelity to his girlfriend, and he is also homophobic and short-tempered (though this last is improving). They are all nonetheless likeable, and there are real life consequences for inappropriate behaviour, another aspect that grounds the series.
As with the five preceding novels, the fast-paced plot is involving and compelling. Man vs Beast continues at theme evident in the last couple of Cherub novels – at what point does a just cause or good idea go too far? For readers old enough to reflect on grey areas, this is a fantastic addition to a strong and recommended YA series. - Alex
Wednesday, January 7
The Fall - Robert Muchamore
James is trapped in Russia when mission with MI5 goes seriously, and mysteriously wrong. Though he's shown CCTV footage by a CIA agent, his mission control supervisor Ewart (husband of the Cherub chairwoman) tells James he's implicated in the catastrophe. Fearing his Cherub career could be over, and concerned that Ewart may be more interested in protecting himself than in clearing James, he decides to search Ewart's office. He asks his girlfriend Kerry to help him, but she'd rather play video games. Hurt and worried about his future, James searches Ewart's office alone, and is sprung by Dana, an older Cherub agent, who agrees to help him, a decision that results in some very unexpected changes.
In the meantime his younger sister Lauren in on her first solo mission, infiltrating a children's home to uncover a child prostitution racket involving young girls smuggled into Britain by Russian mobsters, and only narrowly escapes being raped and murdered.
The incorporation of significant thematic elements, present from the first book, The Recruit, continues through the Cherub series - in addition to the seriously heavy trilogy of abduction, prostitution and rape, Muchamore discusses the fate of these young girls - they are usually repatriated to their place of origin, only to (often) be recaptured and once again sent to the UK. The traumatic experiences Lauren has do not vanish without effect, and this is subtly portrayed toward the end of the book.
There are also elements that many teens have to deal with, from facing up to your responsibilities, to betrayal on a number of levels, the end of relationships, the consequences of actions, and the flawed behaviour of adults.
All that palatably wrapped up with an exciting plot, exotic locales, engaging characters and genuinely riveting writing. - Alex
In the meantime his younger sister Lauren in on her first solo mission, infiltrating a children's home to uncover a child prostitution racket involving young girls smuggled into Britain by Russian mobsters, and only narrowly escapes being raped and murdered.
The incorporation of significant thematic elements, present from the first book, The Recruit, continues through the Cherub series - in addition to the seriously heavy trilogy of abduction, prostitution and rape, Muchamore discusses the fate of these young girls - they are usually repatriated to their place of origin, only to (often) be recaptured and once again sent to the UK. The traumatic experiences Lauren has do not vanish without effect, and this is subtly portrayed toward the end of the book.
There are also elements that many teens have to deal with, from facing up to your responsibilities, to betrayal on a number of levels, the end of relationships, the consequences of actions, and the flawed behaviour of adults.
All that palatably wrapped up with an exciting plot, exotic locales, engaging characters and genuinely riveting writing. - Alex
Friday, January 9
Mad Dogs - Robert Muchamore
In Class A James Adams went undercover to destroy the Kevin Moore Gang. In the absence of a strong leader, Moore's old turf is being fought over by two other gangs, and two Cherub agents, Gabrille O'Brien and Michael Hendry, have infiltrated the Afro-Carribean gange the Slasher Boys. It's been a couple of months and progress has been made, but when Gabrielle's hospitalised after bing stabbed, the ethics committee want to pull Cherub out of the operation.
James has been involved in the training of red shirts (junior Cherubs), with new girlfriend Dana, when the chairwoman decides to take advantage of his previous relationship with Moore's son, junior. He and agent Bruce Norris are sent in as cousins, with James recreating his previous persona, and they begin working on the other side of the turf war.
As I've mentioned before, the Cherub series explores elements of young adult life that are often ignored in series writing, and problems are simply resolved at the end of one book. In addition to his temper, James has had problems reconciling being in a relationship with his fifteen-year-old libido, something that was a significant component of his break up with long-time girlfriend Kerry. Though his relationship with Dana is more meaningful, as well as more physical, James once again finds himself involved with a girl while on a mission, and has to make some hard decisions.
Interestingly, after a lot of emphasis on James' flaws, Mad Dogs turns the focus to Lauren - though in some ways more mature than her brother, when her behaviours of concern are listed it becomes clear she has some issues to work through, too.
This series is continuing as strongly as it began, with characters that are three-dimensional, that develop over each book as well as over the series as a whole, and storylines that are believable and exciting without being repeditive. I've already reserved the next two at the library, and will then have to wait (im)patiently for the next one to be released. - Alex
James has been involved in the training of red shirts (junior Cherubs), with new girlfriend Dana, when the chairwoman decides to take advantage of his previous relationship with Moore's son, junior. He and agent Bruce Norris are sent in as cousins, with James recreating his previous persona, and they begin working on the other side of the turf war.
