Posted in Thriller, tagged Anthony Horowitz, Year 5-9 on November 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
True to his word, with Alex Rider now 15, the incredible best-selling books by master story teller Anthony Horowitz, come to an end in this, the ninth book in the series. With a thrilling action packed plot, in which we reconnect with some of the nasty Scorpia characters from earlier novels, Horowitz manages to draw this series to a neat conclusive end. Indeed though, it’s sad for this fan to bit Alex Rider goodbye.
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: Year 5-9
Posted in Thriller, tagged Anthony Horowitz, Year 5-9 on October 15, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Playing a game of cards soon turns into something far more sinister as Alex Rider gets caught up in a duel to death. The deeply religious Desmond McCain, whose devotion to fundraising for a range of charities for the betterment of man, soon gets recognized as a con man by the ever perceptive Alex Rider. As ever, fast paced, the ultimate climax is only revealed at the very end of the novel. A great read by the master story teller – Anthony Horowitz!
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: Year 5-9
Posted in Social Problems, Thriller, tagged John Larkin, Year 10-12 on June 29, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Written in the alternating voices of the ‘Shadow Girl’ and an annonymous writer who interviews her, this suspense filled thriller, written by John Larkin, stays with you long after the last page. Fearing for her life at the hands of her aunt and uncle with whom she has been living since her parents mysteriously disappear, the Shadow Girl runs away, forging a life of her own. Determined to complete her education and fulfil her dream of becoming a medical researcher, the Shadow Girl lies her way into school while living on the streets. Unimaginable horrors lurk around every corner, but worst of all is her fear that her gangster uncle will find her. Touching on mature themes, including paedophila, this novel is not for the faint hearted.
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Social Problems, Thriller
Suitable: Year 10-12+ (Mature Themes)
Posted in Thriller, tagged John Grisham, Year 7-12+ on August 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Move over Alex Rider, here’s another detective that will challenge you all the way! Thirteen year old Theo Boone, the son of two lawyers, challenges your belief in how smart a kid can be! You know all the facts and together with Theo try to intervene in a murder trial to ensure that justice is done, but this fast paced thriller has you on the end of your seat to the very last page. John Grisham has made a grand entry into the YA market with this great thriller.
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: Year 7-12
Posted in Thriller, tagged Rebecca James, Year 9-12+ on April 30, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Moving from Melbourne to Sydney to live with her aunt, final year high school student Katherine tries to carve out a new life for herself in a new school. Her life takes a new turn though when she is befriended by the party loving extrovert, Alice. Interspersing flashbacks and fast forwards with the present day happenings, James’ writing technique crafts a powerful novel which is both gripping and tragic. The novel keeps you guessing to the very end. Very well written. A great novel for Rebecca James!
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Psychological Thriller
Suitable: Year 9-12
Posted in Thriller, tagged Gordon Reece, Year 10-12 on February 20, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Teased, bullied and physically abused at school, Shelly and her mother take refuge in the country. Living in the beautiful surrounds of Honeysuckle Cottage, the rhythm of life they enjoy seems idyllic: Shelly studying under the guidance of tutors for her final school exams, her mother commuting to work in the city. When an intruder breaks into their home in the still of the night though, peace and tranquillity dissolve. Horrific and frightening, terrifying and nerve-wracking, this thriller by Gordon Reece will keep you in suspense unti the very last page. A great read!
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: 10-12+
Posted in Thriller, tagged Paullina Simons, Year 10-12 on November 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
If you’ve not discovered the writing of Paullina Simons yet, this is probably the best one to get stuck into! Short and sharp, the opening scene in which a very pregnant woman is kidnapped by a phsycho, remains seared in memory for a long time after finishing the book! Make sure you have plenty of time to read this one. Once you start, you won’t be able to put it down!
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: Year 10-12+
Posted in Thriller, tagged John Gilstrap, Year 7-10 on November 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Having killed a guard in self defence in a Detention Centre in which he had been placed and with no one to trust, Nathan tells his story to a talk-back radio host. Nathan’s run becomes a media event which is tracked across the country. This novel by John Gilstrap is exciting and action packed to the very end. Undoubtedly one of the best and most memorable books I’ve ever read!
Rating: *****
Theme Fiction: Thriller
Suitable: Year 7-10