As I've mentioned before, the Cherub series explores elements of young adult life that are often ignored in series writing, and problems are simply resolved at the end of one book. In addition to his temper, James has had problems reconciling being in a relationship with his fifteen-year-old libido, something that was a significant component of his break up with long-time girlfriend Kerry. Though his relationship with Dana is more meaningful, as well as more physical, James once again finds himself involved with a girl while on a mission, and has to make some hard decisions.
Interestingly, after a lot of emphasis on James' flaws, Mad Dogs turns the focus to Lauren - though in some ways more mature than her brother, when her behaviours of concern are listed it becomes clear she has some issues to work through, too.
This series is continuing as strongly as it began, with characters that are three-dimensional, that develop over each book as well as over the series as a whole, and storylines that are believable and exciting without being repeditive. I've already reserved the next two at the library, and will then have to wait (im)patiently for the next one to be released. - Alex
Thursday, January 1
2008 in Review
Alex – My resolution to read fewer, but better quality, books went the way of most resolutions: of the 300 books I reviewed this year, 250 were fiction and 50 non-fiction (another year with no poetry), which is neat but coincidental!
Favourite novel: Underground – I read it early in 2008 and it stayed with me for the rest of the year, something of a measuring stick, and now (in the wake of political change both in Australia and the US) a reflection of a time that’s passed.
Favourite non-fiction book: this is far more difficult than picking a novel! I'm torn between Why We Buy, Better, How Doctors Think (by Jerome Groopman not Kathryn Montgomery), and the re-read The Tipping Point.
Favourite newly encountered author: a tie between the prolific Elizabeth Berg, the breathtakingly amusing Christopher Brookmyre, and Robert Muchamore, though I'm sure I'm forgetting several writers.
Most disappinting novel: Sandra Scopettone's Too Darn Hot: I love her contemporary stuff but this just left me cold
Least rewarding non-fiction book: a tie between Anything Goes by David Stove and An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David: my mother loves her work but it just didn't speak to me at all
Most disliked read: Will Self's Great Apes, and I barely made it to page ten.
And what does 2009 hold? I’d like to tackle some of the novels I’ve had on my To Read list for a while, including Anthony Powell’s 12-part A Dance to the Music of Time (my mother’s favourite books), Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy (huge, but apparently worth it), and make some inroads in my own backlog of books, 2008 being the Year of the Library. I also plan to write my reviews contemporaneously, rather than saving them up for one mammoth reviewing session.
Lynn
When it comes to choosing a worst book of the year, my 2008 reading list leaves me spoilt for choice. Over the past twelve months I have been seduced by many a promising plot only to be disappointed by cardboard characters, poor writing, clichés and disbelief so suspended it snapped.
It has been a difficult decision but I have finally narrowed it down to my top, or should that be bottom, three books of 2008.
Coming in at number 3, the most boring book I read this year was L A Banks' Minion. How Banks manages to make a vampire huntress action adventure dull I don’t know. But she does. This book makes it no higher (or should that be lower) on my list because I read it with no expectations and so I was disappointed rather than annoyed.
At number 2, with possibly the worst ending to a book ever, was M J Rose, The Reincarnationist - A Novel of Suspense. I enjoy reincarnation as a plot device and could have forgiven a lot in my desire to like this book but somehow Rose manages to take a fascinating premise and turn it into a flat, convoluted mess. Going into this book actively favourable to its content yet still finding it annoyed the crap out of me, earns this book its number 2 position.
And with the dubious honour of being the worst book I read this year, coming in at number 1 was Allan Massie's Arthur the King. I am a fan of all things Arthurian and couldn’t count the number of retellings of the legends that I have read, from a wide variety of perspectives and with some wild interpretations. I am fairly forgiving of flaws in Arthurian works. I can tolerate a lot in the name of a new Arthurian variation. But I couldn’t even finish this book. When writing is so bad that I walk away from one of my favourite subjects that book deserves the title of Worst Of My Reading List for the Year.
Choosing a best book of the year was no easier. As I scanned my reading list there were several titles that brought a fond smile of remembrance to my lips but not many that had me thinking I would be sorry if I missed reading this book.
Naturally the superlative Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher series features highly on my best books list but I have decided that the best book I read in 2008 was Phil Rickman’s December. While it was not perfect, indeed in some ways it was quite lacking, it was the one book that I recall coming to the end of and wishing wasn’t over quite yet.
Favourite novel: Underground – I read it early in 2008 and it stayed with me for the rest of the year, something of a measuring stick, and now (in the wake of political change both in Australia and the US) a reflection of a time that’s passed.
Favourite non-fiction book: this is far more difficult than picking a novel! I'm torn between Why We Buy, Better, How Doctors Think (by Jerome Groopman not Kathryn Montgomery), and the re-read The Tipping Point.
Favourite newly encountered author: a tie between the prolific Elizabeth Berg, the breathtakingly amusing Christopher Brookmyre, and Robert Muchamore, though I'm sure I'm forgetting several writers.
Most disappinting novel: Sandra Scopettone's Too Darn Hot: I love her contemporary stuff but this just left me cold
Least rewarding non-fiction book: a tie between Anything Goes by David Stove and An Omelette and a Glass of Wine by Elizabeth David: my mother loves her work but it just didn't speak to me at all
Most disliked read: Will Self's Great Apes, and I barely made it to page ten.
And what does 2009 hold? I’d like to tackle some of the novels I’ve had on my To Read list for a while, including Anthony Powell’s 12-part A Dance to the Music of Time (my mother’s favourite books), Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy (huge, but apparently worth it), and make some inroads in my own backlog of books, 2008 being the Year of the Library. I also plan to write my reviews contemporaneously, rather than saving them up for one mammoth reviewing session.
Lynn
When it comes to choosing a worst book of the year, my 2008 reading list leaves me spoilt for choice. Over the past twelve months I have been seduced by many a promising plot only to be disappointed by cardboard characters, poor writing, clichés and disbelief so suspended it snapped.
It has been a difficult decision but I have finally narrowed it down to my top, or should that be bottom, three books of 2008.
Coming in at number 3, the most boring book I read this year was L A Banks' Minion. How Banks manages to make a vampire huntress action adventure dull I don’t know. But she does. This book makes it no higher (or should that be lower) on my list because I read it with no expectations and so I was disappointed rather than annoyed.
At number 2, with possibly the worst ending to a book ever, was M J Rose, The Reincarnationist - A Novel of Suspense. I enjoy reincarnation as a plot device and could have forgiven a lot in my desire to like this book but somehow Rose manages to take a fascinating premise and turn it into a flat, convoluted mess. Going into this book actively favourable to its content yet still finding it annoyed the crap out of me, earns this book its number 2 position.
And with the dubious honour of being the worst book I read this year, coming in at number 1 was Allan Massie's Arthur the King. I am a fan of all things Arthurian and couldn’t count the number of retellings of the legends that I have read, from a wide variety of perspectives and with some wild interpretations. I am fairly forgiving of flaws in Arthurian works. I can tolerate a lot in the name of a new Arthurian variation. But I couldn’t even finish this book. When writing is so bad that I walk away from one of my favourite subjects that book deserves the title of Worst Of My Reading List for the Year.
Choosing a best book of the year was no easier. As I scanned my reading list there were several titles that brought a fond smile of remembrance to my lips but not many that had me thinking I would be sorry if I missed reading this book.
Naturally the superlative Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher series features highly on my best books list but I have decided that the best book I read in 2008 was Phil Rickman’s December. While it was not perfect, indeed in some ways it was quite lacking, it was the one book that I recall coming to the end of and wishing wasn’t over quite yet.
Wednesday, January 21
The Sleepwalker - Robert Muchamore
An explosion on a flight from New York to London crashes, killing all those on board, including the wife, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren of former Cherub chairman 'Mac' McAfferty. When the twelve year-old son of import/export dealer Hassam bin Hassam makes an aborted anonymous call to the crash tip line, an inexperienced officer classes it as a D-grade call, low priority for follow up, but Mac hears genuine fear and distress in the boy's voice. He puts two cherubs on to it, experienced agent Lauren and novice (and her best friend's younger brother) Jake. There's not ime for the usual stealthy iniltration, so Lauren and Jake approach Hassam, the bullied only Arabic student at his private school, directly.
The Sleepwalker (the title is only clear right at the end of the book) retains the combination of quality writing, strong character development, advancing story arcs and fast-paced plot that the previous eight books demonstrated. The focus has shifted a little from James, though he's still present in the story, and on to Lauren, who's starting to come in to her own after a rocky patch. This is thoroughly enjoyable reading, and I'm anxiosly awaiting my reservation for book ten to become available. - Alex
The Sleepwalker (the title is only clear right at the end of the book) retains the combination of quality writing, strong character development, advancing story arcs and fast-paced plot that the previous eight books demonstrated. The focus has shifted a little from James, though he's still present in the story, and on to Lauren, who's starting to come in to her own after a rocky patch. This is thoroughly enjoyable reading, and I'm anxiosly awaiting my reservation for book ten to become available. - Alex
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